Colgate Memorial Chapel
As Thanksgiving approaches, all of us at Colgate extend our utmost gratitude to our alumni. The many gifts to the Colgate Fund last year are making transformation possible on campus.
Thanks to the generosity of Colgate alumni like you:
1. Applications to Colgate are up 146% over the last two years.
At a time when many colleges are struggling to attract applicants, Colgate is receiving national attention for its application numbers.
2. Colgate is becoming significantly more affordable.
Colgate announced another major expansion of the Colgate Commitment: all Colgate students from families with annual income up to $175,000 will have loans replaced with University grants. Colgate is also investing additional funds to cover associated costs of attendance, and students with family incomes below $80,000 attend tuition-free.
3. Faculty and students are advancing knowledge through research.
Last summer, nearly 200 students worked with Colgate faculty on a wide variety of research projects — and, by graduation, four out of five Colgate students will participate in professional academic research projects.
4. Students from all backgrounds are exploring the world.
Colgate is a national leader in off-campus study participation. This fall, students are enjoying faculty-led study groups on five continents. Plus, Colgate’s generous need-based financial aid policies help student recipients participate in any program for which they are qualified.
5. Our Division I athletes are excelling in competition and the classroom.
From a 97% graduation success rate to volleyball, women’s hockey, and men’s basketball claiming league championships and representing Colgate on the national stage, Colgate’s Division I athletics programs continue to give our community reasons to be proud (like volleyball's recent Patriot League championship win, which will take us to the NCAA tournament, and the recent win by men’s basketball over Syracuse).
6. Colgate is making profound progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals.
The Colgate community recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance Center; a new film highlights the University’s first alumni of color; and the first-year class is the most diverse — and academically talented — in the history of Colgate. Across campus, the University is advancing the Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
7. The arts are thriving — and expanding.
Fall exhibitions are going strong in the Picker Art Gallery. A new exhibition called The Little House is currently installed in the Clifford Art Gallery. And Colgate recently broke ground on the Benton Center for Creativity and Innovation, an anchor for the new Middle Campus Initiative for Arts, Creativity, and Innovation.
8. Alumni are achieving outstanding success.
With support from Career Services, more than 98% of our students landed employment, grad school admission, a fellowship or scholarship, military service, or long-term community service roles just 6–10 months after graduation — according to recent surveys.
9. Signature events are back on campus.
After a two-year hiatus, Colgate welcomed thousands of alumni back to campus for reunion and homecoming as well as a wide range of regional and on-campus events.
10. Campus is becoming even more beautiful.
Colgate is committed to preserving and amplifying its renowned beauty. As part of its Master Landscape Plan, several dozen bicentennial trees have been planted, and efforts are underway to restore Oak Drive.
11. Colgate is a leader in sustainability among higher education institutions.
Three years ago, Colgate became the first college in New York state to achieve carbon neutrality — and the University community is still focused on sustainability efforts that weave environmental education into the curriculum and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
12. Colgate has launched the largest campaign ever undertaken by an American liberal arts college.
The Campaign for the Third Century is providing resources for Third-Century ambitions and the most significant transformation in the history of Colgate. Most campaign supporters have participated — and will continue to participate — through their annual gifts to the Colgate Fund.
13. Colgate traditions continue.
Alongside new achievements, many of the traditions you experienced while on campus continue, thanks to the generosity of alumni. From convocation and reverence for lucky number 13 to celebrating Colgate Day, Torchlight Processions, and Charter Day, traditions built over the last two centuries live on.
All of this is due to the foundational tradition of alumni giving back and supporting future generations of students. So if you gave to the Colgate Fund last year, we thank you — and hope you will take pride in all of the incredible experiences you have been a part of making possible.