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Hamilton College's New Century Campaign concluded on June 30 having raised a record $109 million over four years for student scholarships, new teaching positions and other college priorities.

More than seven of 10 Hamilton alumni contributed to the college during the four-year campaign that began in September 1997.

"Hamilton's alumni and friends have once again demonstrated their affection for this college and its students," said Jeff Little, a 1971 Hamilton graduate who served as general chairman for the campaign.  "Their generosity is already being felt in additional financial aid for students, a stronger faculty offering a greater variety of courses, and new programs and facilities."

Vice President for Communications and Development Richard Tantillo said Hamilton alumni and friends contributed more than $34 million in new endowment for student financial aid.  Since Hamilton's formula for calculating spendable income from the endowment is 5 percent, Tantillo said the campaign will provide an additional $1.7 million each year in perpetuity for financial aid. 

Currently, Hamilton spends about $15.2 million each year to enable students to attend the college.  Nearly six in 10 Hamilton students receive some form of financial assistance from the college.

In addition to support for student scholarships, 10 new endowed chairs were added to the faculty during the course of the campaign, and nearly $10 million was provided for new facilities, including the college's top construction priority, a new science center. 
 Hamilton received 24 commitments of at least $1 million, including a $9.1 million bequest for student scholarships from the estate of 1927 Hamilton graduate Doane Comstock, a self-described "country lawyer" whose family mortgaged its farm in the 1920s so he could attend college.

"The passion of the Hamilton alumni body and the level at which they support their alma mater provide an immeasurable impact on educational quality," Tantillo said.  "But I am equally impressed by the creativity and generosity of many others during this campaign."
 As an example, Tantillo cited the contributions of several anonymous donors who created the Hamilton College Town-Gown Fund, an endowment established to make gifts to local educational, cultural and civic organizations in the Town of Kirkland.  He also praised the generosity of Hamilton employees, nearly 38 percent of whom contributed more than $750,000 to the college.

"Hamilton inspires tremendous loyalty and commitment from those who work and study here," Tantillo said.

The total raised for The New Century Campaign was more than $26 million over the original goal of $83 million and $9 million more than the revised goal of $100 million.  The college's previous campaign raised $69.5 million from 1990-94.

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