2008 Woodie Awards
Recent alum links Board to students
Chelsea Eakin
Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Features
Most of the College's trustees graduated from college before Emma James '04, the youngest trustee to ever serve on the Board of Trustees, was even born.
A native New Zealander and United World College Scholar in India, James is the current Young Alum Trustee, a position that has existed for at least 20 years to ensure that younger classes are represented in the Board's discussions. "I only recently graduated, so I'm still in touch with the campus," James, who at 26 is already serving her second year on the Board, said.
"When I was a student I was always amazed at how open trustees were to engaging students," James said. "I think Colby is unique in that sense." For this reason, James jumped at the invitation to join the board as the Young Alum Trustee. Once elected, the position is for one three-year term, after which there is a chance for reelection to a second three-year term.
James, who graduated from the College in only three years, was active in student affairs during her time on campus, serving as a Head Resident, member of the Judicial Board and on the Student Government Association as a dorm president. She was a double major in government and international studies and served as president of the International Club.
Upon graduating in 2004, James attended law school in Cambridge, England and then in New York City. She is now an attorney in New York, working as a litigator in international investigations. She flew in from Korea for the recent trustee meetings.
"I love Colby," James said. "I've been to three universities and Colby is very much the university that is closest to my heart." For the Board, she sits on the Educational Policy Committee and is Vice Chair of the Student Affairs Committee. She is also a member of the Campus Culture working group, which looks at alcohol abuse in student social life at the College and how the issue of excessive drinking can be addressed.
"It's not new to see these discussions," James said. When she was a student, the long-standing tradition of seniors swimming across Johnson Pond on the last day of classes was abolished, and she sees the termination of the Champagne Steps as a comparable instance. As a recent graduate, she is able to provide a fresh prospective on this issue and share her experiences as a senior who was present during a similar controversy.
A native New Zealander and United World College Scholar in India, James is the current Young Alum Trustee, a position that has existed for at least 20 years to ensure that younger classes are represented in the Board's discussions. "I only recently graduated, so I'm still in touch with the campus," James, who at 26 is already serving her second year on the Board, said.
"When I was a student I was always amazed at how open trustees were to engaging students," James said. "I think Colby is unique in that sense." For this reason, James jumped at the invitation to join the board as the Young Alum Trustee. Once elected, the position is for one three-year term, after which there is a chance for reelection to a second three-year term.
James, who graduated from the College in only three years, was active in student affairs during her time on campus, serving as a Head Resident, member of the Judicial Board and on the Student Government Association as a dorm president. She was a double major in government and international studies and served as president of the International Club.
Upon graduating in 2004, James attended law school in Cambridge, England and then in New York City. She is now an attorney in New York, working as a litigator in international investigations. She flew in from Korea for the recent trustee meetings.
"I love Colby," James said. "I've been to three universities and Colby is very much the university that is closest to my heart." For the Board, she sits on the Educational Policy Committee and is Vice Chair of the Student Affairs Committee. She is also a member of the Campus Culture working group, which looks at alcohol abuse in student social life at the College and how the issue of excessive drinking can be addressed.
"It's not new to see these discussions," James said. When she was a student, the long-standing tradition of seniors swimming across Johnson Pond on the last day of classes was abolished, and she sees the termination of the Champagne Steps as a comparable instance. As a recent graduate, she is able to provide a fresh prospective on this issue and share her experiences as a senior who was present during a similar controversy.
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