campus news and events

Colby-Sawyer College to Celebrate 2011 Commencement

NEW LONDON, N.H., May 10, 2011 - Colby-Sawyer College celebrated its 2011 Commencement on Saturday, May 7, graduating 194 students and recognizing students and other individuals for academic excellence, outstanding contributions to society, and service to the college and community.

Daniel H. Wolf, chairman and CEO of Hodan Properties, Inc., and a resident of Newbury, N.H., received the college's highest award, the Susan Colgate Cleveland Medal for Distinguished Service, for his service to the college and area communities. Mr. Wolf has served on the college's Board of Trustees for 17 years and was chairman of the board's Buildings and Campus Planning Committee during a 10-year, $22-million period of campus construction. President Thomas C. Galligan Jr. described Mr. Wolf, who steps down from the board this month, as “instrumental in the college's growth and success” and a “key part of projects that have transformed the college.”

Assistant Professor of Social Sciences and Education Eric M. Boyer received the Jack Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching, the college's highest faculty award, and delivered the Commencement Address, titled “The Unexamined Life – An Examination.” Professor Boyer, who joined the college in 2008 and resides in New London, teaches courses in government, history and political science. His students say he brings intelligence, passion and humor to his teaching and seeks to engage every student in the joy of learning while assisting them in developing analytic tools that can be applied to any discipline that intrigues them. He earned a B.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

Jeanne Marie Clark, an Environmental Science major from Henniker, N.H., was selected by the college community as the Class of 2011 Commencement Student Speaker and delivered an address titled “Come Alive.” Following a semester of field study and travel in Tanzania and Kenya in fall 2010, Ms. Clark came to see a need for global approaches to environmental problems, which she hopes to address in her career. One of her professors says Ms. Clark has “truly worked to embrace the Environmental Science major, not only as a field of study, but also to become more conscious of the challenges and potential solutions to our impact on the environment.”

Anne Winton Black '73, '75, who has stepped down after serving with supreme dedication on the Board of Trustees for 20 years, including eight years as chairman, will be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Ms. Black resides in Canton, Conn., and has been an invaluable source of leadership and support for her alma mater. She was a leader in both of the college's major fund-raising campaigns and oversaw the completion of the Curtis L. Ivey Science Center and Windy Hill School and the impressive growth in student enrollment and full-time faculty members. Under her trustee chairmanship, the college has grown stronger in all critical areas of its mission, according to President Galligan, who describes Ms. Black as “intelligent, professional, personable and dedicated to Colby-Sawyer” and “one of the most amazing people with whom I've had the good fortune to work.”

The Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Hilda Hutchins McCollum, a graduate of the Colby Junior College Class of 1958, in recognition of her commitment to the college and her outstanding service to socially responsible organizations. A resident of Bangor, Maine, and Placida, Fla., Ms. McCollum has served as the national president of Goodwill Industries and Volunteer Services, chaired the Board of Governance at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, and was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to his National Commission on the Disabled. She has also donated time and expertise to the Bangor Theological Seminary, Good Samaritan Agency, Maine Center for the Arts and other organizations.

New London resident Carole H. Parsons, the college's registrar, received the Nancy Beyer Opler Award for Excellence in Advising. Ms. Parsons, who this year celebrated two decades of service at the college, has advised 12 to 16 students every year since the late 1990s. Her advisees especially appreciate her accessibility, dedication and encouragement; she provides support and guidance to students during difficult academic decisions and helps them with planning for their careers and graduate studies. Ms. Parson holds an associate's degree from Colby-Sawyer College and a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in Massachusetts.

Students' Academic and Athletic Achievements Recognized

Colby-Sawyer recognized the following members of the Class of 2011 for outstanding achievement as scholars, campus leaders and student athletes.

Kayleigh Elizabeth Flynn of Otisfield, Maine, received the Senior Achievement Award. Ms. Flynn is a Child Development major known for her enthusiasm, leadership and high level of achievement. She has performed in numerous theatre productions; was president of the Education and Child Development Club; took part in the Wesson Honors Program; and worked with her peers as a resident assistant. Ms. Flynn is also the recipient of a Colby-Sawyer Award, presented by faculty to two students whose intellectual growth and contributions to campus life have positively influenced her fellow students.

