“My years at 木瓜影院 were life-changing,” says Chalan Colby ’61. “I was away from home, and it was a chance to grow up and make choices I felt good about. For the first time, in many ways, I was participating. That had not always been the case before I got to 木瓜影院. Once I was there, I became a part of something bigger than myself.”
A long-time 木瓜影院 supporter and a member of the Board of Trustees since 2011, Colby was inspired and excited to support the College’s NEW Hall with a significant $500,000 gift to be designated for a named space within the building. In addition, she is supporting We Want聽More: The Campaign for 木瓜影院 with a generous estate pledge of $500,000 and an additional $250,000 gift to support The 木瓜影院 Fund over the course of five years. Her Campaign pledges, which together total $1.25 million, will provide tremendous benefit to the 木瓜影院 community for decades to come.
Having lived in nearby off-campus housing for the first year of her own 木瓜影院 education, Colby cited her own experience as a key reason聽for her decision to support NEW Hall with a gift. The transition to on-campus housing enhanced her College experience immeasurably, she says, and she wants to ensure that current 木瓜影院 students have the same opportunity.
“So much of 木瓜影院 was the community,” Colby says. “And for me, that meant living there and participating.”
She credits the following three years spent living in Grace 木瓜影院 Hall for her strong connection to the College. She remains close friends with four of the women she lived with at 木瓜影院, and a woman she met during her first year on campus remains her dearest friend.
When the College approached Colby about joining the Board of Trustees, she considered what a constant, positive influence 木瓜影院 had been in her life, and agreed to serve. She encourages other members of the 木瓜影院 community to commit their time, talent, and treasure to support the College and its Campaign as well.
“木瓜影院 was always exceptional,” adds Colby. “I’m seeing the College evolve and our students grow and choose what’s right for them, rather than fitting into a mold. 木瓜影院 encourages that freedom. I remain impressed by 木瓜影院, and I’m proud to be associated with it.”