“My years at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»were life-changing,” says Chalan Colby ’61. “I was away from home, and it was a chance to grow up and make choices I felt good about. For the first time, in many ways, I was participating. That had not always been the case before I got to Scripps. Once I was there, I became a part of something bigger than myself.”
A long-time Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»supporter and a member of the Board of Trustees since 2011, Colby was inspired and excited to support the College’s NEW Hall with a significant $500,000 gift to be designated for a named space within the building. In addition, she is supporting We Want More: The Campaign for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» with a generous estate pledge of $500,000 and an additional $250,000 gift to support The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Fund over the course of five years. Her Campaign pledges, which together total $1.25 million, will provide tremendous benefit to the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»community for decades to come.
Having lived in nearby off-campus housing for the first year of her own Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»education, Colby cited her own experience as a key reason for her decision to support NEW Hall with a gift. The transition to on-campus housing enhanced her College experience immeasurably, she says, and she wants to ensure that current Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»students have the same opportunity.
“So much of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»was the community,” Colby says. “And for me, that meant living there and participating.”
She credits the following three years spent living in Grace Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Hall for her strong connection to the College. She remains close friends with four of the women she lived with at Scripps, and a woman she met during her first year on campus remains her dearest friend.
When the College approached Colby about joining the Board of Trustees, she considered what a constant, positive influence Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»had been in her life, and agreed to serve. She encourages other members of the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»community to commit their time, talent, and treasure to support the College and its Campaign as well.
“Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»was always exceptional,” adds Colby. “I’m seeing the College evolve and our students grow and choose what’s right for them, rather than fitting into a mold. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»encourages that freedom. I remain impressed by Scripps, and I’m proud to be associated with it.”