Arts, Creativity, and Innovation Weekend Sparks the Imagination at Colgate University

Underscoring the point, notable alumni and friends participated in panel discussions with current students. The topic: careers in the arts. Panelists included Alex Coco ’12, producer of the Academy Award-winning film Anora, as well as Flipside producer and Watson writer Adam Goldman ’94, documentary producer Nick Hasse ’17, Gotham Film & Media Institute Deputy Director Kia Brooks, marketing and communications consultant Kanitha Heng Snow ’09, and comedy assistant Ava Wigdor ʼ23.

“Entrepreneurship and the arts go well together,” Snow told the student audience. “I started applying these storytelling skills I gained at Colgate to organizations and helping them build their business in a way that has been impactful.”

Both Coco and Goldman facilitated screenings and discussions of their films. The Ryan Family Film Series presented Anora on Thursday evening and the Hamilton Movie Theater showed Flipside with Goldman on Saturday evening. “I felt so much freedom when I was here,” Coco said. “Nobody was trying to push me into a box. Colgate encouraged me to always think that way.”

Meanwhile, students from Colgate’s scholar programs — Benton, Alumni Memorial, Office of Undergraduate Studies, and Lampert — presented their research at a poster session in Bernstein Hall. Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation Artist-in-Residence Suchi Reddy opened her art exhibition Bias and Belonging in the Clifford Gallery at Little Hall. ACI Weekend attendees also enjoyed the Colgate Thirteen and the Swinging ’Gates Senior Jamboree and a Jazz Concert featuring Nancy Kelly and the Colgate Faculty Ensemble. From a generative writing workshop and an immersive film and dance installation to a creative writing reading from Colgate students, there was no shortage of inspiration.

A Meaningful Anniversary

The 13th Annual TIA Entrepreneur Showcase Pitch Competition and TIA Venture Showcase were held in the Hall of Presidents in James C. Colgate Hall on Saturday afternoon. Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) Carolyn Strobel-Larsen welcomed the crowd by reminding them that, “For all of Colgate’s forward momentum, this tradition continues — this annual gathering of Colgate people who know the excitement of asking big questions and finding unexpected answers.”

True Ventures partner Gus Coldebella ʼ91 moderated the panel of alumni entrepreneurs, including the Colgate University Entrepreneur of the Year Michael Ellenbogen ʼ86, Pʼ26, founder and chief innovation officer of Evolv Technology. Other panelists included The Outset co-founder Kate Foster Lengyel ʼ99, FIF Collective founder and CEO Meghan Curtin McKenna ʼ06, Fair Harbor Clothing co-founder and chief brand officer Caroline Danehy ʼ19, and Par Technology CEO Savneet Singh.

During the TIA Venture Showcase, 17 ventures participated in the IGGY investment game, with a total of $10,000 in grant funding awarded across all participants. Attendees voted for their favorite ventures by awarding their allotted “iggies” to the concepts they liked best.

Strobel-Larsen also introduced the newly named Weiner Family Entrepreneur in Residence, Reece Wilson. Wilson leads the TIA program and mentors students participating in the pitch competition. Ventures included Students Helping Students, co-founded by Nathan Walsh ʼ28; Trust Beverages, founded by Charlotte Prendergast ʼ25; Vitalize, founded by Talia Broder ʼ28; and Wags and Wings Dog Rescue, co-founded by Alana Conolly ʼ27.

After deliberating, the panel announced that Ellenbogen and McKenna would provide contestants with an additional $2,000 investment in their ventures. The $10,000 cash prize went to Walsh with Students Helping Students, providing affordable college help for students, by students. Prendergast took second place, with Broder in third, and Conolly in fourth.

Broder will participate in the 2025 TIA Summer Accelerator alongside Pahul Sachdeva ʼ25 and Aizaz Faisal ʼ24 with their Intellilight; Lisa Heller ʼ18 with LJH Publishing; Hunter Macy ʼ22 with Rendezvu; and Diya Badola ʼ25 and Jahanvi Chamria ʼ28 with Shneer Agritech. 

“Colgate is weaving innovative thinking and creative exploration into every facet of its curriculum,” said Associate Dean of the Faculty for Faculty Recruitment and Development and Associate Professor of Theater Christian DuComb. “ACI Weekend is one important and exciting way for members of this community to engage with artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and performers who share their passion for process.”