Setting a Firm Foundation
by Marc Glass

When the new residence hall near Johnson Pond opens in the fall of 1997, the Colby community and the 140 first-time residents of the three-building complex will have trustee Robert N. Anthony '38 to thank for his $1-million gift to the construction project.
Anthony's is the first of what is expected to be three naming gifts for the residence hall's three buildings. One of the longest serving members of the Board of Trustees, Anthony says timeliness was an important factor in his decision to contribute to the project. "President Cotter convinced me that this will be an important way of assuring that the new dormitory will be constructed promptly," he said.
"Bob Anthony was chair of the search committee that brought me to Colby and was chair of the board when I was inaugurated," said President Bill Cotter. "His commitment to this college has always been strong and visible, and this latest gift reinforces his dedication to keeping Colby first-class in every way."
Anthony, who is Ross Graham Walker Professor of Management Control, Emeritus, at the Harvard Business School, served as assistant secretary of defense, comptroller in the Johnson Administration, and is credited with developing the field of management accounting. He has been a trustee since 1959 and was chair of the board from 1978-1983.
The new residence hall will provide beds that will be lost when Colby renovates and upgrades living space in all dormitories except the Heights over the next five years.
The overall project earmarks $7.2 million for dorm renovations, $6.5 million for new construction and $2.5 million for upgrading the three existing dining halls. It is the most extensive facilities project undertaken by Colby since the College moved from downtown Waterville to Mayflower Hill 50 years ago. Groundbreaking for the new building is planned for August on a site between the Hillside complex and Johnson Pond.