by Deborah A. Taylor, Ph.D.
IN MY 40TH AND FINAL YEAR here at Colby-Sawyer, I’ve reflected on my arrival all those years ago when, as our president, Tom Galligan, is fond of saying, “dinosaurs roamed the earth.” I have always loved learning and being in school — in some ways, since I started school at four and a half, I have never left. My formative and college years were ones of great personal growth, to be sure, but also ones of great social change: the Civil Rights Movement, the women’s movement and the anti-war movement, just to name a few. In the academic environment, I was able to examine critically all sides of those important issues, and to reflect on and develop my own sense of social responsibility. So when it came time for me to consider my profession, and my first job, I was clear about two things: I wanted to do something that really mattered and that made a positive difference in individual lives and in the community. Being an educator was the very best way for me to do both. After completing my doctoral program, I received an invitation to interview at Colby-Sawyer, and I went looking for information about the college. On my map, I found Colby Junior College. In the library, I found materials on Colby College — N.H. But I found precious little about Colby-Sawyer anywhere. My interview happened on a crisp and cold March day, and I was dazzled by the people I met as well as by the physical beauty of the college and the area. When I accepted the faculty position in psychology, I was delighted. But, in all honesty, I came to Colby-Sawyer thinking I might be here for a few years and then move on to the next stage of my career. But I was mistaken. I fell in love with this place. And I have stayed in love. I’ve been lucky to have many roles here — faculty member, dean of students, department chair, academic dean, and my current role as academic vice president and dean of faculty. My children are alumni of the Windy Hill School. I’ve seen the 80 colby-sawyer magazine
PHOTO: MICHAEL SEAMANS
epilogue
Falling, and Staying, in Love with Colby-Sawyer
institution change and grow from a women’s college granting mostly associate degrees to a baccalaureate women’s college, to a coeducational college, to a college contemplating graduate programs. But the essence of Colby-Sawyer has remained the same — it’s an environment in which faculty, staff and students teach, learn, develop and explore together freely. I cherish so many memories from my years here. One of the most personally meaningful among them was speaking at Commencement while my father — who also had been a professor — was in the audience. We’ve accomplished crucial pieces of work together, from hiring excellent faculty and staff, to graduating talented students, to curriculum changes, to accreditation reviews. Tom Galligan is the fifth of Colby-Sawyer’s eight presidents with whom I have had the pleasure to serve. But I have to say that when I see former students return to us as accomplished alumni, parents of new students, faculty members, staff members and as trustees, that’s the purest demonstration of the value of what we do here. So, I thank all of you for the friendship, support and professional guidance you’ve given me, and for your deep caring for this college. The things we do here are so very meaningful, and I’m honored to have been a part of our accomplishments for four decades. ® Deborah A. Taylor is, until June 30, the Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculty. She holds an A.B. from Cornell University and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Rutgers University. At Commencement on May 7, she will be recognized with an honorary degree and the Susan Colgate Cleveland Medal of Service for her 40 years at Colby-Sawyer College.