DEAR CLASS OF 2030,
Welcome to Colby College! On behalf of the Student Government Association, we are thrilled to congratulate you on your admission and to welcome you into a community that is defined by curiosity, creativity, and connection.
Whether you are traveling from across the globe or from just down the road, we know you may be feeling a mix of enthusiasm and anticipation. As representatives of the student body, we want you to know that these feelings are shared by every new Colby student and that you are joining a campus where support, growth, and connection are at the heart of the experience.
At Colby, you will encounter numerous academic opportunities that challenge and inspire you. From handson research to global learning programs, faculty mentorship to innovative classroom experiences, you’ll find countless ways to pursue your passions and discover new ones. But what truly sets Colby apart is its people. The SGA works hard to cultivate a campus grounded in respect, collaboration, and what last year’s co-presidents called Hill Magic: those unexpected moments of kindness, mentorship, and community that shape your years here.
If you are able to attend Admitted Students Day, we encourage you to take full advantage of the opportunity to explore campus life. Visit a spotlight class, meet faculty and students, and experience firsthand the energy and warmth of the Colby community. Stop someone randomly on a walkway and ask them about their Colby experience! And if you cannot join us in person, please know that there will be many other ways to connect, ask questions, and begin to feel at home before you arrive on campus.
Your journey at Colby will challenge, inspire, and transform you, providing a comprehensive liberal arts education. The Student Government Association is here to support you along the way, to listen to your ideas, and to help ensure that your voice becomes part of the vibrant student life that defines our campus.
We are so excited to welcome you to the Hill—and even more excited to see the impact you will make here.
Best,
Leela DeSilva ’26 President, SGA
Elian Joseph ’26 Vice President, SGA
OVERVIEW
MONDAY, APRIL 20 IN-PERSON PROGRAM
Pre-registration for the in-person program is required. Please register at afa.colby.edu/admitted.
8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Registration
8–8:50 a.m.
Guided Campus Tour
8:30–10:30 a.m.
Breakfast
9–9:50 a.m.
Welcome with President David A. Greene Colby Family Panel
10–10:50 a.m.
Spotlight Classes (see page 5)
Academic Fair
Counseling Services
Open Hour
Guided Campus Tour
11–11:50 a.m.
Welcome with President
David A. Greene
Student to Student: Living the Colby Life
Noon–1 p.m.
Club Expo
The Pugh Center Open House
Noon–2 p.m.
Taste of Maine Food Truck Festival
1–1:50 p.m.
Spotlight Classes (see page 6)
The Island Campus:
Introducing Allen and Benner Islands
The Power of the Liberal Arts: Shaping the Future of Artificial Intelligence
Guided Tours: Colby College Museum of Art, Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center
1:30–3 p.m.
Downtown Waterville Guided Tour
2–2:50 p.m.
Active Colby: Recreation and Outdoor Activities Panel
Community-Building and Campus Life Panel Counseling Services Open Hour
Interdisciplinary Centers for Learning and Opportunity: Entrepreneurship and the Arts Guided Campus Tour
2:30–4 p.m.
Downtown Waterville Guided Tour
3–3:50 p.m.
Spotlight Classes (see page 7)
The Creative and Performing Arts Panel
The Future of the Sciences at Colby DavisConnects: Career Preparation and Global Education Opportunities
Guided Tours: Colby College Museum of Art, Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center
3–5 p.m.
Mule Works Innovation Lab Open House
4–4:50 p.m.
Research, Internships, and Global Experiences Guided Campus Tour
5–6:30 p.m.
Community Picnic
6:30–8 p.m. Colby After Dark
FRIDAY, APRIL 10 VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
4–4:50 p.m.
The Halloran Lab for Entrepreneurship
5–5:50 p.m.
DavisConnects: Career Preparation and Global Education Opportunities
6–6:50 p.m.
Spotlight Class (see page 8)
SATURDAY, APRIL 11 VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
9–9:50 a.m.
Living the Colby Life: The International Student Experience
10–10:50 a.m.
Spotlight Class (see page 9)
Noon–12:50 p.m.
Colby Connections: Colby Family Panel
MONDAY, APRIL 13 VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
4–4:50 p.m.
