Cars, SUVs, mini-vans, and airport shuttles were greeted by raucous singing and cheering Orientation leaders and President Steven Tepper in full Alexander Hamilton costume. The Class of 2029 arrived on College Hill on Aug. 19 to begin Orientation, embark on adventure trips, and matriculate into Hamilton.

Tepper told the assembled families, “This is my favorite day of the year — the excitement, the energy on the Hill” and described the packed arriving cars as having two scenarios. The first: “Windows down, everyone waving, excited, the students are all in. Group two: The parents are waving, excited, and the students are looking straight ahead. This is a place when you GET that much attention!”

Last year was Tepper’s first at Hamilton and his sign then reflected that: “I’m new here, too!” This year, his sign read “It’s a Doggie Dog world on the Hill, signed Lexi Pepper Tepper.” Tepper explained that Lexi Pepper Tepper is his family’s new puppy, who was named by Hamilton students. Lexi is in reference to Alexander Hamilton, of course. 

“When I was growing up, the expression ‘Dog eat dog world’ — which means it’s a very competitive world where dogs eat other dogs, a not very nice world — I heard as ‘Doggie dog world,’ tails wagging, sniffing, a great world to live in. Who wouldn’t want to live in a Doggie dog world?” Tepper asked.

“Hamilton is a doggie dog world. We work hard, but this is not a place where we measure ourselves on how well you compete with your fellow students. We measure ourselves by how you help your fellow students learn,” Tepper said. “We are kind, we are not judgmental, and for parents, there’s not a better place to learn than a place where you do not feel judged. You can say anything, you can think anything, and you will not be judged.”

The president told families that their students will get a glimpse of this culture over the next five days on their Orientation trips, with rigorously trained leaders. “You can be assured you’re in good hands. We got this; we know what we’re doing.”

After students and their families said their goodbyes, opening ceremonies commenced on Steuben Field. Members of the class met with their adventure trip leaders and groups to play rowdy games and enjoy bonding activities before preparing to set out on one of 56 orientation trips aimed at connecting them with their classmates and introducing them to the area.