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The April Hamilton-Colgate Challenge demonstrated, once again, the magnificent generosity of Hamilton alumni when called upon to support their College. At the end of the day on April 30 fully 1,308 alumni had made a gift to Hamilton - nearly four times the total number of donors in April, 2008! The desire of Hamilton graduates to support current students on the Hill clearly transcends the economic stress we are all experiencing. To date, Colgate has been unable to provide an end of the month total. Regardless, students have been the clear winners. Thanks to all of you who help perpetuate the life changing experiences you knew at Hamilton for today's undergraduates.

In difficult times like these, we are fortunate to be graduates of Hamilton College. Our education provides a foundation of knowledge, personal values and sustaining friendships that endure. It was true when we were on the Hill. It is true today. Hamilton still fulfills the promise that students' dedication will be rewarded — their efforts will serve them well for a lifetime.  

As the end of the year approaches, your support to Hamilton's Annual Fund is critically important. To help prompt you to be as generous as circumstances allow, a number of trustees created two challenges that will match all or a portion of your gift if given prior to December 31.  Up to $500,000 in increased trustee gifts can be generated to compliment and augment yours.  

Hamilton's Chaplain Rev. Jeff McArn was recognized by the Samaritan Counseling Center at their annual Good Samaritan Award breakfast in Utica on October 23. McArn's work in the local community was cited for the breadth of its impact on Mohawk Valley citizens and Hamilton students. The award was presented by Jon Hysell '72, a Center board member. Patsy Couper W'44 was a recipient at last year's ceremony. The text of remarks made prior to the award presentation follow:  

As part of an opinion research project initiated by the Alumni Office and prepared by the independent Boston-based marketing research firm Wallace & Washburn, more than 12,000  alumni were invited to participate in an electronic survey that measured a wide range of opinions about the Hamilton experience, ways alumni receive their information, levels of involvement and philanthropy to the College. Some 33 percent of those invited to complete the survey did so.

Please accept the deep and sincere thanks for your generosity from all of us on the Hill. Each year alumni, parents and friends of Hamilton are asked to sustain the College with their unrestricted gifts. In the fund-year that just closed, nearly 10,000 individuals participated and contributed just over $5.8 million. Alumni participation was 52.2%, exceeding 50 percent for a remarkable 27th consecutive year.

Thanks to its graduates, Hamilton is a leader nationally in alumni participation for annual giving. For the 26th consecutive year, last year more than 50 percent of alumni made a gift to the College. A 52% participation goal has been set this year to continue our remarkable tradition of excellence in participation - a metric that speaks to the loyal support of alumni and their involvement in the success of the College.

Alumni responded, and the May goal of making 800 new gifts or fulfilled pledges was met. Doing so generated a total of $125,000 in additional gifts from nine trustees. The third phase of the Alumni Participation Challenge, which concludes on June 15, will prompt the trustee challengers to contribute another $125,000 which will further magnify the impact of your gift. 

Nine trustees have promised to make additional gifts of $400,000 with an Alumni Participation Challenge that runs from now until June 30. Your gift to the Annual Fund is unrestricted and helps Hamilton where it's needed most. Join the power of participation and keep Hamilton at the forefront of higher education. Please make your gift today.

Charter trustee Jack Withiam '71 posed his Leap Year Challenge with every confidence that Hamilton's 29 youngest classes would rise to the occasion -- and did you ever! Together you surpassed our ambitious goal of 841 commitments over 29 days, finishing at the end of the day on February 29 with an astounding 1,066 gifts and pledges. Your remarkable, collective accomplishment demonstrates the power Hamilton alumni have when they work toward a common goal. It's who we are!