The Power of the Liberal Arts: Shaping the Future of Artificial Intelligence
5–5:50 p.m.
Community-Building and Campus Life Panel
6–6:50 p.m.
Spotlight Classes (see page 10)
7–7:50 p.m.
Living the Colby Life: Student Panel
TUESDAY, APRIL 14 VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
4–4:50 p.m.
The Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs
5–5:50 p.m.
Spotlight Class (see page 11)
6–6:50 p.m.
Dual-Degree Engineering Programs
The Museum of Art
7–7:50 p.m.
Affording Colby: Financial Aid Information Session
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
4–4:50 p.m.
Environmental Studies and The Buck Lab for Climate and Environment
The Center for the Arts and Humanities and The Lyons Arts Lab
5–5:50 p.m.
The Creative and Performing Arts Panel
6–6:50 p.m.
The Linde Packman Lab for Biosciences Innovation and The Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
7–7:50 p.m.
Spotlight Class (see page 12)
Colby Connections: Alumni Panel
MONDAY, APRIL 20
Pre-registration for the in-person program is required. Please register at afa.colby.edu/admitted.
10–10:50 a.m.
SPOTLIGHT CLASSES
Get a true sense of the learning experience at Colby by joining our world-class professors for in-depth and informative presentations of the scholarship they pursue and teach.
8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Registration
Welcome to Mayflower Hill! Begin your experience on campus by checking in and picking up everything you need for your visit in the Parker-Reed Room of the Schair-Swenson-Watson Alumni Center. Registration moves to Lunder House at noon.
8–8:50 a.m.
Guided Campus Tour
Take a tour of our Mayflower Hill campus to learn about academic programs and student life from the perspective of a current student.
8:30–10:30 a.m.
Breakfast
Join us in the lobby of the Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts for a light breakfast before you begin your day of activities.
9–9:50 a.m.
Welcome with President David A. Greene
Please join us as President Greene welcomes the Colby Class of 2030 to campus and learn about his vision for the future of Colby.
Colby Family Panel
Families and guests are invited to connect with current Colby parents and staff to hear about their experience as members of the extended Colby community.
SPOTLIGHT CLASSES
Magic in the Ancient and Modern Worlds
Led by Kerill O’Neill Chair and Julian D. Taylor Professor of Classics
Animal Science | Human Stories: Spider’s Sex Lives
Led by Ashton Wesner Assistant Professor of Science, Technology, and Society
Firewall Under Fire: The Far-Right’s Potential to Gain Power in Germany
Led by Jennifer Yoder
Robert E. Diamond Professor of Government
Trade, Tech, and Tension: Economic Dilemmas in U.S.–China Relations
Led by Gloria Xiong Assistant Professor of Government
Academic Fair
Drop in to connect with faculty from across disciplines to learn more about Colby’s academic offerings.
Counseling Services Open Hour
Join members of Colby’s Counseling Services to learn about the range of resources available to students and how the College promotes mental health and well-being throughout your time on Mayflower Hill.
Guided Campus Tour
Take a tour of our Mayflower Hill campus to learn about academic programs and student life from the perspective of a current student.
11–11:50 a.m.
Welcome with President David A. Greene
Please join us as President Greene welcomes the Colby Class of 2030 to campus and learn about his vision for the future of Colby.
Student to Student: Living the Colby Life
Enjoy a candid conversation to learn about the Colby experience from those who live it every day. Hear about adjusting to the rigors of college work, living together in residence halls, and getting involved on campus.
Noon–1 p.m. Club Expo
There are more than 100 ways to make connections with your fellow Colby students while doing something you love. This expo is a great way to see the range of clubs and organizations on campus. Being a part of them is simply a matter of signing up, showing up, and diving in.
The Pugh Center Open House
The Pugh Center supports Colby’s commitment to fostering a fully inclusive campus community through individual support, resource programs, and social justice education.
Can’t make it to campus on April 20?
We invite you to register for an individual visit on select Mondays and Fridays in April and May. These weekday admitted student visits include a campus tour, the opportunity to have lunch with a current student, and the chance to learn more about Colby’s academic offerings.
For registration information, please visit afa.colby.edu/admitted.
ADMITTED
Noon–2 p.m.
