More than 100 Colgate University students and alumni gathered in one of Philadelphia’s busiest indoor markets, Reading Terminal Market, for the 2026 Convergence Leadership and Alumni of Color Summit, which included a networking reception, dinner, and an intimate fireside chat with alumni.
All students were welcome to attend this March 13–14 event, hosted by the Office of the Dean of Students, to connect with alumni from various career fields and expand their understanding of innovation as leadership in practice.
Vaughn Crowe ’02 began his Colgate Day dinner dialogue, moderated by former Trustee Kathleen A. Dill ’89, by describing his turbulent beginning as a recruit for Colgate’s football team. Multiple injuries barred him from fulfilling his goal of becoming a Division I athlete, prompting him to spot campus opportunities that he might never have considered.
“Take advantage of all the organizations and experiences that Colgate can afford you,” Crowe advised student attendees. “My dreams were shattered as an athlete, but that wasn’t my only dream.”
Crowe explained how he continued to embrace turbulence in his entrepreneurial career by quitting his job in 2020, the beginning of a pandemic, to explore the business world and eventually become a managing partner at nvp capital.
“Maybe I just like a rocky road,” Crowe said. “From challenges come interesting opportunities.”
The next day, workshop sessions reinforced Crowe’s message and expanded on the summit theme: breaking new ground. Patricia Hayling Price ’76 guided participants to reflect on their foundational values and life stories. Trustees Michele Alexandre ’96 and Christine J. Chao ’86 delineated clarity, credibility, and connection as three major points of leadership. Devin C. Hughes ’91 reframed problems as career openings, and Anthony Spikes ’87 demonstrated how to make decisions under pressure.
After Saturday morning workshops, everyone gathered for a final alumni panel. Panelist Meeann Dingman ’09 attributed her ability to adapt as a leader in the medical field to her liberal arts education, stating that Colgate taught her how to develop solutions in the face of uncertainty. Hughes underscored the importance of confidence in his journey to establish Devin C. Hughes Inc., and Jaia Thomas ’03 talked about her experience creating her company, Diverse Representation, and encouraged attendees to not be afraid to pursue their goals — no matter how grand.
The summit culminated with closing remarks from Colgate’s Alumni of Color co-directors, Denny Gonzalez ’13 and Dena Robinson ’12, and a networking lunch where students and alumni exchanged contact information, connected on LinkedIn, and expressed gratitude for all the new friendships formed in the city of brotherly love.
For Dean of Students Dorsey Spencer Jr., the event exceeded expectations, with record attendance and students asking thoughtful questions, building relationships, and thinking critically about their own leadership with passionate alumni.
“This year’s summit was a strong reflection of what we set out to build,” Spencer said. “It was intentional, engaging, and grounded in meaningful connection. There was a high level of energy throughout the summit, and you could see confidence growing in real time. Overall, I am proud of what we created and even more encouraged by what our students and alumni took from it.”