Hamilton College Alumni for Governance Reform

Paquette shouldn't feel too bad. He was superseded by two pictures of Hamiltonians in the Utica Boilermaker where I recognize the toothy smile of C&D media relations guru Jim Debraggio.

There are some who bear a grudge even to those that do them good.

Another fable Bidpai mensahib.

It's up on HOLAC now, on the Welcome Page and the College News page.

Hamilton is missing an opportunity here. Paquette will be one of the few members on this prestigious council from a liberal arts college, the only one from NESCAC. Doesn't this news deserve more prominence on website than the Utica Boilermaker? Doesn't it merit a comment from administration?

In order to separate fact and fiction (sometimes difficult to do on this website), I called Professor Paquette a short time ago. I met him during reunion weekend. Not shy, and he has given me permission to quote him.

I asked him if President Stewart had contacted him with congratulations. Answer, No.

I asked him if the College's media people had contacted him about the story. Answer, No.

I asked him if was he certain that no one from the College had asked him for information or a quote. Answer, "No one asked me for a noun or a verb."

I asked him if any member of the board of trustees had contacted him with congratulations. Answer, No.

I asked him if the College intended to pass the news to other media. Answer, he didn't know, but thought it unlikely.

I asked him how the media got the story. "He didn't know, perhaps off the AHI website."

There you have it.

What Hamilton should have done:

http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/8268.html

Hoosier,

Re: "What Hamilton should have done":

Notice the Hoosier announcement comes as "They began their official duties today at the Council's quarterly meeting in Washington."

This implies that the Indiana U professors had already been confirmed by the Senate, which I do not believe is the case here.

So, maybe your post should read, "What Hamilton should do" when Prof. Paquette is approved.

Penny:

Would you like to bet on whether or not Hamilton will get beyond its bunker mentality and produce such a press release when the time comes?

Hoosier

IU press release when faculty were nominated

http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/7143.html

Penny,

Your loyalty to the College is admirable, but the administration and the board are showing themselves to be small.

Confirmation, by the way, is no sure thing, especially during an election year. I wish him luck. My hunch is he'll need it.

One wonders if someone on the hill would actually try to torpedo Bob's approval in Congress. To do that would be vile. To do that would be in character.

"Small" is exactly the right word Alumni Observer. Hamilton is ignoring my first rule of public relations: "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."

Well, relative to the University of Indiana's press release,

"Two IU professors nominated to U.S. National Council on Humanities"
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/7143.html

you have to take this in context.

Hamilton has never done this before. Never had such a nomination ever in history.

They simply don't know how to do a proper job of it, and with all the Hamilton press releases flying around, they don't have time to talk to every professor about every little thing that comes along. They're very busy. Probably understaffed at C&D.

Thanks Hoosier for the compelling alternative example from Indiana University.

I would advise readers not to email the administration on this matter. You will not get a reply.

The college's actions and words define its agenda. Some alumni may not like it, but there certainly is clarity.

Hamilton College doesn't much like Paquette or seemingly any of the AHI crew or alumni who have been critical.

What a surprise that they do not extend personal or professional courtesy beyond what they perceive as the publicly acceptable minimum?

Don't expect that to change: it won't.

The administration will use whatever resources .. economic, social, intellectual, legal, and public relations to further their agenda, entrench themselves & stifle criticism or dissent. The trustees will allow it in the name of putatively preserving the good name and damage control.

That's why AHI is independent. It is also why the very existence of AHI may be living testimony of misfeasance. At this point we don't know, although some are placing their bets.

If the College in its wisdom has exported top quality intellectual product off the Hill, the alumni and some trustees may someday ask why. If the College has excercized a put option on a bunch of nutcases, that too will become evident.

It's time to see who produces what goods.

Put up,

This sounds like my kind of place:

"The administration will use whatever resources .. economic, social, intellectual, legal, and public relations to further their agenda, entrench themselves & stifle criticism or dissent."

Second Annual Hamilton Day held by Coach Tom Murphy--You know the legendary coach trashed by Hamilton's administration and trustees-- to benefit Northeastern Basketball! How's that for irony?

"Mark your calendars--- The 2nd Hamilton Day will be on Nov.22nd
this year. We [Northeastern] will be playing Holy Cross that day---More details will
follow as we get closer to the season. Just wanted everyone to have
the date early. It was a great time last year and we hope everyone
will return and bring a friend. Hope all is going well for you and we
are looking forward to seeing you soon."

Good luck Coach Murphy. We miss you
Good Luck Professor Paquette, Spit in their Eye.

Note that Hamilton's administration could not bring themselves to say this much. God how it must pain them.

From the website of the Manhattan Institute:

"July 11, 2008
A Worthy Nomination
Posted by Anthony Paletta

President Bush has nominated Robert Paquette, of the Alexander Hamilton Center (once nearly an institution at Hamilton College) to the National Council on the Humanities. All luck with his confirmation."

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.