LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
There is comfort in the predictability of the academic year:
swiftly reinvented nearly every aspect of a student’s on-
the orderliness of the calendar; the ceremonies and rituals
campus experience, from classes to housing to dining,
that mark the seasons; and the ability to determine, with
while simultaneously making online accommodations for
some certainty, what comes next.
those who could not or preferred not to return to campus. Looking back, I applaud the efforts of the faculty and staff
During my tenure as trustee chair, I became more
to ensure a safe and healthy educational program
familiar with the rhythms on College Hill. My check-
for our students.
ins with President Wippman were regular and largely routine as he provided updates on student and faculty
But alumni and friends deserve credit too. You provided
accomplishments, events on campus, new student
the resources – over time and in direct response to the
recruitment, and progress on the Because Hamilton
pandemic – that enabled Hamilton to push forward in the
campaign.
midst of uncertainty and demonstrate its resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges. The College spent more
Then came COVID-19.
than $15 million of unbudgeted money (see pg. 20) to open and operate safely, and those funds were available because
President Wippman, his staff, the faculty, and especially
of your generosity and because Hamilton has carefully
the members of the COVID-19 Task Force, the Health
stewarded for many years the resources you entrusted to
Center, Student Life, and Facilities Management did a
the College. This issue of Impact provides evidence of the
remarkable job transitioning to remote instruction in the
College’s strength, resilience, and growing stature.
middle of the spring 2020 semester, and then quickly turning their attention to bringing students back the
The impact of alumni and parent support may never
following fall. Hamilton made these pivots as well or
have been more evident than in the past 18 months.
better than any college in the country, by taking the steps necessary to protect the health and safety of the College
Thank you,
community, thereby keeping students’ academic progress on track. Colleges generally do not change quickly, but when faced
Stephen I. Sadove ’73, P’07,’10,’13
with a short window to plan for the fall – and in light
Chairman Emeritus
of many unknowns about the coronavirus – Hamilton
Board of Trustees
FROM THE CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
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