New York State Senate Commemorates Hamilton College Bicentennial

"This week, I was proud to have sponsored into the legislative record of New York State, a resolution recognizing the bicentennial celebration of Hamilton College, one of nation's oldest and finest bastions of higher education.  The college can point to numerous notable graduates who have been influential in many walks of life, be it here in the region,  in the state, in the country and internationally.  I'm pleased that I could join  President Joan Hinde Stewart, the staff, students, alums and supporters of Hamilton College in sharing tremendous pride in commemoration of this event."

Here is a clip of Senator Griffo's comments on the floor of the chamber:
http://www.nysenate.gov/video/2012/may/24/5-23-12-senator-griffo-speaks-about-hamilton-colleges-bicentennial

Legislative Resolution Commemorating  the  Bicentennial  of  Hamilton College of Clinton, New York, on May 26, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the sense of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize  and  commend  those  exemplary  institutions  of  higher education within the  State of New York for  their  enduring  commitment  to  the  pursuit  of  academic excellence; and

WHEREAS,  Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its longstanding traditions, this Legislative Body is justly  proud  to commemorate  the  Bicentennial  of  Hamilton  College of Clinton, New York, on Saturday, May 26, 2012; and  

WHEREAS, Hamilton College was originally founded in 1793 as the Hamilton-Oneida Academy, the  vision  of  the  Reverend  Samuel  Kirkland to educate  the  children  of  the Oneida Indians and of the white settlers streaming into the region in search of new opportunities in the wake of the American Revolution; and

WHEREAS,  The  Hamilton-Oneida  Academy  was  re-chartered  in 1812 as Hamilton College by the Regents of the University of the  State  of  New York; and

WHEREAS,  Hamilton  College's  history has been both long and eventful and the College has remained steadfast in its adherence to  a  classical liberal arts curriculum; and

WHEREAS,  Early  students  entering  Hamilton College were expected to enter well-prepared in Greek and Latin; throughout their stay,  students continued to receive generous instruction in those languages, as well as in  philosophy, religion, history and mathematics, with a great emphasis on rhetoric and elocution; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, all-male Hamilton  College  merged  with  all-female Kirkland  College,  which had been established 10 years earlier adjacent to the Hamilton campus; and

WHEREAS, Today, Hamilton College proudly stands as  the  third  oldest college  in New York, the 31st oldest college in the country, and one of the country's most highly regarded institutions of higher education; and

WHEREAS, Hamilton  College  boasts  numerous  notable  graduates  from throughout  New  York  State, some of whom include: Elihu Root, Class of 1864, U.S. Senator, Secretary of War, Secretary of State, and Winner  of the 1912 Nobel Peace Prize; William M. Bristol, Class of 1882, Co-Founder, Bristol-Myers Co.; Sol M. Linowitz, Class of 1935, Ambassador to the Organization of American States, Chairman of the Board of Xerox, Co-Negotiator  of the Panama Canal Treaties, and Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom; and James S. Sherman, Class of 1878, Vice President of the United States, and U.S. Congressman; and

WHEREAS, As Hamilton College  celebrates  its  200th  Anniversary,  it stands  in  fulfillment of the proud legacy of its namesake and original trustee Alexander Hamilton and is poised for success for many  years  to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED,  That  this  Legislative  Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the Bicentennial of Hamilton College of Clinton,  New  York, on May 26, 2012; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tranmitted to Joan Hinde Stewart, President, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York.

[attached below is a PDF copy of the resolution]

[Pictured above are Senator Griffo, President Joan Hinde Stewart and Vice President Richard Tantillo]