Inauguration RSVP Info
Steven Tepper is a sociologist whose work has fostered national discussions about cultural engagement, creative work and careers, art and democracy, and the transformative possibilities of a creative campus in the 21st century. He assumed the Hamilton presidency on July 1, 2024, after serving 10 years as the dean and director of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University.

Schedule of Events
Thursday Events |
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11 a.m. - 2 p.m. LUNCH AVAILABLE Commons and McEwen Dining Halls or Howard Diner $11.25 — Pay cash or credit at the door. |
5 - 8 p.m. DINNER AVAILABLE Commons and McEwen Dining Halls or Howard Diner $15.88 — Pay cash or credit at the door. |
6 - 8 p.m. ALUMNI COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DINNER The Little Pub This event is open only to members of the Alumni Council Executive Committee. Learn more about these volunteers! |
8 p.m. PUB TRIVIA - ALUMNI & STUDENTS The Little Pub A lively trivia competition! More details coming soon. Food and beverages available for purchase. |
Friday Events |
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7:30 - 10 a.m. BREAKFAST AVAILABLE Commons and McEwen Dining Halls $6.65 cash and credit card at the door |
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. HOMECOMING WELCOME & INFORMATION CENTER Homecoming Village Welcome & Information Tent (adjacent to Blood Fitness Center) Welcome home to the Hill! Stop by to check in, get the weekend schedule and information, and grab some snacks and swag. |
9 - 11:30 a.m. ALUMNI COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING (Members only) Root Hall Breakfast will be available at 8:30 a.m. About the Alumni Council |
10 - 11 a.m. KNOW THYSELF WITH NANCY ROSS K'71 Kirner-Johnson (KJ) 104 KNOW THYSELF, THE FIRST STEP TOWARD A LIFE OF PURPOSE WITH IMPACT Join Kirkland alumna Nancy Ross '71, executive presence coach, stylist, and jewelry expert, for an interactive workshop on projecting confidence, authenticity, and impact in your personal and professional life. Drawing on Hamilton’s motto, Knowing Thyself, Nancy will share strategies for leveraging your liberal arts education, showcasing your unique skills, and expressing your identity with intention. Whether you’re a student preparing for your first career steps, staff refining professional presence, or alumni navigating new opportunities, this session offers practical tips and insights to help you own your presence and stand out with confidence. Light breakfast will be served. |
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. LUNCH AVAILABLE Commons and McEwen Dining Halls or Howard Diner $11.25 — Pay cash or credit at the door. |
Noon - 1 p.m. ALUMNI COUNCIL LUNCH WITH STUDENTS Taylor Science Center Atrium Open to all alumni and Alumni Council members. |
Noon - 1 p.m. COUPER GUILD LUNCH WITH STUDENTS (Members only) Eells Dining Room Members of the Couper Guild are invited to lunch prior to the committee meetings. The Couper Guild is made up of past trustees of the College. |
Noon - 4 p.m. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING & LUNCH (Members only) Root Hall 204 The Nominations Committee is part of the Alumni Council. |
1:30 - 2 p.m. E&I COMMITTEE MEETING (Members only) Root Hall THE E&I Committee is part of the Alumni Council. |
2 - 3 p.m. ALUMNI COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS (Members only) Root Hall Strategic planning and regular meetings for the Alumni Council's Community Engagement Committee (room 205), Class Leadership Committee (room 206), Hamilton Career Network (room 210), and Regional Committee (lobby). |
2 p.m. STUDENT-LED CAMPUS TOUR Outdoor Platform, Office of Admission - Siuda House |
2 p.m. WELLIN MUSEUM TOUR Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art |
