Index
Scholarships
The Lance R. Odden Scholarship
The Lance R. Odden Scholarship, established in 1996, is awarded to graduates of the Taft School who clearly demonstrated academic excellence and leadership capabilities while attending that institution. The scholarship was established in honor of Lance R. Odden, headmaster of the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, by George F. Little II, Class of 1971.
In the fall of 1961, Lance Odden, a Princeton graduate, was hired at the Taft School as hockey coach and college bookstore employee. By the spring semester, he was teaching history. In 1972, he became headmaster, the youngest in Taft’s history. During his time as headmaster, he directed all teachers to turn from traditional teaching to “student-centered learning,” believing that students should “first, think for themselves, and second, solve problems in teams, sharing insights and credit.” Odden’s efforts were applauded by students, teachers, and parents alike, and recognized by other educational institutions. In 1998, he received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hamilton College.
As vice chair of the Board of Trustees and Campaign Chair of Bicentennial Initiatives, plus two previous capital campaigns, George “Jeff” F. Little II, Class of 1971, has been instrumental in helping the College achieve its fundraising goals. Professionally, he managed George Little Management, a business his grandfather founded that operated tradeshows. In addition to his volunteer and financial support, Jeff also set a wonderful example by hiring and mentoring many Hamilton alumni. He has been a Hamilton trustee since 1993. On campus, the Little Pub and the Little Squash Center are named in honor of Jeff and his wife, Claudia. They are parents of two sons; Bradford is a 2004 Hamilton graduate.
June 2014
Please note: The named scholarships profiled on these pages support the College’s generous need-based financial aid commitment. These donor-funded scholarships help ensure the Hamilton promise of keeping education affordable through meeting a student’s full demonstrated financial need.
