Hamilton, NY — Colgate University’s 2000-2001 academic year is fast approaching. On Thursday, August 24 the 714 members of the Class of 2004 arrive on campus. Whitnall Field in front of the Student Union will become a hub of activity as students and their families unload their belongings into Colgate vans and trucks to be efficiently transported to their residence hall rooms.
The poignant family farewells will be made a bit sweeter at an afternoon ice cream social with members of the faculty and staff. Then, beginning that Thursday afternoon and throughout the weekend, the first-year students will become acquainted with their new college as they participate in their first class meeting and the college’s orientation program. Continuing students will return to campus beginning August 26.
While classes begin on Monday, August 28, Colgate’s academic year will officially commence at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, August 27 with the annual Founders Day Convocation in Memorial Chapel. In this formal ceremony, the Class of 2004 will be presented by James Terhune, dean of first-year students. Colgate President Charles Karelis and Dean of the College Michael Cappeto will make remarks, and Dean of the Faculty Jane Pinchin will introduce Richard April, Dunham Belden Jr. Professor of geology and director of the Division of National Sciences, who will deliver the convocation address. Also participating in the convocation will be Nancy deVries, university chaplain, and Marion Christie Amico, university organist. Following the ceremony students, faculty, and guests will gather at a reception in the academic quad. The Founders Day ceremony commemorates the devotion of the 13 people who established the school, first known as the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, in 1819.
Colgate University is a nationally ranked, highly selective, residential, liberal arts college. Situated on a rolling 515-acre campus in central New York State, Colgate University attracts motivated students with diverse backgrounds, interests and talents from all over the United States.