With cooperation from the weather and an active campus community, Colgate University welcomed families Sept. 18–20 for Family Weekend 2026.
Friday evening began with a special conversation with President Barack Obama, held at Sanford Field House. This event was sponsored by the Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders at Colgate, which supports the University’s commitment to preparing students for lives of leadership, engaged citizenship, and thoughtful participation in a democratic society. Later on, a family dinner, catered by Ray Brothers BBQ, was held under a tent on Whitnall Field. To cap off the evening, Colgate’s a cappella groups performed at Colgate Memorial Chapel.
Saturday was filled with sunshine and a variety of events, including a faculty panel on “The Value of Liberal Arts in the Age of AI,” led by Provost and Dean of the Faculty Lesleigh Cushing and Dean of Academic and Curricular Affairs Douglas Johnson. Guests also enjoyed a screening of A Short Documentary About a Giant Pencil, which was featured in a recent article in the Colgate Magazine. Other highlights included department and program open houses, free cider and donuts hosted by the Residential Commons at Peter’s Glen, family-friendly ballroom dancing lessons, a gathering at the community garden, special museum and gallery hours, and more.
Throughout the weekend, fans supported the Raiders in multiple Division I sporting events, including volleyball, field hockey, and women’s soccer. Tailgate parties and food trucks surrounding Andy Kerr Stadium got the momentum going for a decisive football victory, as the Raiders defeated Cornell 20-7.
Despite a rainy Sunday morning, students and families gathered at the Coop for the Taste of Hamilton event, enjoying complimentary offerings from local establishments, including Maxwell’s, Oliveri’s, and Clinton Cider Mill, as well as pottery painting with Village Clay.