Colby-Sawyer is pleased to announce ten new members of the Presidential Blue Key Society (PBKS). Chosen to embody and inspire the learning spirit of Colby-Sawyer, the students will be formally recognized at the Presidential Blue Key Society Induction Ceremony during Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 15.
New members include media and communication major Nathaly Abreu ’17 of Bronx, N.Y., nursing major Jaclyn Cinelli ’17 of Middleton, Mass., biology major Deepesh Duwadi ’17 of Nepal, sport management major William Hyland '19 of Searsmont, Maine, business administration Prithul Karki ’17 of Nepal, nursing major Morgan Kuhnly ’17 of Coventry, Conn., biology major Sage Lincoln ’19 of Center Tuftonboro, N.H., child development major Allyson Mullen ’17 of Wilder, Vt., business administration major Muhammad Ibrahim Rana ’18 of Pakistan, and media and communication major Bibek Thapa ’17 of Nepal.
The PBKS is a revival and expansion of the Key Club, an organization initially established as a club for campus tour guides in the 1940s that was discontinued at the turn of the century. In 2015, the organization was reinstated in a broader capacity as a result of an objective to empower student leaders to share their learning experiences with other students as well as the internal and external community.
The new members join the 2015 PBKS cohort, which includes Asra Batool '17, Kaitlyn Cahill '16, Ashley Cooper '16, Morgan Forrest '18, Noorulhuda Ismael '18, Benjamin Maines '18, Sharthak Neupane '17, Mai Nguyen '17, Hermella Tekle '16 and Sonia Diaz Rodriguez '17.
An invitation to apply for membership is announced each spring; interested students are required to submit an essay demonstrating their commitment to the mission of the college and provide documentation of least 30 hours of voluntary service for, or on behalf of, Colby-Sawyer. A minimum GPA is also required and must be maintained throughout their affiliation.
Society members act as ambassadors on campus and beyond, formally and informally, by serving on admissions panels, connecting with alumni and offering students' perspectives at select Board of Trustees events. Members are invited to participate in a monthly colloquium series led by campus leaders that provides a comprehensive understanding of higher education. Each member is also matched with an alumni mentor.