Colgate hosted its annual Arts, Creativity, and Innovation (ACI) Weekend in April to celebrate the importance of the creative process and imaginative thinking across all academic disciplines. The Middle Campus Initiative for ACI is a cornerstone of the University’s Third-Century Plan, and its home in the new Bernstein Hall served as the focal point for the series of events.
The weekend included performances, lectures, exhibitions, and the 13th edition of the Thought Into Action (TIA) entrepreneur showcase and pitch competition. Networking events and panel discussions connected students with alumni in various industries.
On Friday evening in Memorial Chapel, Netflix co-founder and former CEO Marc Randolph sat down for a conversation with President Brian W. Casey as part of the Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders at Colgate. During the wide-ranging discussion, Randolph advised students to prepare for the future, regardless of the career or industry they choose.
“What feeds an entrepreneur is curiosity,” he says. “The skills you need — not just for entrepreneurship, but [also] for the world — are what you learn in a liberal arts school.”
1. President Brian W. Casey (left) and Marc Randolph 2. Nathan Walsh ’28 (left) of Students Helping Students 3. Student gathering with Marc Randolph 4. Talia Broder ’28 of Vitalize 5. Colgate’s Entrepreneur of the Year Michael Ellenbogen ’86, P’26 6. Savneet Singh of PAR Technology 7. Producer/writer Adam Goldman’94 (middle)
Underscoring the point, notable alumni and friends participated in panel discussions with current students. The topic: careers in the arts. Panelists included Alex Coco ’12, producer of the Academy Award–winning film Anora, as well as Flipside producer and Watson writer Adam Goldman ’94, documentary producer Nick Hasse ’17, Gotham Film & Media Institute Deputy Director Kia Brooks, marketing and communications consultant Kanitha Heng ’09 Snow, and comedy assistant Ava Wigdor ’23.
“Entrepreneurship and the arts go well together,” Snow told the student audience. “I started applying these storytelling skills I gained at Colgate to organizations and helping them build their business in a way that has been impactful.”
Both Coco and Goldman facilitated screenings and discussions of their films. The Ryan Family Film Series presented Anora, and the Hamilton Movie Theater showed Flipside with Goldman. “I felt so much freedom when I was here,” Coco said. “Nobody was trying to push me into a box. Colgate encouraged me to always think that way.”
Meanwhile, students from Colgate’s scholar programs — Benton, Alumni Memorial, Office of Undergraduate Studies, and Lampert — presented their research at a poster session in Bernstein Hall.
The TIA entrepreneur showcase pitch competition and venture showcase were held in the Hall of Presidents on Saturday. True Ventures partner Gus Coldebella ’91 moderated the panel of alumni entrepreneurs, including Colgate’s Entrepreneur of the Year Michael Ellenbogen ’86, P’26, founder and chief innovation officer of Evolv Technology. Other panelists included The Outset co-founder Kate Foster ’99 Lengyel, FIF Collective founder and CEO Meghan Curtin ’06 McKenna, Fair Harbor Clothing co-founder and chief brand officer Caroline Danehy ’19, and PAR Technology CEO Savneet Singh.
In the venture showcase, entrepreneurs competed for a total of $10,000 in grant funding. The panel announced that Ellenbogen and McKenna would provide contestants with an additional $2,000 investment in their ventures.
The $10,000 cash prize went to Students Helping Students, co-founded by Nathan Walsh ’28, which provides affordable-college help for students, by students. Trust Beverages, founded by Charlotte Prendergast ’25, took second place. Talia Broder ’28, who placed third with a venture called will Vitalize, will participate in the Summer Accelerator, alongside other student and alumni entrepreneurs.
“ACI Weekend is one important and exciting way for members of this community to engage with artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and performers who share their passion for process,” said Associate Dean of the Faculty for Faculty Recruitment and Development and Associate Professor of Theater Christian DuComb.