News & Events

"Nothing is wasted."

That was the slogan of this year's annual campus salvage operation organized by Colgate's Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE).

Volunteers collected items that Colgate students either donated or left behind after moving out of residence halls. They are then given to nonprofit organizations in the greater Hamilton area and in Utica.

Casey Sprock '86 knows the feeling of loneliness and confusion that many young gay and lesbian students feel as they struggle with their sexuality -- often times keeping it a secret.

So when Sprock was invited to share his coming out story and experience as an openly-gay professional with Colgate students, he jumped at the opportunity.

Colgate graduates on Sunday were urged to help change the mood of a nation beset by concerns over the Iraq war, gasoline prices, and even food prices.

Lesley Stahl, of CBS's 60 Minutes, speaks to graduates on Sunday. (Photo by Susan Kahn)

Stahl said seniors are leaving the beautiful Colgate campus and entering an "America not as happy as it has been in the past."

"We have allowed the terrorists to terrorize us into a society of timidity. We feel angst, and cold feet," she said.

But the country has showed resilience by bouncing back from similar "down" periods in our history, she said, because "courage and grit are in our DNA."

"We come from hearty stock," said Stahl. "All of us."

The online map allows you to click on a pushpin or a name to see what graduates will be doing - whether it's a job, graduate school program, or fellowship - and where they will be doing it.

"We're proud of what our seniors have accomplished during their four years here and prouder still of what we know they will accomplish after commencement," said Colgate President Rebecca S. Chopp. "Whether it's with the Peace Corps or on Wall Street, our graduates will make a difference in the world."

The Class of 2008's "green" gift to the university was the subject of an article in The Post-Standard.(Syracuse)

The class has raised about $23,000 to launch a fund that will help the college reduce energy use. About 94 percent of the senior class has made donations.

As the presidential candidates battle for the White House, Colgate senior Bobby Campbell has been on a mission of his own: to transform politically apathetic college students into engaged voters.

Fueled by his passion for politics and frustration with the low turnout of young voters in past elections, Campbell took matters into his own hands in hopes of getting the under-30 crowd fired up to vote.

"I couldn't sit still any longer," the political science major said.

Anna Keegan '08, whose love of adventure led to numerous opportunities during her four years at Colgate, was presented with the 1819 Award at Tuesday's awards convocation.

The award is the most selective and prestigious the university gives to a graduating senior, and Keegan was among dozens of students and several faculty members honored during the year-end ceremony.

Keegan will graduate May 18 with degrees in sociology and anthropology and in Africana studies. Besides the 1819 Award, she also earned the Ramshaw Service Award from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Arthur Schomburg Award for Excellence in Africana Studies.

The Upstate Institute Student Philanthropy Council (SPC) at Colgate University has awarded three nonprofit organizations in central New York grants totaling $10,000.

The SPC is a service-learning program composed of twelve Colgate sophomores.

This year's grant money will support initiatives that enhance the personal and life skills development for underserved populations in the community.

Colgate students nominated for highly selective fellowship programs were honored last week during a Merrill House luncheon.

Provost Lyle Roelofs commended the students for their interest in extending their educations and serving as ambassadors for Colgate in the global community.

"It's important for us as an institution to provide the resources for these students to pursue these kinds of rigorous opportunities," said Roelofs. He was joined by several faculty members at the lunch, which was organized by Ann Landstrom, associate director for fellowship, scholarship, and graduate school advising for the university's Center for Career Services, along with Kelly Snyder in the Dean of the Faculty office.

For Stephanie Macomber '08, the Dalai Lama's discussion about religion and spirituality was the culmination of her four years on campus as a religion major and member of University Church.

"One of my most influential professors, Professor Sindima of the religion department, once told me, 'an unexamined faith is no faith at all.' He couldn't be more accurate," Macomber said. "By examining my faith I have learned a lot about religious tolerance in a time when our world certainly needs it. I was so deeply impacted by the Dalai Lama's words because all of our differences, whether racial, economic, or religious are just secondary to our likeness as humans."