2:30 - 3 p.m. 50TH REUNION ALUMNI MEETING Root Hall 1st Floor Common Area For alumni in their 50th reunion year (1976), or in the five-year run-up to their 50th year (1977,1978, 1979,1980). |
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. FILLIUS JAZZ ARCHIVE PRESENTATION The All Night Reading Room/Burke Library Fillius Jazz Archive Director Monk Rowe presents a retrospective on 30 years of Hamilton's jazz oral history project — a history of the archive with video excerpts, anecdotes, a review of current projects, and Q&A, followed by a visit to the Jazz Archive exhibit in Burke. |
3 - 4 p.m. G.O.L.D. (GRADUATES OF THE LAST DECADE) DROP-IN McEwen Cafe FOJO South Alumni from the Classes of 2016 to 2025, learn how to stay connected with your friends and Hamilton community after you leave the Hill! |
4 - 5 p.m. MARC MIXER Days-Massolo Center Hamilton’s Multicultural Alumni Relations Committee invites you to a casual gathering for students, alumni, and friends. Join us in front of the Days-Massolo Center and the Afro Latin Cultural Center to make connections and enjoy food and fellowship. |
5 p.m. GATHERING AT THE LITTLE PUB The Little Pub Come share a Saranac, Cider and snacks. This is a fantastic opportunity to mingle in a casual setting. We look forward to seeing you there! |
5 - 8 p.m. DINNER AVAILABLE Commons Dining Hall and Howard Diner $15.88 — Pay cash or credit at the door. |
6 - 9 p.m. ALUMNI COUNCIL & RETIRING FACULTY RECOGNITION DINNER (by invitation only) Tolles Pavilion During this celebratory dinner, the Alumni Council will present Jazmín Gatto de Torres '02,P'29 with the 2025 Jeff Little '71 Volunteer of the Year Award, Andrew Jillings with the Distinguished Service Award, and Michael Bordy '74 and Maria Zammit '74 with College Keys for their 50th reunion efforts. Retiring faculty will also be recognized for their achievements and commitment during their years of teaching at Hamilton. |
7 p.m. VOLLEYBALL VS. AMHERST Margaret Bundy Scott Field House |
9 p.m. HOMECOMING JAZZ 2025 Fillius Events Barn The 32nd annual Homecoming Jazz concert will add a touch of upbeat funk and blues ... let's call it funky-blue-jazz. Celebrated saxophonist Lou Marini leads an all-star group with tunes to please everyone. Sponsored by the Fillius Jazz Archive and hosted by Monk Rowe. |
9 p.m. CAMPFIRE SING, TALENT SHOW, AND S'MORES Glen House Alumni, students, and trip leaders are invited to the Glen House to pick on guitars, sing together, show off actual or hidden talents, and gather around the fire for s'mores and stories. Knowing all the lyrics to “Wonderwall” will be helpful but not required. This is a substance-free event. |
Midnight - 3 a.m. DINER B Howard Diner Late night grub at the diner. |
Saturday Events |
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7:30 - 10 a.m. BREAKFAST AVAILABLE Commons Dining Hall $6.65 — Pay cash or credit card at the door. |
7:45 - 8:45 a.m. ALUMNI COUNCIL AND COUPER GUILD BREAKFAST Kirner-Johnson Commons Area 1st Floor For members of the Alumni Council and Couper Guild, past trustees of Hamilton. Breakfast at 7:45 a.m., program at 8:30 a.m. Update from Executive Director, Maurice Horowitch Career Center Melissa Marietta. |
8 a.m. - 11 a.m. HOMECOMING WELCOME & INFORMATION CENTER Homecoming Village Welcome & Information Tent (adjacent to Blood Fitness Center) Welcome home to the Hill! Stop by to check in, get the weekend schedule and information, and grab some snacks and swag. |
9 - 11 a.m. ALUMNI COUNCIL MEETING Kirner-Johnson Bradford Auditorium Committee reports, Hamilton Fund update, voting, and updates from Senior Staff. |
10 a.m. HAMILTON COLLEGE ARBORETUM SATURDAY SPEAKER SERIES Taylor Science Center Kennedy Auditorium Plant Health Care: The Most Recent in Pruning, Planting, and Mulching with Fred Breglia from Landis Arboretum. |
11 a.m. FIELD HOCKEY VS. BOWDOIN Goodfriend Field |
