Nearly 2,000 Colgate University alumni and family members returned to Hamilton, N.Y., for Reunion 2026, May 28–30.
Class years from 1961 to 2021 were represented under the tents on Whitnall Field while Delta Delta Delta commemorated its 30th anniversary, the Alumni of Color organization marked its 40th, and Colgate Rugby celebrated its 60th.
Throughout the weekend, those who spent four important years on campus had a chance to spend three packed days reacquainting themselves with their alma mater — seeing and hearing firsthand how it continues to deliver a distinctive residential liberal arts experience. They also were able to strengthen the bonds of friendship for which the University is so well known.
The weekend featured traditional gatherings like class banquets, a service of remembrance for members of the Class of 1976, the Alumni Awards Ceremony, and the Torchlight Procession.
Reunion college presentations allowed classmates, friends, and campus community members to share their expertise and insights. Among them, University Landscape Project Manager Katy Jacobs provided guided tours of Peter’s Glen; a panel of ’76 grads talked about the joys of grandparenting; Bailey Graves ’16 taught change management; and Tony Aveni, Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor of astronomy and anthropology and Native American studies emeritus, gathered former students in the Ho Tung Visualization Lab to look back on 41 J-terms exploring ancient Maya mysteries.
President Brian W. Casey, celebrating 10 years as Colgate’s president, provided an update on the Third-Century Plan and the Campaign for the Third Century during his annual presentation in Memorial Chapel. He gave context to the scope of Colgate’s ambitions, which were on full display as alumni crossed campus and saw evidence of new housing along Broad Street as well as new academic buildings and programming up and down the hill.
“If you find yourself president of Colgate, always ask ‘What’s essential?’” Casey said. “You have to say to yourself, ‘Here is what we are, here is what the world is. How do we address what the world is but do it in an incredibly smart way that deepens the institution?”
This is the guiding spirit behind Colgate’s initiative to build and renovate residential spaces down the hill, unifying and deepening student life at the University. It is the driving force behind Colgate’s pursuit of greater financial aid resources, increased faculty support, and opportunities to bolster the rigor of its academic programs.
Saturday afternoon, attendees had the chance to help launch a new era in Colgate athletics history by participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Carey Center, the new home of Colgate basketball and volleyball. They heard from Casey; Athletics Director Yariv Amir ’01; Head Volleyball Coach Ryan Baker; Stephen Errico ’85, whose family made a gift to name the arena; former Board of Trustees Chair Michael Herling ’79, H’24, P’08,’09,’12; and Chase Carey ’76, P’12,’13, whose family gift led the way for the building of the center.
“Blueprints and timelines are straightforward, but the creativity in planning, building consensus, and imagining is not,” Amir told the crowd that gathered near the construction site behind Reid Athletic Center. “It takes vision and a champion to bring people along with you and show them that vision. Many ideas do not make it to this point. Unexpected challenges can stop a project completely. So, it is important to celebrate reaching this point, and I am so glad that you all chose to spend some time doing that with us today.”