A Better Reason to Write

Back as a senior in Colby, I wrote my first letter to the editor of the Colby magazine (then Currents). I complained about the unrealistic picture I thought the magazine painted of the College, and a few other items. I felt the magazine sought more to impress parents and alumni than to represent the state of affairs as they truly were on campus. That letter, I believe, became one of the first editorial letters printed in the magazine and also brought me two offers: one from Ed Hershey, then the editor of the magazine, to write articles for him, and the editor of the Echo to write for them. I chose the latter and fulfilled my apparent need to critically view aspects of campus life with a few mediocre pieces that were published in the opinion section of the campus newspaper.

Ironically, 10 years later as I approach our upcoming Colby reunion, I read the spring 2002 edition of Colby with great delight. I was very impressed with the community service theme of the entire edition and all that Colby students are still doing outside of their formal learning experiences. For me, this was the best part of my Colby education, although I also enjoyed my academic experience. However, it is the experiences outside the classroom that are still with me most strongly today.

As a first-year student at Colby, I thought it would be a good idea to join the "Big Brother/Big Sister" program. I believe my class was one of the last in which students in this program were individually matched with area youths that we visited weekly on our own time--outside the schools and their own homes. I mentored my "Little Sister" for all four years, and beyond, until I finally lost track of her after her grandmother passed away. She was a very bright spot during my Colby years, and I often remember with a big smile the bear hugs I received each time I went to pick her up.

Since Colby I have mentored two other girls. I have been with my current "Little" for over six years. She is in the peak of those difficult teen years, and my heart swelled this past weekend when she told my husband that I was her best friend. I finally feel that I can say with confidence that I have made a positive impact in her life. She also told me this weekend that she has been drug-free for several months now and no longer wants to smoke pot or cigarettes. I can only assume this volunteered information came about to impress me after our prior discussion about how I could not support her decisions to continue to do these things. I was more than impressed.

Ten years after leaving Colby with a degree in biology, I have accomplished a few things professionally. I spent four years working for the National Marine Fisheries Service in Woods Hole, Mass., and I obtained a law degree and a master's in environmental law. Just this year, I began working as the director of an area youth mentoring organization. It is the most fulfilling professional experience I have ever had. My initial interest in the position was sparked in the same way that my interest in volunteering for the "Big Brother/Big Sister" program at Colby was--almost as a whim at first, until my deepening desire to take on the experience overwhelmed me.

I think it is important to listen to our hearts and follow such "whims," to constantly reach out to others in our community and to always volunteer our time and our energy for others in some capacity. It is in giving to our community that we actually add the most back to our own lives. I thank Colby for teaching me this lesson and for reminding me of it through the recent alumni publication. And, most importantly, keep teaching the current students the same lessons. If Colby accurately portrays the picture of campus life today, then I feel confident that you still are.

Mary Beth Heiskell '92

Cornish, N.H.

A Fair Dinkum Mate

Thanks so much for publishing the article about Andy Colligan (Colby spring '02). Andy was my first cousin. Being nine years older, I can say with pleasure that Andy was one of the few people that I knew well from the day he was born until his tragic and untimely death. I enjoyed his company at every stage of his life. He was a tremendous person and one of my favourite relatives. You should have seen him as a kid. He was like a maniac with limitless energy and exuberance.

I wish that I could have contributed to the picture that you painted of him. The one thing that made Andy so special--and his most distinguishing characteristic--is that he genuinely liked himself and liked being himself more than anyone I have ever met. This shaped the way he went through life and created the popularity that he enjoyed with both the boys and the girls. He was loyal, smart, tough, funny and generous, a fair dinkum mate as they say here in Australia. We will all miss him terribly.

James Gill '85

Brisbane, Australia

What Colbians can become

This weekend I had an interesting revelation. It came to me after dining at 71 Clinton Fresh Food (the Manhattan restaurant founded by chef Wylie Dufresne '92) and taking in "21 Dog Years Doing Time @ Amazon.com" at the Cherry Lane Theater (the one-man show by Mike Daisey '96). I realized it is moments like watching Mike's production and eating dinner at "71" that conjure up fond memories of school and stand as a testament of what it means to have gone to Colby.

I spent time talking with Mike after the production. What is amazing to me is that Mike grew up in northern Maine and is now performing his show in New York City. To me that is the perfect example of why Colby is great. It is the interesting people you meet there, but more importantly, it is the wonderfully diverse and interesting people that we all become.

Corley Hughes '98

New York, N.Y.

Maisel's Contribution Underplayed

Most schools of Colby's stature emphasize the outstanding work of those on the cutting edge of learning, research and publications. I feel Colby recently missed an opportunity to highlight the important efforts of one of its own.

In the latest issue of the Colby magazine, Professor L. Sandy Maisel's latest book, Jews in American Politics, has been relegated to essentially sidebar status.

Instead of firsthand quotes from Maisel about his book and its meaning, which has more political relevance than ever before, we are given a synopsis of his work and selected excerpts from the text.

Would it have been so hard to get in contact with Maisel and get a first-person account of the book and its importance?

This oversight is unfair coverage of Maisel's work and a missed opportunity to heighten the College's prestige on a nationwide level.

JAC Coyne '94

Iowa City, Iowa

Tempus Fugit for '05

The spring issue of Colby was its usual interesting self. It may also have been a reminder of time passing by. I saw reference to someone in the Class of '05 and thought, "Gerry is reaching back for that one!" But then I realized . . . it was Class of 2005--not 1905. . . . Oh well . . .

Win Clark '50 (1950 that is)

Plymouth, Mass.