Jack Tremblay ’94 recently turned to his graphic design background to support his alma mater. He said, “I was looking for a specific way to give back to Colby-Sawyer in a way that used my CSC education. I’m certainly not in any position to make a significantly large financial contribution, but I thought that if I could create something that would be an incentive for many small donations, I could make it a real community project where everyone had an opportunity to give a little bit.” The result was a 2022 calendar featuring Tremblay’s images and graphic designs of familiar buildings around campus.

This was not Tremblay’s first attempt of a fundraising campaign. Last year, he created a Vermont barns and tractors calendar that sold out quickly. Tremblay’s friends suggested he create some artwork featuring Colby-Sawyer.

When Tremblay was a senior in high school, he toured Colby-Sawyer and took a class with Professor Joe Hruby. Enjoying this class, Tremblay decided to come to CSC and join the first coed class in the history of the college. Looking back on his experience, Tremblay said, “I always felt welcome. Overall, we were certainly a disruptive bunch. We had so many big personalities and we felt that we had something to prove. First, we believed it was a special opportunity to be there and create something new, and second, that we could contribute to the institution for the better. For the men and women of that freshman class, it was a collective task to forge a new identity for what it would now mean to go to Colby-Sawyer. At the same time, we were only freshmen and had to earn whatever respect we were to get from sophomores, juniors and seniors. From faculty and staff as well. I really applaud everybody at CSC, because we succeeded in the grand experiment. The outcomes were by no stretch for certain.”

Some of Tremblay’s favorite places while on campus as a student were his residence halls – Austin, Shepard and Page. And he still has vivid dreams about being on campus. He said, “I will still occasionally have dreams of being lost in the upper labyrinth of Colgate trying to find my way to class or not being able to remember my mailbox combination in the mailroom! Does anyone else get those? In the end, I think the odd architecture and layout of the Sawyer Center gets my vote as my favorite building on campus. There are so many interesting nooks and crannies in there.”

After the Colby-Sawyer calendar was completed, Tremblay shared the images on social media. He said, “The fan favorite by far was the library! It is the place on campus that resonated with nearly everybody, and for so many different reasons. For some, it was a quiet and cozy study spot and for others, it was the perfect place to nap. In the end, the Hogan Center took the most time because it took a few campus visits to take the photos that would end up in my collage. The elements flip-flopped a few times before I had a composition I was happy with. In the end, I was satisfied that I was able to make a set of images that are a balance of individual differences with a family resemblance.”

Tremblay currently works as a corporate designer in St. Albans, Vt. He enjoys being a designer because it allows him to use a mix of left-brain and right-brain tendencies that combine the freedom of creativity with the constraints of complex problem-solving. He said, “It has always been a natural fit. I never take for granted how lucky I am to do this.” He resides in St. Albans with his wife, Heather Quigley Tremblay ’95, and has four children — Jacob, Teddy, Ellie and Emma. They also have two dogs, Emily the Golden Retriever and Puggy the Pug.

For the past four years, Tremblay has been exploring and creating the world of JATremblay Digital Novelties. He said, “It is hard to summarize succinctly, but it really takes into account every aspect of what it takes to be a person living a meaningful life. I bring in elements of art, design, literature, philosophy, science, family and community and weave them together into its own new entity. My supportive group of family, friends and fans tells me if I am making something of value for them. I would be making things anyway — taking photos, drawing, writing, jotting ideas down — but creating Digital Novelties makes me publish what I make and put it out into the world so it lives on its own merit.”

Tremblay hopes his calendar fundraiser is a success, “I would love, love, love for it to sell out. The sum raised is much more than any of us could manage on our own. Supplies are limited — make your donations today people!”

Calendars will be sent to the first 100 supporters who donate $25 or more. Gifts can be made here: colby-sawyer.edu/calendars.