Colgate first-years strolled down Oak Drive last Thursday to explore the village of Hamilton as part of the first-ever Hamopoly event, a unique twist on the Monopoly board game.

Hamopoly, sponsored by Colgate's Office of Residence Life and the Hamilton Business Alliance, is intended to introduce first-years to the community they'll call home for the next four years.

When Ingrid Hale, director of Colgate's Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE), looks up from her desk to see who has walked through the center's doors, odds are it is a female student.

"There is a gender disparity in volunteering not only on our campus, but also at colleges across the country," said Hale. "Unfortunately, there exists a stigma that it is either not manly to volunteer or that more important activities should take up a man's time."

Joanne Race Borfitz of Norwich, N.Y., will join Colgate University as associate vice president of community relations and auxiliary services starting April 7.

Borfitz fills a new position created to manage Colgate's relationship with and investments in local and regional communities. She will also oversee the primary auxiliary operations of the university.

"Joanne is a proven collaborator with great appreciation for what makes Hamilton and central New York so special," said David Hale, vice president for finance and administration at Colgate. "She will hit the ground running as she helps us all ensure that Colgate continues to play a meaningful and appropriate role in the community."

Raider Nation, it's time to step up and be counted. Again and again and again.

Fans of Colgate hockey are urged to vote for star goaltender Mark Dekanich, who is one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for men's hockey.

The award recognizes achievement in the areas of character, classroom, community, and competition, and is the highest honor given by the NCAA to a senior student-athlete.