A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E - Colby-Sawyer College

Student Newspaper
Goes Digital
The first online edition of the Colby-Sawyer Courier, the
student-run campus newspaper, was launched in April
by then-editor Amber Cronin ’11 and the student staff.
Founded by students in the late 1960s, the Courier will
now be available exclusively through an interactive news
site developed by the students and faculty advisor Donna
Berghorn, associate professor of Humanities. Assistant
Director of Publications Edward Germar of College
Communications provided technical assistance and
training to the students.
The move away from a print publication toward
an online presence will assist Media Studies (formerly
Communi cation Studies) students in preparing for careers
in industries such as digital media arts and online journalism,
according to Professor Berghorn. The effort also
supports the college’s commitment to achieving environmental
sustainability by reducing our use of energy and
natural resources required for printing and distributing
the newspapers.
Other newspapers flourished earlier in the institution’s
history: Colby Academy published The Voice beginning in
the early 1900s, and the Kearsarge Beacon was founded in
1942 at Colby Junior College.
Read the Courier at www.colby-sawyer.edu/courier.
Building a Diverse,
Dynamic Community
Pamela Serota Cote joined the college
in August 2010 as the first associate
dean for International and Diversity
Programs. Here she discusses the
college’s efforts to diversify and internationalize
the campus.
How would you describe
your new position?
I work with existing programs, such
as Progressive Scholars, to address
the college’s diversity goals, as well as Pamela Serota Cote
with our international programs, such
as Global Explorations. I’m looking at how we can internationalize
the entire campus.
How do students benefit from international
programs and experiences?
We’re such an interdependent world. People need to have an
understanding of other cultures and languages and know how
to work with people of different backgrounds. No matter what
field students go into, it’s going to serve them well in terms
of advancing their careers if they can show they can move
between cultures and have that kind of sophisticated awareness
and knowledge. Right here in New England, students are going
to see that having global competency will help their careers.
Linking to the world is one of the college’s strategic themes, and
I see my position as helping us move toward that goal.
What brought you to the college and this newly
created position?
College is such a critical time in students’ development. I gained
so much in my undergraduate years, and I feel this is the best
setting for me, the work I want to do and the difference I want
to make. I also like being at the beginning of things; it’s exciting
to have an influence on the direction of a program or a place.
How are you involved in developing and supporting
diversity programs on campus?
The diversity piece is a big part of my job, and the Progressive
Scholars program is my primary focus in that area. This year
we will welcome the fourth class of scholars. The program was
created but there hasn’t been a central person to oversee it or
advise the students. I’m playing that role now, but ideally others
will help me to put on workshops, take students to off-campus
programs and be more available. I hope that as we move
forward, we will all think about these issues, own the value
of diversity, and contribute to creating a really dynamic
community here.
Read the complete interview at
www.colby-sawyer.edu/currents/cote.html.
SUMMER 2011 7