Hamilton in the Community

Hamilton College, the Village of Clinton, and the Town of Kirkland share a 230-year history. The community was settled by Revolutionary War veterans in 1787. Six years later, the Hamilton-Oneida Academy was established by Rev. Samuel Kirkland, missionary to the Oneida Indians, with support from George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and 78 local residents who pledged land, cash, materials, and labor for the project. In 1812, the academy became Hamilton College, the third oldest college chartered in New York State.

The College, the Village, and the Town are mutually dependent, with each reinforcing the successes of the others. Hamilton invests in the vitality of the community through direct contributions, voluntary support, and the economic impact of its students, employees, contractors, and visitors.

The Hamilton College Town-Gown Fund

Established in 2001 by two local residents, the endowed fund perpetuates the College’s ongoing support for the local community by making grants to local nonprofits and public service agencies.

Town-Gown Fund

Municipal Contributions Agreement (MCA)

The MCA regularizes contributions from Hamilton to the Village, Town, County, and Clinton School District to provide budget stability and predictability for all parties.

Municipal Contributions Agreement

Hamilton’s Economic Impact

Hamilton’s economic impact is estimated biennially by the Center for Government Research in Rochester for the New York Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities.

Economic Impact Report

Student Volunteerism

The Clinton and Hamilton communities each benefit from the volunteer activity of students applying what they’ve learned in the classroom while simultaneously preparing to serve their future communities.

Volunteer Activities

Recent News

Kirkland, Clinton Receive NYS $10M Downtown Revitalization Grant

The town of Kirkland and village of Clinton are the Mohawk Valley recipients of a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from New York State. It’s part of a total state commitment of $100 million in DRI funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

Two Hamilton students and a staff member speak with the Utica mayor.

City of Utica, Levitt Center Share Homelessness Study Findings

Research involving students and faculty over the last several months led to a comprehensive study being released on the scope of homelessness in the area and how the City of Utica could address it.

Helping Neighbors and Saving the Planet?

What started as an endeavor to reduce unnecessary waste 15 years ago now provides five community organizations with sizable donations at the end of every spring semester.

Contact

Contact Name

Mike Debraggio

Executive Writer and Director of Community Relations

Phone

315-859-4654

mdebragg@hamilton.edu