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A legislative charter is granted by the State of New Hampshire to 11 New London citizens for the purpose of establishing a school in the town. The eleven men who were named as the academy’s incorporators were Joseph Colby, Anthony Colby, Perley Burpee, Jonathan Greeley, John Brown, Jonathan Herrick, David Everett, Samuel Carr, Walter Flanders, Jonathan Addison, and Marshall Trayne.
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Five acres are purchased by Anthony Colby, Perley Burpee, John Brown, and Walter Flanders for the Academy Building. A public subscription was initiated to pay for the building and the New London townspeople contributed $1,000.
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New London Academy, a coeducational secondary school, welcomed its first students. It opens with a student body of twenty six young ladies and one ten year old boy. Susan Colby, daughter of Anthony Colby, is the first teacher and lady principal.
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Fifty four male students join the Academy under the tutelage of the male principal, Dyer Sanborn. The Academy building (as shown) is also built.
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The New Hampton Literary and Theological Institution moves to Fairfax Vermont and the New Hampshire Baptists, with encouragement from former Governor Anthony Colby and New London’s Baptist minister, Ebenezer Dodge, assume responsibility for the Academy. The new Board of Trustees is made up of twenty-four members, three-fourths of whom had to be from New Hampshire but not from New London and three-fourths also had to be Baptists in good standing.
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The Ladies Boarding House (later called Heidelberg) is built (on what is now the New London green) to accommodate up to forty female students and the female faculty.
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The New Hampshire Baptist Association makes a slight adjustment to the school’s name, changing it to the New London Literary and Scientific Institution.
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Anthony Colby purchases the original town meeting house and moves it to campus. It is renovated to provide twenty double rooms for the male students and is called Colby Hall.
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The New Hampshire Baptist Association makes a slight adjustment to the school’s name, changing it to the New London Literary and Scientific Institution.
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The new brick Academy building is dedicated. Located on the present site of Colgate Hall, the building provided dormitory space for one hundred female students as well as classrooms, laboratories, library, gymnastic facilities, chapel, dining room, kitchen, and laundry facilities.
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New London Literary and Scientific Institution is renamed Colby Academy in tribute to the on-going support of the Colby family of New London.
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The first mention of an annual field day is made in the Colby Academy Voice although it is indicated that this is an annual tradition that the students look forward to. Activities include baseball, tug of war, football, and track and field events.
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While students are gathering mayflowers in Sutton, a fire breaks out in the brick Academy building. Although the school records, most library books, and some furniture and belongings are saved, the building cannot be salvaged. After the fire, townspeople take in students until the old buildings are repaired.
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The gymnasium is built between Heidelberg and Colby Hall.
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Initially, there were four sanctioned sports teams at Colby Academy: baseball, football, track, and basketball. The Academy played other high school teams in the area including Tilton, New Hampton, and Claremont.
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Colgate Hall housed female students, administrative offices, a library, dining room, kitchen, chapel, classrooms, and laundry. The male students continued to reside in Colby Hall.
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By the 1920s, the Academy added hockey to men's sports.
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Academy women began a field hockey team. Field hockey was becoming increasingly popular and the US Field Hockey Association was founded in 1922. Women also became participants in the Academy's annual field day, playing in golf tournaments.
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Dr. Herbert Leslie Sawyer becomes Headmaster of Colby Academy. He would later become president of Colby Junior College in 1928.
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Dr. Herbert Leslie Sawyer becomes Headmaster of Colby Academy. He would later become president of Colby Junior College in 1928.
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Colby Academy is renamed the Colby School for Girls and incorporates two years of preparatory school and two years of college.
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After 90 years as a secondary school, Colby Academy trustees vote in 1927 to transform Colby Academy into a junior college and preparatory school for women.
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McKean Hall is built, and is named for Dr. Horace G. McKean, Colby Academy’s headmaster from 1899 to 1905.
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The College develops an equestrian program, field hockey, and all students participate in gym class.
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Fourteen young women receive the first associate degrees conferred by Colby School for Girls.
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A new residence hall is built and named Colby Hall in honor of the Colby Family.
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Shepard Hall is built in honor of one of the original New London families who were trustees of the Academy and the College.
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Colby Junior College students form an Athletic Association which is responsible for many of the events at the College including Mountain Day, Winter Carnival, and May Day. It also has several clubs under it including the Boot and Saddle Club, the Outing Club, and the Health Club.
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By an act of the New Hampshire Legislature, Colby School for Girls is changed to Colby Junior College for Women. The preparatory courses are phased out.
