Life-Long Learning During Reunions '09
Admission 101: A Workshop for Families Embarking on the College Search Process
Friday, 4 p.m., Conference Room, Siuda House
The admission process at Hamilton has evolved to match the times yet holds true to the ideals of the College. Lora Schilder, director of admission, will discuss the Hamilton admission process, emphasizing the key attributes admission professionals look for in successful applicants. Lora will also put today's prospective students in a historical and competitive context, and discuss "legacy" applicants and the growing impact of the Internet.
Alzheimer's Disease – A Cure in Our Lifetime, Friday
Friday, 3 p.m., Science Center 3024
Thomas Darling '69, president and CEO of Edunn Biotechnology, Inc., will explain the disease and offer insights into various efforts that are bringing us closer to a cure, including the research underway at his company. He asserts there is more than just hope for those who suffer from this disease.
The Beastly Feast and Other Children's Stories
Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Kirner-Johnson 127 (Red Pit)
Author Bruce Goldstone '84 will share several of his children's books with some of our youngest reunion participants. There will be two 30-minute sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m. In the first, 2- to 6-year-olds can come for the rhyming fun of The Beastly Feast and look at the world from an artist's point of view in Why Is Blue Dog Blue. Then 6- to 12-year-olds can play with big numbers by taking a good look at photos of jelly beans, penguins, google-eyes and more in Great Estimations.
A Career in Sports
Friday, 4 p.m., Science Center G042
There are many ways to measure success in the world of sports today. Our panelists, Brian Day '84, head coach of the varsity hockey program at Noble and Greenough School, and Charlie Mierswa '84, senior vice president and chief financial officer of the New Jersey Nets, will discuss the successes and challenges of their chosen careers. The discussion will be moderated by Robert Simon, the Marjorie and Robert W. McEwen Professor of Philosophy.
College Teaching Isn't What It Used To Be: Reflections on a Half Century of Change
Friday, 11 a.m., Kennedy Auditorium, Science Center G027
Throughout the past half century we have changed, our fields have changed, our students have changed, our responsibilities as teachers and scholars have changed (and not changed), and the academy itself has changed. Here to sort this out are Dan Russell, Bill Hoyt, Sam Stradling and Barclay Ward, seasoned college teachers from the Class of '59.
Fallen Giants: A History of Himalayan Mountaineering
Thursday, 3 p.m., The Glen House
Maurice Isserman, the James L. Ferguson Professor of History at Hamilton, is co-author of the recently published prize-winning book Fallen Giants: A History of Himalayan Mountaineering from the Age of Empire to the Age of Extremes. In a review on the occasion of its publication last fall, Bruce Barcott wrote in The New York Times Book Review, "Fallen Giants is the book of a lifetime for its authors, an awe-inspiring work of history and story-telling." The book received the Banff prize for best mountaineering history of 2008 and the National Outdoor Book Award prize for best history of 2008. Books, to be signed by Maurice, will be on sale at the event.
Giants in the Earth: A Guided Tour of Hamilton's Cemetery
Thursday, 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 11 a.m., Meet at the College cemetery entrance between Bristol Center and Minor Theater
Hamilton Alumni Review Editor Emeritus Frank Lorenz will provide epitaphs for the many notable men and women who are buried in the Hamilton cemetery. Frank has a deep knowledge of Hamilton's history and a special skill in memorializing Hamiltonians honed by his years as the author of the Necrology section of the Alumni Review. Expect Frank to speak about cemetery residents with the honesty enabled by having no fear of consequences from those he will eulogize!
The Great American Crime Drop of the '90s – Some Thoughts on Abortion Legalization, Guns, Prisons and the Death Penalty
Friday, 4 p.m., Science Center 3040
Join John Donohue III '74, the Surbeck Professor of Law at Yale University Law School, as he explores one of the most remarkable developments of the 20th century — the dramatic drop in crime in the U.S. that roughly coincided with the tenure of the Clinton Administration. Those who have read Freakonomics (written by John's coauthor Steve Levitt) have heard about how the legalization of abortion in 1973 played a role in the decline in crime two decades later. John will sort through the cacophony of competing theories and conflicting studies concerning Clinton gun control measures or NRA-sponsored "right to carry laws," as well as the influence of mass incarceration, the death penalty and police.
The Hamilton College Arboretum
Thursday, 3 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m., Meet at the College cemetery entrance between Bristol Center and Minor Theater
The College arboretum consists of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants for scientific and educational study. Plants are cultivated, labeled, catalogued and mapped, providing a unique opportunity for exploration. Certified Arborist Terry Hawkridge, assistant director of grounds, horticulture and arboretum, will lead the north campus tour that will take about 75 minutes along flat ground.
Has Washington Lost Its Head? Or Simply Grown a Much-Needed New One?
