alumnimagazine

100 Pages·2008·5.46 MB·English

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LBY AWYER
A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E
▲The Lady from Shanghai
–Ai-Li Sung Chin ’39
▲Chris Cousins ’98 Ponders
His “Nieman Moments”
▲Student Nurses Gain
Global Perspective
▲Ann Page Stecker Works
on Making Connections
S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 0 8
EDITOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
David R. Morcom
Anne Winton Black ’73,’75
CLASS NOTES EDITORS Chairman
Tracey Austin
Mike Gregory Richard Dulude
Vice-Chairman
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sharon Ames Suzanne Simons Hammond ’66
Mitch Capelle Executive Secretary
Christopher Cousins ’98
Mike Gregory Pamela Stanley Bright ’61
David Morcom Alice W. Brown
Kate Dunlop Seamans William P. Clough III
Ann Page Stecker Thomas C. Csatari
Kimberly Swick Slover Karen Craffey Eldred ’86
Joan Campbell Eliot ’67
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT Christine Biggs Ferraro ’65
Elizabeth A. Cahill Eleanor Morrison Goldthwait ’51
William E. Gundy
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS G. William Helm Jr.
Kimberly Swick Slover George Jamieson
Erik Edward Joh
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Joyce Juskalian Kolligian ’55
Lisa Swanson Robin L. Mead ’72
Second Story Design A. John Pappalardo P’10
Manchester, N.H. David B. Payne
Mark A. Peterson P’08
PRINTING William S. Reed
Penmor Lithographers Richard N. Thielen
Lewiston, Maine Jean M. Wheeler
Daniel H. Wolf
HONORARY LIFE TRUSTEES
David L. Coffin P’76
Peter D. Danforth P’83, ’84, GP’02
William H. Dunlap P’98
LIFE TRUSTEES EMERITI
Mary Trafton Simonds ’38, P’64
Barbara Johnson Stearns ’32
ADDRESS LETTERS AND SUBMIT ARTICLE IDEAS TO:
David R. Morcom, Editor
Publications Office
Colby-Sawyer College
541 Main Street
New London, NH 03257
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
© Copyright 2008 Colby-Sawyer College
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LBY AWYER
A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E
FEATURES
The Lady from
Shanghai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Few students experienced more
danger in getting to Colby Junior
College than did Ai-Li Sung Chin ’39.
Nieman Moments . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Chris Cousins ’98 shares life
altering experiences that took
place during his 11 months at the
Nieman Foundation for Journalism
at Harvard University.
On the Cover:All of the photos on Commencement 2008:
the cover and in the story on page 32
A Photo Album. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
were taken by John Quackenbos, one
of the best sports photographers in A day of celebration marks the
New England. John has been shooting culmination of the academic year.
Colby-Sawyer athletics for almost as
long as Bill Foti has been the coach
(17th season coming up), so John
Student Nurses Gain
knows the right time and the right
a Global Perspective . . . . . . . 20
place to be when a candid and telling
Coach Foti shot is called for. The college enlists a town in Ghana,
Africa, as one of its community
partners in educating student nurses.
Reunion 2008. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
A wonderful trip down memory lane
was in store for those who “came
home” for Reunion 2008.
Making Connections . . . . . . . 29
Professor Ann Page Stecker shares
a preview of her latest book, a study
DEPARTMENTS of Mary Elizabeth Wilson Sherwood
(1826–1903).
Colby-Sawyer Matters . . . 3
Sports Round-up . . . . . . . 35 300 Wins–A Legacy
of Excellence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Alumni Notes. . . . . . . . . . . 39
Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Foti hits an
impressive milestone with 300 wins.
Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SUMMER/FALL2008 1
Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends:
One of the most wonderful things about being
president of Colby-Sawyer College is the opportu-
nity to learn so much so fast about the college
and its distinguished history and beloved traditions.
Twenty-two years ago as a brand new faculty member I
learned a lot about another great institution. But mostly,
I learned about the institution’s academic programs, its
students, its faculty and its opportunities. That is, as a
brand new faculty member, I saw the world at my institu-
tion mostly through my own eyes focused on the present.
