Colby-Sawyer College

Colby-Sawyer College boasts a rich and transformative history, tracing its roots back to the New London Academy, founded in 1837 as a coeducational secondary school. This early commitment to accessible education laid the groundwork for its future evolution. Through its early years, it served the community under various names, including the New London Literary and Scientific Institute, after being taken over by New Hampshire Baptists in 1858.

A pivotal moment arrived in 1927 when the trustees reimagined the institution as a junior college and preparatory school exclusively for women, changing its name to the Colby School for Girls in 1928 and then Colby Junior College for Women in 1933. This era marked a significant shift in its academic mission, culminating in the conferral of its first associate degrees to 14 women in 1930, establishing its reputation as a forward-thinking college dedicated to women's education.

The college continued to grow, with new residence halls like Colby Hall and Shepard Hall built in 1931, and Burpee Hall in 1934, enhancing the student experience. A notable highlight was the visit from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1941, underscoring the college's rising profile. By 1943, its charter was amended to allow the granting of baccalaureate degrees, further broadening its academic scope and cementing its status as a comprehensive higher education institution.