2023 Volunteer of the Year

The Jeff Little ’71
2023 Volunteer of the Year Award
Citation for Mike Seitzinger ’69

As rush chair for Psi Upsilon in 1967-68, you recruited to your fraternity the namesake for the award you receive this evening. The Jeff Little ’71 Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a person who has made a substantial, lasting contribution to the College. You are a most worthy recipient.

You came to Hamilton from nearby Rochester, New York, the first in your family to attend college. From your earliest days on College Hill, you have served your alma mater earnestly and with purpose. You are, in fact, one of Hamilton’s most loyal donors, having supported the College every year since you graduated in 1969.

“In the 58 years since Mike first arrived on the Hill,” wrote one nominator, “he’s been one of our most diligent and fervent ambassadors for the College. … [He] is an exceptionally dedicated, enthusiastic, and hardworking volunteer for Hamilton.”

Your service includes class president, career center volunteer, and as driving force for the Class of 1969’s 50th Reunion gift of more than $5.7 million, which came from 89% of the class and earned you the Hamilton Fund Chair’s Award. Included in that astounding total is the Mike Seitzinger and Maria Cusick Scholarship Fund, established by you and your wife – and augmented through your estate plan as a new member of the Joel Bristol Associates.

Now, your class is less than one year from celebrating its 55th reunion in 2024, and once again, you are enthusiastically, and with your characteristic irrepressible energy and positive outlook, leading the campaign for another tremendous class gift. You have also spearheaded highly successful efforts to create generous endowments for several of our men’s and women’s sports teams, including hockey, lacrosse, and basketball. 

A highly respected attorney in Augusta, Maine, with expertise in health care, general corporate matters, nonprofit governance, and other issues, you do for Hamilton what comes naturally to someone for whom service is an intrinsic part of his character. Your volunteer involvement includes the Kennebec Valley YMCA, the Kennebec River Rail Trail, Augusta Trails, the Kennebec Land Trust, and the Lithgow Library, among others. Fittingly, you’ve received the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “Community Service Award” and the Augusta Le Club Calumet’s “Outstanding Citizen Award.”

Now it’s Hamilton’s turn. Today, we add another well-deserved honor to the man one nominator called the “archetypal volunteer” by naming you the 2023 Jeff Little ’71 Volunteer of the Year at Hamilton College. 

Presented by John J. Christopher ’83, P’14
President, Alumni Association
October 6, 2023

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