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September’s news highlights ranged from coverage of the Wellin Museum to discussions of agricultural policies and coups d’état.

Rumors suggest that presumed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s short list of vice presidential candidates includes Hamilton alumnus and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack ’72. Although Virginia Senator Tim Kaine tops the list, many outlets point to Vilsack as “the person on the list she can most trust” and “the safest pick of all.”

The Hamilton College Alumni Association in conjunction with U.S. Rep. (R-Delaware) Mike Castle '61 hosted a Washington Welcoming Celebration for Tom '72 and Christie K'72 Vilsack on Capitol Hill, on May 21. Tom Vilsack was appointed Secretary of Agriculture by President Obama earlier this year.

Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, a 1972 graduate of Hamilton College, announced on November 9 his intention to seek the Democratic party nomination for president in 2008. Vilsack is the first Democrat to formally announce his candidacy.

During commencement exercises last spring, Tom Vilsack ’72 and Christie Bell Vilsack K’72 watched their son, Jess, walk across the stage to receive his Hamilton diploma. Anyone who didn’t know them would never suspect that the tall, quietly confident "dad" is the governor of Iowa and "mom" the driving force behind the governor’s political career, as well as a pioneer in reshaping the role of the first lady of Iowa. The occasion brought back memories.

Sunny skies prevailed at Hamilton's 189th Commencement, where Iowa Governor and 1972 graduate Tom Vilsack shared a lesson about looking for the simple things in life. A total of 430 bachelor of arts degrees were awarded to members of the Class of 2001.

Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, a 1972 graduate of Hamilton College, will deliver the Commencement address at Hamilton on Sunday, May 20, at 10:30 a.m. In 1998 Vilsack became the first Democrat elected governor of Iowa in more than 30 years. Vilsack was recently featured in a TIME Magazine article that described his new plan to fight population drain in Iowa by luring immigrants to the state.