“The Alexander Hamilton Institute is a precious gift to students, the greater Utica community and to me personally. It offers a continuing contribution to the understanding of our country’s ideals and institutions, particularly those advanced under our unique Constitution. Since its inception and through its wonderful programs, it has brought to all it has served a breath of intellectual fresh air in the expression and discussion of ideas and issues under the banner of free speech and openness to all.
It has given me cherished friendships and the inspiration to write and publish two local history books. Those of the area and I are better citizens thanks to AHI!”
-Rodger Potocki, New Hartford, New York
“AHI and the people associated with the organization have played a crucial role in my intellectual and professional development. It would be impossible to name every benefit that the AHI has provided to me. As an undergraduate at Hamilton College, participating in the reading groups and conferences organized by Professors Bob Paquette, Douglas Ambrose, Ted Eismeier, and James Bradfield deepened my education in ways that exceeded the classroom experience on Hamilton’s campus. My association with the AHI inspired me to pursue a Ph.D. in History at the University of South Carolina. While completing my doctoral dissertation, the AHI provided funding to support my research in the form of the Bakwin Fellowship. During the term of this fellowship, I resided at the AHI’s headquarters, and I also had the opportunity to participate in the AHI-Baylor Annual Summer Conference organized by Mary and David Nichols. Currently, I am serving as a faculty member at the Lewis Honors College of the University of Kentucky. AHI has generously provided funds to support a reading group for Kentucky students interested in texts of enduring value and significance in world history.
“AHI serves as a shining beacon of hope that is working to promote and defend the value of free inquiry, robust debate, and civic responsibility. I cannot think of an organization that I support with greater enthusiasm than the AHI.”
-Timothy Minella, Hamilton College, Class of 2009, Phi Beta Kappa, Ph. D., University of South Carolina
“[M]y sincere gratitude for allowing me to host an event [at AHI] for the current rowers and the Friends (alumni & parents) of Hamilton Rowing on Saturday evening. The space lent itself well and I consider the gathering to be a success as all enjoyed it and there was much comradery. . . . I will gladly make a donation to the AHI for that amount and then some. Please let me know if I can be of service to you or AHI.
-Jason Andris, Hamilton College, Class of 1996
“The Alexander Hamilton Institute embodies the best qualities of elite liberal arts campuses: intellectual excellence, dedicated, world-class faculty, and individual attention for students. Fortunately, the Institute is also a lot of things these campuses are not: intellectually diverse, open-minded, and a safe environment for students of any political persuasion to voice their opinions. The Institute has been a necessity for anyone seeking to study a balanced curriculum in Central New York. Personally, it has a been a blessing; as an opportunity for learning, to attend informative lectures, meet incredible lecturers, and as an outlet for an oppressed Conservative student. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Professors Ambrose, Bradfield, and Paquette for their creation of the Alexander Hamilton Institute.”
-John McRae, Hamilton College, Class of 2009
“The Alexander Hamilton Institute provides a unique opportunity for Hamilton students and faculty to study Western Civilization by examining and discussing freedom, democracy, and capitalism. While Hamilton College spends a large sum of money inviting guest speakers onto campus, the guests almost always invoke a left-wing activist message. The lack of a conservative or traditional voice makes the campus hostile to a diversity of thought. This year, the Alexander Hamilton Institute has served as a meeting place for both the Publius Society, in which members studied and discussed the Federalist Papers, and the Edmund Burke Association, a new organization based around the work of British writer Edmund Burke. In the Edmund Burke Association’s inaugural meeting, the Alexander Hamilton Institute invited Colgate University Professor and Western Civilization scholar Robert Kraynak. Kraynak lectured on the conservative thought of Edmund Burke, and applied it to the conservative movement in America today. This engaging lecture was attended by students and faculty of both Hamilton College and Colgate University, as well as many residents of the local area. The Alexander Hamilton Institute provides an intellectual experience that would otherwise be ignored by a faculty and student body hostile to traditional and conservative thought.”
-Joe Bock, Hamilton College, Class of 2009; J. D. Rutgers University School of Law-Newark
“I only recently discovered the Alexander Hamilton Institute, and just became a member this semester, but I already think it is a great Hamilton asset. While the lectures are interesting, as many Hamilton special events are, the particularly unique feature of the Institute is the open intellectual debate amongst students and professors. The open conversations, where people are taken out of their established roles on the Hill and thrown into discussion, has generated very thought provoking experiences. I’ve heard really interesting perspectives from professors and students I otherwise would have missed. Thanks!”
