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Chef, chocolatier, and Hamilton alumnus Stephen Durfee ’85 urged the Class of 2026 to be present and patient enough to find what they love during the College’s Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 24, in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House, where 507 bachelor of arts degrees were awarded.

Four Hamilton College faculty members were awarded Hamilton’s highest awards for teaching by Provost and Dean of Faculty Ngoni Munemo. Announced during the May 5 faculty meeting, those honored were selected from among 175 nominations received from 58 students.

At Hamilton’s annual Class & Charter Day convocation on May 12, 146 students received well-deserved academic prizes and scholarships, and faculty teaching award recipients were recognized. Associate Professor of Chemistry Max Majireck served as keynote speaker.

Provost and Dean of Faculty Ngonidzashe Munemo recognized 10 faculty members with Dean’s Scholarly Achievement Awards in three categories — career achievement, early career achievement, and notable year — at the May 5 faculty meeting.

The Hamilton men’s varsity hockey team made history on March 29, winning the NCAA Division III national championship. The Continentals defeated Hobart and William Smith in overtime when Curtiss Sturgeon ’29 scored with 3:16 left in the first sudden-victory overtime period, and lifted Hamilton to a 2-1 victory. See photos of the game and more winter sports by Josh McKee.

Chef and chocolatier Stephen Durfee, director of curriculum at Dandelion Chocolate in San Francisco, and a 1985 graduate of Hamilton College, will deliver Hamilton’s 2026 Commencement address and receive an honorary degree on Sunday, May 24, at 10:30 a.m., in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. A class of 507 students is expected to receive bachelor’s degrees during the Commencement ceremony.

Congratulations to 10 Hamilton faculty members who were approved for tenure at the March meeting of the Board of Trustees. They include Nadya Bair (art history), Charlotte Botha (music), Clark Bowman (mathematics and statistics), Anna Huff (digital arts), Amy Koenig (classics), Heather Kropp (environmental studies), Jack Martinez Arias (Hispanic studies), Arathi Menon (art history), Mahala Stewart (sociology), and Michael Welsh (chemistry).

Last year at about this time, members of the Class of 2025 were starting to receive news about acceptances to post-graduate and professional degree programs. We caught up with a few of these recent graduates to find out what they’ve learned, what they’ve enjoyed, and any challenges they faced as they pursue graduate degrees.

In its second meeting of the 2025-26 academic year, the Hamilton Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa elected 16 additional members of the Class of 2026.

Big — in fact GREAT — Names on campus. Student research with a practical use. Memorable seasons for the Continentals. Check out our most popular stories from 2025.