In May of 1812 the charter was signed establishing Hamilton College. Along with identifying the first professors and president (three turned the job down before Azel Backus accepted) and appointing a committee to secure funds to repair the Hamilton-Oneida Academy in order to render it "commodious and convenient for students," the College's first trustees set among their priorities goals of attracting the most qualified students and offering them the finest education.
Throughout the following two centuries, that original vision has been fulfilled — most likely exceeding the lofty dreams of the College's founders—thanks to a remarkable legacy of support from Hamilton's alumni, parents and friends.
The 1812 Leadership Circle is a new program that recognizes Hamilton's most generous supporters whose contributions form a living endowment that goes directly to the heart of a Hamilton education, supporting the overall quality of students, faculty and the environment in which they live and work.
