Colby College receives $1M donation to create new opportunities

File photo Founded in 1813, Colby College is the 12th oldest liberal arts college in the United States.

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Colby received a $1 million donation to the Dare Northward campaign to create a financial aid fund for first-generation students and an internship to encourage students to pursue careers in national security.

The Schlager Family Financial Aid Fund for first-generation students will support scholars who are the first in their families to attend college, while the Schlager Family Internship Fund for National Security studies will create career opportunities for students in the national security and intelligence communities.

Ivan and Martha Schlager made the donation because of their son Ethan who is a 2020 graduate and thrived during his time at the college, according to a news release. Ethan is now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a first lieutenant infantry officer. Ethan is not the only student who signed up to serve. Colby has graduated many student students who serve as officers and pilots in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“This gift is important to us because our son had an excellent experience at Colby, and I am a first-generation college student myself. I know the power of education and how it changed my life,” said Ivan Schlager. “He is a former chief counsel and staff director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and he has spent his career involved in government and policy with expertise in foreign trade.”

The Schlager Family Internship Fund will allow students to connect with Colby alumni and parents whose careers relate to national security and intelligence. Students will take courses and have summer internships in the nation’s capital, which is arranged in partnership with DavisConnects a student career counseling office in Waterville. This internship will also give students the opportunity to speak with members of the armed services.

“We hope the fund ignites passion among students who might have never contemplated a career in national security,” said Martha Schlager.

The Schlagers hope their gift inspires all Colby students to recognize the value and reward of service to the country.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Schlagers for their vision and generosity,” said Colby President David Greene. “Theirs is a powerful story about how education opens doors of opportunity — not only for the students themselves but for generations to follow.”

Founded in 1813, Colby College is the 12th oldest liberal arts college in the United States and is ranked No. 5 in the 2023 Mainebiz Book of Lists, ranked by full-time undergraduate enrollment as of fall 2022.