Hamilton College facts for kids
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| Latin: Collegi Hamiltonensis | |
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Former name
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Hamilton-Oneida Academy (1793–1812) |
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| Motto | Γνῶθι Σεαυτόν (Ancient Greek) |
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Motto in English
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"Know Thyself" |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Established | 1793 |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $1.33 Billion |
| President | David Wippman |
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Academic staff
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195 (2022) |
| Undergraduates | 2,000 (2022) |
| Location |
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United States
43°03′09″N 75°24′20″W / 43.052364°N 75.405657°W |
| Campus | Midsize Suburb, 1,350 acres (550 ha) |
| Newspaper | The Spectator |
| Colors | Continental Blue Buff |
| Nickname | Continentals |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | Alex |
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Hamilton College is a private college in Clinton, New York. It focuses on liberal arts, which means students learn about many different subjects. The college started as the Hamilton-Oneida Academy in 1793. It became Hamilton College in 1812. The college is named after Alexander Hamilton, a very important person in early American history. Since 1978, both boys and girls have attended Hamilton College. This happened after it joined with Kirkland College.
About 2,000 undergraduate students attend Hamilton College. They can choose from 57 areas of study, including 44 main subjects. Students can also create their own study plans. The college has students from 45 U.S. states and 46 countries. Hamilton's sports teams play in the New England Small College Athletic Conference.
Contents
History of Hamilton College
Hamilton College began in 1793 as the Hamilton-Oneida Academy. It was a school founded by Reverend Samuel Kirkland. The academy was built near the home of the Oneida Indian Nation. It welcomed both white and Oneida boys. The school was named after Alexander Hamilton, who helped start it.
In 1812, the academy became Hamilton College. This made it the third-oldest college in New York State. The college expanded its classes and started with a large amount of money. The state of New York also supported the college with money each year.
In 1813, students who wanted to join the college had to be good at reading and writing Latin and Greek. They also needed to know basic math. By 1836, Hamilton had 115 students and four main buildings.
Over time, the college became less connected to its religious beginnings. This change happened under President M. Woolsey Stryker.
Kirkland College and Joining Together
In the 1900s, Hamilton College started a separate college for women called Kirkland College. It was on the other side of College Hill Road. Kirkland College lasted for about 10 years. Eventually, Hamilton College and Kirkland College joined together. This meant Hamilton College became a school for both boys and girls.
Today, the campus is sometimes called the "light side" (the old Hamilton campus) and the "dark side" (the old Kirkland campus). They are separated by College Hill Road. The Hamilton side used to have many fraternities. The Kirkland side was seen as more modern.
Changes to Fraternities
In 1995, Hamilton College made a big change. All students had to live and eat on campus. The college bought the houses where fraternities used to be. This meant fraternities were still allowed, but they were not as important to student life. This change also helped address concerns about social activities.
Hamilton College in the 2000s
In 2002, the college president resigned. The Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization was later started off-campus.
Campus Life and Facilities
Hamilton College has many sports facilities. These include an ice rink, a swimming pool, and a golf course. There is also a climbing wall and a squash center. The area around the campus is a small town.
All students at Hamilton College must live on campus. This policy started in 1995. The college wanted to make sure all students had a good experience.
Daniel Burke Library
The Daniel Burke Library was finished in 1972. It is a large building with about 500,000 books. The library also has many online resources. It is a central place for students to study and find information.
Kirner-Johnson Building
The Kirner-Johnson Building, or "KJ," is where Hamilton's social science classes are held. It also has centers for writing and speaking. The building has a large, bright area where students can study or hang out. There are small waterfalls inside to help make a calm sound. The building was updated in 2008.
The Sage Rink
Sage Rink was built in 1921. It is the oldest indoor college hockey rink in the United States. It is used by Hamilton's hockey teams. Many other teams also use the rink, including youth and high school teams. The famous Clinton Comets also played there.
Litchfield Observatory
Litchfield Observatory is a special place where astronomers discovered many asteroids. The original observatory was destroyed by fire. Today, a new observatory is located near the main campus. It runs on solar energy and students can use it.
Hamilton College Chapel
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The Hamilton College Chapel is a historic building. It is special because it is the only three-story chapel left in the United States.
