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  Reunions 2004 were an occasion for alumnae of Kirkland College to reconnect with one another.  An article about the Open Mic event, authored by Kate Faison Spencer '79, follows ... We had a very energetic meeting about Kirkland, reconnecting with each other and with Hamilton, at the recent Reunion '04. Twelve women from the Class of '79 registered for the weekend, and there were ten who attended this discussion, joined by three Kirkland '74 graduates and a male '79 class member. There were two Hamilton contacts at the meeting, Erin Martinovich, who organized the reunion events for our class of '79 and Doug Raybeck, currently a Hamilton anthropology professor and fondly remembered as one of the outstanding Kirkland faculty members. The intention of the meeting was to explore the impact of the Hamilton/Kirkland merger on each of us. As we spoke, it was immediately apparent that issues raised were largely due to poor communication between Hamilton College and Kirkland students since 1978. By bringing our various perspectives to the meeting, with the assistance of written communication from Sam Babbitt, we were able to finally understand the chronological course of events in their wider historical context. Each direct communication was met by the group with the spirit of cooperation, as we heard about experiences of Kirkland students, faculty members and alumnae from 1978 forward. Erin fielded questions about contemporary processes at Hamilton. Her presence was invaluable and has already proved instrumental in the construction of possible responses at the College. Some simple but meaningful changes are anticipated in the Hamilton database, Website and magazine as a result of being heard. As Sam Babbitt describes the current situation in writing: "Many of us who were at Kirkland have had conflicted feelings about all that transpired in the difficult years when you were students on the Hill. The good news is that Hamilton College is, today, so welcoming to Kirkland people and so open in their acknowledgment of the part that Kirkland played in the evolution of Hamilton over these past decades. It was not always so, and to find it there now is a matter of great delight - and it augurs well for the health of the institution." For those alumnae who are still looking for a glimmer of Kirkland in the Hamilton institution, some exciting new prospects now exist. Without prescription or expectation on my part, allow me to invite you to come back through the open door. Kate Faison Spencer '79

Reunions 2004 was a memorable event for more than 1,100 members of the Hamilton family. Our photo galleries will help you remember your time on the Hill. Visit the galleries and enjoy a reprise of the weekend's events. Galleries

Congratulations! Did you know that one of the rights and privileges conferred upon you at graduation is a life time membership in the Hamilton alumni community?  Membership is currently just over 15,000 people. Connecting with alumni from other classes and staying connected with your classmates is about to become more complicated. The Office of Alumni Programs helps simplify this process by providing you with some tools, the most powerful tool of which is www.hamilton.edu/alumni - the Hamilton On Line Alumni Community (HOLAC).

Reunions 2004 will reverberate with echoes of the past, celebrate the present and provide a vision of what the future holds for the people who comprise Hamilton College.   Alumni in class years celebrating Reunion (1944, 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994 and 1999) have received their registration materials. All other class years are invited , and all can register through May 25 online in the Reunion web site. This year you can also see who has registered to attend from you class in the “Who’s Attending” section of the web site.

You are cordially invited to join members of the Metropolitan New York Alumni Association for an Alumni College Lecture Series featuring Robert Simon, professor of philosophy. Bob's topic is “The Internal Values of Sport: Resolving Ethical Controversies in Sport” His presentation is Thursday, March 25 at The Williams Club on 24 East 39th Street between Park and Madison Avenues. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. with a lecture to follow at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $19 per person ($15 for the Classes of 1999-2003) Professor Simon will raise the following questions of controversy: Is it unethical for athletes to use performance enhancing drugs? Is breaking the rules of the game to gain an advantage really permissible? What is sportsmanship? What are the moral obligations of participants in competitive athletics to their opponents? While some writers argue that whatever values are found in sport only reflect the values found throughout the broader culture, application of theories found in jurisprudence and philosophy of law suggest that there are defensible values internal to sport which can help resolve ethical controversies that arise in the world of sport. Professor Simon will develop this thesis and defend it against both those who argue that there is no universal understanding of “sport” and that values only reflect the conventions of particular communities or cultural perspectives. Register HERE

On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Hamilton Continentals football team will do battle on the gridiron with the Middlebury Panthers in Middlebury, Vt., to bring home the coveted "Rocking Chair."  All alumni and friends are invited to attend a pre-game brunch and post-game reception sponsored by the College.  Speaking before the game will be President Joan Stewart, football coach Pete Alvanos, Mac Bristol '43, Greg Hoogkamp '82 and Will Anthony '85.  More than 100 alumni and friends have already pledged their support for the team and will cheer the Continentals to victory.  Come out for a great fall day, and meet up with old friends! 

Hamilton's annual Fallcoming weekend will be highlighted this year by Inauguration festivities honoring President Joan Stewart. Trustees and Alumni Council members gather on Thursday evening, and the weekend begins in earnest on Friday with Alumni Association and pre-inaugural programming. The inauguration of Hamilton’s nineteenth president, Joan Stewart, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 10:30 a.m. in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. The weekend also features Continental sports, academic presentations, a multicultural career panel, celebratory gatherings and jazz in the evenings. Join us for this festive and historic occasion. Alumni interested in arriving early may attend a Sacerdote Great Names at Hamilton performance by noted comedian Bill Cosby on Wednesday, Oct. 15.  A complete schedule of events follows:  

To support President Stewart, our Alumni Association is hosting a series of receptions through out the year.  

Reunions 2003 will reverberate with echoes of the past, ring out with celebrations of the present and provide a sense of what the future holds for the people who comprise Hamilton College. Opportunities to strengthen your ties with your alma mater are at their best during Reunions 2003. Join us and renew old friendships, enhance existing relationships nurtured since graduation and develop new relationships that will last a lifetime. Hamilton College will welcome back more than 500 alumni, as well as their guests, when we host our annual Reunion Weekend Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8. Highlights of this year's reunion will include a fourteen Alumni Colleges, the Alumni All-Star Jazz Band, various affinity group receptions, the Annual Alumni Association Meeting and the Sunday Service of Remembrance.

Please join members of the Hamilton family for what we know will be a wonderful Alumni College on August 4-8 on Monhegan Island, Maine. As you may know, the Emerson Gallery will host a summer exhibition featuring the work of 100 artists titled Monhegan Island Artists: A 150-Year Tradition. The Monhegan Alumni College will include ample opportunities for intellectual stimulation, engaging discussion, intimate access to artists and their work, discoveries while on private tours at the Farnsworth and Monhegan Museums, relaxation, and gourmet and casual summer dining - all in a superb locale. As important, there will be time for enhancing existing friendships and forming new ones.