Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Parker Beverage's plans to retire at the end of the 2010-11 academic year were announced by President William Adams in an official announcement sent out on Monday, April 12.

Beverage has served in his position for 25 years and overseen the enrollment of approximately 11,500 students at the College. Adams described his "influence on the shape of Colby" for the past quarter century as "inestimable."

"Building a class is difficult and delicate, weighing the credentials of more than 4,000 applicants for 485 or so spaces, and meeting the aggressive goals Colby has set for itself. Very few people understand just how complicated it is, even in the best of times, much less in today's environment. Parker has an incredible intuitive feel for the process," Vice President for Administration and Treasurer Douglas Terp said.

"His careful decisions reflect this in so many ways....This legion of Colby students over the past 25 years stand as a moving testament to everything Parker Beverage has meant to Colby," Director of Admissions Steve Thomas said.

Chair of the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid Steve Saunders said that Beverage "had an uncanny ability to see beyond grades and test scores and identify students who would flourish here. If you're a student on Mayflower Hill right now, chances are it's because Parker Beverage saw something special in your application."

"It has been amazing to me that someone with the pressures he has often endured in this highly competitive world of college admissions has always found time to care deeply for his staff members," Senior Associate Dean of Admissions Judy Brody said.

"I travel to many parts of this country as we spread the word about Colby near and far," Brody said. "Guidance counselors and other educators whom I meet never fail to compliment Colby because of the extremely positive feelings they have toward Dean Beverage. His reputation is amazing!"