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2023 in Review: Top Stories

Momentous celebrations, reaching historic milestones, and enhancements to campus were among Hamilton’s most memorable moments from 2023. Check out our most popular stories from the last year.
February 2023 Calendar - Women’s hockey team celebrates
The women’s hockey team made history, garnering its first bid to the NCAA women’s hockey championship. The Continentals ended the regular season with an overall record of 20-5-2. Their season ended with a loss to Amherst in the national semi-finals.
2023 faculty retirees Barbara Tewksbury, Derek Jones, Brain Collett, and Todd Rayne
Four long-time faculty members — Brain Collett, Derek Jones, Todd Rayne, and Barbara Tewksbury — retired at the end of the 2022-23 academic year. They reflected on their time at Hamilton, and talked about what they’re most looking forward to.
James Soper Merrill Prize recipient Ryan Smolarsky '23 addresses graduates and guests at Commencement.
Hamilton’s Class of 2023 left College Hill in May, canes in hand and ready to make a difference. Before leaving, a few members of the class shared how their courses, mentors, peers, and opportunities shaped their college journeys.
President David Wippman gives his last College update in the Chapel.
In May, President David Wippman announced that he will retire, saying “My time at Hamilton has been the most satisfying of my career.” He will have served for eight years when his tenure concludes on June 30, 2024.
Screenshot of Burke Library walk-through video
This summer, Burke Library underwent a $5.15 million renovation to its 17,000-square-foot first floor, adding the latest in digital resources. A video and photo gallery highlights the features of the project, including TECH lab, Hamilton’s first makerspace, with VR/AR tools, 3D design and printing equipment, and four soundproof production booths.
A collage representing the interests of first-semester students.
After their first semester on campus, a few members of the Class of 2026 reflected on the courses they loved, favorite campus meals, and how they spent their first months on College Hill.
2023-24 New Faculty Collage
Forty-two new faculty members joined Hamilton’s ranks for the 2023-24 academic year, including 11 tenure-track professors in addition to visiting professors, lecturers, and teaching fellows.
2022-23 Men's Basketball Team poses for a photo at the NESCAC Championship
The men’s basketball team captured its first-ever NESCAC title with a win over Colby, and earned an automatic bid to their 12th NCAA championship appearance. Their storybook season ended with a loss to Johns Hopkins in the second round.
Swamp White Oak Tree
Hamilton’s ambitious plan to reduce its impact on climate change was unveiled in April, with President David Wippman saying the strategies “reflect our community’s commitment to be conscientious stewards of the environment and demonstrate to our students the importance of being responsible global citizens.”
BecauseHamilton [Did It]
Hamilton surpassed its $400M goal for the Because Hamilton campaign, the most ambitious fundraising initiative in the College’s history, raising $411,233,000 to support financial aid, learning and living, digital leadership, career exploration, the humanities, and the Hamilton Fund.
orientation 2023
Three months after saying so long to the Class of ’23, Hamilton welcomed members of the Class of ’27 for move-in and orientation. Video and photos captured the joy and merriment as they were greeted by orientation leaders on the Hill and got to meet their classmates.
Bristol Pool
The nearly year-long Bristol pool renovation made a splash with readers. The $12.8 million project included a total roof replacement as well as a new pool filtration system, water chemistry and control system, surge tank and lighting, and more.
Michelle J. Howard stands on a stage below a large Hamilton banner with several international flags in the background.
At Hamilton’s 211th Commencement, 500 members of the Class of 2023 heard from Retired Navy Adm. Michelle J. Howard, the first female four-star admiral, who reminded them, “As your namesake [Alexander Hamilton] would say, the first duty is justice.”
Alumni pose with Alex during Reunions ’23.
The classes may change, but celebrating Reunions never gets old. More than 1,200 alumni, family, and friends returned to Hamilton in June, including the largest-ever Hamilton 50th Reunion class with 82 registered.
Will Whalen ’23
A purrfectly entertaining news story told the tale of Will Whalen ’23 the mastermind behind Mittens, the cute kitty chessmaster bot that took over the chess world earlier this year.

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2023 in Review: National Media Coverage

Major national and international media outlets and leading publications from the higher education industry turned to Hamilton College faculty, staff, and alumni for their expertise and thought leadership on a broad range of topics in 2023.

Clock on Martin's Way in the winter

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From Class of ’26 Orientation and One Hill of a Reunion, to a triumvirate of new vice presidents and a gleaming new rowing boathouse, Hamilton’s news page kept readers busy with an assortment of news stories in 2022.

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