The Spectator - Features - Hamilton College

Features

Trivia night for 500 points, please

November 10, 2016

Every Tuesday night, as though summoned by some secret call, students begin to gather in a chatty, excited line outside of The Little Pub. Composed of mostly upperclassmen but with smatterings of first-years and sophomores, the line impatiently waits for the doors to swing open and for the next two hours of fun to begin. Once inside, one can feel the electricity buzzing through the air as teams descend upon the tables and grab all the necessary materials to play. Armed only with pens and a few scraps of paper, and with the stereo blasting a carefully-cultivated selection of tunes, the teams are now ready for their chance to win free Tex-Mex. More ...

Communication is key

November 10, 2016

At Hamilton College, students are expected to “think, write and speak with clarity, understanding and precision,” a sentiment expressed explicitly in the College’s catalogue and exemplified by the strong emphasis on writing and speaking from the academic faculty. As a result, it is no surprise that Hamilton students have shown the same desire to be better communicators both on paper and aloud, as seen in one of the many organizations dedicated to emphasizing public speaking: TEDx Hamilton. The Oral Communication Center, a major resource for students to learn how to speak effectively, and TEDx Hamilton recently coordinated a “TED and Tex-Mex” event on Oct 26 emphasizing the importance of strong communication skills. More ...

Falling in love with chaos

November 10, 2016

“Welcome to New York.” It was while listening to this song that I arrived in New York, the heart of the whole world, for the very first time on Oct. 12, 2016. It was a calm night, the gentle October wind blew through the entire city, through the bright lights and through the loud noises. When I got off of the bus on 5th Avenue, I just could not help but marvel at everything in the city— the people, the streets, the shops and even the sky—trying to find some familiarities in a place that I had never been. But I failed. New York is New York. It cannot be anything but itself, it cannot be compared to anything but itself. Even though some criticize it for being crowded, dirty and chaotic, you can never deny the charm that shines brightly from deep within the heart of the city itself. More ...

Bachelorette: Liza Frazier

November 3, 2016

Turn On? Consent. Turn Off? Pants that don’t fit well. More ...

Bachelor: Aaron Collins

November 3, 2016

What TV genre best describes you? British Mockumentary. What’s the best pick-up line you’ve ever used/had used on you? I like your shirt. More ...

Model UN: a model of success

November 3, 2016

This past weekend consisted of dozens of placards, gavels, business suits and dresses as 13 Hamilton students attended the Model African Union Conference Oct. 21-23 at Colgate University. This three-day conversation sparked debate from students across the New York 6 schools, including Colgate, Hobart and William Smith, St. Lawrence, Swarthmore and Union. Led by advisor Kira Jumet, Assistant Professor of Government, and President Daniel Berrick ’18, the team managed to win 10 out of 18 total awards and received great recognition for their outstanding performances. Berrick has been a part of Model UN since his junior year of high school and since his sophomore year at Hamilton. He explains that he’s always been drawn to the experiences and opportunities the club gives for participants to become successful speakers and thinkers. “It’s a club that allows you to develop your oratory skills, your analytical skills and your writing skills. But most importantly, it’s a club which requires you to be able to think on your feet if you want to succeed.” More ...

Prof Talk with . . . Lydia Hamessley

November 3, 2016

What music did you listen to in high school and college? Well, I sometimes confess to my classes that I loved The Carpenters when I was in high school and college, and I still do. Karen’s voice was amazing, and Richard had a great talent for cool arrangements that seemed sort of classically influenced. I also loved The Moody Blues album Days of Future Past. And I first discovered Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” in high school. You teach a class on opera. What tips would you give someone who wants to get into opera but is daunted? Is there an accessible opera you would recommend to a beginner? Just think of it as a musical with more constant singing! Probably start with Carmen by Bizet because students will recognize a lot of the music in it. And La Bohème by Puccini (on which the musical Rent was loosely based) is always a favorite. You’ll have a good cry with that one. More ...

Hamilton: the lucky discovery

November 3, 2016

“You’re from Iran? Wow, how did you find out about Hamilton?!” I have been asked this question a good number of times in the two months that I’ve been here, and my answer has consistently been along the lines of, “the magic of the internet.” I have always (by always, I mean since the age I had the capacity to consider different life options) known that I wanted to study abroad, and it is safe to say my mind was set to study in the U.S. But I had never had a solid plan for doing so. All I had known was that I did not belong in Iran, which is not exactly the greatest feeling to have about your own home country. More ...

It's the climb: Hamilton's rock wall

November 3, 2016

Part of what makes the Hamilton experience unique is the school’s dedication to its students’ fitness. Hamilton’s physical education program, which requires students to enroll in three physical education classes and complete a fitness and swimming test, is based on the theory that developing a healthy body and a love of sports is crucial for students to maintain a balanced lifestyle. In the middle of Hamilton’s beautiful Charlean and Wayland Blood Fitness Center stands a construction that is emblematic of this commitment to student wellness: a three-story climbing wall. This 3,000-square-foot state of the art climbing facility offers top rope and lead climbing, as well as a bouldering area. “Routes” on the wall are color-coded with tape, and students can choose between a variety of difficulty levels for climbing. More ...

Creative costumes in a crunch

October 27, 2016

In college, like in elementary school, the hierarchy of costume quality continues. Considering your closet, the ideas may be dry and uninspired. However, we’ve got you covered! We’ve brainstormed some last minute costume ideas that will still have you lookin’ festive and fly. More ...