Hamilton College Alumni for Governance Reform

Congratulations to the Charter Fellows and all involved in Liberty and Slavery: The Civil War between Gerrit Smith and George Fitzhugh , the debut of the AHI’s major programming effort.

More than 140 students, public & private scholars, faculty members, Hamilton alumni, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and educational leaders turned out for a fundraising dinner sponsored by the AHI at the Turning Stone-Resort & Casino. What followed in the next two days was a remarkable event.  The distinctive format of discussion was managed with the Southern courtesy & informal style of Prof. Lee Cheek of Brewton-Parker College who combined with the unique mix of participants, which included the conferees; graduate & undergraduate students from Harvard, Colgate and Hamilton; clergy; a retired judge; an award winning high school teacher; and alumni from all institutions, to create  remarkable levels of engagement and scholarly quality.

Best question: Milton C. Sernett, Emeritus Professor of History, Syracuse University asked the panel to assume the role of a court of an abolitionist New York church. Members had discovered their leader had secretly purchased a slave, an elderly woman who had asked him to do so. He secretly complied with her request primarily to assume the obligation to provide care for her (and to assuage her concern to that end).  The woman lived in New Jersey where such was legal, the church leader in New York. 

Biggest favor: In line for the buffet I wondered out loud that if I wanted seconds … well, it would be a very long and public walk, the whole length of the room, to get to and from the table…an injudicious and public display of gluttony.  A football player, interior line by my observation, from Colgate graciously offered, “No problem. I got you covered.”

Biggest surprise: Cordial introduction to Jinnie M. Garrett, Professor of Biology, Director of the Diversity and Social Justice Project, Hamilton College at the opening reception on Thursday night.  Unfortunately I didn’t see her at any of the scholarly sessions. Too bad.  

Best performance: A Quartet of Flutists (Hamilton students) performing on Friday night at the headquarters of the Alexander Hamilton Institute, among other selections, Jour D’ete a la Montagne by Bozza, 2nd movement: Aux Bords du Torrent

Best display of engagement:  Bringing spouses to these type of events can sometimes be a high risk, high cost venture for alumni… but late in the Friday afternoon closing session, spouses of some attending alumni (specifically Mary Martha) were on the edge of their seats in the back, hands waiving in the air waiting in cue with the students to ask questions of the panel. That was emblematic of the engagement throughout the entire session.   

No surprise: In contrast to Colgate or Harvard, Hamilton declined to fund any of the costs associated with attendance by its students. An alumni, a new supporter of AHI, picked up the tab that Hamilton wouldn’t.  Policy problems, it seems. You know the drill.

Best acid test: Looks like all of the conferees want to re-up & keep it going. Look for more collaboration, joint ventures etc. in the future. More later. Funding will not be a problem for an expanded base of participation & top gun scholars. Looks like creative, dynamic scholarly programming of the highest quality will not be a problem either.

National fundraising campaign:  in the works but not yet formally announced. Local venues sponsored by AHI supporters. See How You Can Help for information.  Additionally, donors who have special concerns or wish to coordinate estate planning issues are invited to contact AHI,  and a member of its board of directors will respond.  Institutional inquiries are welcome.