Two Ridgefielders Enroll at Colby College

Two area students enrolled at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, this fall, including  

Spencer E. Benedetto, a graduate of Ridgefield High School and the daughter of Christopher and Janice Benedetto, and

P. Finial McNamara, a graduate of Stratton Mountain School and the son of Patrick and Paula McNamara.

Before classes began Sept. 6, they took part in a weeklong orientation that included a civic engagement component in downtown Waterville, an introduction to academic and intellectual life at Colby, and an address by Christian A. Johnson Distinguished Professor of History Robert Weisbrot at Colby's 199th Convocation.

The Class of 2020 has 544 members and was selected from the largest and most academically qualified pool of applications in Colby's 204-year history. Last year the college launched the Colby Commitment which is focused on removing financial barriers, simplifying the application process, and giving every admitted student the chance to graduate without loans to repay.

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America's most selective colleges and the first previously all-male college in New England to admit women. Serving only undergraduates, Colby offers a rigorous academic program rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 58 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of 2,000 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Maine location provides easy access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences.