Latest Stories
Giving Back with Every CupNishchal Banskota's Commitment to Corporate Responsibility
A cup of hot tea holds more than just a strong, aromatic liquid. In its nearly infinite mutability, the beverage has served as a tonic, a centerpiece to social gatherings and even as the spark of a political revolution. For Nishchal Banskota '15, a cup of his company’s tea holds the product of a small business and its commitment to corporate responsibility.
Research on High A Season in Phenology
Plant phenology describes the science of annual life cycle phases of plants, and collecting this data can help scientists understand how factors such as climate and elevation in influence those cycles. I’m one of several people who do this work for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), which has determined that plants now bloom as much as two weeks earlier in the valley than they have historically, but only two days earlier on the summit. This change is likely connected to climate change. Our data is also fed to the National Phenology Network, and Colby-Sawyer’s Alpine Communities Field studies class uses it as well.
From Theory to PracticeAaron Records '15 Reflects After Year One of Law School
Aaron Records '15 majored in philosophy and creative writing and spent a year after graduating as the Presidential Fellow for College Communications before enrolling at Syracuse University College of Law. This summer, he is working for the Hon. Thomas J. McAvoy, senior judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, at his Binghamton chambers.
Lobbying on Capitol Hill Emily Johnson '16 Leads Students
This spring, nearly 200 volunteers with Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) traveled from across the country to Washington, D.C., to speak with their representatives. The group included two Colby-Sawyer juniors, who lobbied on Capitol Hill for children’s rights. The students, along with the rest of the New Hampshire delegation, were under the leadership of Emily Johnson ’16.
Going the DistanceColby-Sawyer Invests in Students to Make a Private Education Possible
When Emily Lopez ’17 and her mother started the college selection process during her junior year of high school, they had no idea that a small, private liberal arts-based college like Colby-Sawyer could be even more affordable than a public school because of generous institutional aid.
Challenging StereotypesNathaly Abreu '17 Breaks Away from Misconceptions
Communication studies major Nathaly Abreu ’17, the daughter of Dominican-born parents and a native of the Bronx, has spent most her life defying stereotypes. “As a Latina, people think I’m crazy and sassy. Sure, I can be kind of sassy, but I don’t think that is because I’m Latina,” said Abreu. “I think it’s because that’s who I am.”
Everything I WantedWhy I Chose Colby-Sawyer
I discovered Colby-Sawyer as a junior at a college fair in Baltimore, Md. I pocketed the information collected from the royal-blue booth and pulled it out months later, in the fall of senior year, when I began my priority application. On paper, Colby-Sawyer had everything I wanted – a New England location, a creative writing major and small classes. Then my acceptance letter arrived, along with my financial aid award. The college was more than affordable.
Leader of ChangeTheresa Edick ’18 Selected for Emerging Leaders Fellowship
Environmental studies major Theresa Edick ’18 of Dublin, N.H., was one of 20 scholars from around the world – and the only undergraduate – chosen to participate in a week-long fellowship this month in San Francisco with The Unschool of Disruptive Design, an international organization that aims to activate positive social change by facilitating experiential knowledge labs.
On the Right (Pre-Law) Track Jacintha Jackson ’17 helped trauma victims heal
Jacintha Jackson ’17 of London, England, is a history and political studies major and is on the pre-law track. She used the skills and knowledge garnered from her studies at Colby-Sawyer to make a difference through her internship with the Association for Trauma Outreach and Prevention (ATOP) Meaningfulworld. The international organization has chapters in three countries and works with the United Nations (U.N.) in an effort to heal trauma experienced by victims of war and natural disasters as well as transgenerational trauma.
In the Students' ServiceDoug Atkins Reflects on 30 Years of Service
My earliest recollection of being cognizant of Colby Junior College was when I was 10 years old and in New London visiting my grandparents. It was June, and with the house full, my bed was on their porch. At eight o’clock in the morning, I was awakened by the carillon that used to play from the tower on Colgate Hall. Little did I know then that some 50-plus years later I’d be contemplating retirement after more than 30 years of service to that very same college.
Health Beyond the HospitalStephanie Cameron ’11 Helps Health Care Leaders Collaborate
The health care issues that New Hampshire faces are tied up in a complicated knot. Mental health disorders are linked with physical health conditions, and the presence of one can dramatically increase the severity—and costs—of the other. Ideally, treatment should address issues in conjunction, not in isolation. Public health major Stephanie Cameron ’11, a research associate at the Institute for Health Policy and Practice (IHPP) at the University of New Hampshire, knows this. It’s her job to make sure others do, too, and to help health care leaders collaborate in order to ensure New Hampshire residents have the chance to achieve their healthiest selves.
