The James A. Hamilton Society was established in the 1980’s as part of a comprehensive endowment campaign.  The Hamilton Society required a pledge of $5,000, with at least $2,000 to be given to start a person’s membership in the society.  This was considered to be a prestigious group of alumni who led the fundraising and were the major supporters of the endowment effort.  The contributed monies resulted in the creation of the Hamilton Chair, with additional interest earned from the funds in later years being used to support two additional professorships.

The Hamilton Society still exists and the members of the group are recognized for their contribution in the front of the printed directory and are listed on the Alumni Association’s new web site.