All News

Thirty-three trips into the wilderness, 68 student leaders, 287 student participants. Plus dozens of canoes, tents, sleeping bags, rain gear, pounds of cheese, and other essentials. The planning that goes into Hamilton’s Adirondack Adventure (AA) orientation program is extensive, and the process has run like a proverbial well-oiled machine for the past four decades thanks in large part to Director of Outdoor Leadership Andrew Jillings, who came on board in 1997 to expand the program from a modest six trips.

Cars, SUVs, minivans, and airport shuttles filled with new students and families were greeted by raucous singing and cheering Orientation leaders and President Steven Tepper in his full Alexander Hamilton costume. The Class of 2029 and transfer students arrived on College Hill on Aug. 19 to begin Orientation, embark on adventure trips, and matriculate into Hamilton.

Fun moves fast at Hamilton. Less than two days after arriving on campus, the Class of 2028 embarked on 56 orientation trips, guided by more than 100 student leaders.

Greeted by a raucous and flamboyantly dressed group of Orientation Leaders waving witty signs and shouting words of welcome, nearly 460 new Hamilton students and their families arrived on College Hill on Aug. 20 to move in and begin Orientation.

Quinn Brown ’24 carved a distinct path for himself at Hamilton — from outdoor leadership positions to a deep dedication to his educational experiences. His contributions to campus did not go unnoticed. The faculty selected him as winner of this year’s James Soper Merrill Prize, awarded to the senior “who, in character and influence, has typified the highest ideals of the College.”

Get to know a few members of the class of 2027 and the courses they loved, their favorite spots on and off campus, and what they are looking forward to doing over the next few years.

For many Hamilton students, Tessa Chefalo is one of the first faces they see when they arrive on campus for orientation. As assistant dean of students, a large part of her role involves overseeing the major transition that first-year students undergo as they begin their studies. Chefalo has been working with orientation and new students since she arrived at Hamilton 10 years ago, and this year her dedication, creativity, and innovation were rewarded when she received the Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award from the National Resource Center for First-Year Students and Students in Transition.

Momentous celebrations, reaching historic milestones, and enhancements to campus were among Hamilton’s most memorable moments from 2023. Check out our most popular stories from the last year.

Greeted by signs and cheers from orientation leaders lining College Hill Road, 463 new Hamilton students and their families arrived on Aug. 15 for move-in and orientation.

While traversing the scenic peaks of the Adirondacks or canoeing through quiet backcountry streams, few first-year students are thinking about algorithms and linear optimization. But these mathematical ideas are as much a part of Hamilton orientation trips as any pack or paddle: they ensure that incoming students have the most worthwhile experience possible.