“My years at Scripps were life-changing,” says Chalan Colby ’61. “I was away from home, and it was a chance to grow up and make choices I felt good about. For the first time, in many ways, I was participating. That had not always been the case before I got to Scripps. Once I was there, I became a part of something bigger than myself.”
A long-time Scripps supporter and a member of the Board of Trustees since 2011, Colby was inspired and excited to support the College’s NEW Hall with a significant $500,000 gift to be designated for a named space within the building. In addition, she is supporting We Want More: The Campaign for Scripps College with a generous estate pledge of $500,000 and an additional $250,000 gift to support The Scripps Fund over the course of five years. Her Campaign pledges, which together total $1.25 million, will provide tremendous benefit to the Scripps community for decades to come.
Having lived in nearby off-campus housing for the first year of her own Scripps education, Colby cited her own experience as a key reason for her decision to support NEW Hall with a gift. The transition to on-campus housing enhanced her College experience immeasurably, she says, and she wants to ensure that current Scripps students have the same opportunity.
“So much of Scripps was the community,” Colby says. “And for me, that meant living there and participating.”
She credits the following three years spent living in Grace Scripps Hall for her strong connection to the College. She remains close friends with four of the women she lived with at Scripps, and a woman she met during her first year on campus remains her dearest friend.
When the College approached Colby about joining the Board of Trustees, she considered what a constant, positive influence Scripps had been in her life, and agreed to serve. She encourages other members of the Scripps community to commit their time, talent, and treasure to support the College and its Campaign as well.
“Scripps was always exceptional,” adds Colby. “I’m seeing the College evolve and our students grow and choose what’s right for them, rather than fitting into a mold. Scripps encourages that freedom. I remain impressed by Scripps, and I’m proud to be associated with it.”