2024 in Review: Top Stories

December 19, 2024

A new president, new and improved buildings, and a year’s worth of notable events marked the top news stories of 2024. Check out our most popular stories from the year.

Steven Tepper holds up a drawing of a bowtie and the words know thyself — New President = Big News! Hamilton announced the appointment of Steven Tepper, a nationally recognized leader in creativity and education, as its 21st president on Feb. 7, and he visited campus on Feb. 29. With his wife Dana, the Teppers toured campus facilities, met with faculty and staff, and enjoyed a reception with student leaders. The president-elect told a gathering in the Chapel: “I’m ready to learn, and I’m open to your ideas.”

President Tepper speaks with Sustainability interns Marcela Rondon '27, Austin Cipriano '25, and Shey Sanges '26, as well as Environmental Health & Safety Specialist Sara Soika — After arriving on the Hill in July, President Tepper immersed himself in all things Hamilton. In his early days he became known for asking thought-provoking questions like “What project have you worked on here that you felt energized by?” Tepper learned about summer research conducted on campus by students, enjoyed a theatre performance, had lunch with Opportunity Program students, and toured the pollinate garden with sustainability interns.

Students wore bowtie shirts to celebrate President Tepper's inauguration. — Amid the ceremony and tradition of inauguration on Sept. 28, President Tepper announced his “What If” Initiative, which encourages campus community members to explore and collaborate on ideas and projects that will shape the future of Hamilton and higher education.

Chloe and Olivia Chiota came to Hamilton in 2021 as a package deal. The identical twins from Southborough, Mass., knew they wanted to play lacrosse together and be challenged academically. Four years later, they wrapped up their time at Hamilton with a bang, as they were named co-valedictorians of the Class of 2024 with perfect 4.0 GPAs. The sisters were both biology majors, with Chloe minoring in sociology, and Olivia minoring in women’s and gender studies.

retiring faculty Dave Bailey, Debra Boutin, Herm Lehman, Bill Salzillo, and Doc Woods — One hundred sixty-nine years! That’s the collective teaching experience of five faculty members — Dave Bailey (geosciences), Debra Boutin (mathematics), Herm Lehman (biology), Bill Salzillo (art), and Michael “Doc” Woods (music) — who retired at the end of the 2023-24 academic year. They reflected on their time at Hamilton, what they’ll miss most, their favorite class, and what they’re most looking forward to.

Student leaders welcome cars as they drive up College Hill Road — Nearly 460 new Hamilton students and their families arrived on College Hill on Aug. 20 to move in and begin Orientation for the Class of 2028. President Tepper joined the lively welcoming committee, sporting a tricorne hat, his signature bow tie, and a sign that read “Don’t Ask Me. I’m New Here Too!”

Venus Williams, legendary tennis champion, entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author of *Come to Win* drew the Hamilton community into her orbit on April 18 as the latest speaker in the Sacerdote Great Names series. Prior to her lecture, she met with student athletes and members of Nigel Westmaas’ Global Race and Sport class.

Doug Jones at commencement — Former Sen. Doug Jones, a U.S. attorney in Alabama who prosecuted accomplices in the racially motivated 1963 16th St. Baptist Church bombing, urged the Class of 2024 to be guardians of democracy in his Commencement speech.

Hamilton Innovation Center architectural rendering — Ground was broken in September for the Innovation Center, a new state-of-the-art facility equipped with best-in-class technologies and resources that will serve as the launchpad for the College’s multi-faceted digital fluency initiative, Digital Hamilton. The $50-million, 41,000-square-foot facility will be situated between Burke Library and Taylor Science Center. Enabling work is underway before construction begins during the winter. The building is expected to open in early 2027.

At the heart of campus, Root Hall is one of the most iconic buildings on College Hill. And after winter break, the community was introduced to an entirely “new” Root Hall — one that was almost two years in the making. A comprehensive renovation and modernization of the 127-year-old building included ample use of glass throughout, an accessible entrance, elevator, and an open common area.

Sage Rink, November 2024 — Since 2022, Hamilton has invested $13 million to preserve hockey’s beloved Sage Rink. Work completed in September included improvements to the building envelope and roof, several mechanical and HVAC system upgrades, a new ice and refrigeration system, and state-of-the-art boards and glass.

The Class of 2019 Labyrinth — Many changes took place on the Hill during the summer. The labyrinth, a Class of 2019 gift, located behind Anderson-Connell Alumni Center was installed, the Biology Department obtained a Nikon AXR microscope, 45 new faculty members joined the community, and the Mail Center got a new home at Bristol Center.

President David Wippman chats with two members of Student Government Alliance, President Quentin Messer ’26 and Student Organizations Chair Chayti Biswas ’27, in Commons. — Hamilton’s 20th President David Wippman retired after eight years, during which time Hamilton not only survived but thrived during a global pandemic, introduced new academic areas of study, launched innovative programs to encourage dialogue and enhance advising, unveiled new and renovated buildings, and successfully completed the largest fundraising effort in the College’s history.

Kaillie Briscoe Kelly '09 — With the retirement of coach Patty Kloidt after 22 seasons, Kaillie Briscoe Kelly ’09 was named head coach of Hamilton’s women’s lacrosse program. Kelly enjoyed a standout career with the Continentals. A two-time All-American, she was the offensive leader on the 2008 national championship team.

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