As the president of Colby-Sawyer College, every day I
meet and converse with many key college constituencies:
students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, friends and
community members. Through these relationships, I gain
a vision of the college through their eyes and the chance to appreciate their unique and impor-
tant perspectives.
One of our learning objectives at Colby-Sawyer College is for our students to be able to under-
stand and employ multiple perspectives. As their president, I not only have opportunities to
understand multiple views of the college, I also learn first-hand about their evolution and power-
ful impact on our most important constituents. Thus someone in my position truly gains a longi-
tudinal view of the institution. And, let me tell you all, the view from here is fantastic!
As I read this impressive edition of the Colby-Sawyer Alumni Magazine, I am proud of how well
it presents so many diverse perspectives, views and experiences of our distinctive college commu-
nity. All of us at Colby-Sawyer are extremely proud of the quality of the magazine from issue to
issue. I am particularly proud because it is truly addressed to our multiple constituencies and tells
the story of a great institution today and over time.
In this issue, you will find stories about current students and faculty and our academic,
student development and athletic programs. You will find a marvelous photo essay of
Commencement 2008, and read stories about recent graduates and accomplished alumni. And
many of you will find opportunities to reconnect to your classmates’ lives through the Class Notes
section. The magazine ties our present to our remarkable past and strengthens the foundation
upon which we build for a bright future.
I very much hope you will enjoy this well-written, beautifully photographed, informative and
inspirational edition of the Colby-Sawyer Alumni Magazine and that it continues to broaden your
perspective of and deepen your engagement with the college.
Yours truly,
Thomas C. Galligan Jr.
President and Professor of Humanities
2 COLBY-SAWYERALUMNIMAGAZINE
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LBY AWYER
M
ATTERS
by Kate Dunlop Seamans and Kimberly Swick Slover
Progressive Scholars
Program Brings
Opportunity, Diversity
T
his fall 20 students from two Boston-
area schools—Cambridge Rindge &
Latin School and Malden High School
—joined the Colby-Sawyer College
community as first-year students. These
cohorts of closely knit students are part
of the new Progressive Scholars Program,
which seeks to provide educational
opportunities for mainly first-generation
college students while bringing more
geographic, racial and ethnic diversity
to the college.
“We liked the idea of bringing
cohorts of students who will provide
wonderful support for each other
Progressive Scholars from Cambridge-Rindge & Latin School and Malden High School joined President Tom
on campus,” said Vice President for
Galligan at a college reception in Cambridge, Mass., in March.
Enrollment Greg Matthews. “We’re very
interested in creating greater diversity at torrent” of enthusiasm from students at He also loves math, which his father
Colby-Sawyer, and when we looked at both schools. began teaching him at age one, and he
our diversity on campus today, we saw “Some of these students are first- hopes to study business and accounting
that we mainly attract rural and subur- generation Americans from Haiti, Brazil, in college.
ban students. That led us to think that Ethiopia and Bangladesh, and many are “For me, fun is learning something
we could form partnerships to achieve bi- or trilingual,” she said. “Many will new. My dad is a wise man, and I want
our goals with some urban high schools be first-generation college students. to be a wise man, too,” he said with a
with which we already have established They have amazing stories and strong smile. “I want to do my best for all these
connections.” personalities; they’re warm and vibrant people who are 100 percent behind me
Jen Jacques, senior associate director in every sense.” —my dad, my mother, all my teachers
of Admissions and director of Interna- and mentors at (Malden High), and the
tional and Diversity Recruitment, led “I Want Them to Be Proud” people at Colby-Sawyer. Everyone who
the effort to build on existing relation- First-year student Sandino Volmar came trusts me and believes in me, I want
ships with both high schools. She met to the United States from Haiti less them to be proud of me.”
with their guidance counselors and than a year ago to attend Malden High Lauren Katz, another senior from
students and invited the students to School and go on to college. A voracious Malden High School, said she and her
campus for day and overnight visits learner who often rises before dawn friends who have come to Colby-Sawyer
last fall and spring. While she expected to study, Volmar has taught himself represent “urban life” and have a greater
interest, she and Matthews were sur- English from reading the dictionary and chance “to make a difference” with a
prised and pleased by the “raging dozens of library books each month.
Continued on page 4
SUMMER/FALL2008 3
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LBY AWYER ATTERS
The Real Deal: SAWC Chooses Student Logo
I
t was late on a Tuesday afternoon as
Adjunct Professor Debbie Campbell’s 12
students filed in for her Visual Identity
and Systems Design (ART 422) class. As
a reminder of what this group of seniors
had been learning all semester, and what
S
many of them would be doing soon as AN
M
working professionals, Professor Campbell SEA
announced the top three logo designs K.
O:
created for their community partner, T
O
H
the Sunapee Area Watershed Coalition P
Courtney Bodine, Justin Jaskiewicz and Jessica
(SAWC).
Hentz show off their logo designs.
The SAWC had lacked a logo that repre- Progressive Scholars Program (continued)
sented its mission of raising community awareness of issues concerning the
college education. Katz hopes to study
Lake Sunapee watershed and surrounding areas. SAWC’s director, June Fichter,
English and become a teacher, as well as
approached Colby-Sawyer with the idea of having students create a logo, and
pursue her interests in psychology and
Professor Campbell immediately knew it would be a perfect project. SAWC
art. Colby-Sawyer is smaller than her
members viewed the students’ work and voted for their top choices.
high school, and she believes she’ll get
“This was their number one choice…number two, number three,” Professor
the individual attention and mentoring
Campbell said briskly, holding up boards that displayed both color and black and
that she’d like at college.
white versions of the logos created by the Graphic Design majors.
“I loved walking around the Colby-
Jessica Hentz’s inverted equilateral triangle was the top choice, followed by
Sawyer campus and going to classes.
Courtney Bodine’s and Justin Jaskiewicz’s creations. “They’re all pretty similar—
You don’t have to take a shuttle; you
they liked different shapes, but they liked the illustration element of each one,”
can walk everywhere you need to go,”
Professor Campbell tells the class. “We can clearly see they liked the contained
she said of her first visit. “Everyone was
shape with some kind of visual that represents the earth and water.”
so funny and friendly and nice.”
Expectations Exceeded
Learning to Care about Each Other
Rattling off the size and color requirements of the files Hentz
The Progressive Scholars can expect a
will need to deliver to SAWC, Professor Campbell emphasized
good deal of support at Colby-Sawyer
that this is a real-world project—the logo will appear on the
and the “ear of the administration,”
group’s newsletter, Web site, brochure, even in advertisements in
according to Greg Matthews in
local media. Analyzing Hentz’s logo, Professor Campbell noted
Admissions. “An important part of
that the font can be modified as SAWC sees fit, and she pointed
learning in a residential campus comes
out that the control of a designer over her creation is limited.
from living with people, learning to
Executive Director of SAWC Fichter recognized each
care about each other and under-
student’s creativity and effort by awarding gift cards. “The experience of working
standing others’ perspectives,” said
with the students was great,” said Fichter. “They did an outstanding
Matthews. “But when you have students
job and exceeded our expectations.”
of very similar backgrounds, you don’t
SAWC’s request for a friendly, clean logo drove first-place
have to stretch yourself and broaden
winner Hentz, from North Haven, Conn., to the internet for
your perspectives as much. That’s
inspiration. “I checked out what similar organizations had come
why it’s so important to diversify
up with,” she said. “Lots of organizations like logos that contain
and internationalize the campus with
everything in a shape, and a triangle is slightly different—I like the
students from all backgrounds and
equality of the three sides.”
broad perspectives.”
Though Bodine and Jackiewicz had designed logos for clients before, this was
Jacques believes Colby-Sawyer
Hentz’s first professional job.
students would like to see greater
Professor Campbell called Hentz a talented Graphic Design major, and said,
diversity, and that they will respond
“Her ability to listen to what the client was saying helped her develop a logo that
positively to the new group of students.
met their needs. Her interpretation of a watershed, and her ability to illustrate
“There’s been a lot of initial curiosity,
one in a simple way, made her logo representative and unique.”
and that may signal that the need
Professor Campbell likes her classes to work on projects for different organiza-
for diversity is a consistent theme on
tions, and in recent years they have designed a logo for the chamber of com-
campus. I think students are aware
merce, for a shop-local program, and for the 40th anniversary of the Library Arts
that it’s overdue.”
Center in Newport, N.H.
4 COLBY-SAWYERALUMNIMAGAZINE
IN MEMORIAM
Charles “Chuck” J. Lawson
by David R. Morcom
C
harles “Chuck” J. Lawson, former He also participated their lifetimes.
chairman of the Colby-Sawyer College in the college’s As a way of
Board of Trustees, passed away unex- successful reaccred- acknowledging all
pectedly on June 8, 2008. Chuck was a itation by the of Chuck’s extra-
member of the Board of Trustees from New England ordinary contri-
1988 to 1998, serving as its chairman Association of butions to Colby-
from 1992 until 1998. From 1998 until Schools and Sawyer, in 1998
his passing, he served as an honorary Colleges. During he was awarded
life trustee. During his time on the his tenure as chair, the Susan Colgate
board, Chuck was instrumental in con- Lawson Hall was Cleveland Medal for
ceiving the ideas and implementing the conceived and con- Distinguished Service,
decisions which changed Colby-Sawyer structed, and 116 acres of the college’s highest
from a college in financial and enroll- land for new recreation and honor. President Tom
ment crisis to one of the strongest and athletic fields were purchased. Galligan said of Mr. Lawson,
most respected colleges in its peer group. Both Chuck and his wife, Joan, who “Chuck’s commitment, intelligence,
Chuck was a leader who was predeceased him in 2005, were passion- hard work and dedication to our col-
unafraid to take bold steps when ate supporters of education, and their lege were instrumental in significantly
they were complemented by careful generosity touched many facets of the reinforcing the foundation upon
stewardship. He was directly involved Colby-Sawyer community. They often which the strength of Colby-Sawyer is
in the college's goal-topping, first-ever said, “We like knowing that at Colby- built today. He was a wonderful leader,
comprehensive capital campaign, the Sawyer we can really make a difference.” a true gentleman, and a great friend of
continued improvement of its academic Chuck and Joan were members of the the college who could always be
programs, its consistent growth in Legends Society, a group whose mem- counted on to offer his time, financial
both endowment and enrollment, and bership includes those who donate $1 support and guidance as it was needed.
numerous physical plant improvements. million or more to the college during We will all miss him very much.”
College Offers New Academic Programs
F
or this academic school year, students can choose from For faculty, the creation of new academic offerings began
several new academic programs, including majors in art his- with brainstorming sessions that resulted in suggestions for
tory, creative writing, and environmental sciences, and minors more than 30 potential programs. The new program proposals
in education and chemistry, as well as a coaching certificate evolved with “blinding speed in academic planning terms”
program. The new programs were approved in May by the because the required faculty expertise and resources were
Board of Trustees, and they bring the college’s total of academ- already in place, Taylor said. Additional new majors and
ic offerings to 16 majors and 17 minors. minors will arise in coming years, but these larger initiatives
“Our goal is to enhance the college’s academic programs will require more planning and new faculty.
and deepen the quality of the educational experience for The last new major, Community and Environmental
students, as well as draw on the teaching interests of our Studies, was established a decade ago. This major has now
faculty,” says Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculty been renamed Environmental Studies as part of a new
Deborah Taylor. “It’s desirable to have a larger array of Environmental Science Department, led by Chair Leon-C.
programs, particularly since a number of our students come Malan. Malan, who served as chair of the Business
in undecided about their major.” Administration Department in 2007–2008, has recently
The new programs emerged as a key part of a larger completed a second doctoral degree, this one in Environ-
re-engineering process that began shortly after President mental Studies, at Antioch New England Graduate School.
Tom Galligan’s arrival. The president’s interest in updating “The changes, those now in place and those still to come,
the college’s Strategic Plan and the advent of a smaller than are exciting for faculty and allow them to plan and dream,”
anticipated first-year class in 2006–2007 brought the college Taylor said. “There’s a lot of energy behind the new programs,
community together to explore “what each of us could do to and yet we’re taking a reasoned and deliberate approach to
support and retain student enrollment,” according to Vice find an intersection between what’s attractive for prospective
President Taylor. students and the interests and expertise of our faculty.”
SUMMER/FALL2008 5
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LBY AWYER ATTERS
Investing in Our Cliff are involved in their com-
Community’s Future: munity, Dorrie’s tireless efforts
as a leading force on the scholar-
Creating a Legacy
ship committee for her local
A public high school, long after her
daughters have graduated, also
s a student at Colby Junior
motivated this special gift and
College, Dorothy “Dorrie”
5
Ernst Bean ’51 could not have S ’8 demonstrates her unwavering
W
imagined that one day a grand- RE dedication to young people in
D
son would graduate from her AN helping to make their higher
college. Nor could she imagine PEG education possible. Colby-Sawyer
that to celebrate his achieve- TO: is proud to benefit from the
O
ments and close ties to her alma PH Beans’ generosity, and deeply
Proud grandparents Clifford and Dorothy “Dorrie” Bean ’51 enjoyed the appreciative of the spirit in
mater, she and her husband
accomplishments of their grandson, Chris McClellan, at his May 2008 which their gift was made.
would create a charitable gift Colby-Sawyer Commencement.
A charitable gift annuity is a
annuity in his honor. Their
simple contract between a donor and
grandson, Christopher M. education in general. A scholarship
Colby-Sawyer College. In exchange for
McClellan, a Community and recipient as an undergraduate, Dorrie
an irrevocable gift of cash, securities or
Environmental Studies major, graduated has long appreciated the value and
other assets, Colby-Sawyer agrees to pay
in May with the Class of 2008. importance of making an education
one or two annuitants a fixed sum each
Consistent supporters of the Annual accessible to young people, and she
year for life. Payments are guaranteed by
Fund, Dorrie and Cliff Bean wanted to was grateful for the special awards that
the resources of the college. The older
do more to reflect their commitment to made a difference to her grandson at
designated annuitants are at the time of
Colby-Sawyer, in particular, and higher Colby-Sawyer. While both Dorrie and
Deans in Jeans is N.H. Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova listen to what students are concerned
Program of the Year Scotia and Prince Edward Island. or passionate about.
“In my view, the award is rewarding “Recognition of the program is
D
as an acknowledgment of one of the certainly nice,” says Dean Sauerwein,
eans in Jeans (DIJ), a program many ways in which we engage our “but the real reward of Deans in Jeans
started nearly four years ago by Deborah students in a personalized educational clearly comes from the students.
Taylor, academic vice president and environment and involve them in both They come to the meetings with
dean of faculty, and David Sauerwein, understanding why the college does the ideas, questions, rumors, theories and
vice president for Student Development things it does and seeking their advice suggestions. It’s interesting to see where
and dean of students, was recognized about how we could do better,” says the conversation will take us, and the
in November by Student Affairs Dean Taylor. format is open enough to allow students
Administrators in Higher Education Once every semester, Dean Sauerwein to take the lead in the conversation.”
(NASPA) as the Region 1 Program and Dean Taylor are joined by President What Dean Taylor and Dean
of the Year for the State of New Galligan in visiting each residence hall Sauerwein both appreciate in meeting
Hampshire. Sharon Williamson, to meet informally with students. They with students in the DIJ format is seeing
NASPA state director and director of really do wear jeans, and they really do how connected they are to their college,
campus activities at Colby-Sawyer,
accepted the award on behalf of the
college at the annual conference held
this year in Burlington, Vermont.
NASPA boasts more than 11,000
R
members at 1,400 campuses in 29 VE
O
countries and is the largest professional SL
K
C
association for student affairs admin- WI
S
istrators, faculty and graduate students. RLY
Its Region 1 comprises the six New BE
M
England states as well as the United O: KI
Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain, OT
H
Switzerland and the Canadian P
Dean of Students Dave Sauerwein, President Tom Galligan and Dean of Faculty Deb Taylor (seated at right
provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, on couch) meet with students in Lawson Hall at a Deans in Jeans event.
