A scholarship established to provide need-based support for students attending Hamilton, with preference given to students coming from Clinton or the Mohawk Valley, has been awarded for the first time. Clinton High School graduate Tom Williams is the inaugural recipient of the Frank and Mary Lou Owens Scholarship and will be a member of the class of 2011. The scholarship fund was created by Hamilton alumna, charter trustee and Clinton native Amy Owens Goodfriend '82 and named in honor of her parents.
"The generosity and foresight of alumni such as Amy Owens Goodfriend signal the strength of the Hamilton community and help enable the College to provide talented young people with the opportunity to have a fine liberal arts education regardless of financial need," said President Joan Hinde Stewart.
Frank Owens, who died in Sept 2004, was a native of Oneida County as is Mary Lou (formerly Matt) Owens. Through the decades both were committed to and engaged in the Oneida County community. Mary Lou Owens continues to be an active resident of Clinton serving on the board of the Kirkland Art Center and, for more than 30 years, on the advisory committee for the Root Glen. She also serves on the planning committee for the Root Glen and is a New York State garden judge. She is a past president of the Clinton Garden Club. "We have appreciated her good critical eye. She has played an important role watching over the quality of the presentation of the Root Glen," said Associate Director of Grounds, Horticulture and Arboretum Terry Hawkridge.
Scholarship recipient Tom Williams is the son of alumnus Jay G. Williams III '83 and the grandson of alumnus Jay G. Williams '54, Walcott D. Bartlett Professor of Religious Studies. Tom Williams says that although he obviously has strong connections to Hamilton, he chose to apply to the college as an early decision candidate without any familial pressure.
Having visited several colleges in New York and Massachusetts, Williams decided that Hamilton was the best fit for him. He was particularly attracted to the college's open curriculum. He hopes to major in computer science and has already taken two courses, "Introduction to Computer Science" with Stuart Hirshfield and "Discreet Math" with Richard Decker. Commenting on Williams, Hirshfield said, "Tom was already very enthusiastic about computer science when he entered the class, but unlike some similarly enthusiastic students, he is equally enthusiastic about what he still has to learn. We - Hamilton – are lucky to get him."
A cello player, Williams plans to continue studying with his cello teacher who also instructs Hamilton students. He was also a member of the Clinton High School's cross country team and a cast member in the school's musical.
Scholarship donor Amy Owens Goodfriend grew up in Clinton and graduated from Clinton Central Schools in 1978. After graduating from Hamilton, Goodfriend earned an M.B.A. at Cornell and now lives in Connecticut with her family. "The reason I established this scholarship was to honor my parents and to recognize the support they provided to me. Having grown up in and attended school in Clinton, I want to make similar opportunities available to other capable students in the area," said Goodfriend.
"Hamilton is committed to sustaining a positive partnership with our local community, so it is wonderful to have a dedicated resource to assist the college in meeting the needs of qualified Mohawk Valley candidates," said Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Monica Inzer.
"The generosity and foresight of alumni such as Amy Owens Goodfriend signal the strength of the Hamilton community and help enable the College to provide talented young people with the opportunity to have a fine liberal arts education regardless of financial need," said President Joan Hinde Stewart.
Frank Owens, who died in Sept 2004, was a native of Oneida County as is Mary Lou (formerly Matt) Owens. Through the decades both were committed to and engaged in the Oneida County community. Mary Lou Owens continues to be an active resident of Clinton serving on the board of the Kirkland Art Center and, for more than 30 years, on the advisory committee for the Root Glen. She also serves on the planning committee for the Root Glen and is a New York State garden judge. She is a past president of the Clinton Garden Club. "We have appreciated her good critical eye. She has played an important role watching over the quality of the presentation of the Root Glen," said Associate Director of Grounds, Horticulture and Arboretum Terry Hawkridge.
Scholarship recipient Tom Williams is the son of alumnus Jay G. Williams III '83 and the grandson of alumnus Jay G. Williams '54, Walcott D. Bartlett Professor of Religious Studies. Tom Williams says that although he obviously has strong connections to Hamilton, he chose to apply to the college as an early decision candidate without any familial pressure.
Having visited several colleges in New York and Massachusetts, Williams decided that Hamilton was the best fit for him. He was particularly attracted to the college's open curriculum. He hopes to major in computer science and has already taken two courses, "Introduction to Computer Science" with Stuart Hirshfield and "Discreet Math" with Richard Decker. Commenting on Williams, Hirshfield said, "Tom was already very enthusiastic about computer science when he entered the class, but unlike some similarly enthusiastic students, he is equally enthusiastic about what he still has to learn. We - Hamilton – are lucky to get him."
A cello player, Williams plans to continue studying with his cello teacher who also instructs Hamilton students. He was also a member of the Clinton High School's cross country team and a cast member in the school's musical.
Scholarship donor Amy Owens Goodfriend grew up in Clinton and graduated from Clinton Central Schools in 1978. After graduating from Hamilton, Goodfriend earned an M.B.A. at Cornell and now lives in Connecticut with her family. "The reason I established this scholarship was to honor my parents and to recognize the support they provided to me. Having grown up in and attended school in Clinton, I want to make similar opportunities available to other capable students in the area," said Goodfriend.
"Hamilton is committed to sustaining a positive partnership with our local community, so it is wonderful to have a dedicated resource to assist the college in meeting the needs of qualified Mohawk Valley candidates," said Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Monica Inzer.
