About Us
Developing the ability to communicate in a clear, organized, and effective way is a central goal of the liberal arts education at Hamilton. To help all students strengthen their writing abilities, the College established the Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center in 1987. The central focus of the Center’s services for students is peer review provided through writing conferences.
The Writing Center is named in honor of George L. Nesbitt (1903-1985), Professor of English from 1930 to 1973, and Thomas McNaughton Johnston (1904-1986), Professor of English from 1934 to 1972. Demanding and inspiring teachers, they helped two generations of Hamilton students to write thoughtful, coherent, clear, and sometimes elegant prose. Professor Nesbitt, who chaired the Department of English from 1952 to 1968, was instrumental in establishing the English composition sequence; Professor Johnston, the principal author of Hamilton’s Essentials of English Usage style guide, was known for his own graceful style, which his best students aspired to emulate. Together they constructed the foundation for Hamilton’s present reputation as an institution that teaches and values effective writing.
Student Assistants
Aliane Douyon ’20
Aliane is a senior from Miami and is part of Miami Posse 7. She is studying interdisciplinary public health studies with a minor in public policy while on the pre-med track.
Victor Lou ’21
Victor is an anthropology major from Beijing, China. He loves photography, lacrosse, walking around in the woods, and working at the Writing Center.
AlMahdi Mahil ’20
Mahdi is an international student from Sudan, and he is currently the President of Hamilton TEDx.
Jahmali Matthews ’22
Jahmali is a sophomore aspiring to major in creative writing and sociology. She is from Boston (yes Boston Boston) and is a HEOP scholar. On campus, she is an editor of Culture Magazine and is involved in the Caribbean Students Association. She hopes to publish a poetry collection and magical realism novel one day so look out for her in the future!
Ian Nduhiu ’22
Ian is a sophomore from Kenya. He is currently a computer science major and possibly a future econ? or math?? minor. When not buried under computer science projects, he likes to write poetry and play FIFA.
Caitlin Stern ’21
Caitlin is a sociology major from Connecticut. She has a passion for squash (the sport not the vegetable), played on the Women’s squash team for two years, and encourages everyone to give it a try. At Hamilton, her favorite season is fall because the weather is not too hot or cold, the foliage is beautiful, and there are plenty of fun fall activities upstate New York has to offer.
Megan Taruc ’21
Megan is a biology major who is interested in epigenetics and microbes! She likes collecting stickers, and her favorite play is Richard II.
Karianna Torres ’20
Karianna is a senior majoring in literature and minoring in mathematics. She is from the Boogie Down Bronx, so of course she is a die-hard Yankees fan. She enjoys eating breakfast, hanging out with friends, and rapping Cardi B lyrics.
David Yu ’20
David is a senior economics major. He is also an RA at Ferguson House.