COA NEWS COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC SUMMER 2001 BAR HARBOR, MAINE On behalf of the class of 2001, Andrew Pixley presents a thank you to retiring librarian Marcia Dworak. The class of 2001 gathers on the rocks by the COA pier prior to graduation. Commencement 2001 On Saturday, June 9, the 29th commence- new answers, the best answers, are going to ment at College of the Atlantic was be glocal - that the action is moving to the celebrated on the north lawn. A passing global level and to the local level." shower didn't dampen the spirits of the 71 Dr. Speth continued by suggesting that we graduates or their families. have reason to be optimistic that the A medley of songs was performed transition to sustainability can be made to "a before the ceremony by alumni Heather stable world population", with "a more Candon '99, Rick Stevenson '93 and Eric equitable sharing of income and resources." Seniors march into the tent to Torbeck '94. The West Eden Highlanders "A new generation of 21st century receive their diplomas. led the graduates, trustees, faculty and technologies can be designed with the keynote speaker, Dr. Gustave Speth, into environment in mind and we can attain a the tent to the strains of "Scotland the new consciousness that makes us as much a Brave." Student perspectives were given conserver society as a consumer society." by Sarah Hubert, Blaise Maccarrone, Dr. Speth closed by saying "Thank God Shiva Polefka and Emily Troutman, for you! You are young, you are bright and followed by Dr. Speth's commencement now you are educated. You are human address. ecologists, ready to take on the world, and we Dr. Speth called the class of 2001 the are proud of you." "hope of the world" and urged students to A blessing was given by Sarah Grasso with be the "new generation that understands a closing by Dylan Turner. Three glowing graduates - (1 to r) Sarah environmental sustainability in its soul; a The COA Alumni Merit Scholarship Hubert, Rebecca Melius and Sarah generation that knows how to act and not for 2001 was awarded to second year student, Landry. just talk; a generation that knows that Michelle Dumont. The following awards Continued on page 4 COA COA Student Wins News National Recognition The Newsletter of College of the Atlantic College of the Atlantic Senior Sarah Grasso, of Summer 2001 Stamford, Connecticut was awarded a Certificate of Leadership by the National Youth Advocacy EDITOR Coalition (NYAC) in Washington, D.C. Grasso was Carroll Gordon cited "for her commitment, vision and leadership in Public Affairs Manager providing excellent education and a sense of PRESIDENT community for lesbian, gay, bisexual and Steven K. Katona transgender youth. Sarah serves as a model for youth activism, social justice and for giving volume CHAIRMAN OF THE to the voice of young people." BOARD OF TRUSTEES The NYAC is the only national organization of John N. Kelly its kind working to meet the needs of a growing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth constitu- DIRECTOR OF ency and youth services movement. NYAC DEVELOPMENT represents 120 organizations that range in size from Fran Day large national and urban organizations to small rural Sarah Grasso, '01 and Mary Harney, '96. WRITERS: organizations operating in some of the most Sarah Baker homophobic corners of our country. NYACís Carrroll Gordon mission is to advocate for and with young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in an effort to end discrimination against these youth and to ensure their physical and emotional well being. COA News is published "Sarah Grasso's work with Down East Aids Network was truly deserving of her nomination for three times a year and is circulated to alumni, the award from the National Youth Advocacy Coalition," according to Mary Harney, '96, students, parents and Executive Director of DEAN. She was nominated by Harney, who oversaw Grasso's work with friends of OUTRIGHT, a support group/safe space for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and youth College of the Atlantic. (ages 22 and under who are questioning their sexuality. Grasso interned with DEAN and pioneered OUTRIGHT under their auspices. She provided counseling and advocacy for young people in need and provided referrals to other agencies when the kids needed emotional and/or medical support that OUTRIGHT could not provide to them. THE COLLEGE OF Grasso studied psychology, education and dance at COA prior to her graduation in June. THE ATLANTIC "VISION STATEMENT" The faculty, students, trustees, staff and alumni of College of the Atlantic Thank you, Cadillac envision a world where people value creativity, intellectual achievement, Mountain Sports! and the diversity of nature and human cultures. With Patagonia's statement of purpose says "Patagonia respect and compassion, exists as a business to inspire and implement solu- individuals will construct tions to the environmental crisis." Their corporate meaningful lives for vision, together with the generosity of Cadillac themselves, gain appre- Mountain Sports (owners of the Patagonia ciation for the relationships among all forms of life, store), has resulted in the donation of ten and safeguard the heritage percent of the sales profits from the Bar Harbor of future generations. store to College of the Atlantic. VISIT THE COA Thank you, Cadillac Mountain Sports. WEBSITE AT: www.coa.edu Patagonia store summer employee, Jenny Nelson of Hampden. COA News 2 SUMMER 2001