Colgate University

Colgate University
Name	Colgate University
Established	1819
Type	Private liberal arts college
Endowment	$1.3 billion (2022)
President	Brian W. Casey
City	Hamilton
State	New York
Country	United States
Campus	Rural, 575 acres
Students	3,150 (2022)
Faculty	355
Athletics	NCAA Division I – Patriot League
Mascot	Raider
Website	colgate.edu

Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York. Founded in 1819 by Baptist leaders, it was originally known as the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York before being renamed for the philanthropic Colgate family. The university is a member of the Patriot League and is known for its rigorous academic programs and picturesque campus in the Chenango Valley.

History

The institution was founded in 1819 by thirteen men, including Baptist clergyman Daniel Hascall, with initial funds of $13,000. It was first located in Hamilton as the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York, operating a theological seminary. In 1890, the university was renamed in honor of the Colgate family, particularly William Colgate, whose soap manufacturing fortune provided significant early endowment support. The institution evolved from a seminary into a liberal arts college, officially becoming Colgate University in 1928. Key historical developments include the construction of its iconic Memorial Chapel in 1918 and its transition to coeducation in 1970, following a merger with the women's college Kirkland College.

Campus

The 575-acre campus is situated in the rural village of Hamilton within the Chenango Valley. Its architectural style is predominantly Collegiate Gothic, with notable buildings like Lawrence Hall and the Memorial Chapel constructed from local limestone. The campus features the Taylor Lake reservoir, the Case Library, and the Ho Science Center. The University of Wisconsin-designed Longyear Museum and the Picker Art Gallery are key cultural resources. The surrounding area includes the Adirondack Mountains and is part of the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Academics

The university offers 56 majors through its College of Arts and Sciences and emphasizes a core Liberal Arts Core Curriculum that includes a first-year seminar. It operates several distinctive programs, including the Off-Campus Study Group which sends students to locations like National University of Singapore and University of London. Research centers include the Center for Freedom and Western Civilization and the Lampert Institute. The faculty includes scholars like Frederick Crews and the institution maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio. Colgate is consistently ranked highly by publications such as U.S. News & World Report.

Student life

Student life is centered around the university's over 200 student organizations, including a chapter of the Model United Nations. A significant portion of students live in residence halls or one of the four Greek-letter organizations that own chapter houses. Traditions include the "Torchlight Ceremony" during Convocation and the "Jumping the Willow" ritual for seniors. The campus hosts events like the Hamilton-based Hamilton International Film Festival and concerts at the Memorial Chapel. Student media includes the newspaper The Colgate Maroon-News and radio station WRCU-FM.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Raiders, compete in the NCAA Division I Patriot League. Its football team has a historic rivalry with the Cornell Big Red and has produced NFL players like Mark Van Eeghen. The men's ice hockey team competes in ECAC Hockey and has made multiple appearances in the NCAA tournament, with alumni including Andy McDonald of the St. Louis Blues. Other successful programs include women's ice hockey, men's soccer, and women's basketball. The university's athletic facilities include the Harry H. Lang Cross Country Course and Andy Kerr Stadium.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields. In government and law, notable figures include John B. Anderson, candidate for President of the United States, and A. Leon Higginbotham Jr., judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Business leaders include Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, and Charles H. Price II, former United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. In arts and media, alumni include Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes, novelist Jennifer Finney Boylan, and filmmaker Michael Cuesta. Scientific contributors include John R. Horner, a noted paleontologist.

Category:Universities and colleges in New York (state) Category:Liberal arts colleges in the United States Category:Patriot League