College of the Atlantic is many things: a geography—acreage delineated on maps; an assemblage of infrastructure—buildings and sheds and the metal, glass, and wood that give them form and function; a legal entity—an institution with the authority to grant degrees based on collectively established norms.

Since I began thinking about the 50th anniversary issue of the magazine and how to honor the past while looking toward the future, I’ve had the image of the Roman deity Janus in my mind.

In Montana, farmers often say things like, “We’re always in a drought, sometimes it rains.”

“We’re standing at a crossroads,” is how our new distinguished trustee Joyce Cacho, PhD described why she joined the board of trustees for the College of the Atlantic.

How do students learn geoscience?

The magazine salutes these amazing people for their dedicated years of service to COA and the greater COA community.

I am trying to remember exactly how long I knew Howdy Houghton. Most certainly since I was a student at COA.

Roc Ritchie Caivano, who gave shape to COA’s earliest work in environmental design, died on July 8, 2021.

Celebrated children’s author, illustrator, and paragon of creativity and community Ashley Bryan passed away in February 2022 at the age of 98.

At College of the Atlantic’s weekly All College Meeting on Wednesday, January 25, 2022, director of campus planning, buildings, and public safety Millard Dority was preparing to present the minutes for Campus Planning and Building Committee for what would be the last time in his 51-year career at the college.

Tradition suggests that I stand before all of you today to provide some personal insight into the student experience here at our college.