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Burpee Hall is built in honor of one of the Burpee family, one of the original founders of the Academy. It includes a new library and additional wings are added in 1934 and 1935. The hall houses the library collection until 1949.
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Colby Athletic Association Lodge is erected on the shores of Little Lake Sunapee. “The contractor took down the old Colby Hall and used the beams, which had been put into the building when it was the town’s first meeting house, as the framework of the new Lodge.” (Rowe, The First Century of Colby).
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The President’s Home, a gift from Mary Colgate, officially opens, and Dr. and Mrs. Sawyer are the first residents.
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The Centennial Celebration is held, and it strengthens Colby Junior College’s place in the educational field. President Sawyer and Miss Doris Nielsen, President of the Class of 1937 seal materials in a copper box to be opened in June 2037.
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Page Hall is built, and is named for Reverend Charles L. Page, class of 1880 and a member and chair of the Board of Trustees for 40 years.
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By the end of the 1930s, there are two varsity sports: field hockey and basketball.
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Abbey Hall is built and dedicated to the memory of Charles Clinton Abbey, husband of Emily F. Abbey Gill, benefactress of colleges and secondary schools, especially those dedicated to the education of women.
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Colbytown Camp, an interracial, interfaith institution, is established at Colby Lodge on Little Lake Sunapee as a summer retreat for refugee children from war-torn Europe. After the war, it becomes a place for disadvantaged young American girls, counseled by Colby Junior College students, to experience nature in a supportive environment.
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Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt visits the College and gives a speech to the community at the Baptist Church. Her visit is arranged by the Committee of Public Affairs and brings wide publicity to the College.
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The college offers its first bachelor degree after an amendment to the College Charter by the New Hampshire General Court grants Colby Junior College the privilege of “granting all degrees ordinarily conferred by senior colleges.”
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Ellen Marron and Phoebe Neal receive the first bachelor’s degrees conferred at Colby Junior College. They are Medical Technician students who have completed internships at accredited hospitals.
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The Gordon Research Conference begins.
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President Sawyer begins a sabbatical leave system for the faculty.
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The Library-Commons building is designed and constructed on the south side of the Quad to provide dining room facilities and library space. The Fernald Library honors Josiah E. Fernald, Endowment Treasurer and senior member of the Finance Committee.
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By the 1950s, the College adds cheerleading, skiing, and basketball to its list of sports.
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The first television is installed on campus so students can watch General McArthur speak before Congress.
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Best Hall is built and dedicated to the memory of Dr. Samuel M. Best, Chairman of the board of Trustees (1933-1968).
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Dr. Eugene M. Austin (left) is appointed President of Colby Junior College for Women. During his time at the College, president Austin improved benefits, raised salaries, established tenure, and aided in finding faculty housing near campus.
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Dr. Eugene M. Austin (left) is appointed President of Colby Junior College for Women. During his time at the College, president Austin improved benefits, raised salaries, established tenure, and aided in finding faculty housing near campus.
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The Sawyer Center, a fine arts center dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Herbert Leslie Sawyer, opens.
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The Marion Mugar Art Gallery Building, an applied arts addition, adjoins Sawyer Center; a gift of Stephen P. Mugar, honoring his wife Marion Graves Mugar.
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In the 1960s, the Athletic Association begins sponsoring winter ski trips.
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The Reichhold Science Center opens — a gift of Henry R. Reichhold, parent and friend.
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Everett Woodman (left) and neighbor M. Roy London stand in front of cornstalks.
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Colby Junior College president, 1962-1972
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The Sports Science Center, a new gymnasium, is built. This building is later known as HESS (Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences). Today, it is known as Mercer Hall.
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The College receives the coveted annual award for outstanding historical work in the United States from the American Association for State and Local History for the restoration of the old Academy Building.
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The old gymnasium is renovated and refurbished as a residence for 33 students, and renamed Austin Hall in honor of former Colby Junior College president, Dr. Eugene M. Austin.
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President of the College when it was known as Colby Junior College, Colby College-New Hampshire and Colby-Sawyer College.
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The Board of Trustees changes the name of the College to Colby College-New Hampshire. At this time the College is offering two, three, and four year degree options, and changes its name “to accommodate the diversity of interests among the students.”
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The Board of Trustees changes the name of the College to Colby College-New Hampshire. At this time the College is offering two, three, and four year degree options, and changes its name “to accommodate the diversity of interests among the students.”