Taste of Maine
Food Truck Festival
Join your peers from the Colby Class of 2030 for some al fresco dining with food from some of Maine’s best food trucks!
1–1:50 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT CLASSES
Genetic Basis of Cancer
Led by Yee Mon Thu
Assistant Professor of Biology
Capitalism and Witches: A Crash Course
Led by Christopher Walker
Assistant Professor of English
The Secret Lives of Old Books
Led by Megan Cook
Arthur Jeremiah Roberts Associate Professor of Literature and Co-Chair of English
From Stardust to Planets: Meteorites as a Record of Solar System Evolution
Led by Tasha Dunn
Chair and Associate Professor of Earth Sciences
Manufacturing Consent: News Media and Power
Led by Ben Lisle
Associate Professor and Chair of American Studies
The Hippocratic Oath: Then and Now
Led by Kassandra Miller
Assistant Professor of Classics
Hearing Emily Dickinson
Led by Dyani Taff
Assistant Professor of English
The Island Campus: Introducing Allen and Benner Islands
Join faculty and staff to learn about the addition of the Island Campus at Colby and the important role the islands play in supporting research and discovery in ecology, biodiversity, and conservation.
The Power of the Liberal Arts: Shaping the Future of Artificial Intelligence
As the first liberal arts college to establish a major academic program in artificial intelligence, Colby is positioned to redefine a liberal arts education for this century. Join members of Colby’s faculty and leading minds in the field of artificial intelligence as they discuss the various opportunities that Colby students have to shape artificial intelligence and machine learning for the greater good.
Guided
Tour of the Colby College Museum of Art
Visit one of the finest college art museums in the country and learn about the artwork, exhibitions, and opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. Museum staff will be present throughout the day to guide guests through the various galleries and discuss the important role the museum plays both inside and outside the classroom. Water bottles are not allowed in the museum.
Guided Tour of the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center
Take a tour of the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, among the most comprehensive athletics facilities on any Division III campus.
1:30–3 p.m.
Downtown Waterville Guided Tour
Explore Colby’s newest additions to downtown! Walk down Main Street to visit Greene Block + Studios, the lively Paul J. Schupf Art Center, and our downtown living and learning community, the Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons.
2–2:50 p.m.
Active Colby: Recreation and Outdoor Activities Panel
Join Colby’s recreation staff and student athletes to discuss living a healthy and active lifestyle on campus by getting involved in varsity sports, club sports, intramurals, or fitness classes.
Community-Building and Campus Life Panel
Learn more about making connections and building community at Colby. This panel will highlight orientation programs, student life, spiritual life, inclusion, and civic engagement on campus.
Counseling Services Open Hour
Join members of Colby’s Counseling Services to learn about the range of resources available to students and how the College promotes mental health and well-being throughout your time on Mayflower Hill.
Interdisciplinary Centers for Learning and Opportunity: Entrepreneurship and the Arts
Join Deputy Director of the Halloran Lab for Entrepreneurship Lisa Noble and Director of the Lyons Arts Lab Annie Kloppenberg for presentations and conversation regarding interdisciplinary opportunities at Colby in entrepreneurship and the performing arts.
Guided Campus Tour
Take a tour of our Mayflower Hill campus to learn about academic programs and student life from the perspective of a current student.
2:30–4 p.m.
Downtown Waterville Guided Tour
Explore Colby’s newest additions to downtown! Walk down Main Street to visit Greene Block + Studios, the lively Paul J. Schupf Art Center, and our downtown living and learning community, the Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons.
3–3:50 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT CLASSES
To Infinity and Beyond!
Led by Leo Livshits
Chair and Professor of Mathematics
Cults in America
Led by Joshua Urich
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Political Theory and the Liberal Arts
Led by Joseph Reisert
Chair of Government and Wiswell
Professor of American Constitutional Law
Passion or Responsibility: Soccer Ultras and Sportswashing
Led by Arne Koch
Chair and Associate Professor of German
Finders Keepers and Treasure Seekers: A Brief History of Archaeology
Led by Rebecca Frank
Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics
Oceanic Thinking
Led by Nicholas Silcox
Assistant Professor of English
Economy and Politics of Japanese Idol Culture
Led by Rio Katayama
Assistant Professor of East Asian Studies
The Creative and Performing Arts Panel
Join members of the Colby community as they discuss the pivotal role the visual and performing arts play at Colby and the various opportunities there are for students to explore both inside and outside of the classroom.