11 a.m. WOMEN'S SOCCER VS. BOWDOIN Love Field |
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. LUNCH AVAILABLE Commons Dining Hall and Howard Diner $11.25 — Pay cash or credit at the door. |
11:15 - 12:30 p.m. ASPIRATIONAL DESIGN SESSION Sadove Conference Room 112 Be part of the conversation as Hamilton looks forward, with President Steven Tepper, Provost and Dean of Faculty Ngonidzashe Munemo, and Vice President for Innovation and Information Services Joe Shelley. |
Noon - 3 p.m. FALL FEST Homecoming Village, Adjacent to Steuben Field Fall Fest features snacks and drinks, food trucks, and a marketplace of local vendors. |
1 p.m. MEN'S SOCCER VS. BOWDOIN Love Field |
1 p.m. FOOTBALL VS. BOWDOIN Steuben Field |
2 - 4 p.m. ELS MEETING Sadove Student Center Massolo Sun Porch & Living Room |
2 p.m. WELLIN MUSEUM TOUR Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art |
3 p.m. MEN'S SOCCER POSTGAME GATHERING Love Field Tent |
3 - 4 p.m. ALUMNI-STUDENT NETWORKING POWER HOUR Homecoming Village adjacent to Steuben Field Sponsored by the Career Center and Hamilton Career Network, this event is all about bringing together our amazing alumni and current students! For alumni working in any industry and students exploring different career paths, this is your chance to meet, chat, and learn from each other. We'll have signs pointing you toward different industry discussion areas, so you can dive into conversations that match your interests. Everyone is welcome! Light snacks provided. |
4 - 5 p.m. MEET PRESIDENT TEPPER RECEPTION Burke Library Stryker All-Night Reading Room and Library Steps |
5 - 8 p.m. DINNER AVAILABLE Commons Dining Hall and Howard Diner $15.88 — Pay cash or credit at the door. |
8 p.m. G.O.L.D. MIXER The Little Pub For Graduates Of the Last Decade, alumni from the Classes of 2016 - 2025. |
Midnight - 3 a.m. DINER B Howard Diner Late night grub. |
Sunday Events |
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7:30 - 10 a.m. BREAKFAST AVAILABLE Commons Dining Hall $6.65 — Pay cash or credit card at the door. |
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. |
11 a.m. WOMEN'S SOCCER VS. ST. LAWRENCE Love Field |
Delegates and special guests, please RSVP by Friday, September 6.
Accommodations
Hotel Blocks
Hotel blocks are available at the Hampton Inn and TownePlace Suites in New Hartford. Rooms are $149 per night if reserved by Wednesday, September 4, using the links below.
FAQs
The inauguration refers to the entire day or week's events celebrating the new president, which includes the formal academic ceremony, also known as an investiture ceremony. The formal installation will take place when President Tepper is presented with the College medallion by the Board of Trustees during the investiture ceremony.
All students, alumni, employees, supporters and friends are welcome to attend. Some events are invitation only. Special guests, college, and organizational delegates, and program participants will be notified in advance regarding reserved seating, and if appropriate, required attire such as academic regalia.
The events on Saturday, Sept. 28, are free, general-admission events and do not require tickets. Other events during the weekend are by invitation only.
The ceremony will be held in the Scott Field House (#72 on the campus map).
Parking for ceremony guests will be in North Lot (adjacent to #42 on the campus map) and other undesignated parking lots. Delegates and special guests will receive specific parking instructions.
Yes. Please call 315-859-4529 to specify your needs.
Yes, the livestream and subsequent recording will be available on this website.
Members of the media should contact Holly Foster at 315-859-4068 or hfoster@hamilton.edu.
If your questions are not answered here, please contact the College Events & Scheduling Office at 315-859-4529 or collegeevents@hamilton.edu.