HWS News Top Stories
11 July 2025The Legacy of Summer of Service
Since 2011, HWS students have contributed more than 30,500 hours to the Finger Lakes Region. This year’s cohort continues that tradition of meaningful community engagement.
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24 June 2025HWS Earns Top Rankings for Alumni Network, Internships, ROI and Impact
The Princeton Review’s 2025 rankings recognize Hobart and William Smith as a Best Value College, highlighting a strong Alumni Network, accessibility of Internships, outstanding Return on Investment and meaningful Student Impact.
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18 May 2025Four Members of the Class of 2025 Join Peace Corps
HWS seniors will serve two-year positions in Africa, South America and the Caribbean, continuing HWS’ long-standing commitment to service abroad.
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7 May 2025HWS Named Top Peace Corps Producer
HWS is once again named to the Peace Corps’ list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities.
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24 April 2025Humphrey '23 Finds Peace Corps Service in Viet Nam Rewarding
HWS Grad combines passion for cultural immersion, service to others and academic interests on assignment in Viet Nam as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
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23 April 2025Northrup Honored by ALL IN as Standout Local Official
Assistance to HWS during election seasons contributes to passion for civic engagement on campus.
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10 April 2025Aguilar '25 Goes "All In" for Campus Democracy
As he plans for a career in public policy, HWS Votes Co-President Rafael Aguilar ’25 has been honored for his work planning and coordinating events prior to the 2024 election.
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2 April 2025Giving Back: Spring 2025 Day of Service
HWS students, faculty and staff will volunteer at 28 locations, including the Geneva Public Library where students will help senior citizens with their tech questions.
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31 March 2025Impact Conference Inspires Action and Advocacy
Two HWS students attend the largest annual conference focused on engaging college students in service, advocacy and social action.
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27 March 2025Service and Community Impact over Spring Break
HWS students dedicated their spring break to making a difference.
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10 March 2025Gantcher Family Foundation Funds Student-Led Grant Program
A grant from the Gantcher Family Foundation gives students the opportunity to make a tangible impact.
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10 March 2025Hearts for Ovid
Theta Phi Alpha fundraises to support victims of Ovid, N.Y. fire.
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29 January 2025Protecting Historic Bird Colonies
For decades, HWS has been sending students to Maine through Project Puffin, continuing the work to preserve historic tern colonies.
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25 November 2024Patchett '88 Endows Summer of Service
Inspired by his time spent tutoring as a student at Hobart and William Smith, Tom Patchett ’88 establishes service-learning endowment.
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20 November 2024Exploring Community at HWS
Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning Katie Flowers encourages belonging in her first-year seminar, “Exploring Community.”
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23 October 2024HWS Graduates Serve with AmeriCorps
Hobart and William Smith recent graduates serve with AmeriCorps, making a lasting impact on communities.
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16 October 2024HWS Tutor Corps Provides Bilingual and Enhanced Training
The “Enlaces” initiative for English Language Learners and enhanced training programs prepare HWS Tutor Corps to make an impact.
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24 September 2024Cianflone '24 Joins the Peace Corps
Julia Cianflone ’24 has found a convergence of her academic passions and professional goals in her Peace Corps assignment in the heart of South America.
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17 September 2024HWS Votes Prepares for Big Year
Non-partisan organization will host events to help students register to vote and learn about local and national candidates and issues.
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10 September 2024HWS Remembers 9/11
The HWS community, including its AmeriCorps Volunteers and Kappa Alpha Society members, will remember those lost on September 11, 2001.
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27 August 2024HWS Ranks No. 1 in the Nation for Service, 19th Overall
Washington Monthly ranks Hobart and William Smith first for service and 19th for liberal arts colleges, a jump of 13 spots in just one year.
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6 August 2024HWS Grads Serve Geneva Through AmeriCorps VISTA
Jonathan Garcia ’23, William Koepp ’23 and James Anderson ’23 conclude their AmeriCorps VISTA service in Geneva this summer.
Read More6 August 2024Summer of Service
HWS Summer of Service interns make an impact in Geneva. Since the program’s inception in 2011, 92 interns have contributed more than 22,000 hours.
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1 July 2024Recognizing Service and Community Commitment
This year’s Community Engaged Scholarship Forum celebrated the passionate work of civically engaged HWS community members.
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10 June 2024Mulvaney '24 Receives National Civic Leadership Honor
For her service work in the Geneva community, North Carolina and Puerto Rico, Margaret Mulvaney ’24 was recognized nationally by AmeriCorps’ Partners for Campus-Community Engagement.
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21 May 2024Neighborhood Democracy's Role in Community Revitalization
With former Hobart Dean Richard Guarasci serving as the facilitator, HWS participates in a workshop on how civic engagement can help revitalize communities.
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1 May 2024Peace Corps Director Spahn to Deliver HWS Commencement Address
Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn will give the keynote address at Commencement 2024.
