True Blue Weekend 2026 Features Inauguration of President Laurel Bongiorno
About 1,300 alumni, students, families, faculty, staff and friends came together on Oyaron Hill Sept. 25-27 for True Blue Weekend 2026, a weekend of reunions, celebrations and traditions that also marked the formal inauguration of Laurel Bongiorno as Hartwick College’s 13th president.
The inauguration on Friday afternoon brought together members of the Hartwick community and delegates representing nearly 30 colleges and universities. The ceremony featured remarks from students, alumni, trustees, faculty and community leaders, along with musical performances by Hartwick faculty and students. Among those offering greetings were SUNY Oneonta President Alberto Cardelle and City of Oneonta Mayor Dan Butterman.
Inaugural speakers Harry Bradshaw Matthews H’24, retired associate dean and founding director of the Office of Intercultural Affairs and the U.S. Pluralism Center, and Hartwick College Trustee Linda Tarr-Whelan H’24, each of whom offered Bongiorno words of support.
“To our new leader, please take a deep breath and exhale slowly,” Matthews said. “You should know that we have your back as you guide us through this new era of challenges.”
Tarr-Whelan followed with her own welcome to Bongiorno and expressed confidence in the College’s future under her leadership.
“It is a good day for Hartwick and for you that brings us together to inaugurate our new president, Laurel Bongiorno,” Tarr-Whelan said. “Please join me in welcoming her leadership for a strong Hartwick future.”
In her inaugural remarks, Bongiorno focused on the everyday contributions of faculty, staff, coaches, alumni and students.
“When I think about what makes me proudest of Hartwick, I think about what happens here each and every day,” Bongiorno said. “I think about the professor who sees something in students that the students have not yet seen in themselves. The staff member who notices when someone needs some extra support. The coach who teaches persistence. The alum who opens the doors.”
She also spoke about the ways Hartwick graduates carry that experience with them beyond Oyaron Hill.
“And I think about the student who leaves Hartwick prepared to teach a child, care for a patient, create something new, strengthen a community and seek solutions,” Bongiorno said. “That is Hartwick. And that is what makes me proud.”
For alumni returning to campus, reconnecting with people was a recurring theme. Jonathan Neal ’25 explains what brings him back to Oyaron Hill.
“It’s seeing the people,” he said. “Be it professors, brothers, friends, Hartwick’s a very special place when it comes to the sort of people who are here and it’s a wonderful environment.”
Beyond the inauguration, True Blue Weekend offered plenty of opportunities to reconnect, recognize alumni achievements and take part in Hartwick traditions. Friday events included the Golden Jubilee Reunion and 50-Year Club Induction Ceremony, the Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award ceremony honoring Georgette “Gigi” Smith ’85, P’18 and Tina Dalrymple ’00, P’09, P’11, a STEM Career Panel, a music alumni concert, and the Presidential Welcome celebration and kickoff party, followed by fireworks.
Saturday featured the Creating Currents faculty and staff art exhibition, as well as events such as print-your-own H”ART”WICK tee and big prize bingo. The College also recognized five 2026 Alumni Award recipients: Kimberly Carr ’96, Sharon Davidson Dettenrieder ’65, Thomas Holmgren ’13, Lisa Christensen Mayer ’05 and Elizabeth “Betty” Powell ’82, PM ’25.
Sunday began with a Memorial Reflection honoring members of the Hartwick community who have passed away. The weekend celebration then moved to Pine Lake for its 55th anniversary Fall Festival, where alumni, students and families gathered for challenge education activities, yard games, arts and crafts and opportunities to learn about current faculty-student collaborative research through the STEM Society.
Athletics brought together generations of Hawks throughout the weekend. The College celebrated 60 years of women’s lacrosse, welcoming generations of former players back to campus, and dedicated the Shortino Family men’s lacrosse locker room and the Betty Powell ’82 Foyer in Lambros Arena. The “Live Like Nick” Lambros Golf Classic honored the memory of longtime coach, alumnus and community member Nick Lambros ’59 P’02, P’02, PM’03.
Hartwick also hosted the 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, recognizing Lisa Schmidt ’86, Kelsey Kimble ’13, Scott Goldberg ’96, Tom Hendricks ’88, Chris Maiello ’02 and the 1973-74 men’s basketball team.
Check out all the True Blue Weekend action in this Facebook Photo Album.
