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For many Hamilton students, Tessa Chefalo is one of the first faces they see when they arrive on campus for orientation. As assistant dean of students, a large part of her role involves overseeing the major transition that first-year students undergo as they begin their studies. Chefalo has been working with orientation and new students since she arrived at Hamilton 10 years ago, and this year her dedication, creativity, and innovation were rewarded when she received the Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award from the National Resource Center for First-Year Students and Students in Transition.

Greeted by signs and cheers from orientation leaders lining College Hill Road, 463 new Hamilton students and their families arrived on Aug. 15 for move-in and orientation.

When Hamilton’s class of 2024 arrived on campus in August, 2020, it was in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, so many of the usual opportunities and experiences for new students were not possible. In an effort to make up for that, Hamilton this year offered sophomores the opportunity to take Adirondack Adventure trips during Fall Break.

Keith Ruggles ’20 is a longtime Hamilton Outing Club leader and officer, Adirondack Adventure orientation leader, and student writer for the Communications office. Here, he tells how the training he’s received as an outdoor leader has been valuable in helping him manage the uncertain current environment.

After a day on campus all members of the Class of ’22 participated in Orientation adventure trips, Aug. 15 through 19. They hiked and kayaked in the Adirondacks, volunteered at local libraries and homeless shelters, and delved into such topics as American Freedom, community farming, and music improv.

It’s that time of year again. Cars with license plates from states across the country roam the campus searching for parking spots, and students who graduated from high school only a few months ago are rolling up with all their luggage. A class of 485 first-year students are ready to take the first step into their college experience: orientation.

While most underclassmen left campus after their final exams, a group of 69 students stayed around to take part in Orientation Leader training. The students will be among those leading Adirondack (AA), Outreach (OA), and Exploration Adventure (XA) trips for members of the class of 2022 in August.

Hamilton was well represented at the recent Northeast Regional Association for Experiential Education conference. The three-day event featured workshops, speakers, and events relevant to outdoor and experiential educators.

Helena Grant ‘03 traveled 10 miles in sub zero temperatures during her first backcountry ski expedition. Her travels have been broadcast nationally by NPR and NCPR.

While incoming first-year students may have to wait until August for Orientation, the excitement has already begun for some of Hamilton’s current students. Every year, new and returning leaders for each of Hamilton’s three orientation programs stay on campus for May training. Largely student driven, past leaders mentor the next generation of student leaders during the week after final exams. Although they may not know who their incoming first-year participants may be, next fall's leaders use this week to hone their leadership skills and get a taste for their respective programs.