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It is reported to the Board of Trustees that the college faces a lawsuit by Colby College, in Maine, regarding its name. Here is a mini pilsner misprint which has Colby College-New Hampshire's name with Colby College's seal.
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The Board of Trustees, choosing to honor the College’s first president, Dr. Herbert Leslie Sawyer, votes to change the name to Colby-Sawyer College.
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With the help of the New London community, Colby-Sawyer College acquires Seamans Alumni House, the former Cranehurst Inn.
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The Board of Trustees, choosing to honor the College’s first president, Dr. Herbert Leslie Sawyer, votes to change the name to Colby-Sawyer College.
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A child study lab school is established as a site for teacher internships and student practica. It is named Windy Hill School.
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Colby-Sawyer College president.
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Dedication of the Susan Colgate Cleveland Library. Named for the granddaughter of the institution’s first teacher, long-time trustee, and benefactor. Two pre-Civil War barns attached to the Colby Homestead form the heart of the complex.
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She is the first woman to hold this position.
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First female president of Colby-Sawyer College.
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The New Campus Center, located in the old Fernald Library building, is opened. Wheeler Hall, the lounge and dining area, is dedicated to Wayne K. Wheeler, Treasurer of the College (1937-1971).
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The Susan Colgate Cleveland Library/Learning Center receives the award of excellence in Library architecture from the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association.
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The Career Development Center and Counseling Services opens in the newly renovated Caretaker’s Cottage. The cottage was built in 1930 to house the farm manager of Colby Homestead.
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The Academic Development Center opens its doors in the historic James House, which was originally built as a powerhouse for Colgate Hall.
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New Hampshire Governor John Sununu declares this date as Susan Colby Day to celebrate the first principal of New London Academy and asks all citizens to recognize the many contributions Colby-Sawyer has made to the Granite State during its 150-year history.
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The Board of Trustees announces that Colby-Sawyer College will admit men beginning in the Fall of 1990, thus returning the College to its heritage of co-education.
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Of 212 entering freshmen, 68 are men (32%). Photograph is from the class' five year reunion.
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The Hogan Sports Center opens, and is dedicated to Daniel and Kathleen Hogan.
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Mercer Field is dedicated in honor of William and Ramona Mercer.
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The dedication ceremony is held for Rooke Hall, a residence hall for 105 students, named in honor of the Rooke family.
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Baker Communications Center is dedicated, named for Elbert H. Baker, distinguished in the communications industry and father of Martine Baker Anderson, Class of 1959.
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7th president of Colby-Sawyer College
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Lawson Hall, a student residence hall, is dedicated and named in honor of Charles J. “Chuck” Lawson and his wife, Joan. Chuck served on the Board of Trustees for ten years, the last six as chairman.
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Beams from Colby Lodge on Little Lake Sunapee are used once again on campus to construct the Lodge, a student area with a snack bar and recreation room.
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New London is in a state of emergency as the Northeast is gripped by an unusually destructive ice storm. Over 33,000 homes in the region are without power for several days.
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Colby-Sawyer College donates the old Academy building, the school’s original building, to the town of New London. Following renovations, New London uses the building as its town hall.
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The Kelsey Athletic Fields open in honor of Bob and Pat Kelsey.
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Danforth Hall, a residence hall for 102 students, opens. The hall consists of 10- and 11-person suites of double and single rooms, and also features a conservatory, a working greenhouse, and a seminar room. New Hall also houses the Institute for Community and Environment and provides a study center for Honors Program students. Additionally, the Patricia D. Kelsey Tennis Courts were relocated to an area of campus between the Lodge and the Colby Farm, with a commanding view of Kearsarge Mountain.
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The former Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences Center (HESS) building is extensively renovated and renamed Mercer Hall, in honor of benefactors William C. Mercer and Ramona Wells Mercer ‘41. Home of the Exercise and Sport Sciences Department, the building includes refurbished classrooms, laboratories, a renovated gymnasium, and office space for faculty, staff, and student assistants.
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8th president of Colby-Sawyer College
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Seamans Alumni House is burned in a training operation by the New London Fire Department after it was determined to be an unhealthy working environment.
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The college hosts Isaac Nyamongo of the University of Nairobi, Kenya, the college’s first Fulbright scholar in residence.
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An ice storm hits, knocking out Colby-Sawyer’s power and sending students home early with finals to make up in spring semester.
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The first year of the new Global Beginnings program begins with students in Strasbourg, France and Florence, Italy.
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