Colby-Sawyer College: A History of Academic Excellence and Evolution
Colby-Sawyer College, a private institution in New London, New Hampshire, boasts a rich history intertwined with academic evolution and a commitment to student success. From its origins as a coeducational academy to its current status as a four-year college, Colby-Sawyer has consistently adapted to meet the changing needs of its students and the wider world.
The Genesis of an Institution: From New London Academy to Colby-Sawyer College
The story of Colby-Sawyer College begins in 1837, when 11 New London residents sought and obtained a legislative charter to establish a school. This marked the birth of the New London Academy. Supported by the town, these residents erected a building to house the Academy, welcoming its first students in May 1838. Susan Farnham Colby, daughter of one of the Academy's founders, served as its first teacher and “lady principal.” Her marriage to James B. Colgate of New York initiated a lasting connection between her family and the college. Mary Colgate, her daughter, later gifted Colgate Hall, which became the central administration building on campus, to the school.
In 1858, the New Hampton Literary and Theological Institution relocated to Fairfax, Vermont. This prompted the New Hampshire Baptists, encouraged by former Governor Anthony Colby and New London's Baptist minister, Ebenezer Dodge, to assume responsibility for the Academy. Consequently, the school's name changed to the New London Literary and Scientific Institute.
The institution expanded its facilities to accommodate a growing student body. In 1854, the Ladies Boarding House, later known as Heidelberg, was constructed on the New London green, providing housing for up to 40 female students and the female faculty. Anthony Colby also purchased and relocated the original New London town meeting house to the campus. Renovated, it became Colby Hall, offering 20 double rooms for male students. A brick Academy building, dedicated in 1870 on the present site of Colgate Hall, provided dormitory space for 100 female students, along with classrooms, laboratories, a library, gymnastic facilities, a chapel, a dining room, a kitchen, and laundry facilities. Financed by Mary ("Mellie") Colgate, Colgate Hall was completed and dedicated in 1912, honoring the Colgate family's dedication to the college. Colgate Hall housed female students, administrative offices, a library, dining room, kitchen, chapel, classrooms, and laundry.
Transitions and Transformations: From Academy to Junior College to Four-Year Institution
In 1922, H. Leslie Sawyer became headmaster of Colby Academy. A pivotal decision was made in 1927 when the Colby Academy trustees voted to transform the institution into a junior college and preparatory school for women, marking a significant shift in its identity. Following this decision, in 1928, the school was renamed the Colby School for Girls.
Read also: Waterville's Colby College
The physical campus continued to evolve with the construction of new facilities. McKean Hall was built in 1930, named after Horace G. McKean, Colby Academy's headmaster from 1899 to 1905. In 1931, Colby Hall, a residence hall honoring the Colby family, and Shepard Hall, named for one of the original New London families who were trustees of the Academy and the College, were constructed. Burpee Hall, dedicated to the Burpee alumni and trustees, followed in 1934.
In 1933, an act of the New Hampshire Legislature officially changed the name of Colby School for Girls to Colby Junior College for Women. H. Leslie Sawyer served as president until his retirement in 1955, during which time Colby Junior College became widely recognized and earned a national reputation.
The college amended its charter in 1943 to allow for the introduction of baccalaureate programs. The composition of the student body shifted as women enrolled in those programs in increasing numbers.
The institution's board of trustees changed the name of the institution to Colby College-New Hampshire in 1973. In 1974, the unrelated Colby College in Waterville, Maine filed a lawsuit arguing that the name change would cause confusion between the two. After an appeals court ruled in the Maine school's favor, the New Hampshire school announced in 1975 that it would become Colby Women's College, despite recently admitting several male students. The Maine Colby College filed a second lawsuit, saying that name would also cause confusion. District Court Judge Hugh Bownes again ruled in the Maine Colby's favor, saying it would effectively have "a veto over any name chosen in which Colby is the first word, except for the prior name of Colby Junior College for Women." The New Hampshire school then settled on Colby-Sawyer College, honoring the institution's longtime president H. Leslie Sawyer and recognizing its expanded mission.
Following Sawyer’s retirement, and over the next 30 years, his successors contributed to further growth and expansion of the institution. Presidents Eugene M. Austin (1955-1962) and Everett M. Woodman (1962-1972) continued to build upon the foundation laid by their predecessor. The college began its transition to a four-year institution during the administration of its fourth president, Louis C. Vaccaro (1972-1978). In 1975, the college changed its name to Colby-Sawyer in honor of its first president and in recognition of its enlarged mission. The college completed its transition under the presidency of H. Nicholas Muller III (1978-1986), the college’s fifth president. Muller led the construction of the new library/learning center, which won awards for its innovative design.
Read also: Colby's Campus Life
The Windy Hill School, a child study lab school, was established in 1976 as a site for teacher internships and student practica.
Continued Growth and Modernization
The sixth president of the college, Peggy A. Stock (1986-1995), increased enrollment, completed a successful capital campaign and constructed or renovated several buildings, including Rooke Hall and the Dan and Kathleen Hogan Sports Center.
In 1990, the Ware Campus Center, formerly the Library-Commons building, was dedicated to Judge Martha Ware. In 1991 the Hogan Sports Center, dedicated to Daniel and Kathleen Hogan, and the Kelsey Tennis Courts opened; in 1994, Mercer Field was dedicated in honor of William and Ramona Mercer. In 1995, the Baker Communications Center was dedicated, named for Elbert H. Baker.