Days-Massolo Center
The Days-Massolo Center opened in 2011. Its goal is to help students learn about different cultures. It also helps students from different backgrounds talk to each other. The center is named after two important people who helped Hamilton College.
The Root Glen
The Root Glen is a beautiful garden with trees and walking paths. It was created by the Root family over many years. The glen has both formal gardens and forest trails. It is a peaceful place on campus.
The Root family gave the garden to Hamilton College in 1971. The college now takes care of the Root Glen.
Academics and Learning
Hamilton College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in 55 different subjects. Students can also join special programs with other universities. These programs let students earn two degrees, for example, in engineering.
In 2021, the most popular subjects for graduates were:
- Economics
- Biology/Biological Sciences
- Political Science and Government
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Mathematics
Students have a lot of freedom to choose their classes. They must take some courses that involve math and writing. Hamilton College is known for its strong academic programs.
Admissions to Hamilton College
Hamilton College is a very selective school. For the class of 2027, only about 11.8% of students who applied were accepted. Students come from many different states and countries. Hamilton College does not consider if a U.S. citizen can pay for tuition when they apply. This is called "need-blind" admission.
Paying for College
For the 2023–24 school year, the total cost to attend Hamilton College is about $82,430. This includes tuition, housing, food, and other fees. It also includes money for books, personal items, and travel.
Hamilton College helps almost half of its students with financial aid. This aid helps students pay for college. On average, students receive about $53,597 in aid. This can include scholarships, loans, and work-study jobs. The college has many scholarships that help students.
College Rankings
| USNWR Liberal Arts College | 16 |
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| Washington Monthly Liberal Arts | 15 |
| Forbes | 59 |
Hamilton College is often ranked among the top liberal arts colleges. U.S. News & World Report has called it "most selective." In 2021, it was tied for ninth overall among "National Liberal Arts Colleges." Forbes magazine also ranked Hamilton highly among all colleges in America.
Kiplinger's Personal Finance ranked Hamilton College as one of the best-value liberal arts colleges. This means it offers a great education for the cost.
Student Life and Fun
Where Students Live
Most students at Hamilton College live in dorms owned by the college. There are different types of housing. Some are old fraternity houses, and others are apartment-style. There are also options for quiet living. Rooms can be shared by students of any gender.
Campus News and Media
WHCL-FM is Hamilton College's radio station. It plays music, news, and sports. You can listen to it in the Mohawk Valley area or online.
The Spectator is the college's main weekly newspaper. It covers news about the campus, local area, and sports. You can find it around campus and online. Other student publications have existed throughout history, like The Talisman and The Radiator. The Hamiltonian is the college yearbook.
Sports and Athletics
About 35% of Hamilton students play on varsity sports teams. The college also has many club and intramural sports. Club sports include skiing, curling, and rugby. Hamilton's men's rugby team did very well in 2008.
Hamilton has a long-standing football rivalry with Middlebury College. This game is known as the Rocking Chair Classic.
Student Population
Hamilton College usually has about 1,900 students. In 2019, about 47% were boys and 53% were girls. Most students come from public schools, and the rest come from private schools. Students come from 45 U.S. states and 46 countries.
Hamilton College in Media
The movie The Sterile Cuckoo was partly filmed at or near Hamilton College. Over a hundred Hamilton students were in the movie as extras.
Senior Societies
Hamilton College has a few senior societies. These groups recognize students who have a positive impact on the college. Members choose new members who care about the school community.
- Was Los
- Doers and Thinkers
- Pentagon
Famous People from Hamilton College
Many notable people have studied or worked at Hamilton College.
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Paul Lieberstein, writer and actor from The Office
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B. F. Skinner, a very important psychologist
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Sarah Rafferty, actress from the TV show Suits
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Elihu Root, a former United States Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize winner
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Roz Chast, a cartoonist for The New Yorker
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Paul Greengard, a Nobel Prize-winning brain scientist
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Ezra Pound, a major poet
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Steve Orlando, a comic book writer for DC Comics
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Mark T. Sullivan, a bestselling author
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Peter Falk, actor best known as Lieutenant Columbo
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Kamila Shamsie, an award-winning writer
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Nat Faxon, an actor, comedian, and director
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Library Collections
The Hamilton College library has some very old and important documents. These include:
- Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 74
- Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 78
