The statistics tell a thin slice of the story:

  • 646 students received bachelor's degrees
  • 34 percent graduated with a major and a minor
  • 19 percent graduated with a double major
  • English was the most popular major, followed by economics, political science, sociology/anthropology, and history.
     

We hope the profiles at right provide another chapter in the story, showing how the Colgate experience for these seniors has led to exciting careers and challenging graduate school opportunities.

Bart HaleWe turned to Bart Hale, president of the Student Government Association, and asked him to share his thoughts. A native of New York City, Hale will return there to work as a paralegal before going to law school. Besides SGA, he was involved in Konosioni, College Democrats, and the club sailing team. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta, a senior intern for the Office of Admission, and a deacon in University Church.

Here are his comments:

“This great Class of 2004 is a diverse group of individuals with varying interests, talents, ideologies, and backgrounds. We have learned from each other over these four years, and as a result of those differences we've grown together.

“I think it is clear that our class has left a very real mark on this institution. We've had great triumphs on the athletic fields, extended the arts, pushed political views and forced one another to question our own beliefs, worked hard while having lots of fun, and developed a real love for Colgate.

“The Class of 2004 will also stand apart as a group that has endured tremendous change, experienced terrible tragedy, and grown through it all with resilience and a determination to succeed. There were three university presidents during our four years here. We watched downtown develop and thrive, enjoyed a renovated student center, and saw additions like the shuttle bus.

“We've also grown together as we mourned the loss of a classmate on Oak Drive and the death of thousands of fellow citizens on 9/11. Handling change is certainly an important part of life, and we've matured so much as this campus and world have changed along with us.

“The Class of 2004 is destined to accomplish great things in so many aspects of society. I'm certain we will carry with us our love for Colgate and will visit Hamilton in the future to see the lasting impact we have had.”

For photos and a story about commencement, go here. Here is the official Commencement 2004  website.

(Student profiles were written by Tim O’Keeffe, Jess Buchsbaum, and Charlie Melichar. Photos were taken by Timothy D. Sofranko. Web design was by Mark Allen Nakamura.)