The Future of the Sciences at Colby
Join Vice President of Planning and Strategy
Kevin Rice ’96 and a panel of faculty and students as they discuss the future of the sciences at Colby College. Featuring new academic course offerings and co-curricular opportunities, Colby is building innovative, forward-thinking programs in public health, engineering, and scientific inquiry.
Our campus map is on page 14.
DavisConnects: Career Preparation and Global Education Opportunities
This session will explore DavisConnects, an innovative program that provides students access to global, internship, and research experiences and prepares them for life after Colby.
Guided Tour of the Colby College Museum of Art
Visit one of the finest college art museums in the country and learn about the artwork, exhibitions, and opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. Museum staff will be present throughout the day to guide guests through the various galleries and discuss the important role the museum plays both inside and outside the classroom. Water bottles are not allowed in the museum.
Guided Tour of the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center
Take a tour of the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, among the most comprehensive athletics facilities on any Division III campus.
3–5 p.m.
Mule Works Innovation
Lab Open House
Check out Colby’s makerspace, where students from every discipline come together to explore interactive technologies such as virtual reality, 3D printing, and laser cutting.
4–4:50 p.m.
Research, Internships, and Global Experiences
Join Colby faculty, staff, and students from across various centers and institutes as they reflect on the transformative internship, research, and global experiences that have defined their experiences on and off campus.
Guided Campus Tour
Take a tour of our Mayflower Hill campus to learn about academic programs and student life from the perspective of a current student.
5–6:30 p.m.
Community Picnic
As we come to the end of our program, admitted students and their guests are invited to join members of the Colby community for a casual dinner. Connect with community members, hear their Colby stories, discover campus traditions, and picture what your four years on Mayflower Hill could look like.
6:30–8 p.m.
Colby After Dark
Let the fun begin! Join us for a variety of events: music, food, games, and time to connect with your future classmates.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
4–4:50 p.m.
The Halloran Lab for Entrepreneurship
The Halloran Lab provides funding for student enterprises and mentorship, as well as innovation and makerspaces on campus and in downtown Waterville.
5–5:50 p.m.
DavisConnects: Career Preparation and Global Education Opportunities
This session will explore DavisConnects, an innovative program that provides students access to global, internship, and research experiences and prepares them for life after Colby.
6–6:50 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT CLASS
American Hauntings
Led by Grace McGowan
Visiting Assistant Professor of English
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
9–9:50 a.m.
Living the Colby Life: The International Student Experience
Enjoy a candid opportunity to learn about coming to Colby as an international student. Hear from current members of our international student community about adjusting to the rigor of college academics, building community in residence halls, and getting involved on campus.
10–10:50 a.m.
SPOTLIGHT CLASS
Wearing Her Mother’s Bones to the Ball: How Cinderella Went From East to West
Led by Laura Nuffer Assistant Professor of East Asian Studies
Noon–12:50 p.m.
Colby Connections: Colby Family Panel
Families of admitted students are invited to join us for a virtual conversation with Colby parents. Learn more about their experiences supporting a Colby student and joining the extended Colby community.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
MONDAY,
4–4:50 p.m.
The Power of the Liberal Arts: Shaping the Future of Artificial Intelligence
As the first liberal arts college to establish a major academic program in artificial intelligence, Colby is positioned to redefine a liberal arts education for this century. Join members of Colby’s faculty and leading minds in the field of artificial intelligence as they discuss the various opportunities that Colby students have to shape artificial intelligence and machine learning for the greater good.
5–5:50 p.m.
Community-Building and Campus Life Panel
Learn more about making connections and building community at Colby. This panel will highlight orientation programs, student life, spiritual life, inclusion, and civic engagement on campus.
APRIL 13
6–6:50 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT CLASSES
Modeling Human Behavior and Neurodegenerative Diseases in Fruit Flies
Led
by Tariq Ahmad Professor of Biology
Artificial Intelligence and Society: Use and Misuse
Led by Kara Kugelmeyer
Data Services Librarian and Science, Technology, and Society Faculty
7–7:50 p.m.