Anne Ponder (1996-2005) served as the seventh president of Colby-Sawyer. She led the largest capital campaign in college history, raising more than $40 million for endowment, capital projects and academic support. Earlier in her tenure, Ponder led a drive to return a historic building, the former Colbytown Camp, now named Lethbridge Lodge, to campus for student use, and she extended the college's contiguous landholdings to 200 acres. She also built two new residence halls, Danforth and Lawson halls, and the Curtis L. Ivey Science Center opened in September 2004. The 33,000-square-foot building houses the Community and Environmental Studies and Biology Programs, as well as faculty in the Natural Sciences Department. In 2004, the Curtis L. Ivey Science Center opened, and the student lodge was renamed the Lethbridge Lodge in honor of trustee and friend, George “Bud” Lethbridge.
The college’s eighth president, Thomas C. Galligan Jr. (2006-16), was a former dean and professor of law at the University of Tennessee College of Law. In his 10 years of leadership, Colby-Sawyer doubled its number of academic majors, introduced distance education, diversified its student body, committed to sustainability, and rededicated itself to making a private education accessible to all students.
Read also: Academics at Colby
Susan D. Stuebner (2016-2024), former executive vice president and chief operating officer at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, served as the college's ninth president. Her eight years in office were transformative for the college, marked by unprecedented fundraising success, expanded partnerships, endowment growth and new graduate and professional programs.
Dean G. McCurdy, the 10th president of the college, took office on June 1, 2025.
Academics and Student Life at Colby-Sawyer College
Colby-Sawyer College offers a diverse range of academic programs designed to prepare students for success in their chosen fields. The student-faculty ratio at Colby-Sawyer College is 12:1, and 70.4% of its classes have fewer than 20 students. This intimate learning environment fosters close relationships between students and faculty, promoting personalized attention and mentorship.
The most popular majors at Colby-Sawyer College include: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry; Psychology, General; Exercise Science and Kinesiology; Child Development; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Fine/Studio Arts, General; Sport and Fitness Administration / Management; History and Political Science; and Sociology, General.
The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 75%.
Studying history and political studies shows employers, graduate schools and law programs that you understand and retain large amounts of information; think independently, critically and creatively; write clearly and concisely; effectively present information to audiences; and conduct research with a sharp eye for essential facts and details. A required internship allows you to enhance your academics with experience related to your specific interest in history or politics. Successful leaders from a variety of industries studied history and politics - now it’s your turn to take the lead. Graduate school partnerships mean you have options to continue your education. Gain a broad understanding of how social, political and cultural forces shape societies, particularly the United States. Use historical and archival resources to participate in preservation projects, including the recording of oral histories, alongside faculty and fellow students. Combine a minor in political studies with any baccalaureate program to add a rich understanding of historical or political influences to your degree in any area of academic interest.
Colby-Sawyer's social sciences and education professors are trained experts, educators and practitioners who have spent years studying, researching and working with groups and individuals. They have published and presented on a variety of significant cultural topics and issues including developmental disabilities, criminology, gender and sexuality, addiction, abuse, poverty and economic inequality - and they invite you join in their research while encouraging you to make your own discoveries in subject areas that matter to you. Professor Boyer joined faculty in 2008. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. R. Professor Coy joined the faculty in 2005. He earned his Ph.D. from Tufts University and his B.A. from the University of Houston. His teaching areas include biological psychology, drugs and behavior, human sexuality, research methods and statistics. Kathleen P. Joined the faculty in 2009. Honors B.A. in sociology from Trinity College; C.T. and Ph.D. in sociology from Syracuse University. Professor Farrell's primary research and teaching interests include gender and sexualities, with an emphasis on inequality studies. Professor Gallagher joined the faculty in 2024. He holds a PhD in history from Boston College, an MA in transnational history from Central Michigan University, and a BA (Hons) in history from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK, a city close to where he grew up in Scotland. Amy Lyon joined the faculty in 2018 and landed her dream job as a full-time professor at her alma mater. She earned her master’s degree at Dartmouth College and her doctorate in educational leadership at New England College. Laura joined Colby-Sawyer in 2024. She received her MSW degree from Smith College and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. Professor Medbery joined the faculty in 2001. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in exercise and sport science, an M.S. from Purdue University in kinesiology with a sport psychology specialization, and a B.S. Professor Turcotte joined the Social Sciences and Education department in 2013. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire and teaches Introductory Sociology, Social Problems, Social Theory, Sociology Through Film and Race and Ethnic Relations. Joined faculty in 1996. BA from Washington University, St. Louis; MA and Ph.D. from Indiana University, Bloomington. history, America in the 1960s, and revolutions and revolutionaries. Professor Hanson has presented a number of conference papers on topics such as the Catholic church in modern Mexico, the Harry S. Truman presidency and Latin American women's studies.
The Colby-Sawyer athletics program consists of intercollegiate, club, intramural and recreational sports. Colby-Sawyer College competes as an NCAA Division III institution, and is a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) and the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA). From 1995 to 2011, Colby-Sawyer competed as a member of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). Active club sports at CSC are cycling, golf, ice hockey, outing club, men's and women's rugby, cross country running, snowboarding, softball, men's lacrosse, and fencing.
Resources and Facilities
The Curtis L. Ivey Science Center opened in September 2004. The 33,000-square-foot (3,100 m2) building houses the Community and Environmental Studies and Biology Programs, as well as faculty in the Natural Sciences Department. In addition to institutional records, the Archives maintains the college's Special Collections which consists of rare books as well as manuscript collections of notable men and women from New Hampshire, including the late New Hampshire Congressman James C. Cleveland Colby Colgate Archives.
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