Colby College

Colby College
Former names
Maine Literary and Theological Institution (1813–1821)
Waterville College (1821–1867)
Colby University (1867–1899)
Motto
Lux Mentis Scientia
Motto in English
Knowledge [is] the Light of the Mind
TypePrivate liberal arts college
EstablishedFebruary 27, 1813;
211 years ago
 (1813-02-27)
AccreditationNECHE
Academic affiliations
Endowment$1.1 billion (2022)[1]
PresidentDavid A. Greene
Academic staff
171 full-time and 48 part-time
Undergraduates2,262
Location,
U.S.

44°33′51″N 69°39′47″W / 44.56417°N 69.66306°W / 44.56417; -69.66306
CampusRural, 714 acres (289 ha)
NewspaperThe Colby Echo
Colors   Blue & gray
NicknameMules[2]
Sporting affiliations
MascotMorty the Mule
Websitewww.colby.edu

Colby College is a private liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine. Founded in 1813 as the Maine Literary and Theological Institution, it was renamed Waterville College in 1821. The donations of Christian philanthropist Gardner Colby saw the institution renamed again to Colby University before settling on its current title, reflecting its liberal arts college curriculum, in 1899. Approximately 2,000 students from more than 60 countries are enrolled annually. The college offers 54 major fields of study and 30 minors.

Located in central Maine, the 714-acre Neo-Georgian campus sits atop Mayflower Hill and overlooks downtown Waterville and the Kennebec River Valley. Along with fellow Maine institutions Bates College and Bowdoin College, Colby competes in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) and the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Consortium.

  1. ^ As of March 7, 2022. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2021 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY20 to FY21 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "Colby College Athletics". Colby College Athletics. Archived from the original on 2017-04-18. Retrieved 2017-04-18.