Living the Colby Life: Student Panel
Enjoy a candid conversation to learn about the Colby experience from those who live it every day. Hear about adjusting to the rigors of college work, living together in residence halls, and getting involved on campus.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
TUESDAY, APRIL 14
4–4:50 p.m.
The Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs
The Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs connects students to current events, inspires global citizenship, and sparks public policy debates to build leadership skills and a better understanding of some of the world’s greatest challenges. Join us to learn how the center funds dozens of research opportunities and internships each year.
5–5:50 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT CLASS
Magic in the Modern and Ancient Worlds
Led
by
Kerill O’Neill Chair and Julian D. Taylor Professor of Classics
6–6:50 p.m.
Dual-Degree Engineering Programs
Interested in engineering but want to attend a liberal arts college? At Colby you can do both. Our dual-degree programs allow you to graduate from Colby and obtain an engineering degree from either Dartmouth College or Columbia University. Join current faculty and students to learn more about engineering opportunities at Colby.
The Museum of Art
Learn about one of the finest college art museums in the country. A teaching museum for learners of all ages, the Colby College Museum of Art comprises five wings, nearly 11,000 works of art, 40,000 square feet of exhibition space, and a multitude of opportunities for interdisciplinary learning.
7–7:50 p.m.
Affording Colby: Financial Aid Information Session
Join members of the financial aid team as they present a comprehensive overview of financial aid at Colby. Learn about payment options, how outside scholarships affect a student’s aid package, and health insurance coverage. The team will also spend time walking families through the process of comparing different aid packages from different institutions.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
4–4:50 p.m.
Environmental Studies and The Buck Lab for Climate and Environment
The Buck Lab for Climate and Environment supports broad initiatives at Colby focused on climate change and other environmental issues. Join us to learn how the Buck Lab facilitates student and faculty research, experiential learning opportunities, student internships with collaborative partners doing environmental work, community engagement, professional skills development, and career networking.
The Center for the Arts and Humanities and The Lyons Arts Lab
Students’ ideas drive the work done in the Center for the Arts and Humanities. Through annual humanities themes and labs, they inspire discussions and challenging conversations around campus. The Lyons Arts Lab functions as a creative think tank to support new ideas and new work developed by Colby students and faculty across academic disciplines.
5–5:50 p.m.
The Creative and Performing Arts Panel
Join members of the Colby community as they discuss the pivotal role the visual and performing arts play at Colby and the various opportunities there are for students to explore both inside and outside of the classroom.
6–6:50 p.m.
Linde Packman Lab for Biosciences Innovation and The Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
Learn how Colby’s Linde Packman Lab for Biosciences Innovation and partnership with the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences prepare Colby students to become the next generation of science leaders and innovators.
7–7:50 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT CLASS
Caste: A Crash Course
Led by Sonja Thomas Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Colby Connections: Alumni Panel
Join us for a virtual conversation with Colby alumni living across the country. Learn how their transformative liberal arts education influenced their academic, personal, and professional lives during and after their time on Mayflower Hill.
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
COLBY COLLEGE MUSEUM OF ART
10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Tuesday–Saturday) Noon–5 p.m. (Sunday)
HAROLD ALFOND ATHLETICS AND RECREATION CENTER
7 a.m.–12 a.m. (Monday–Friday)
8 a.m.–9 p.m. (Saturday–Sunday)
BOOKSTORE
8 a.m.–5 p.m. (Monday–Saturday)
MARY LOW COFFEEHOUSE
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Monday–Friday)
10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Sunday)
LIBRARIES
Miller Library Bixler Art and Music Library
8 a.m.–1 a.m. (Sunday–Friday)
10 a.m.–8 p.m. (Saturday)
CONNECT WITH COLBY’S VIBRANT GLOBAL COMMUNITY
#ColbyClassof2030 afa.colby.edu/admitted
Register for an individual visit on select Mondays and Fridays in April and May!
Weekday admitted student visits include a campus tour, the opportunity to have lunch with a current student, and the chance to learn more about Colby’s academic offerings.
For registration information, please visit afa.colby.edu/admitted.
CAMPUS MAP
