During senior year, every student completes a Capstone project, a culmination of work in their fields of study that allows them to demonstrate a deep understanding of a body of knowledge and perspectives informed by that knowledge. Capstones can range from radio or video projects and artists' portfolios to semester-long research projects and papers. Students display and discuss their Capstone projects with the college community and area residents during the Susan Colby Colgate Scholars Symposium each spring.
The following interviews were conducted with seniors shortly after they completed their Capstone projects.
Communication Studies: Jessica Dorgai '08I learned to compromise with the needs of my client as well as my personal goals of the project to showcase the technical, organizational and communication skills I have gained at Colby-Sawyer… |
Graphic Design: Courtney Bodine '08The lasting value of my Capstone will be the knowledge and experience I gained in supporting such growth and development in my students through the project… |
Biology: Elisabeth Novak '08For my Capstone, I reviewed scientific literature about the efficacy of tea tree oil and its safety versus that of chemical cleaners… |
Communication Studies: Molly Dunholter '08I created a promotional video for a non-profit therapeutic riding program that works with children and adults who have cognitive, emotional and physical challenges… |
Community and Environmental Studies: Chris McClellan '08I studied the impact of the lead fishing tackle ban on common loon mortality because I knew it would be well supported and appreciated… |
Child Development: Sarah Hayes '08Working in a public school gave me the opportunity to preview what my work will be like, and I gained experience in devising learning plans and creating a safe environment where students can grow… |
English: Ashley Wilkinson '08My Capstone was absolutely a learning experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed gaining an understanding of what women had to overcome in the literary world… |
Exercise and Sport Sciences: John Bossé '08My group's Capstone was certainly a culmination of our learning experiences. We were able to apply what we'd learned from our classes, internships, and practical experience hours and tackle a problem on our own… |
History, Society, and Culture: Zachary Irish '08The Capstone experience really provided a great end to the Colby-Sawyer experience because, for me, it depended on using information from my very first day here four years ago… |
Nursing: Amanda Kowalik '08If our intervention helps just one person, then in my mind the Capstone is successful. This project helped open my eyes to how the needs of the community as a whole can impact an individual… |
Communication Studies: Andrew Baker '08I used a lot of the research and writing techniques I learned in my philosophy and media studies classes. Now that I know I can do something as large as this project, I have a new sense of confidence… |
Psychology: Evelina Simanonyte '08My Capstone experience allowed me to ask questions that have not yet been answered and actively engage in finding answers to them… |
Communication Studies: Angelina Tagliatela '08I gained technical skills and professional experience I wouldn't have been able to get through any other type of project that will really help me in the future… |
History, Society, and Culture: Justin Tardif '08I have always been interested in Reconstruction and the aftermath of the assassination of President Lincoln, because arguably at no greater time has the country faced such a difficult situation… |
Communication Studies: Ashley Goulter '08A good director knows what each character wants and gets that message across to the audience… |
Community and Environmental Studies: Steven M. Hash '07Global positioning system points were taken of all points and brought into a geographic information system to create a trail map… |
English/Humanities: Hollie Quigley '07It was around this time period that the view of the small town changed from peaceful, to damaging… |
History, Society and Culture: Sarah Howard '07I learned how to be a true historian, with both the pains and the rewards… |
Communication Studies: Sara Berg '07Studying abroad is an opportunity that no student should miss… |
