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Jim Crawford considered Bates and Bowdoin colleges but fell in love with Colby on his first visit. The school’s campus and the size of the student body first appealed to him, but only later did he realize that the faculty was Colby’s greatest asset.
“The Colby community provided an exceptional opportunity to learn and to become involved in campus activities,” he recalled. It was a nurturing atmosphere where professors such as Religion Professor Gustave Todrank would invite students for Sunday dinner. “Faculty members were dedicated to teaching and mentoring during the 1960s, and that is still a Colby hallmark today,” Crawford said.
In 1994 the friendship forged three decades earlier inspired Jim and his wife, Linda Johnson Crawford ’64, to endow the Crawford Family Chair in Religion in Professor Todrank’s honor.
The Crawfords chose a deferred annuity gift for the endowment because “in 1994 we were not yet sure what sources of retirement income would be available,” explained Jim, a semi-retired mining company executive who recently finished a term as chair of Colby’s Board of Trustees. The gift will be invested by the College until 2007, at which time the Crawfords are scheduled to begin receiving annuity payments.
Jim and Linda like the flexibility that a deferred annuity gift offers. “When full-time retirement begins, we can take advantage of the annuity payments or decline the payments in favor of Colby,” Jim said.
Jim has always had fond memories of his Colby days, and in 1986 he took the opportunity to renew the connection when a friend encouraged him to become an overseer. The Crawfords have given back generously to the College that played such a large role in their lives. In addition to the faculty chair, their gifts include the Crawford Art Studio Building, the John O. Crawford Scholarship Fund for Colby Men, and gifts toward the Lunder House, the Pugh Center, the Linda K. Cotter Internship Fund, and the William R. Cotter Distinguished Teaching Professorship.
“Linda and I had a wonderful experience at Colby,” Jim said. “We hope many future generations of young people will have that opportunity.”
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Donor Profiles
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Whitney Dayton ’01
After graduating from Colby, Whitney Dayton ’01 took up running, eventually participating in the Los Angeles Marathon and several half marathons. "Colby instilled in me the importance of a balanced life—one that includes socializing, working, and physical activity," said Whitney.
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David Pulver '63, P'93
David Pulver has a strong interest in and a deep understanding of student life issues. He has served on the trustees’ Student Affairs Committee since 1983, and as its chair for many years.
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