The Colby Echo

Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Beth Cole Diamond dedication

"We are standing here at a moment of enormous anxiety and great possibility." These words, spoken on Thursday by Dan Harris '93, anchor of ABC's World News Sunday, were emblematic of the past weekend here at Colby, in which the Dedication events of the Diamond Building and the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement drew considerable audiences of students, professors, administrators, trustees and distinguished alumni.

The Dedication Weekend began on Thursday with "Colby Engages the Nation," a panel discussion lead by William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Government and Director of the Goldfarb Center L. Sandy Maisel with panelists Amy Walter '91, Senior Editor of Cook Political Report, and Mark Howard '85, Managing Director and Global Head of Credit Research, Barclays Capital and Harris. Peter Hart '64, founder, chairman and CEO of Hart Political Research Associates could not be a part of the panel due to inclement weather, and Maisel filled in for him. "Colby Engages the Nation" touched upon a myriad of topics, markedly, the future of journalism as technology continues to advance, the effects of globalization on the US job market, and the implications of generic polls. In addition to the provocative words put forth by Harris, Walter kept audiences engaged with her poignant and often humorous remarks on politics. "Since 1993, the Democratic Party has been sort of the 'Eeyore party,' but that may now be changing," she said.

A slightly more somber note was struck on Friday, with the panel discussion entitled "Colby Engages Local Communities." Moderated by Mark Tappan, Professor and Chair of the Education department, the speakers included alumni Richard Abramson '71, Superintendent of Maranacook Area Schools, and Elizabeth Ward Saxl '97, Executive Director of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Panelists discussed how their time at Colby influenced their decision to work for not-for-profit groups. In addition, panelists unanimously agreed that these organizations are often egregiously underfunded and fragmented despite veritable good intentions. The panel discussion was followed in the Atrium of the building by a decidedly more upbeat gathering-the official dedication ceremony for the Diamond Building. Joseph F. Boulos '68, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, spoke with pride about the Diamond Buildings overall purpose, noting that "The Diamond Building has a great, positive impact on the Colby community, members of the local community, the nation, and the world." Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Ed Yeterian, President William D. Adams and Trustee Bob Diamond '73 also spoke. Diamond, who was joined by his wife Jennifer and his children, spoke with immense pride of not only the building, but of the faculty and students that will inhabit it.

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