News & Events

(Note: These are remarks delivered by Lesley Stahl at Colgate University's 187th commencement, May 18, 2008)

Thank you. Well first of all I'm so sorry that you're all wet and cold. I'm watching you put on your ponchos; I hope that makes it a little better.

So now I am a member of the Class of 2008, which I am very proud of, and I want to congratulate all of us for today, a triumphful day, a happy day. I am sure you have one little pain because you will be leaving your friends, but otherwise there is this great joy of accomplishment because you guys have crossed the finish line and you know you have earned your degrees and you've all worked hard and it's great.

Music was playing at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City during the third annual Presidents' Club Auction and Reception on May 9, but you never would have known.

Note: The following is the baccalaureate address delivered by Gail O'Day, professor and associate dean of faculty and academic affairs at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. She spoke at Colgate 187th commencement.

President Chopp, members of the Board of Trustees, Colgate faculty and staff, family and friends of the graduating class, and--most importantly--the women and men of the Class of 2008:

Today is your day, and I am honored to share in it with you. As you will experience this afternoon, there is something overpowering and humbling about hearing your family and friends applaud and cheer as they congratulate you for all that you have accomplished. And even though today marks the completion of your time at Colgate, we celebrate commencement, not conclusion. For all the endings that accompany today--leaving this place, leaving your friends--today is ultimately about new beginnings and fresh possibilities.

Note: The following is President Rebecca S. Chopp's prepared remarks to the Class of 2008.

On this day of joy and celebration, let us begin by thanking those who have made this occasion possible. Every graduate who walks across this stage is supported by many here at Colgate and at home who have worked hard to ensure the opportunities our students have enjoyed.

The family members and friends here today -- and waiting at home -- have made it possible for you to flourish. Join me in thanking your parents, grandparents, and other family members and friends who have supported your education in so many ways.

Thank you!

The Colgate rugby football club today departed New York City for a nine-day trip to Ireland.

It is the club's second tour of Ireland - its maiden voyage was in 2004.

Since then, the club has enjoyed tremendous success, making the "Elite Eight" in the Northeast Rugby Union in 2004 and again last fall in 2007, where it finished first in their division and was runner-up in the New York State Rugby Conference.

Students gathered in the O'Connor Campus Center last week to engage in formal political discussion as part of a mock Democratic caucus.

With tensions running high between the Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, students hoped the caucus process would help them better understand the candidates and their platforms.

He's been called "one of the most exhilarating of all living poets."

The Colgate community will receive a literary treat from Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon when he reads from his collection of poetry at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Golden Auditorium.

Muldoon's coming to Colgate as part of the Living Writers Series, co-sponsored by the English Department and the Institute for the Creative and Performing Arts.

"Stick your neck out."

Those were the words of wisdom from John Graham, motivational speaker and philanthropist, during his visit to Colgate University, which included a brown bag lunch, presentation, and a lecture at Memorial Chapel.

Hoping to inspire people to make a difference by taking risks, or in his words "sticking their neck out," Graham heads the Giraffe Heroes Project, a nonprofit organization.

A Colgate University degree can connect you to a world of people.

That seemed to be the message at this weekend's Real World program, developed to prepare Colgate seniors for life outside of Hamilton.

About 150 alumni took time out of their busy schedules, returning to campus to speak with hundreds of seniors for Real World, which has been in existence for more than a decade.

The Colgate 13 has been singing the praises of Dean William Griffith '33 for decades. With his passing on November 19 at the age of 95, Colgate 13 alumni -- or "Crusties," as they are called -- wanted to do more. They decided to express their love for "Griff" and his mentorship with an endowed memorial scholarship that could benefit future members of the a cappella group.