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From Melissa Joyce Rosen '86
President of the Hamilton College Alumni Association
 
 
The Fall Alumni Council meetings were held September 30 – October 1 and over 60 Council members returned to the Hill.  The Alumni Council meetings coincided with Fallcoming, the Celebration of Science and the dedication of the new state-of-art Science building.
 
It was an incredible weekend with a rich array of activities, from productive Council meetings to stimulating lectures and exciting sporting events – including a football win over Wesleyan! The Alumni Council session kicked off on Friday afternoon with the annual Comstock Scholarship luncheon.  This gathering enables Alumni Council members to interact with current scholarship students.  The Alumni Council Committees met on Friday afternoon. A brief summary is noted below.  Please watch for more details from the Committee Chairs in the coming days.
 
Led by Chair Mark Rice '73, the Regional Affairs Committee had a great meeting with 80% of the Regional Presidents and GOLD chairs attending or participating in their Committee meeting by phone. They reported on recent Excelsior campaign receptions and also discussed upcoming Alumni College events and new Alumni College ideas.  Although clearly focused on building the Alumni College programs, the committee continues collaboration with the Career Center and MARC and their on-going support of traditional social, sports and arts events for alumni.  A current schedule of Regional events is posted on the Alumni Events calendar.
 
The Class Leadership Committee was led by Tom Griggs '84, president of his class, who filled in for Chair Ana Sierra Leonard K'75 who was unable to attend.  He brought humor to the meeting as well as his leadership. The Class Presidents and Agents discussed the following ideas: an all Kirkland Reunion set on a four-year cycle; a bicentennial year celebration in 2012; and the continuing of the Half-Century Alumni Reunion.  Melissa Joyce-Rosen '86, president of the Alumni Association, used the Class Leadership forum to present Tom with a College Key Award for his outstanding service to his class.  Through Tom's leadership, the Class of 1984 had the most Reunion 2005 attendees of any class present. 
 
Led by Chair Imad Qasim '79, the executive committee of the Ad Hoc Multicultural Alumni Relations Committee (MARC) had a very productive gathering.  They discussed different ways to improve communications between multicultural alumni and students.  Various events are under consideration both on the Hill and in the alumni regions.  A representative of the Admissions Office, Assistant Dean of Admission/Director, Diversity Recruitment Nicole Robertson, attended the meeting and explored how the multicultural alumni can help with recruiting.  Finally, Dr. Bernecea Johnson, the new associate dean of students for diversity and accessibility, briefed the committee on her role at the college and discussed how alumni can help her with her work. Members of the committee volunteered to pursue the various initiatives discussed. On Saturday, MARC also hosted a networking reception with current students that was attended by more than 50 students and Alumni Council members.
 
The Nominations Committee had a very long and productive meeting.  Chair Julie Ross '84 led the committee through a review of the Alumni Trustee election process; considered and recommended for nomination three candidates for the Alumni Trustee positions that begin on July 1, 2006; considered and recommended for nomination a candidate for President of the Alumni Association for the term beginning July 1, 2006; considered and nominated co-recipients for the 2006 Bell Ringer award; considered and nominated a recipient for the 2006 Distinguished Service Award; and voted to give Key Awards to four individuals for their exceptional service to the College in the 2004-2005 calendar year.
 
At the Celebration of Science dinner on Friday night, the Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Charter Trustee Steve Anthony '59. The Volunteer of the Year award is presented annually to a member of the Hamilton family who has provided a substantial, lasting contribution in a volunteer capacity.  Steve chairs the Board of Trustee Committee on Buildings, Grounds and Equipment and was involved in all phases of the new Science Building.
 
The weekend was incredible, from start to finish.  Thanks to everyone who joined us.  Mark your calendar for the Spring Alumni Council meetings that are scheduled for April 7 – 8, 2006.

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