Vol. 169, No. 6 • CLINTON, NEW YORK • August 19, 2015
Hamilton College President Joan Stewart in her office in Buttrick Hall. She will retire on June 30, 2016.
President Stewart Looks Ahead to Her Final Year Written and Photographed by John Howard
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f Joan Stewart wants any one phrase to define her legacy at Hamilton College, it would likely be “leveling the playing field for students.” Sitting in her sunny campus office facing the College Chapel, Stewart thinks back on a meeting with the Hamilton College Board of Trustees in December 2009, where transitioning the College's admissions to a need-
blind process was proposed. She smiles at the memory. Members of the Hamilton staff had come to the meeting to discuss long-term objectives and goals, one of which was need-blind admissions. Going need-blind would mean accepting students based solely on academic merit, and not favoring wealthy students, whose families can pay the full tuition price. On the Hill, it had been an ongoing conversation. Monica Inzer, the College’s dean of admission and financial aid, had been putting a strategy together for implementation. In order to accomplish the goal, though, the College would need a significant amount of funding to support the additional financial aid needs, and in 2009, when the U.S. economy was struggling, that was a longshot. “As the board meeting was about to end, one trustee raised his hand and he said, ‘How much would it cost to do that now, with the class that’s coming in for the fall?’” remembers Stewart. There, on the spot, the trustees committed $2.5 million in funding, with more to come later. In the fall of 2010, Hamilton began admitting needblind. “We actually left [the meeting] with tears in our eyes,” says Stewart. “It was something we wanted to have happen and something we thought was right, but we didn’t think it would happen then and it did.” Unlike a lot of institutions that follow a similar need-blind admissions process, Hamilton commits to 100 percent of the need identified for an
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Hamilton Applicants at a Record-High By Mark Warren This year Hamilton College received the most fall first year applications in its 203-year history. This year’s pool was made up of 5,434 students, with 475 first year students beginning classes this fall. The acceptance rate at the school was 25 percent, a record low. While the school is facing a record number of applicants, the Office of Admissions is still making an effort to take chances on students with potential who can take advantage of what Hamilton has to offer. Vice President and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid for Hamilton College Monica Izner said she’s not very surprised the application numbers are at their highest point ever. “We’ve kind of been on the rise gradually so it’s not completely out of the blue, it’s a 7 percent increase from last year’s final tally,” she said. “It’s definitely the largest applicant pool in history. We’ve been bouncing around over 5,000 for several years now.” Since 2006, Hamilton College’s application numbers have increased modestly. Ten years ago saw 4,267 students apply, while in 2014,
that number increased to 5,071. Accordingly, the school’s acceptance rate has decreased. In 2006, 36 percent were accepted compared to 27 percent last year. Actual enrollment has stayed relatively steady, but typically between 460–480 chose Hamilton each year upon being accepted. Izner said the hardest part about getting so many applications is turning away qualified students. Instead of always choosing the elite, however, the school is making efforts to include a diverse group of qualified applicants into the student body. “So we’ve been intentionally more selective, we still want to be a place that can take a chance on students or admit students that we think are a really good fit,” she said. “We have a lot of things that we balance when we’re trying to admit students including geographic diversity and socioeconomic and ethnic, we want different talents and strengths—of course they’re all going to be smart.” Student orientation takes place from Aug. 18–26. Fall classes begin on Aug. 27.
WIGGLE WAGGLE WALK-A-THON
COMING TO KIRKLAND
JOAN, page 10
Girls Varsity Hockey Team Will Wear the Warrior C By John Howard
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fter surviving on nothing but a passion for the game and high hopes for the upcoming season, a new girls regional varsity hockey team that has so far been unrepresented by a backing school district now has a flag to skate under. The team, which will call the Clinton Arena home ice, will also be named the Clinton Warriors. Clinton Central School has stepped in to serve as the lead school. Last week, team organizers met with CCS Superintendent of Schools Stephen Grimm, along with athletic directors Doug Fiore of Clinton, Michael Deuel of Whitesboro, John Banek of New Hartford, and Ralph Leo of Utica, when the decision, pending a CCS Board of Education approval this week, was made. Eventually, all schools in the Mohawk Valley will be invited to participate. While the district will administer its budget, the girls team will operate independent of, but in cooperation with, CCS. As a lead school, CCS will not bear any of the financial burdens of the team. Travel, staffing, ice rentals and other associated costs will instead
be funded by a boosters program. A preliminary budget for the opening season is set at $25,000. The roster will be determined based on a tryout, but it is presumed that several athletes from Clinton High School will represent the team in its inaugural season. “For [the Clinton girls], just an opportunity to play on a varsity team, they’re excited,” said Clinton’s Scott Hughes, a Clinton parent serving as president of the girls varsity team’s boosters program. “To be able to wear their home school colors and name, they’re super fired up about it. It’s a win-win.” When the team was initially being developed, plans were in place to have the Utica City School as the host school district. However, changes within Utica’s athletic department caused the agreement to fall through. Prior to Clinton stepping up to fill the role, New Hartford was also considered. Because Section III does not presently host enough teams to recognize girls varsity hockey, the Clinton Warrior girls will compete in Section X. Their schedule, however, will still include Section III rivals like Oswego and Skaneateles that fans of the boys team will recognize. For their first season, the Clinton Warrior girls will play a short schedule of 12–14 games. The season will run from Nov. 9 through February, HOCKEY, page 15
Photo courtesy of Stevens-Swan Humane Society A look at last year’s Wiggle Waggle Walk-a-Thon, which was led by New York State Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi. By Kaitlin Meier
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n Sunday, Sept. 20, the Stevens -Swan Humane Society will host their 23rd annual Wiggle Waggle Walk-a-Thon fundraiser at the Kirkland Town Park. This is the first year the Walk-aThon will take place at the Kirkland Town Park. Nicole Curley, the shelter services coordinator for the Humane Society, said that the organization chose this location “because of the beautiful scenery, ample space and as a bonus the park employees were very friendly and accommodating.” The Walk-a-Thon is an opportunity for residents and their pets to get outdoors to get some exercise, socialize and enjoy some fun festivities. Those without pets of their own will have the opportunity to walk one of the Humane Society’s adoptable shelter
dogs. The public is invited to watch. Participants are required to collect a minimum of $25 in donations to walk either their own dog or a pledge dog. Those who collect $50 or more will receive a free t-shirt and professional photo with their pet. The event will take place from 12–3 p.m. with registration opening at 10:30 a.m. There will be vendors for food and merchandise, music, contests, and a “Kid Zone” with a bounce house, clown and different activities. Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol will “lead the pack” this year. Pre-registration will also take place from Sept. 17–19, noon–4 p.m. at the shelter on Horatio Street in Utica. Pledge forms for donations are available at the shelter or online at http://stevens-swan.org.