Law of the LandIt’s Never a Dull Day for Conservation Officer Christopher McKee ’06
“People just don’t know what we do,” says Fish and Game Department Conservation Officer Christopher McKee ’06, who’s been on the job for more than a decade and a member of the dive team for five years. That may start to change Sunday, March 5, when “North Woods Law: New Hampshire” debuts on Animal Planet. The series shows conservation officers working across the state to enforce laws, protect wildlife, aid the lost and injured, and recover drowning victims. McKee expects to appear on at least the first episode. Regardless of his airtime, he says, the film crew was on hand for some good cases.
Thriving in the ICNElizabeth Abbott ’17 Provides Care for Newborns and Their Parents
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) is home to an Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) with a twist: among those providing care for the newborns and their parents are a troupe of Colby-Sawyer alumni, faculty and student nurses, including Elizabeth Abbott ’17.
A Smuggler's PoetryAn Interview with Ewa Chrusciel
Associate Professor of Humanities Ewa Chrusciel’s whirlwind of a sabbatical took her to many European countries, including her native Poland. It also gave her the opportunity to put the finishing touches on her book, Contraband of Hoopoe, released in 2014.
Mind GamesBrandon Legendre '17 Explores His Interests in Psychology and Athletics
Psychology major Brandon Legendre ’17 of St. Johnsbury, Vt., was an intern this summer with the Psychology Department at Columbia University in New York City. There, the captain of Colby-Sawyer’s track and cross country teams was able to explore the intersection of his interests in psychology and athletics.
A Dash of ConfidenceDeveloping Self-Esteem Through Fitness
Running has been an emotional outlet for exercise science major Olivia McAnirlin ’17 of Newport, Maine, since she was 10. “I started running because I had a lot of problems with self-esteem,” she said. “I wanted to better myself and found that exercise is really good for that.”
No Dream Too BigAaron Feng '14 Finds a Home for His Dreams as a Graphic Designer
Aaron Fan Feng ’14 is a graphic designer at Compass, a high-end real estate brokerage that trades in luxury and the promise of guiding buyers home. He’s based at the Fifth Avenue office, where he works on print and digital pieces with marketing and product managers and agents throughout the design cycle. For all his self-professed shyness and diligence, the fact that Feng walks through Compass’s doors five days a week points to his secret status as a bit of a rebel.
The Highest CourtAshley Woodside ' 18 Interns at the International Tennis Hall of Fame
If Ashley Woodside ’18 is not studying, she’s on or near a tennis court – and that includes during her internship this summer at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I.
From the East Coast to the Far EastJon Keenan's Sabbatical Journey
Jon Keenan peered into his wood-fired anagama kiln as the star-filled September sky erupted with plumes of smoke. The hand-built kiln, modeled after the natural firing environment of sixteenth-century Japanese potters, was the centerpiece for the final night of the semi-annual ceramics firing at Professor Keenan's home studio.
Finding Her PassionMeghan Andersen ’03 Makes Her Professional Dreams a Reality
In January 2016, Meghan Andersen ’03 was named creative director at The Boston Beer Company, parent company of Sam Adams, Twisted Tea and Angry Orchard brands. With that promotion, her ultimate professional dream came true. Getting there, she said, was “a very cool progression.”
Richard M. Damas '17Moving Closer to His Goal
Richard Martin Damas ’17 is a communication and media studies major who wants to be a sportscaster on ESPN. Through Colby-Sawyer’s affiliation with the Washington Internship Institute, he had a semester-long internship as a field producer with WJLA-TV ABC7 News Channel 8 in Washington, D.C., that moved him one step closer to that goal.
Siembra Hoy y Cosecharas MañanaWhat You Plant Now, You’ll Harvest Tomorrow
Kevin Salazar ’17 has heard this saying all his life. “My mother used it as a motivation for me,” he said. “She always told me that the hard work and dedication put in today will pay off later.”
Robin L. Mead ’72Lifting up the Student Experience
Gone is the (text)book store of yore that was tucked away in the basement of Colgate Hall and managed by an external partner. In its place is a student-centered, college-run store that offers high-quality branded items and products selected by students, including international foods that meet the needs of a diverse student body.
Lindsey Hebert '17 Travels to Thailand as Elephant Sanctuary VolunteerHelping an endangered species through hands-on learning
This summer, Lindsey Hebert ’17, a biology major with a pre-vet concentration, spent two weeks in Thailand helping animals and learning hands-on what it’s like to be a veterinarian. Hebert, a resident of Parker, Colo., was part of a small volunteer team that provided care at a dog shelter for one week and a second week working with rescued elephants at a sanctuary.
