COA NEWS COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC SPRING 2001 BAR HARBOR, MAINE $20 Million Endowment Campaign Completed College of the Atlantic's $20 million Silver Anniver- sary Endowment Cam- paign, launched in the summer of 1997, has been completed. The final tally exceeded the goal by $1.6 million. Clyde Everett Shorey, Jr., Chairman of the COA Board of Trustees and Chair of the Endowment Campaign Committee, expressed delight at the result of the four-year cam- paign. "These funds will help set the college on firm footing for a bright future," he stated. Shorey paid special tribute to the college's trustees. "Not only were many of them significant contributors to the cam- paign, they also played a critical role in soliciting major gifts," he said. He also saluted College of the Atlantic President Steven K. Katona, Trustee Henry Sharpe, Jr., Chair of the Development Commit- tee, and Director of Devel- opment Fran Day for their unfailing efforts to reach the goal on time. The endowment will have a major impact on the college. In addition to the already established Rosamond Purcell, Birdwing, Endangered, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, iris jet-ink print, 1991. Newlin Chair in Botany, Courtesy of Kathleen Ewing Gallery, Washington. there will be chairs created in honor of ecologist Rachel The Dorr Museum of Natural History hosted an exhibition of photographs by Rosamond Purcell in Carson and former COA the fall. Purcell has collaborated on three books with Stephen Jay Gould. Her work has recently faculty member William H. been featured in The New Yorker and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Drury, Jr. continued on page 2 Campaign, from page 1 A variety of scholarship funds have of Beech Hill Farm, the college's organic COA been established through the endow- farm. Artworks were also part of the con- News ment campaign. The Rothschild Fund tributions. The Newsletter of will help graduate students complete This was the college's first-ever endow- College of the Atlantic their studies at COA. The Shelby Cul- ment campaign. "The completion of this lom Davis Foundation has given funds campaign represents a turning point in Spring 2001 directed toward supporting study the college's history," said President abroad. There is also a scholarship Katona. "The campaign has boosted our EDITOR fund established to honor the late confidence as well as the confidence of Carl Little, August Heckscher, a writer and public our many generous benefactors." He Director of Public Affairs servant whose life and work encom- added, "It's a terrific way for this college passed many of the values underlying to begin the new century." PRESIDENT the study of human ecology. College of the Atlantic, which was Steven K. Katona The campaign received gifts for chartered in 1969 and welcomed its first library and museum support, campus students in 1972, will celebrate its 29th CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES upkeep and faculty research, as well as Commencement on June 9, 2001. Cur- funds to endow continued maintenance rent enrollment stands at 265. Clyde E. Shorey, Jr. DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Fran Day WRITERS: Carl Little Rebecca Buyers-Basso, '81 Daniel Dendanto, '91 COA News is published yearly and is circulated to alumni, students, parents and friends of College of the Atlantic. DESIGNER Z Studi0 THE COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC Henry Sharpe, right, and his wife, Peggy (center), stand at the center of a circle of COA staff, faculty, "VISION STATEMENT" students, trustees and friends at the celebration reception for the completion of the Silver Anniver- The faculty, students, trustees, sary Endowment Campaign. staff and alumni of College of the Atlantic envision a world where people value creativity, intellectual achievement, and Contents the diversity of nature and New Museum of Natural History p. 3 Largest Commencement Ever pp. 20-22 human cultures. With respect and compassion, individuals Trustees Elected p. 5 Catching Up with Friends pp. 23-24 will construct meaningful lives Beech Hill Farm p. 6 Alumni Profile: Elena Tuhy '90 p. 25 for themselves, gain apprecia- tion for the relationships United World Colleges Scholarship A Salute to Skip Buyers-Basso pp. 26-27 among all forms of life, and Program pp. 7-8 Distinguished Visitors pp. 27-28 safeguard the heritage of The Ketchum Page p.9 future generations. The Caribbean and Cuba pp. 29-30 Faculty Profiles: Bonnie Tai and Ken Hill pp. 11-12 Signs of Winter p. 31 VISIT THE COLLEGE OF THE Reading Silent Spring pp. 13-14 Visual Arts at COA pp. 33-37 ATLANTIC WEBSITE AT EPA Award to COA pp. 16-17 www.coa.edu Personnel p. 38 Tributes pp. 18-19 Theater pp. 39-40 COA NEWS 2 SPRING 2001 COA Natural History George Page (left), host of the PBS program "Nature," joined Board of Trustees chairman Clyde Everett Shorey, Jr., Mrs. Brooke Astor and COA president Steve Katona at the ribbon cutting for the college's new George B. Dorn Museum of Natural History. That's a College of the Atlantic scarf Mrs. Astor is wearing. New Natural History Museum Opens The new George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History at The Henry B. and Elizabeth A. "Sunny" Guthrie class- College of the Atlantic opened to the public in June. The room is dedicated to two special friends of the college who original headquarters of Acadia National Park was renovat- helped students of all ages appreciate natural history and ed and expanded to provide a bright new space for enjoy the beauty of the environment. The naming honors their commitment to conservation and education. exhibits and programs. The new museum building, designed by the architec- Other plaques in the museum recognize the founders, tural firm of Stewart Brecher and Associates, has state-of- directors and curators of the museum whose tireless the-art lighting for exhibits, climate-controlled rooms, a efforts led to the development of the museum and its pro- two-story exhibit area with a cathedral ceiling, a classroom, grams. A special plaque honors the memory of the late a preparation area for teachers, a touch tank with live spec- Mary R. Hamill, who loved the mountains and waters of imens and a special exhibition commemorating George Mount Desert Island. Dorr's contribution to the formation of Acadia National The museum displays interpret the natural history of Park and his conservation efforts on Mount Desert Island. Maine through a human-ecological perspective. Detailed "Renovation and expansion of the old park headquarters," dioramas created by COA students depict the plant and said President Steve Katona, "preserves a building of historic, animal life of Maine, portraying how different species cultural and educational importance not only to the island's interact with natural and human environments. many residents, but to visitors to Acadia National Park." "Our exhibits and programs transcend casual learning," Several rooms in the museum bear special dedications. says museum director Stephen Ressel. "Instead, they are The Stanley Oliver Grierson Gallery honors the late natu- designed to stimulate participants to contemplate complex ralist's lifetime dedication to educating people about ecolo- issues and to form thoughtful opinions." Among the crea- gy, the environment and natural history. A founder of the tures represented are a snapping turtle, puffins, porcu- museum studies program at COA, Grierson brought pines, deer and the rare True's beaked whale. There is also knowledge, artistry and high standards to the preparation a model of a prehistoric walking whale. of museum exhibits. COA NEWS 3 SPRING 2001