Friday, 4 p.m., Kennedy Auditorium, Science Center G027
Join Class of '79 grads and DC-based talking heads Steve Culbertson, Bob Hartheimer and John Hewko for a lively discussion. Their work touches the government in the areas of non-profit organizations, banking institutions and developing countries, and they have views on how these areas are affected by the economy, the Obama administration, the opposition's approach and everything else (since those in DC always have opinions). Steve runs a DC-based international non-profit; Bob
is a former FDIC division director and now banking consultant; and John is a senior Bush appointee negotiating foreign assistance agreements with developing countries.
Hill to Navy Fighters
Friday, 1 p.m., Science Center G042
Captain Steve Foley began his career with the U.S. Navy shortly after graduating from Hamilton College in 1984. He has enjoyed a long career as a Naval officer and has led training initiatives as a Top Gun officer, flown missions over Iraq, and served as the commanding officer of the Blue Angels from 2004-2006. Steve will share a glimpse of his 25 years as a Navy pilot.
How to Be Seasoned With Grace
Friday, 8 p.m., Dwight Lounge, Bristol Center
Half- century alumni invite you to a group meeting, moderated by Don Hamilton '54 and Bill Orth '54, to share and discuss the following subjects of increasing interest: remaining lucid, healthy and virile; the value and types of community involvement and service; sports and exercise; the funding of education for future generations; and the mental transition from director-doer to advisor-participant
The "How-to's" of Container Gardening
Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Grant Garden, Root Glen area behind the Elihu Root House
Have you ever wanted to know how to brighten your deck or terrace area with beautiful plants? Join Mike Mahanna P'05, horticultural consultant and master gardener, as he demonstrates how to create container gardens for your outdoor living space. He will discuss what plants are appropriate to use in sun and shade areas, as well as demonstrate the use of large and small containers. The container gardens developed during this demonstration will be raffled to audience members at its conclusion. Sponsored by the Hamilton College Arboretum.
Jazz Greats: Recent Interviews from Hamilton's Jazz Archive
Thursday, 8 p.m., Kirner-Johnson 127 (Red Pit)
Monk Rowe, the Joe Williams Director of the Jazz Archive, will share a sampling of humorous, poignant and informative video clips from the musicians, writers and critics he has interviewed since the archive was established in 1995 thanks to the generosity of the late Milt Fillius, Jr. '44 and the Joseph Drown Foundation.
Kids These Days: Raising Adolescents in Uncertain Times
Friday, 2:30 p.m., Science Center G041
Are today's teenagers really all that different than we were "back in the day?" The developmental tasks teenagers must negotiate as they prepare to successfully enter the adult world are the same. Licensed Psychologist Thomas Danforth '84 will discuss what's going on in the social and emotional lives of adolescents today, what they need, what they don't and how you can support them in these challenging times. Bring your questions and concerns. Share the hard-won wisdom you have accumulated parenting teenagers.
Learning the True Meaning of Nozdrovia
Friday, 4 p.m., Science Center G041
Reflecting on his 46-year career of managing and developing systems for hospitals and clinics in five states and seven countries, John Stevens '59 acknowledges that he has ever-increasing appreciation for the preparation he received in the classrooms, athletic fields and particularly through extracurricular activities at Hamilton. John will highlight the lessons he learned on and off campus 50 years ago and relate how they applied to his experiences living in five very different communities in the United States and several diverse cultures around the world.
Lightpaintings – An Artist's Journey
Saturday, 3 p.m., Kirner-Johnson 127 (Red Pit)
Stephen Knapp's '69, P'99 "lightpaintings" have been called the first new art medium of the 21st century. Dispensing with traditional media and narrative content, he is one the few artists who works with light. Stephen will discuss how a history major with no art background picked up a camera in college and is now featured at museums across the country. He has worked in Japan to produce the world's largest glass glaze ceramic murals, carved marble in Italy and worked in glass studios in Germany. Along the way he created the largest etched metal mural in the U.S., the largest kiln-formed art glass wall in the world, and produced The Art of Glass. This Alumni College will be immediately followed by the unveiling of a Lightpainting, a gift from the Class of '69, in the Wellin Lobby, Schambach Center for Music and the Performing Arts.
Looking for Nick (a 35-minute narrative film)
Friday, 2:30 p.m., Kirner-Johnson 127 (Red Pit)
When you meet the right person at the wrong time, you never quite get over it. Ben takes a road trip in search of his old college roommate. Flashbacks tell the story of Ben's love for Nick's ballerina girlfriend and his devotion to Nick in this bittersweet coming-of-age story. The film features music by Chopin, Debussy and the Grateful Dead, and dance by members of the Carolina Ballet. Producer, writer and director Sandy Gottlieb '79 will introduce his film and speak about the experience of making Looking for Nick after the screening.
A Lyrical Life or How To Survive Rough Times
Friday, 2:30 p.m., Science Center G042
Billie Jean Stratton K'74 writes poetry amid all the other things she does in her busy life. She will read some of the poems she has written about her experiences. Come and enjoy a relaxing hour of poetry.