Anup Nepal of Kathmandu, Nepal, also received a Senior Achievement Award. Regarded by the faculty as a hard-working, involved and earnest student, he was named to the Dean's List and was a member of the Alpha Chi Society and Cross Cultural Club. Mr. Nepal was also active on the Board of Trustees' Student Panel, the Community Service Club and served as president of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), leading his team to victory at the 2011 Regional SIFE Competition in New York City.

The Alpha Chi Award recipient, Jake M. Daniele, is a Business Administration major from Freeport, Maine, who distinguished himself as a strong leader with excellent communication skills. He served as the Alpha Chi Society's co-president and treasurer and also was a member of Sigma Beta Delta and a participant in the Wesson Honors Program. Mr. Daniele contributed to an array of campus activities including SIFE and GreenROUTES, and served as a resident assistant and the vice president of the Philosophy Club.

The Wynne Jesser McGrew Scholar-Athlete Award was awarded to Katelyn Debra Stravinsky of Norwell, Mass. The award recognizes the female graduate who has made significant contributions to the college's scholastic and varsity athletic programs. Ms. Stravinksy, a Sport Management major with a minor in Business Administration, is considered an excellent example of a scholar-athlete by her coach. She has been named to the Dean's List, served as vice president of the Alpha Chi Society and is a member of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Additionally, Ms. Stravinsky was active in the Exercise and Sport Sciences Club and with volunteer opportunities both on and off campus.

The David H. Winton Baccalaureate Award, which recognizes the graduating student with the highest cumulative grade point average, was presented to Aimee Cates. Ms. Cates was a Wesson Honors student and Business Administration major, who was also recognized for academic excellence with her department's Baccalaureate Award. In addition to appearing on the Dean's List every semester, Ms. Cates was a member of Sigma Beta Delta, Alpha Chi and the Board of Trustees' student panel. She served as a student representative on numerous employee search committees and was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. In fall 2010, she received both the Barbara Johnson Stearns Award and the academic award for her class. Ms. Cates was elected as a class representative in the Student Government Association and served the past two years as student body vice-president.

Baccalaureate Awards in Academic Majors

Baccalaureate Awards were presented to students who have demonstrated the highest degree of dedication and excellence in their fields of study. The award recipients include the following: Chloë Rose Sempere of Andover, Mass. (Studio Art); Toby M. Theodore of Franconia, N.H. (Art History); Julie Beth Morrissey of Merrimack, N.H. (Athletic Training); Nicole L. Morin of Sanborton, N.H. (Biology); Aimee Elizabeth Cates of Camden, Maine (Business Administration: Dr. Margaret “Marnie” Kurtz Award); Kayleigh Elizabeth Flynn of Otisfield, Maine (Child Development); and Patrick Timothy Gamble of Boscawen, N.H. (Communication Studies); Georgia Leigh Fiorentino of Clinton, Mass. (English: Carl M. Cochran Award); Andrew Francis of South Berwick, Maine (Environmental Science); Stefanie Nicole Turner of Boxborough, Mass. (Exercise Science); Caitlin Ashley Thornton of Westford, Mass. (Graphic Design); Kathryn Elsie Murray of Brandon, Vt. (Health Studies); Katherine Suzanne Lee of Clinton, N.Y. (History, Society and Culture); Ashley Scott of Holliston, Mass. (Nursing: Grace Adella Sheldon Graves Award); Karen Lucille Cook of Springfield, N.H. (Psychology) and Katelyn Debra Stravinsky of Norwell, Mass. (Sport Management).


Colby-Sawyer College is a comprehensive college that integrates the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation. Founded in 1837, Colby-Sawyer is located in the scenic Lake Sunapee Region of central New Hampshire.

Colby-Sawyer College, 541 Main Street, New London, N.H. 03257 (603) 526-3000