News at Hamilton

Yuxuan Xu ’26 has been named a recipient of the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a national award that supports students intending to pursue research careers in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering. For Xu, the recognition wasn’t just a validation of his work — it was a meaningful milestone after years of dedicated effort and strong mentorship at Hamilton.

Designer and artist Bruce Mau, the co-founder and CEO of Massive Change Network, a global design consultancy in the Chicago area, will deliver Hamilton’s 2025 Commencement address and receive an honorary degree on Sunday, May 25, at 10:30 a.m., in Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. A class of 568 students is expected to receive bachelor’s degrees during the Commencement ceremony.

Andrew Fredericks ’25 and Charlie Haberstock ’25 both received a 2025 Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, a national $40,000 grant to pursue a one-year passion project anywhere in the world. While receiving the award is a feat in and of itself, the two geosciences majors were particularly excited when they heard that the other had won. Close friends since their first year at Hamilton, the pair had supported each other throughout the Watson application process.

National and regional news organizations regularly interview Hamilton faculty, staff, alumni, and students for their expertise and perspectives on current events, and to feature programs and activities on campus. March’s news topics included varied subjects from gambling during March Madness to a possible third term for President Donald Trump.

Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States, captivated a capacity crowd on April 3 at Hamilton College where he reminded those who may be seeking change: “The most important office in this democracy is the citizen, the ordinary person, who says, ‘No, that’s not right.’”