Colby-Sawyer President Thomas C. Galligan Jr. will step down after 10 years in office when his second term ends on June 30, 2016 at the New London liberal arts college.
“I’ve had a wonderful nine years, and I’m sure I’ll have a busy and wonderful tenth,” said the president, who has no set plans for after his departure. “The whole time I’ve been at Colby-Sawyer, one of my themes is that change is good, and inevitable. You have to live your message, and the institution, as always, will benefit from fresh ideas. It is time for the next adventure!”
Galligan was dean and professor of law at the University of Tennessee College of Law when the Colby-Sawyer Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name him the college’s eighth president in 2006. During his tenure, Galligan has guided the college to become a more international and culturally, racially and ethnically diverse place. He committed the college to living sustainably and this year Colby-Sawyer achieved its goal of halving its carbon emissions from 2009 levels.
The number of majors nearly doubled and the college launched online education programs, revamped its curricular requirements and structure, forged affiliations with other colleges and graduate schools, strengthened its partnership with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and opened the School of Health Professions. He oversaw the installation of one of the state’s largest arrays of solar panels and a wind turbine, building of a LEED-silver certified laboratory school, a sustainable classroom and the Sally Shaw Veitch Track and Field; renovated and expanded the Ware Student Center and multiple residence halls; and added athletic teams.
“Our maple sugaring and brewing courses, our permaculture and organic garden courses, our field studies courses, the course on designing a college store, the Student Managed Investment Fund, our evolving partnership with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center—all of those exemplify learning by doing and enrich the Colby-Sawyer experience,” said Galligan. “They are fantastic things the next president will be able to work with and look at through the Colby-Sawyer prism, but also through his or her own prism.”
A search committee chaired by trustee Pete Volanakis and composed of board members, faculty, staff and students will work with the firm AGB Search to identify candidates and manage the process of appointing the college’s ninth president. The Board of Trustees hopes to announce President Galligan’s successor in February.
Read an interview with President Galligan about the presidential transition.