6 COLBY-SAWYERALUMNIMAGAZINE
the gift, the greater the fixed income IN MEMORIAM
Colby-Sawyer can agree to pay. Rates are
Elinore H. Cochran, Friend of the College
governed by the America Council on
Gift Annuities. In most cases, part of
each payment is tax-free, increasing
E
each payment’s after-tax value. If the
linore H. Cochran, age 90,
donor is the annuitant, the capital gains
died peacefully at her home in
will be spread out over many years as
New London on Thursday, Feb. 21,
opposed to being due in the year of the
2008. A service to celebrate her
gift. Several friends of the college have
life of grace, humor and generosity
invested in our community with charita-
of spirit was held in May in
ble gift annuities, and we invite you to
New London.
join them.
Elinore’s ties to the college
The Beans’ charitable gift annuity
extended back more than 50
provides them with lifetime income
years to when her late husband,
that will ultimately provide scholarship
Carl Cochran, joined the English
support. This generous gift has also
Department at Colby Junior
earned the Beans the privilege of
College. She was a long-term
membership in the Heritage Society.
member of the board for the
To learn more about charitable gift annu- Friends of the Colby-Sawyer Library, other contributions, Elinore and Carl
ities and other planned gifts, please contact where she served as board chair received the Colby-Sawyer College
Peg Andrews ’85 at 1 [phone] from 1980 to 1982 and as secretary Town-Gown Award for Valued
(toll-free) or [phone] or e-mail from 1985 until 2007. Service in 1978 and again in 1997.
[email protected] Over the years the Friends of the President Tom Galligan remem-
Library raised more than $100,000, bers Elinore and her involvement
mainly to purchase books for the with Colby-Sawyer fondly. “She was
and how thoughtful they are about college. Elinore initiated the Friends’ a fantastic member of the college
their experience. No issue is too large Books Sandwiched In series, which family, a dear friend and wonderful
or too small to bring up: individual for the last two decades has brought neighbor,” he said. “We will all miss
problems like a computer downloading speakers to campus to discuss current her and are grateful to have had her
slowly have been solved, while other topics of interest. For these and brighten our lives.”
conversations have brought sweeping
policy change in areas such as parking,
smoking, quiet hours and meal plans. College Hosts Biology Conference
The issues and concerns of today
C
aren’t the only thing on students’
minds, according to Dean Taylor. olby-Sawyer’s Department of Effectiveness in Killing
They want to know more about the Natural Sciences hosted the 66th Eastern Fusarium Keratitisand
college’s plans for the future, and New England Biological Conference Acanthamoeba Keratitis);
they often express an appreciation (ENEBC) this past spring. The ENEBC Tony Soto(The
for Colby-Sawyer’s philosophies. provides undergraduates with the Effects of Aerobic
“One of the highlights for me opportunity to present the results of Exercise on Predicted
from these conversations,” says their research in either oral or poster VO of
2max
Dean Taylor, “was a student who presentations. The 129 participants Healthy Male
said, ‘When I first came here and came from 13 colleges, and among and Female
discovered I had to take courses in them were 23 oral presenters and 35 Students of Colby-Sawyer College);
all kinds of disciplines, I didn’t poster presentations. Elisabeth Novak(The Efficacy and
understand why I needed to do that. According to Bill Thomas, professor Efficiency of Tea Tree Oil as a Broadband
Now I have begun to see how all the of Natural Sciences and conference Antimicrobial Versus Traditional
courses and disciplines fit together.’ co-coordinator, 15 Colby-Sawyer Chemical Cleaners on Commercial
To me, that was such a clear statement students registered, and six seniors Bathroom Surfaces); Zachary Lamas
from the student of the value she presented their work. They were: Robert (Microbial Soil Health in Relation to
experienced from a liberal education, Wardwell(The Effects of Road De-icing: Chemical Applications) and Chris
and I heard it in Deans in Jeans. It Changes in Water Chemistry and Huyler(Will Phosphorus-Binding
doesn’t get better than that.” Biota in the Lake Sunapee Watershed); Calcium Chloride Inhibit the Growth
Aleshia Carlsen(Saline Solution of Variable-Leaf Milfoil?).