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25 April 2024Oswalt '24 Goes "All In" for Campus Democracy
In recognition of her dedication to civic engagement and voter participation, HWS Votes Co-President Katelyn Oswalt ’24 receives national honor. Oswalt will attend Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University this fall.
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16 April 202430 Years of Day of Service
In 1994, Day of Service began as “a message of hope.” Thirty years later, HWS celebrates the anniversary of a thriving tradition.
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11 April 2024Loomis '24 to Serve in Peace Corps
Alanson Loomis ’24 will serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji.
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4 April 2024Honorary Degrees Celebrate Leadership, Creativity and Service
HWS will recognize three members of the alumni community with honorary degrees alongside Commencement speaker Carol Spahn.
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14 March 2024Wise '24 Joins Peace Corps
After graduation, Ahmed Wise ’24 will serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya for two years.
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7 February 2024New Grant Will Study Community Literacy Initiatives
Geneva 2030 receives a grant from the Sociological Initiatives Foundation to support a study of HWS tutors’ approach to literary acquisition.
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15 January 2024HWS Joins MLK March
Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Bill Woodson and Chaplain and Dean for Spiritual Engagement The Rev. Nita Byrd offered remarks during Geneva’s march and memorial service in commemoration of the work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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12 January 2024Empowering Student Impact: Sign Up for Alternative Spring Break
Alternative Spring Break offers students the opportunity to volunteer across the nation.
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29 December 2023Outstanding Highlights from 2023
At the start of the new year, we reflect on some of the many accolades and achievements of 2023.
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14 November 2023Rowing across the Atlantic
Four Hobart rowers will cross the Atlantic Ocean in “the World’s Toughest Row” to raise $550K for Boys and Girls Club chapters in their hometowns and Geneva.
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20 October 2023President's Forum Bridges the Political Aisle
Reaching across the aisle, former Congressmen promote civic engagement and reflect on pressing topics.
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19 October 202330 Years Forward: Gearan Joins Celebration of AmeriCorps in Arkansas
HWS President Mark D. Gearan and national service leaders convened in Arkansas with former President Bill Clinton L.H.D. '17 to discuss the future of national service.
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13 October 2023Giving Back: Fall 2023 Day of Service
HWS students and staff will participate in a day of volunteerism, giving back to the Geneva community.
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31 August 2023HWS Ranked 5th in the Nation for Service, 32nd Overall
For the seventh year in a row, Hobart and William Smith Colleges are among the top five U.S. liberal arts institutions for service, according to Washington Monthly. The annual rankings also put the Colleges at 32nd overall for liberal arts schools.
Read More29 August 202322,000 Hours of Service and Counting
HWS Summer of Service interns make an impact in Geneva. Since the program’s inception in 2011, 81 interns have contributed more than 22,000 hours of work.
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10 August 2023A New Generation of Civic Leaders
Samuel Barnard ’23 and Hugh Bator ’23 join a growing list of HWS alums in the City Year program.
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12 July 2023Deutschlander Receives Klamm Service Award
Professor of Biology Mark Deutschlander was honored for his service to the Wilson Ornithological Society and the birding community.
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10 July 2023HWS Welcomed Second-Graders to Campus
Through the Geneva 2030 partnership, second graders imagine bright futures.
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16 June 2023Flowers to Receive Agnes Slosson Lewis Award
Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning Katie Flowers to be honored for contributions to community.
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13 June 2023Community Donation Effort Makes an Impact
This year’s Community Donation Effort made waste diversion and community assistance possible, bringing school supplies, furniture and other items to local organizations.
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24 May 2023Brachfeld '23 Joins Peace Corps
Emma Brachfeld ’23, an Environmental Studies major and a Biology and Spanish & Hispanic Studies minor, is the fifth Hobart and William Smith senior this year to be accepted into the Peace Corps.
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1 May 2023City Year Cofounder Khazei to Deliver HWS Commencement Address
Social entrepreneur Alan Khazei L.H.D. ’15 will give the keynote address at Commencement 2023. HWS will recognize four members of the Colleges’ community with honorary degrees.
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27 April 2023Students Spend Spring Break Giving Back
The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning led civic work at three sites through the HWS Alternative Spring Break program.
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11 April 2023Five Seniors Join Peace Corps
Five Hobart and William Smith seniors have accepted two-year positions to serve abroad with the Peace Corps.
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11 April 2023Four Seniors Join Peace Corps
Four Hobart and William Smith seniors have accepted two-year positions to serve abroad with the Peace Corps.
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9 March 2023Márquez ’23 Interns with U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Marce Márquez ’23 reflects on international relations, squash, volunteerism and her internship at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.
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1 March 2023Media & Society Joins 125th Anniversary of Geneva Celebration
The documentary “Geneva, Then and Now” will be the finale of the “Celebrate Geneva!” program at the Smith Opera House, 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023. The community-wide birthday tribute will feature music, dance, and song.
