Final Thoughts
Who’s Your Hamilton?
This year, to celebrate the personal connections that are hallmarks of a Hamilton education, alumni, parents, students, employees and friends of the College are invited to share not only gifts of financial support, but also tributes to the people who have made Hamilton what it was, and is, and is to be. Here are a few of those tributes:
[Professor of History Doug Ambrose’s] influence in my own career as a teacher cannot be overstated. I would like him to know — I still have every paper I wrote (painstakingly) for him & that he graded (painstakingly) in return.
—Mimi Kelly Csatlos ’00
[Men’s hockey] Coach [Phil] Grady taught us that real work only begins when circumstances become difficult. As an adult, I remember Coach’s values when facing challenges at work, as an M.B.A. student and in my personal life. He made me a more caring husband, a stronger dad and a better man. For that, I am deeply grateful.
— Chris Cagliuso ’05
Ivan Marki [professor of English emeritus] was right: “Learning isn’t fun — having learned is fun.” Hamilton was hard work but I have loved all that you gave me. Thank you.
— Jennifer Bradford ’89
[Professor of Physics] Ann Silversmith for inspiring constant curiosity in the little things that make up all the big things in our lives.
— Boughty Canton ’95
Who’s your Hamilton? I struggled with this question for weeks. I love Hamilton — all the people and the professors, they make this school what it is. But, it finally dawned on me. My Hamilton? Andrés Henríquez ’83 and Janet Goldstein, my parents. The people who have given me the greatest gift: education. Not just a gift, the perfect gift — HAMILTON. Wrapped up in the most beautiful buff-and-blue wrapping paper. When I doubted if Hamilton was my Hamilton, they persisted through it with me. From the late-night crying phone calls, to the Hill Card deposits; from the inspiring text messages to the theoretical dinner table conversation; from the tuition bills to the rugby accidents — they believed Hamilton could be mine if I wanted it. As I walk across the stage to receive my diploma and cane, they should be receiving the same and then some. We did it. Together we battled the difficulties and celebrated the strides. Thank you Mom and Dad. You are my Hamilton.
— Sophia Henríquez ’15
As a freshman, Sam Obletz [assistant professor of Spanish] instilled in me the importance of respecting ALL individuals. He probably taught me some Spanish, too.
— John Byrne ’51
In Philosophy class, I disagreed almost constantly with Professor [Bob] Simon. After one class, he said, “You have one of the most independent minds I’ve ever encountered ... which is 95% a good thing.” What a thoughtful, gentle way to encourage me to open my mind to perspectives other than my own!
— Tom Reid ’71
[To Sara Weis Jillings, assistant director of outdoor leadership:] For always pushing me to take a risk and be the best, most authentic version of myself.
— Isabel Krakoff ’14
From the 2004 to the 2007 season, the Hamilton Women’s Soccer Team was my family. I don’t think I ever laughed so hard in my life as I did for those four years on Love Field with those girls. Those are very fond memories — except when [Coach] Colette [Gilligan] told us we only needed to bring running shoes to practice.
— Caitlin McGilley ’08
This tribute is for my students, many of whom labor under the misapprehension that I gave them more than they gave me. It is a poorly kept secret of education that instructors benefit more from providing it than do those who receive it.
— Douglas Raybeck, professor of anthropology emeritus
While my degree is technically in sociology, it might as well be in Irons & Zylan [Professors of Sociology Jenny Irons and Yvonne Zylan]. Taking every class they taught while I was on the Hill, Jenny and Yvonne taught me how to analyze inequality in ways that have forever shaped my life and work. I will always be grateful for having been their student.
— Cassie Magesis ’07
“We wanted to benefit Hamilton in the long term, while enjoying a comfortable retirement in the near term.”
When Gladys and Scott Macdonough ’65 learned about charitable remainder unitrusts, they realized it was an ideal vehicle to help them accomplish their goal of maintaining their lifestyle in retirement. “Our unitrust began making quarterly payments to my wife and me when I reached age 65, and they will continue to the survivor,” Scott says. “Hamilton serves as trustee, saving us the hassle of having to oversee the management of the funds. The best part of all is that the College will reap the benefit we wish it to have.”
Recently, in honor of Scott’s 50th reunion, the couple considered adding to the unitrust but selected a charitable gift annuity instead. “At this age, we prefer fixed payments and knowing how much we will receive each quarter, compared to the variable payments of the unitrust,” he added.
For more information about life payment gifts at Hamilton, please call Ben Madonia ’74 at 866-729-0317.
