U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand introduced a resolution on Thursday, May 24, in the U.S. Senate to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Hamilton College. The senators proposed a measure to celebrate the college’s “sustained commitment to its charter two centuries ago.” On Tuesday, May 22, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also recognized the college’s bicentennial with a resolution read into the Congressional Record honoring the college.

Senator Joseph A. Griffo sponsored a resolution into the legislative record of New York State on Wednesday, May 23, recognizing the college's bicentennial celebration. Senator Griffo said, "I'm pleased that I could join President Joan Hinde Stewart, the staff, students, alums and supporters of Hamilton College in sharing tremendous pride in commemoration of this event." A video of the event at which the Senator introduced President Stewart and Vice President Richard Tantillo is available on the Senator's website.

President Joan Hinde Stewart rang the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday, May 24, at 4 p.m., as part of the bicentennial celebration of the NY State Board of Regents signing of the college’s charter on May 26, 1812. Photos of the event may be viewed on the NYSE Facebook page and video is available here.

In observance of the 200th anniversary of Hamilton College’s founding, the Hamilton College Arboretum Association will host the A.P. Saunders Tree Peony Fest on Saturday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to noon, in Grant Garden of the Root Glen.  The community is invited to see the Saunders peonies at their peak and stroll the shaded paths of Root Glen.

MSNBC.com quoted Interim Executive Director of Career Center Mary Evans '82 in an article titled “Biggest mistakes made by job-hunting grads” published on May 23 on its LifeInc. - The Economy and You site. Evans stressed how important it is for liberal arts graduates to be able to differentiate themselves in the marketplace.

Maurice Isserman, the Publius Virgilius Rogers Professor of American History, is the keynote speaker at “What’s become of ‘The Other America’ - The War on Poverty Then and Now,” a forum examining poverty now and half a century ago. The afternoon program is hosted by Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) on Thursday, May 24, from 3 to 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The Hamilton College chapter of Sigma Xi, the scientific research society, initiated 21 members of the Class of 2012 to associate membership at the annual banquet in the Science Center Atrium on May 18. Family members in attendance enjoyed a program of observations by mentors about the students, their research, and student plans to continue in research.

Hamilton College turns 200 on May 26, the day the New York Board of Regents granted the College its charter. Many organizations are joining in the celebration:

• Wednesday, May 23: The New York State Senate passed a resolution recognizing Hamilton’s anniversary.
• Thursday, May 24: Hamilton representatives will ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. (video will be available Thursday on the NYSE website)
• Saturday, May 26: The College Arboretum will host an event that includes remarks from Professor John H. O’Neill, co-chair of the Bicentennial Committee. 

Twenty eight percent – that’s the amount of  landfill waste Hamilton College’s annual Cram & Scram program reduces each May. Entering its fifth year, Cram & Scram is a non-profit, student-run recycling program aimed at reducing the inevitable landfill contribution that comes every summer as students move out of their residence halls.