Mayflower Hill, long recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in America, plays prominently in the emotional bonds between alumni and Colby. Providing state-of-the-art facilities for academic and extracurricular programs, maintaining buildings and grounds to keep Colby on the list of outstanding college campuses, and fulfilling the College’s commitment to green and sustainable development, energy use, and overall operations are propositions that require support.
Colby is a heralded leader in environmental responsibility and sustainable development for its green operations as well as world-class environmental studies programs. Investments in sustainable buildings and energy systems remain a priority. A new biomass-fueled steam plant went online in 2012 and is the signature in the College's commitment to sustainable operations, replacing 1 million gallons of oil per year with locally sourced forest waste products for heating. With additional support for green initiatives, Colby is well positioned to achieve carbon neutrality by 2015, well ahead of colleges that try to compete with us.
A 26,000-square-foot expansion to the Colby College Museum of Art will include 10,000 square feet of exhibition space, giving Colby the largest art exhibition space of any art museum in Maine. The $15-million Alfond-Lunder Family Pavilion was initiated in response to Peter and Paula Lunder's 2007 promised gift of art and is slated to open during Colby's bicentennial year, presenting works from the Lunder Collection.
A new science building is planned as the College seeks to provide more and better space for computer science, mathematics, and psychology—all growing majors. The 36,000-square-foot building will be located on the north end of Colby Green, next to the Schair-Swenson-Watson Alumni Center. Relocating the Psychology Department from Roberts Building will enable the College to convert Roberts into residential space. Construction of the science building and improvements in residential life facilities can only happen with philanthropic support from those who love and value Colby.