2012 Retrospective
  • The College made Newsweek’s list of the 10 most beautiful schools in the country – one of many accolades in 2012.
  • April 5 marked the 101st anniversary of the College’s founding. Dance students, who  were joined by faculty, staff, students and community members, gave a special performance at the Founder's Day tea.
  • An appreciative grad thanks Mom and Dad during Commencement on May 20.
  • The first Science Leaders celebrated their graduation in 2012. The program was established with a funding from the National Science Foundation with additional support from the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation and Petit Family Foundation.
  • Celebrating its 50th Reunion, the Class of 1962 made a special entrance at Alumni Convocation during Reunion Weekend, June 1-3.
  • The natural fields on Tempel Green were refurbished over the summer to meet standards for NESCAC play.
  • Connecticut College was elevated to an All-Steinway School thanks to an $855,000 gift from Nancy Marshall Athey ’72 and her husband, Preston Athey.
  • The $25 million Science Center at New London Hall was completed in August, funded with leadership gifts from several alumnae, parents and the Sherman Fairchild Foundation.
  • College Trustee Debo P. Adegbile ’91, Special Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, was the Convocation speaker at the start of the academic year.
  • Restoration of the historic steel house, made possible through state and foundation grants, continued during 2012.
  • Flags representing the nations of the College’s students fly proudly on Tempel Green during Fall Weekend. More than 2,000 alumni, parents and friends visited campus.
  • Athletes celebrate the installation of new lights at Silfen Field with President Higdon and Fran Shields, the Katherine Wenk Christoffers '45 Director of Athletics. Gifts from Karen and Rob Hale '88 and two anonymous donors funded $1.6 million in Athletic Center improvements.
  • Hurricane Sandy brought down a large tree near the Horizon Admissions Building, but damage to the campus overall was minimal.
  • Students prepare beds for a new and expanded Sprout organic garden behind the College Center at Crozier-Williams. Funding for the garden was provided by gifts from the Bennack-Polan Foundation and alumni/ae.
  • It was an historic season for women’s volleyball. They rolled to a 3-0 triumph in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in November.
  • Students and young alumni won a record nine Fulbrights in 2012. Their destinations included Japan, Italy, Mexico and Malaysia.
  • The College announced in November that it will undertake a major renovation to the Charles E. Shain Library to better serve the changing needs of students. It’s the last facilities project in the Campaign for Connecticut College.
  • President Higdon announced in December that he will retire as of Dec. 31, 2013. His full agenda for the remaining months includes completing the Campaign for Connecticut College and continuing to position the College for the future.