Christina Matulaitis ’09 is Named Hamilton’s Twenty-Third GOLD Scholar

Thanks to the generous support of young alumni, Hamilton is pleased to name Christina Matulaitis '09 of Brewster, Mass. as its 23rd GOLD Scholar. Christina recently sat down to reflect on her Hamilton experience so far, and here's what she shared. "Recent graduates should never underestimate the power of a small donation. I intend to give back to the school every year, although it might be nominal in those first few years out. Alumni generosity made it possible for me to attend an amazing institution like Hamilton, which inspires me to give back in order to complete the cycle."

Hometown: Brewster, Mass.

High School: Nauset Regional High School

Major: Economics

Minor: Communication

Campus activities: Field Hockey,HALT, Phi Beta Chi, HAVOC

Last Movie Seen in Theaters:Revolutionary Road

Favorite Movie: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Favorite Song: September by Earth, Wind & Fire

Favorite Place You’ve Lived on Campus: South (freshman year)

Last Book Read: In Defense of Foodby Michael Pollan

Favorite Book: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Hobbies/Interests: Running, Cooking, Going to the Beach, Babysitting

Favorite Place on Campus: The Quad in front of South

Favorite Campus Dining Location: Commons (especially for Sunday brunch)

Fondest Hamilton Memory to Date: When the field hockey team went to Liberty League post-season competition for the first time in 16 years; it was a big milestone for the program

Quote: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius

I grew up in a small town on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It’s a popular vacation destination, so the winters were long and dull, but summers were like being on vacation without actually going anywhere. When I was little, we went to the beach every day in the summer. My high school was less than a mile from the beach, too, so on warm spring days class attendance tended to be a bit lighter than usual.

 

My father is a commercial fisherman and my mother a stay-at-home mom while I was growing up. With my dad in such an unpredictable career, my mom gave up her own professional life to take care of my sister and me, because my dad would be gone for weeks at a time I respect both of them for doing all they could to get me where I am today. I have a younger sister who is a freshman at Ithaca College this year. I’ve only had the chance to visit her once, but she loved coming to visit me on the Hill.

 

My guidance counselor recommended I look at some schools in Upstate New York, even though at the time I was determined to be in Boston. I’m so glad I ended up here because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to live and study in such a close-knit community. I have the rest of my life to live in a big city, and a lot of my friends who chose a school in the city environment had vastly different college experiences than I, both socially and academically. I tell prospective field hockey players to take this into consideration when they are looking at city schools. I just don’t think they have the same sense of unity as a small institution with a focused campus environment.

 

I fell in love with the College the first time I came to visit. It was the last stop on my Upstate tour so I was exhausted, but I knew it was right for me even though it was in the middle of nowhere. It was mid-October and the campus was picturesque in full autumn bloom. I met with the field hockey coach and her assistant, and was so nervous, but they put my tensions at ease. I came back in the spring to do an overnight and everyone I met was so genuine. My initial impressions still remain, but I love the College even more now for all the things that I didn’t see at first.

 

I could never limit it to just three…the unique mix of people, sense of community and gorgeous setting all contributed to my experience on the Hill. I graduated with an unparalleled education, lasting friendships and a true sense of self.

 

I am working as a nanny for a Hamilton alumnus during the summer. In the fall, I have my heart set on moving to New York City to live with a few friends from school, and I can’t wait to become part of the extensive alumni network there!