Writings & Remarks

Board of Trustees Meeting

June 14, 2022

Tags Board Meeting Updates

The Board of Trustees’ annual June meeting coincided this year with Hamilton’s largest ever Reunions weekend. More than 2,300 alumni joined us for ‘One Hill of a Party.’ Congratulations and thanks to all of you who helped plan and carry out such a terrific set of events. It was an extraordinary weekend, and the incredible efforts required to pull it off were deeply appreciated by our returning alumni.

On Friday, June 10, trustees attended morning plenary sessions featuring information on the enterprise resource planning (ERP) project, the Class of 2026, enrollment and financial aid, the new Hamilton.edu website, and the progress of the Because Hamilton campaign.

The committees on Academic Affairs, Board Governance, and BG&E/Budget met to discuss a variety of topics. In the afternoon, Fred Rogers P’21, director of gift planning, led his popular “Last Dormitory Tour” in the College cemetery. Later we toasted the 25th anniversary of The Little Pub with Jeff Little ’71 and his wife Claudia before joining Hamilton alumni and Kirkland alumnae for 50th reunion dinners and a concert on the library steps. Thomas Tull ’92, P’13 performed with his band the Ghost Hounds, and Board Chairman David Solomon ’84, P’16 closed out the evening with a legendary DJ set.

At the formal business meeting of the board on Saturday morning, I shared my perspective on the need to nurture a strong and inclusive campus culture and mentioned the addition of three new senior staff leaders as an opportunity for hearing new perspectives, continuing the good work already in progress, and welcoming fresh ideas.

Trustees approved several resolutions, beginning with a ratification of the degrees awarded to the Class of 2022 at the commencement exercises held on May 22. The following faculty members were approved for promotion to the rank of professor effective July 1:

Emily Conover, Economics

Andrew Dykstra, Mathematics and Statistics

Jon Eldevik, History

Russell Marcus, Philosophy

Michael McCormick, Biology

Zhuoyi Wang, East Asian Languages and Literature

Incoming Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Ngonidzashe Munemo was approved for tenure in the Government department. Changes proposed by the Academic Assessment Committee to the Faculty Handbook were confirmed. The board approved a notice of intent to undertake and finance a list of capital projects that includes the design and construction of the Digital Gateway Building; renovations to the Burke Library, Sage Rink, and Benedict Hall; and renovations to Bristol Center and student housing spaces.

Trustees thanked Johannes Burlin ’87, Alison Hill ’87, and Greg Schwartz ’94 for their service to the College as they complete their four-year term as Alumni trustees. Charter trustees Peter B. Coffin ’81, R. Christopher Regan ’77, and Alexander C. Sacerdote ’94 were reappointed for six-year Charter trustee terms, and Daniel C. Fielding ’07 was elected as a new Charter Trustee effective July 1. Harold W. Bogle ’75 has transitioned to a Life trustee and was recognized for his contributions to the Board and the College in his many years as an Alumni and Charter trustee.

The next board meeting will be held October 7-8 on campus. I hope everyone will find opportunities this summer for rest and relaxation.