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This year marks the 50th anniversary of a beloved Hamilton tradition. At every Commencement ceremony since 1976, a wooden cane has been presented to each graduate as a token of the College’s affection and a nod to its long history. The head of the cane forms a Continental tricorn hat in honor of Baron von Steuben, drillmaster of Washington’s Continental Army, who laid the cornerstone of the Hamilton-Oneida Academy on July 1, 1794.

This year, we celebrate 10 faculty members whose years of teaching have left a lasting mark on the Hamilton community. Retiring in June are Mark Bailey (computer science), Erol Balkan (economics), Sally Cockburn (mathematics), Ella Gant (art), Patty Kloidt (physical education), Cheryl Morgan (French), Quincy Newell (religious studies), Onno Oerlemans (literature), Margie Thickstun (literature), and Bruce Walczyk (dance).

Sofia Santana ’26 came to Hamilton from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with a plan. Now a senior, she has accomplished many of her goals, but her path has taken some unexpected — and exciting — turns.

Hank Morgan ’25 has taken his all-American college basketball skills to the G League. The 6’5” forward is currently playing with the Maine Celtics, an affiliate of the Boston Celtics.

Hamilton’s last major curricular review came in 2000. As the campus community begins envisioning “Open Curriculum 2.0,” here’s a look at how the College’s academic program has developed over the past 200+ years.

Why does Hamilton have a big pot of money and only spend such a small percentage? Who decides how funds are invested? How have recent federal tax and policy changes affected the College’s financial picture? Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance Karen Leach shares an Endowment 101 primer.

Hamilton students Angel Apollos ’26, Ricaldo Lewis ’26, and Mia Wrisley ’26 partnered with Eileen Brinck, OHSWA recycling coordinator, and Alma Lowry, lecturer in environmental studies, to create the app modeled after the “Am I Recyclable” feature on OHSWA’s website.

Colleen Hallagan Preuninger ’06 has returned to College Hill for her first semester as Hamilton’s inaugural dean of spiritual and religious life. We asked her to share some initial thoughts about her new role and what she’s heard already from students. (Full interview to appear in the Winter edition of Hamilton Magazine.)

Thirty-three trips into the wilderness, 68 student leaders, 287 student participants. Plus dozens of canoes, tents, sleeping bags, rain gear, pounds of cheese, and other essentials. The planning that goes into Hamilton’s Adirondack Adventure (AA) orientation program is extensive, and the process has run like a proverbial well-oiled machine for the past four decades thanks in large part to Director of Outdoor Leadership Andrew Jillings, who came on board in 1997 to expand the program from a modest six trips.

We reconnected with some members of the Class of ’25 to ask a different question: What are you taking away from Hamilton?