SUMMER/FALL2008 7
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LBY AWYER ATTERS
Lifelong Learning: Many Professors Engage in
the program’s early years, others
Options, Many Benefits like Mary Loudon Eckert ’51, Jane International Research
Cowles Parmenter ’44, and Gretchen
by Sharon K. Ames
Hoch White ’53, to name just a few,
L
have more recently taken places in
ifelong learning has become a Adventures in Learning classrooms.
national phenomenon, with educa- Janet Rich Nixon ’54, ’00 travels
tional institutions across the country from New Boston, about an hour from
sponsoring a wide array of enrichment New London, to attend the program’s
programsfor seniors. This movement courses. Often accompanied to class
appears to have broadened the mission by, Chance, her English Golden
of colleges, contributed to sound com- Retriever, Janet says, “Not only do
munity relations, and enhanced the I have one more opportunity to stay
lives of adult participants. Adventures connected with the college I love,
in Learning at Colby-Sawyer College is but I also can enjoy discussions about
one such program, but it is a strikingly a variety of subjects I would never
successful one with a distinct charac- have considered while pursuinga
teristic that embraces and enriches the particular major.”
entire Kearsarge-Lake Sunapee, New If one were to rank Adventures in
Hampshire region. Learning enthusiasts according to their
Professor Donna Berghorn refreshed her creativity
In May 2008, with a vibrant and level of participation, New London on a sabbatical trip to Egypt.
joyous community-wide event and resident Barbara Johnson Stearns ’32
the sound of considerable applause, would surely be near the top. She has Donna Berghorn, associate professor
Adventures in Learning concluded a taken over 50 courses in a wide variety of Humanities, took a sabbatical trip
year-long series of special programs of subjects since the program’s incep- to Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, Egypt, to
and activities in celebration of its tion in 1998. Barbara, who turned 96 research pre-dynastic Egyptian art and
10th anniversary. A highlight of the in March, says, “Keeping busy keeps to study the relationship between
celebratory event was Adventures in me going.” The quintessential lifelong primitive mythic art and comics.
Learning’s presentation of a $25,000 learner, undoubtedly, Barbara would Among her visits to tombs, pyramids
gift to the college to establish a have been eligible for the new and temples, she spent two days at the
new endowed scholarship fund. In Adventures in Learning scholarship Museum of Antiquities in Cairo and
recognition of its 10-year association had it been offered during her college compared the conventions of comic art,
with Colby-Sawyer, the Adventures in years. With so many people still such as the comic strip panel and cross-
Learning Achievement Award will active and eager to learn, it’s certain hatching style of illustration, to pre-
be given to a junior student whose that lifelong learning programs are dynastic Egyptian art conventions.
achievement in scholarship demon- here to stay. Berghorn plans to write a paper on
strates the potential for life- the comparison of mythic and comic
long learning and whose art, and will incorporate information
commitment to the college she gathered in Egypt into her courses
evidences the potential for on “Mass Media in America,” “Comics
lifelong contribution to in American Culture,” and “Mythology
Colby-Sawyer. and Folklore.” She also hopes to develop
It is anticipated that a Pathway course around the theme of
future recipients of this visual rhetoric.
award will eventually join “The greatest benefit of any sabbat-
the ranks of current college ical project is to refresh a faculty
alumni who enjoy partici- member intellectually and creatively,”
pation in Adventures in says Berghorn. “I believe this project
Learning courses, debates, will enable me to contribute new ideas
forums and social activities OT to the students and the department.
B
each year. While some alum- TAL If I’m able to publish or present my
ni such as Susan Morrison GIL scholarship, this experience will
Mayer ’50, Mary Scheu TO: certainly enhance my professional
O
Teach ’43, and Janet Canham PH development and provide added
Williams ’40 discovered the Adventures in Learning’s Art Rosen presents the $25,000 endowed visibility to the college.”
scholarship fund award for the college to President Tom Galligan
joy of lifelong learning in at the 10th anniversary Adventures in Learning celebration.
8 COLBY-SAWYERALUMNIMAGAZINE