The national media highlighted Hamilton College in multiple ways throughout 2012 by focusing on faculty research and expertise, featuring opinion pieces, and announcing new endeavors and special student projects. From The Today Show to NPR’s All Things Considered to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the college was visible in the media across the country.

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.

Hamilton President Joan Hinde Stewart was among participants in the Association of Yale Alumni annual assembly on Nov. 17.   Stewart, who received her Ph.D. from Yale in 1970, was a panelist on “Doctorates Without Borders,” a discussion of the challenges facing graduate school alumni in the 21st century and leadership opportunities within and beyond academia for Ph.D. degree recipients.

The dedication of the Edward and Virginia Taylor Science Center was a joyful celebration of the Taylors’ generosity coupled with recognition of Hamilton’s commitment to science education and liberal arts values. The naming ceremony, a highlight of the college’s bicentennial kickoff weekend, was held in the center’s atrium on Friday, Sept. 23.

Members of the Archaeology of Hamilton’s Founding course broke ground at a site just off College Hill Road on Thursday, Sept. 1. Selected because of its possible association with key figures in Hamilton’s past, the site will be excavated by the students during the next seven weeks. Local NBC affiliate WKTV taped the first day’s digging for a news broadcast.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has voted to “reaffirm accreditation” of Hamilton College and to “commend the institution for the quality of the self-study report.”

University Business magazine featured an opinion piece written by President Joan Hinde Stewart in the Viewpoint section of its May issue. In “Becoming Need-Blind in an Environment of Need: How one institution has made it work,” Stewart discussed how Hamilton is ensuring access, “a deeply held principle at an institution where six of nine senior staff members were the first in their family to attend college.”  She explained the College’s decisions to eliminate merit aid and to adopt a need-blind policy in admission, examples of Hamilton’s commitment to this principle as well as its willingness to make changes counter to current trends in higher education.

Hamilton President Joan Hinde Stewart was elected secretary of the Commission on Independent College and Universities (CICU) executive committee  at CICU’s board of trustees meeting on April 21.