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This year, Douglas Ambrose, the Sidney Wertimer Associate Professor of History, will facilitate "Fame, Faith and the Founding Fathers," the seventh annual summer Alumni College, Thursday, July 24, through Sunday, July 27. Ambrose, a member of the Hamilton faculty since 1990, is a recipient of the Class of 1963 Excellence in Teaching Award. When Ambrose was named the Wertimer Professor last summer, President Tobin said of him, "From the very first day that he stepped into a Hamilton classroom, Doug Ambrose has earned his students' and colleagues' respect and admiration for his integrity, sensitivity and openness. In the tradition of Sidney Wertimer, scores of Hamilton graduates have learned from Doug in ways that will shape their lives for years to come."

This Alumni College will explore biographical studies and writings of individual founders. In addition to selected works by historians and biographers such as Joseph Ellis, Joanne Freeman and Richard Brookhiser, we will look at letters and published writings (including some of the Federalist Papers) from John Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. Additionally we will view representations -- portraits, architecture, film -- to see how Americans over the past 200 years have remembered the founders.

The founding era remains one of the most fascinating episodes in America's history, in large part because of the colorful and complex personalities of the people involved. We continue to ask ourselves: what motivated these men? How did their personal experiences shape their collective efforts to build a nation?  How did their faith -- in God, institutions, and their fellow Americans -- inspire their hopes? To what extent did their understanding of fame and concern for posterity inform their political beliefs and actions? What might we, in an America that is so fundamentally different from the late 18th century, yet learn from the lives of these men? 

Most activities will take place in the beautiful Rogers Estate at the edge of campus. The Rogers Estate offers sweeping views of Clinton and the Oriskany Valley. Space in the facility is limited, so we recommend making your reservations as soon as possible. Rooms are comfortable and lounge areas are spacious. Since the Rogers Estate typically functions as a student residence, bathrooms may be shared. Alternate accommodations are available. Friday evening will include dinner and a performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni at the world-renowned Glimmerglass Opera House in Cooperstown.

The cost is $525 per person and includes books and other reading materials, residence hall accommodations, gourmet meals, opera tickets and transportation to Glimmerglass. Local alumni should inquire about the non-resident fee. For more information about "Fame, Faith and the Founding Fathers," please contact Bill Brower '84, Executive Director, Annual Giving and Alumni Programs, at (315) 859-4027 or wbrower@hamilton.edu.

To reserve space, a deposit of $100 per person is required no later than May 15, 2003. Full payment is due June 15. Please make checks payable to the Trustees of Hamilton College and mail to the address below or call Amy Palmieri toll-free at 866-729-0315 to reserve your space using American Express, Visa, or MasterCard.

Office of Alumni Programs
Hamilton College
198 College Hill Road
Clinton, NY 13323

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