It’s no secret: Colgate people love Colgate. They love to talk about Colgate with each other and tell other people about the University. So Colgate Magazine decided to put it down in writing — all of the amazing, special, unique (enter your adjective here) reasons why we are who we are. This panegyric follows celebrations for Colgate Day on Jan. 13 and, more recently, Valentine’s Day (cheers to you, alumni couples). In the spirit of Colgate people coming together, this list is a community effort, with contributions from alumni, students, and faculty and staff members.
Illustrations by Toby Triumph
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The beauty of the campus — it cannot be stated often enough
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The sense of place and tight community
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Traditions: core courses, late-night slices, taters, kissing on Willow Path, sledding in front of JBC, seniors revisiting their first-year dorm rooms, Gospel Fest, ALANApalooza, and more
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The Colgate Hello
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The Colgate connection: friendships that begin at Colgate and continue throughout a lifetime. “It’s where I met my forever friends,” one graduate says.
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Walks on Willow Path in any season
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Spirit: games and tailgates
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The village of Hamilton: the Colgate Bookstore, the farmer’s market, the movie theater, and restaurants
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Opportunities for students to conduct hands-on research with world-class faculty members, which often paves the way for impressive career paths
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A commitment to sustainability. In April 2019, Colgate became the first institution of higher education in the state of New York to achieve carbon neutrality.
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Student-coach relationships, on and off the courts, fields, and ice
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Alumni support — through a variety of ways, including mentorship, volunteerism, and providing financial opportunities to students
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The number 13
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Hiking, biking, and strolling on the Harry H. Lang Cross Country and Fitness Trail
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Off-campus study experiences to more than 50 countries
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Summer funding for internships and fellowships
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Supporting students by providing aid through the Colgate Commitment
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World-class facilities, including the Robert H.N. Ho Science Center with its Vis Lab
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Countless love stories, marriages, and partnerships that begin on campus
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The treasures at the Robert M. Linsley Geology Museum, like the oviraptor dinosaur egg
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Robust services offered at Case-Geyer Library, including the Special Collections and University Archives, Digital Learning and Media Center, and makerspace
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An ongoing commitment to the sciences, as evidenced by the Olin Hall renovations
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion are a priority. Colgate recently welcomed the most diverse and academically talented class in University history.
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A healthy living-learning experience through the Residential Commons, which helps students to flourish and lays the foundation for lifelong connections to the University
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Faculty members who become mentors
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Programs like Benton Scholars, Alumni Memorial Scholars, and Sophomore Residential Seminars
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Outstanding students doing remarkable things to make the world a better place
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A strong spiritual community that welcomes all
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Chapel House: a place of peace and comfort
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Career services that are game-changers in students’ futures
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The University’s effective COVID-19 pandemic response and plan (as highlighted on CBS)
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Our growing reputation; as a result, applications are up 146% in two years
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Thought Into Action, which inspires and launches entrepreneurs
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Supporting vets, from Vetville after World War II to the Yellow Ribbon Program
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Student-athletes compete on the national stage while obtaining an unparalleled educational experience, and some have the opportunity to play professionally after graduation.
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More than 250 student clubs and organizations, from the long-standing Outdoor Education Program and Black Student Union to new groups like the Cheese & Culture Club
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Music from a cappella groups: The Colgate Thirteen, Swinging ’Gates, Dischords, Mantiphondrakes, Resolutions
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WRCU, on the air since 1951
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Global leaders visiting campus: President Joe Biden, Tony Blair, Colin Powell, the Dalai Lama
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Appreciation of the arts
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Reunion: hugs, talks, reconnecting, tents, music, fireworks, the memorial service, class photos in front of the chapel, dinners at the inn
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Concert memories: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, the Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac, Louis Armstrong, the Doors, the Kinks, Avicii, and many more
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Seeing people wearing Colgate gear around the world and making connections
IN YOUR WORDS:
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In Your Words
“Colgate has always displayed the best of both worlds: your degree is a bachelor of arts, but it could also be a bachelor of science degree because of the rigor of Colgate’s science courses.”
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“Thorough assistance with fellowships, even after graduating.”
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“It is where I learned about differences in every measure but mostly that diversity of thought isn’t bad.”
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“It is a physical place that is Mother Nature in her splendor in every season.”
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“It is where I learned humility, how to work really hard, how to feel victorious, and how a failure could motivate me.”
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“It is where I learned that I didn’t have to be the smartest, but I had to be the most motivated if I was going to succeed.”
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“It is a place that will evolve with time, but its essence will remain.”
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“It is where I learned how to think.”
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“It is my happy place.”
Tell us your reasons for loving Colgate: Write magazine@colgate.edu, or join in the conversation on social media.