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28 February 2023Geneva 2030 Announces New Leadership
Hobart and William Smith join with Geneva in welcoming Heather Schwilk as Director of Geneva 2030.
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25 January 2023Meaningful Mentorship
HWS Corps is recruiting! The tutoring and mentorship program is looking to swell its numbers with more than 85 paid work-study positions available.
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16 January 2023HWS Joins MLK March
As an annual tradition, the campus joined Geneva’s march and memorial service in commemoration of the work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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15 December 2022Bilingual Community
Research project combines historic play translation and outreach with local Spanish-speakers.
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13 December 2022Holiday Giving
Annual student food drive to provide 40 ham roasts to Geneva Center of Concern.
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7 December 2022Alternative Spring Break Applications Open
The 2023 programs include service-learning trips to tutor in North Carolina, learning about life of migrant workers in New York and performing service work in Virginia.
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30 November 2022Increasing the Vote
Hobart and William Smith Colleges have been named one of nearly 400 colleges and universities across the country for increasing student voter participation in the 2022 midterm elections as part of ALL IN’s Campus Democracy Challenge.
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3 November 2022“You are Here” Day Empowers College and Career Journeys
Every year, Hobart and William Smith welcomes students from the Geneva City School District to visit campus as second-graders, sixth-graders and again during the ninth grade as part of the Geneva 2030 Initiative. After a two-year pause due to the pandemic, ninth graders recently returned to campus as part of the initiative’s commitment to college and career preparedness.
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1 November 2022President Gearan on National Service in the 21st Century
President Mark D. Gearan will join the Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Rochester’s Fall Forum series, delivering a guest presentation on the state of public service in the U.S. and possibilities for its future.
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28 October 2022Military Service Celebrated
During Bicentennial Weekend, HWS honored the military service of alums with the release of a book about veteran-alums and a panel discussion and book signing with its authors.
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14 October 2022Geneva 2030 Aims “Back to the Future”
During the annual meeting for Geneva 2030 and Success for Geneva’s Children, program highlights celebrated the engaged citizenship and philanthropy that have had an impact on literacy, high school graduation rates, school, college and career readiness.
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4 October 2022Day of Service Joins with San Francisco Alums
On campus, the fall Day of Service will bring students into the FLX community for a day of volunteerism. In conjunction with the event, alums in the San Francisco Bay Area will work at a food pantry.
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23 September 2022HWS Aquatic Science Joins Geneva High School
Geneva High School students will dive into aquatic science under a new program based at Hobart and William Smith.
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22 September 2022Dobkowski Gives Talk at Jewish Book Festival
Professor of Religious Studies Michael Dobkowski spoke on mortality and the Holocaust in conversation with author Dara Horn at the Rochester’s Jewish Book Festival.
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19 August 2022Summer of Service 2022
This summer, six Hobart and William Smith students gained valuable real-world experience interning at Geneva community organizations during the 12th annual Summer of Service program.
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18 July 2022Equinozzi ’23 Named to “ALL IN” Honor Roll for Voter Registration
For her impassioned efforts to increase voter turnout, Kate Equinozzi ’23 has been named to the ALL IN: Campus Democracy Challenge Honor Roll.
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15 July 2022The Grassroots Initiative that Grew into America Reads
Grounded in a rich culture of student initiative at HWS, the founders of America Reads made a lasting impact at HWS.
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23 May 2022Labyrinth Funded, Construction Underway
During the most recent Day of Service, students began work on a new labyrinth for spiritual restoration.
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20 May 2022Civic Engagement Celebrated
The outstanding work of students, faculty and community members was showcased at this year’s Community Engagement Scholarship Forum.
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5 May 2022Time Capsule Brings Together Alums and Mariam Boyd Elementary
Twenty years ago, HWS students on Alternative Spring Break buried a time capsule. In March, a Zoom gathering celebrated the relationship between HWS and Mariam Boyd Elementary that has flourished ever since.
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3 May 2022HWS Community Donation Effort Underway
The Colleges have begun collecting donations of gently used items from students as they prepare to leave campus. Local non-profit organizations are encouraged to sign up now to receive those donations.
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5 January 2022HWS Students Aid College Bound High School Students
The FLX College Leader Program is a 10-week course coordinated by HWS students who work remotely with high school juniors and seniors in Wayne County guiding them through the college search and application process. The program prepares HWS students to be peer leaders while providing direct support to high school students currently applying to college.
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21 September 2021HWS Ranked No. 3 in Nation for Service
For the fifth year in a row, Hobart and William Smith Colleges are among the top five U.S. liberal arts institutions for service, according to Washington Monthly.
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3 September 2021HWS Grads Land AmeriCorps VISTA Positions
Based in Geneva, three recent graduates will join an impressive cohort of alums serving AmeriCorps.
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19 May 2021France '11 Reflects on Peace Corps Service
In conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the Peace Corps, Shanelle France '11 reflects on her service in Lesotho and her journey to becoming a teacher.
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