A Newfound AuthorityTravis Yandow '17 interns at engineering firm BSC Group
Travis Yandow ’17 of Franklin, Vt., chose to major in environmental science because of his passion for the great outdoors. This summer, he completed an internship as an environmental monitor for BSC Group, which gave him the opportunity to enjoy nature while working to keep it unpolluted.
Footprint of New Arts Building Makes An Impression
Construction of Colby-Sawyer’s long-planned arts building is underway and continuing at a brisk pace as summer turns to fall.
The Next Generation of LeadershipThe Investiture of President Susan D. Stuebner
When Susan D. Stuebner, Ed.D., talks about the impact of higher education — especially the transformation that students can experience in their time at a small, liberal arts-based college like Colby-Sawyer — she gets actual goose bumps.
Sweet Summer ResearchStudents Partner with NH-INBRE to Bring Bees to Campus
In fall 2014, a black bear cub graced our campus. It materialized out of nowhere like a swath of New London mist before loping across the Quad and up a tree. We peered at it from our classrooms in Colgate Hall and took blurry iPhone photos.
The Dreams and Nightmares of a Social PsychologistA New Paradigm for Selecting the Perfect Juror
Over the past 15 years, my primary interest has been teaching Psychology and the Law and related courses. Then, in spring 2014, I taught Group Dynamics and Processes, an experience that renewed my interest in my own research.
A Sojourn to Walden PondOut of the classroom and into literary history.
“It is one thing to read about Walden Pond and have Thoreau describe it; it’s another when you get to walk all along the beach and run into the woods and see where Thoreau’s cabin was.” So wrote one of the students in my course on 19th-century writers of the American Renaissance after our field trip to Concord, Mass.
Welcome, President StuebnerSusan D. Stuebner joins the Colby-Sawyer community.
The Colby-Sawyer community welcomes Susan D. Stuebner, Ed.D., the college's ninth president, as she takes office July 1.
Filmmaker Tim Bradley ’05Inspired by alumni friends, Bradley creates an award-winning love letter to home.
Tim Bradley ’05 grew up in Western Massachusetts and has long been inspired by the region’s natural beauty and cultural richness. His 2015 short documentary “The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow” serves as a sort of love letter to his childhood home. Chronicling five singer-songwriters who come together in a collaborative band, the film overflows with haunting performances set in the rustic wilderness and has garnered much acclaim at film festivals across the country.
First Amoung EqualsPresident Galligan Says Farewell
In February 2015, Colby-Sawyer College’s eighth president, Thomas C. Galligan Jr., informed the Board of Trustees that he would not seek a third term. His ten years of service will conclude on June 30, 2016.
Taking and Eliminating RisksAmigo Khadka ’14 is working to change the banking industry as a risk regulatory management analyst.
It’s noon on the kind of Monday in July that gives Manhattan its reputation for swampy summers, and the sidewalks are filling with office workers hunting lunch.
Commencement 2016
On Saturday, May 7, Colby-Sawyer College will celebrate its 2016 Commencement, recognizing students and other individuals for academic excellence, outstanding contributions to society, and service to the college and community.
Around the WorldWith Stephanie Guzzo ’07 and the Harlem Globetrotters
Stephanie Guzzo ’07 navigates the cinderblock labyrinth of the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, Maine, like she’s been there a hundred times, though it was just the night before that the Harlem Globetrotters’ caravan of an 18-wheeler, a 20-foot truck and two tour buses pulled into town for a March afternoon game. After three months on the road, she’s gotten used to orienting herself quickly so she can focus on her job.
Anything But EmptyLearning Comes Alive in the Sonoran Desert
After the coyotes sang a lullaby and the cloudless sky filled with constellations, the wind blew down from the Santa Catalina Mountains that first night with such fierceness that it lifted the tents until they threatened to snap their tethers to the desert floor, only to shift and pin them to the ground. Inside the pitching tents, the warm, dry desert air filled the lungs of 12 sleepless students on spring break at the end of March. The windy welcome was an early lesson on humankind's tenuous existence in a desert environment.
Martha's VineyardA Marine Community Pulled by the Past, Pushed by the Future
Millennia before the first wave lapped the shores of Martha's Vineyard, glaciers did their work. The last continental ice sheet ground down over Canada and across Cape Cod, pushing along rocks and boulders, sand and gravel, fossils and sediments from what author Norman Maclean calls the basement of time. The glaciers ebbed and flowed until their final retreat, and where the ice sheet surrendered 15,000 years ago, a new outpost of land heaved up into the world. Then, as the ice melted and the sea rose, that land dissolved into Staten Island, Long Island, Block Island, the Elizabeth Islands, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.
