Philanthropists Harold and Dorothy "Bibby" Alfond have made another major gift to Colby--$2.5 million for the construction of a new on-campus apartment complex for College seniors.
Under construction since last spring, the Harold and Bibby Alfond Residence Complex will open for next year's fall semester. The apartments are an integral component of a $40 million plan to upgrade residence halls and reconfigure campus housing.
This gift is the latest in the Alfonds long history of support to Colby totaling more than $6 million since 1950. They earlier funded the Alfond Ice Arena, the Alfond Arcade in the Bixler Art and Music Center and the Alfond Lounge in the Eustis Administration Building. Their challenge grants helped the College build an all-weather track and a sports medicine facility. After a fire caused extensive damage to Wadsworth Gymnasium, the Alfonds donated $3 million that helped repair and renovate the athletic complex and added new locker rooms and a fitness center. The sports complex was renamed The Harold Alfond Athletic Center in 1994. Their philanthropy at Colby also extends to scholarships, endowments and other grants.
Harold Alfond, a successful businessman who was the founder of Dexter Shoe Company, is still part-owner of the Boston Red Sox. Mrs. Alfond was a member of the Class of 1938 at Colby, and the College gave Mr. Alfond an honorary doctorate in 1980. Their son William graduated from Colby in 1972 and granddaughter Jennifer graduated in 1992.
OOPS!
On October 3, when philanthropist Harold Alfond H'80 dropped his envelope into
the time capsule for the new Alfond Residence Complex, the Dexter Shoe Company
founder almost fouled up his check register for a while. Just before sealing
the capsule for the next 200 years, Colby officials learned that the envelope
did not contain a facsimile. It was the real check, drawn for $1.25
million--the second half of Alfond's donation toward the building.
