President Wippman’s Writings & Remarks

Board of Trustees Meeting

December 10, 2019

Tags Board Meeting Updates

Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,

Over the weekend the Board of Trustees convened for its annual December meeting in New York City. We started the morning with a presentation by Sam Welch '86, associate vice president for constituent engagement, on the career-advising curriculum and industry-based programming that is heavily supported by successful alumni professionals. Margaret Gentry, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies, and Tara McKee, professor of psychology and associate dean of students for academics, then presented an overview of the College’s developing initiative for advising and engaged learning, ALEX (Advise, Learn, and Experience). They explained how the integrated, team-based advising of ALEX will guide students on combining a broad liberal arts education with opportunities to complete research, immersive off-campus study, career-exploration, and community-engaged learning.

The Committee on Building, Grounds & Equipment (BG&E) heard an informative presentation on the College’s landscape master plan, including a historical review of the building and growth of the physical campus since its founding. This master plan affirms selected historical principles and will inform future planning with aspirational ones. The Committee also approved three major capital renewal projects, including critical repairs to the Chapel steeple and roof that are expected to begin late spring 2020.

As is customary in conjunction with the December meeting, the College hosted its 1812 Leadership Circle Weekend, this year celebrating the 10-year anniversary of need-blind admission. About 465 of the College’s generous alumni, donors, and friends heard from young alumni and students whose Hamilton education was made possible by financial aid. As part of the evening’s focus on need-blind admission, Hamilton presented philanthropist, entrepreneur, former New York City mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg an honorary degree for his dedication to higher education access.

Tonight we will gather for the lighting of the Beinecke Village to kick off the winter season and learn about what light means in various cultural and religious faith groups. Best wishes for success during the final weeks of the semester. The next Board meeting will take place March 6-7, 2020, in Clinton.

All the best,

David