Building Connections for the First-Year Family Experience

Current Families Invited to Join the Welcome Committee before June 30 Orientation

“I love establishing a personal connection with every incoming family. We hope every new family feels like part of the Colby community before their student even arrives on campus.” – Annette Pfau ’86, P’21, ’23

On August 31, the Class of 2025’s Colby journey will kick off with orientation. For some it may be the first time they step foot on Mayflower Hill. But it is not a journey they will take alone—they will be surrounded by new friends and mentors, along with the continued support of their families and networks. Despite an unprecedented year amidst the challenges of COVID-19, Colby saw the greatest demand ever for a Colby education, and the talented first-years in this incoming class have already shown their excitement and potential about making a mark as the newest members of the Colby community. 

This excitement and potential, paired with all of the uncertainty of the past year, highlights how the connection of Colby families is more important than ever. More than 80 Colby families from Classes 2022 to 2024 have stepped up to join the Welcome Committee, eagerly moving forward the effort to personally engage with every incoming family. The goal? To make the transition for first-year families that much easier, giving them the opportunity to ask questions to insiders who can share firsthand experiences and advice, and provide the resources to stay most informed on the College and the opportunities for their students. 

“It is important to me, being a former GES (global entry student) parent, to make sure the incoming GES families feel welcomed and included in the Colby community. Sending your child off to college is one thing, but to send them abroad is entirely different. I found that sharing our family’s experiences and challenges from that time helped to ease a bit of their apprehension and concerns. Serving on the Welcome Committee has been a rewarding way to pay it forward,” says Welcome Committee member Missy Merrill-Ekstrom P’22.

Throughout the summer, each volunteer acts as a resource for five to ten families so they feel informed when their students prepare to head to campus for an incredible next chapter. Colby is always looking for more volunteers—if you are a current Colby family member and interested in getting involved, we’d love for you to join! Just fill out this form, and we will be in contact to discuss where you can make the greatest difference.