“Wick Week 2022” Starts A New Chapter in Hartwick College History

“We are starting our journeys together,” new Hartwick College President Darren Reisberg told the Hawks Class of 2026 during Opening Convocation. During his remarks, Reisberg, named the College’s 11th president earlier this year, spoke of the importance of persistence and feeling of belonging. He also imparted three things he felt the new students should know. “The journey on which you are embarking is worth making,” he said. “You deserve to be here. And the collective ‘we’ at Hartwick are here for you.”

Opening Convocation was the centerpiece of Wick Week 2022, which featured more than 160 events held over five days designed to welcome new students and get acclimated to life on Oyaron Hill, as well as celebrate the beginning of the new school year for faculty, staff and returning students.

Wick Week started on Wednesday, August 24, with new students arriving in the morning and moving into their dorm rooms. Families enjoyed a picnic lunch and Family Fair before departing later in the afternoon. After saying their goodbyes, new students signed the Matriculation Book – a longstanding Hartwick tradition – with Reisberg and a senior student offering remarks during each of three sessions. Reisberg explained that signing the book meant students were making a commitment, one that pledges they will conduct themselves with honor, and be an active, engaged member of the Hartwick community.

“And since I am asking you to make a pledge, I am making my own pledge as well,” he added. “My pledge is that I am going to do everything I can to make sure you feel welcome here. That you feel like you belong. That you are given the tools to pursue your own path, your ‘FlightPath,’ with exciting opportunities to learn, grow, and careers to explore.”

As each new student stepped forward to sign the Matriculation Book, Reisberg shook their hands and wished them well on their Hartwick journey.

That night, students made ice cream sundaes and tie dyes to round out their first day as a Hartwick student.

Thursday began with another Hartwick tradition: taking the class picture on Elmore Field. Reisberg also took the first “presidential selfie” from atop a boom lift before heading to a tent on Miller Court to preside over Opening Convocation.

During Convocation, he invoked the memory of his father, who attempted to carve his own academic path in spite of a lack of familial or fiscal support and many other obstacles. That persistence resonated with Reisberg, and was represented by his grandfather’s ring – given to Reisberg by his father – which he now wears proudly.

“If you see me on campus and you feel you need a jolt of energy to help you persist, just say, ‘President Reisberg, I need the power of the ring.’ I’m just a fist bump away,” he told the Class of 2026.

After the hour-long ceremony, which featured a host of faculty, staff, and student speakers, the first-year students made their way to Founders’ Way. There, they picked up complimentary Hartwick College sweatshirts, courtesy of Trustee Neal Miller ’72. That night students had dinner with staff members and enjoyed an evening performance by hypnotist and TikTok star Zach Pincince.

College basics were on the agenda for Friday. Navigating college life, success strategies, FlightPath, and academic advising were all topics for discussion. Dinner with faculty members, a movie, and an evening skating party at Interskate 88 provided students a chance to unwind.

Saturday’s schedule provided a series of activity choices, one of which entailed a visit to the Hartwick Pine Lake Environmental Campus. After lunch, students took part in discussions about diversity, and exploring their strengths via the Clifton Strengths Assessment, and meetings with their individual success coaches. “Nest Fest” introduced students to the wide variety of clubs and activities available throughout the year.

Sunday afternoon free time provided students a chance to absorb what they had experienced, and time to acclimate, purchase text books and explore the campus. At 7:30 p.m., Reisberg joined hundreds of new students for the First Walk on Founders’ Way, yet another Hartwick tradition. When they graduate, these same students will take the same walk to bookend their Hartwick experience.

The candlelight stroll underscored for students Reisberg’s words from the Matriculation ceremony: “You are securing your place in the 225-year history of Hartwick…you are now part of our history.”

For images from Wick Week, visit our Facebook page.