Returning to COA after a six-year absence was truly an incredible experience, especially when as an alumnus one's return is marked by the installation of the College's new president - David Hales.

Walking around campus prior to the ceremony I could not believe how much the college has evolved since I first romped around on its grounds in the early nineties.

As the inaugural procession made its way to the tent, it struck me how COA has come of age. Friends, family, trustees and faculty all joined in an eco-conscious community dedicated and committed to making a difference and seeking solutions and more importantly implementing them in real world situations.

Though David's credentials are most impressive, it's the hope, enthusiasm and vision that he brings to the fore that will lead COA onward and upward.

As a testament to this, David stated COA has declared itself a "net zero" campus for greenhouse gas emissions with 100% reliance on resources by 2015.
This would be a first in the nation and serve as an example to other institutions of higher learning.

Leading by example is an often sought, but rarely attained, paradigm.  Absence, or rather time spent away from the familiar gives clarity and perspective to otherwise perplexing and challenging situations.  As such, I could not help but feel inspired and confident that our alma mater's newly invested leader, David, has the academic cache and political and diplomatic clout necessary to take the College of the Atlantic to the next level and motivate our growing community of Human Ecologists to step it up and make the dream of a sustainable and just world, a reality.

By: Jaime Torres '97

Jaime now lives in Seal Harbor, ME where he enjoys playing music and reconnecting with Mount Desert Island.