Hamilton President Joan Hinde Stewart will be honored with the Alumni Council’s Bell Ringer Award at Reunions ’16. The Bell Ringer Award is presented each year in recognition of contributions made to the College, its alumni and the community. President Stewart will retire from Hamilton at the end of the 2015-16 academic year.
The Alumni Council voted to award the Bell Ringer to President Stewart based upon the many major initiatives accomplished during her tenure as president.
One of President Stewart’s highest priorities has been keeping a Hamilton education accessible to all. A highlight of her career is the need-blind admission policy adopted in 2010. In addition, the financial aid budget has doubled to $36M since her presidency began in July 2003.
Under President Stewart Hamilton has invested nearly $250 million in new and renovated facilities, including the Taylor Science Center, Wellin Museum of Art, The Kevin and Karen Kennedy Center for Theatre and the Studio Arts, and Siuda Admission House.
Also during President Stewart’s tenure the Academic Program in the Adirondacks was launched, Hamilton partnered with Colgate as a contributing member to the edX online learning platform and Hamilton’s First-year experience universal orientation program was introduced.
Student programming highlights since 2003 include the Levitt Leadership Institute and Hamilton’s designation as an Ashoka Changemaker Campus. Diversity and related programs have been a priority, including the establishment of the Days-Massolo Center, addition of a second Posse (Miami), creation of SEAS (Student Emergency Aid Society) and the launch of First-Year Forward.
Additional highlights include the celebration of Hamilton’s Bicentennial in 2011-2012 and completion of two capital campaigns.
President Stewart’s career at Hamilton will be explored in-depth in the next issue of the Alumni Review.