Media's Effect on High-Profile Court Cases
Friday, 2:30 p.m., Kennedy Auditorium, Science Center G027
How does the media affect high-profile court cases? This is one of many questions '89 classmates and panelists Jim Chalifoux, Boyd Johnson and Beth Coombe will explore.The panelists – who together have 36 years of prosecutorial experience – will draw on their experiences with such cases as People v. John White, where a 53-year-old African-American father was convicted in the shooting death of a 17-year-old white male and the Emperor's Club V.I.P., the investigation which led to New York Governor Elliott Spitzer's resignation. Beth, who is working on the prosecution of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, will act as moderator taking questions from the audience.
A Nature Walk in Root Glen
Thursday, 2 p.m. and Friday, 10:30 a.m., Meet at the College cemetery entrance between Bristol Center and Minor Theater
You will be guided along the mile-long red shale path by Ernest Williams, the Leonard C. Ferguson Professor of Biology, to observe 65 species of trees, many kinds of shrubs and scores of floral varieties. Enjoy the quiet beauty of the glen and catch a glimpse of some of the 75 species of birds that have been spotted here throughout the years. Novice and skilled naturalists, as well as anyone in between, are welcome.
The Role of Thermonuclear (Hot) Fusion in Tomorrow's Energy Economy
Friday, 1 p.m., Kennedy Auditorium, Science Center G027
Awareness of the importance of developing alternative energy sources has been heightened by today's technical, economic and geopolitical events. Spikes in gasoline prices brought costs to more than $5 per gallon, and a significant portion of the world's energy supply is controlled by foreign nations. Controlled thermonuclear (hot) fusion could be a significant component of a long-term solution to the energy problem. Stanley Kaye '74, who has been involved in fusion research for more than 28 years at the Princeton University Plasma Physics Laboratory, will address the progress, challenges and potential for developing fusion as an energy source.
The Sprengeri Tulip Returns to the Root Glen
Friday, 10:15 a.m., Science Center G042
Gardeners, botanists, history buffs or Root Glen admirers are invited to join Eugene Putala, professor of biology emeritus, for an illustrated talk about the history, naturalization and cultivation of tulipa sprengeri, the Turkish tulip, found in Hamilton's Root Glen. Gene taught for 21 years at Kirkland and Hamilton, retiring in 1989, and remains active with Hamilton's Root Glen committee. The tulips come into full bloom on the Hill to welcome alumni back to campus for Reunions, and there's no better time to learn about these beautiful scarlet flowers.
Thomas Nast and the Making of Modern America
Friday, 1 p.m., Science Center 3024
Thomas Nast (1840-1902) was undoubtedly one of America's greatest cartoonists and icon makers. The Republican Elephant, Uncle Sam and even Santa Claus are, to a large extent, his inventions. By the time of his death, the United States had become much more diverse ethnically and religiously, a major manufacturing power and an important player on the world stage. Nast not only chronicled those changes, but set out a pattern of life for the "new" America. Jay Williams '54, the Walcott-Bartlett Professor of Religious Studies at Hamilton, owns a large collection of Nast cartoons and recently completed the manuscript for a book on the work of the illustrator. Jay will discuss some of Nast's core values that form the basis of his political crusades and how he, through his cartoons, shaped the America we know.
Watching One Place Very Carefully
Friday, 11 a.m., Emerson Gallery
Christian A. Johnson Hall. "A good way to understand the effects of time is to watch one place very carefully…" So wrote artist John Suplee '69 for his Emerson Gallery retrospective in 1999. The referenced "place" was Hamilton College, and John is still watching and painting it with an ever- maturing and affectionate eye. During Reunions '09, the Emerson Gallery will host a select exhibition of John's previously private works focusing on the campus and its surroundings. The artist will share his recollections and thoughts on campus and his artistic process in an informal gallery talk among the paintings.
Way Beyond YouTube: Hamiltonians Working in Film and Television Talk Digital Media, On and Off the Hill
Saturday, 3 p.m., Kirner-Johnson 101
Newsflash! Joe and Sally Sixpack decide to stop watching television and start making television! In a culture experiencing an unprecedented state of technological and social transformation, how are the tools of digital media evolving and what does it mean for the rest of us? Is Hamilton preparing students for the digital future? And what about Hamilton alumni working in television and film; what's their take on all of this? Panelists David Gaynes '99, Céline Geiger '04 and Hamilton College Instructional Technology Specialist Janet Simons will explore the answers to these questions.
Why We Do What We Do
Saturday, 3 p.m., Kennedy Auditorium, Science Center G027
Money, we are told, is the "great motivator." But is it? Does money really motivate effectively? And does being motivated by money have negative psychological consequences? Ed Deci '64, the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor in Psychology at the University of Rochester, will address these questions using results from 40 years of psychological research.