Every Drop CountsLiving and Learning in the Arid West
It was May 10, but flurries sprinkled the Colorado Flatirons rock formations with much-needed precipitation. Fresh off the plane from Boston and reveling in the beauty of our first hike, my group of Colby-Sawyer travelers paused beneath a stone arch to watch the snow welcome us.
A Tough Place to Grow, A Great Place to Learn
On a warm and bright October morning, 12 Colby-Sawyer students and two professors prepared to set off for a four-day journey into the high peaks of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains National Forest. Dressed in layers, they strapped on backpacks stuffed with sleeping bags, warm jackets, food and other supplies and hit the Tuckerman's Ravine Trail for an ascent into the alpine zone.
Growing a Culture of Research
Paul Boynton '15 and Jenisha Shrestha '15 spent summer days dressed in waders and boots, tromping through the streams that flow gently into New Hampshire's Lake Sunapee collecting water, aquatic invertebrates and fish — making for the most extraordinary learning experiences of their lives.
The Black Middle Class Antithesis of the American Dream
In my research, I examine the inner-class differences among middle-class individuals based on race. The scholarly examination of the black middle class is important because, unlike any other group, it is downwardly mobile, and that is antithetical to the American Dream.
My Slice of the PieMatthew Nosal ’17 bridges the gap between hungry college student and poet laureate.
My passion for poetry is surpassed only by my passion for pizza, so I suppose it should come as no surprise that while reading “American Sonnet,” a poem not just by Billy Collins, but by past Poet Laureate of the United States Billy Collins, I was distracted by these lines:
From Kearsarge to the White MountainsThe Colby-Sawyer alumni tradition you need to know about.
The morning mist that greeted Colby-Sawyer students and alumni bound for the Osceola trailhead dissipated into a sunny day in the White Mountains. Shafts of light sifted through the branches of the forest, dappling the ground, and a subtle breeze cooled the air.
Creativity + Hustle + PassionPeggy Van de Wetering ’93 discovers that the family business combines all three and equals happiness.
On a blustery mid-November day on Long Island, wholesale nursery Ivy Acres is awash in the fragrant greens of balsam, noble and Fraser firs. As far as the eye can see, row upon row of brilliant red poinsettias perch on nursery shelves or hang from ceiling hooks, shimmering like wintry mirage. Sweet-scented wreaths fill dozens of tables, where workers dip bunches of ruby red berries and shiny balls in vats of melted glue before fastening the decorations to boughs. Miniature boxwood shrubs, trimmed and shaped like Christmas trees, are potted and festooned with ribbons.
Frontlines of Small-Scale DemocracyInternships with state parties put students on the frontlines of small-scale democracy.
Campaign season is in full force. For many, the spectacle of the presidential election will always overshadow local elections, but for Meaghan Burke ’16 of Acton, Mass., and Thomas McGrath ’17 of Boston, Mass., those races signify the importance of small-scale democracy and the results of their internships spent with Massachusetts’s Democratic and Republican parties.
The Convergence of Health Care and Higher EducationAn Interview With Susan Reeves ’88
The first class of Colby-Sawyer nurses received their degrees in 1985. What began as a small program with four faculty and 11 graduates has grown and adapted to the ever-shifting landscapes of both higher education and the healthcare industry. To commemorate 30 years of nursing at Colby-Sawyer, I sat down with Dr. Susan Reeves ’88, dean of the School of Health Professions, associate academic dean for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Partnership Programs and Gladys A. Burrows Distinguished Professor of Nursing.
Many Adventures AwaitPresident Galligan Prepares to Move On
Colby-Sawyer President Thomas C. Galligan Jr. announced Sept. 1 that he will step down after 10 years in office when his second term ends on June 30, 2016. He made the announcement at a meeting for faculty and staff after informing the Board of Trustees in February.
Game ChangerAn Internship Moves Zac Kershaw '16 Closer to His Career Goals
Exercise and sport sciences major Michael Vigneau '03 and athletic training major Zac Kershaw '16, from Springfield, N.H., are birds of an Eagle feather. Vigneau is associate director of sports medicine at Boston College and an athletic trainer for the B.C. Eagles' football team; Kershaw is soaring to new heights thanks in part to a game-changing opportunity from Vigneau.
Where it All BeganEthan Casson's Journey to Success in the Sports Industry
For Ethan Casson ’96, college is not just a phase in life that is completed and forgotten. A determined student-athlete who was relentless in pursuing his professional goals of working in the sports industry, he knows that his time at Colby-Sawyer set the stage for the rest of his life. Now the chief revenue officer at the San Francisco 49ers, he relies on his liberal arts based education to inform his business decisions. He’s reached the point where he’s reminded daily of his power to enhance someone else’s experience. He’s also reminded that all the things he gets to do day in and day out started at Colby-Sawyer. It’s time, he says, to give back and pay it forward.