Festivities celebrating “Because Hamilton Day” took place across campus on Friday, Nov. 15. The day marked the approximate ten-year anniversary of Hamilton’s decision to go need-blind in its admissions, and the day’s fundraising activities were targeted towards both financial aid and an endowed scholarship in honor of the decadal milestone.

“It’s all about financial aid,” said President Wippman while sporting a blue “Because Hamilton” tee shirt at a selfie station set up in Commons. “If we raise one million dollars, [CEO of Goldman Sachs] David Soloman will match that sum.”

Hamilton succeeded in raising the $1 million — the greatest sum the College has ever tried to raise in one day. By the end of the day, it had even surpassed its goal, raising a total of $3,092,733 from donors across the country.

Friday’s events included a Commons “selfie station” set up during lunch time and carnival games, s’mores outside of the Sadove Student Center in the afternoon, and a “Because Hamilton Day Party” at The Little Pub at 7 PM.

The selfie station was a spectacle. The College’s mascot, Alexander Hamilton, made an appearance, students and administrators sported boas, prop glasses, and free blue tee shirts, and Commons served festive Hamilton-themed cookies. The swag was all to “encourage people to participate and post to Instagram,” according to Jaime Thiesen, who works in the Advancement Office for Alumni Events.

When people posted to Instagram using the hashtag #BecauseHamilton, photos appeared on a digital mosaic projected on a large TV in Commons through a social media tool called Luster. Because Hamilton events took place across the country in Clinton, Boston, Chicago, Denver, and San Francisco; no matter where people were, their pictures appeared in the collage to form a pixelated view of the chapel from behind the Hamilton statue. The station also printed photos posted to Instagram.

“I do love that they print out the photos because I love a good photo to hang on my wall,” said Elisa Matson ’23.

The carnival station and s’mores event drew crowds, and once again mascot Alexander Hamilton. Students roasted marshmallows by a firepit and lined up to play High Striker, a game where participants ring a bell with a hammer.

Sam Welch ’86, executive director of the Career Center, donated on behalf of every student who participated in High Striker. Every time a student rang the bell, Welch donated $15. He also matched the sum of every dollar caught in the cash box.

“I love this demonstration of school spirit and community,” said Kaitlyn Bieber ’23 at the carnival event. “Free food is always a plus.”

Other Because Hamilton Day celebrations included Senior Pub night on Thursday, where senior students who donated a minimum of $5 to the school earned a free Class of 2020 mug and a free drink of choice, and a community event in a Pub with live music and free food on Friday.