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National and regional news organizations regularly interview Hamilton faculty, staff, alumni, and students for their expertise and perspectives on current events, and to feature programs and activities on campus. April’s news topics included coverage of former President Obama’s visit to Hamilton as well as subjects from diversity on bank boards to a new Levitt Center study on gun violence.

When President Barack Obama visited Hamilton College on April 3 as part of the Sacerdote Great Names Series, the crowd came for the moment — but what stuck were the words.

Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States, captivated a capacity crowd on April 3 at Hamilton College where he reminded those who may be seeking change: “The most important office in this democracy is the citizen, the ordinary person, who says, ‘No, that’s not right.’”

The Sacerdote Great Names series in a massive annual undertaking that brings renowned leaders in government, entertainment, the world of sports, and more to Hamilton. Planning begins months in advance, and involves employees from every part of campus. Here are stories and first-person reflections from some of those behind-the-scenes people who make it all happen.

Barack H. Obama, the 44th president of the United States, will be the next guest in Hamilton College’s Sacerdote Great Names Series on Thursday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m., in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. Hamilton is the first college to host President Obama for a moderated Q&A appearance since he left office in 2017.

National and regional news organizations regularly interview Hamilton faculty, staff, alumni, and students for their expertise and perspectives on current events, and to feature programs and activities on campus. December’s news topics included varied subjects from a Senate confirmation to a new curatorial studies initiative.

Venus Williams, legendary tennis champion, entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author of Come to Win drew the Hamilton College community into her orbit on April 18 as the latest speaker in the Sacerdote Great Names series.

If you follow any college or professional sports, it’s a good bet that ESPN is part of your daily life – checking real-time scoring, stats, trades, and news about teams and athletes. So, when it came time to choose a moderator for Hamilton’s next Great Names event with tennis superstar Venus Williams, one name quickly popped up: Lauren Reynolds Nelson ’02.

Legendary tennis champion, New York Times bestselling author, and entrepreneur Venus Williams will be the next guest in Hamilton’s Sacerdote Great Names series on Thursday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m., in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. The event will be free and open to the public, but tickets will be required. They will be available in late February.

The planned Great Names series appearance of actor and philanthropist Matthew McConaughey at Hamilton College originally scheduled for Thursday, April 18, has been postponed due to a conflict with filming for a new McConaughey movie. Organizers are working to reschedule his visit for a date in the fall. A new Great Names guest for April 18 will be announced soon.