Town and Gown Awards Celebrate Community Spirit
The Town-Gown Awards recognize Colby-Sawyer College and the New London area communities' long history of working together to enhance the high quality of life in this region. In 1837, local residents banded together to create Colby Academy, the coeducational secondary school that evolved into the college of today. Ever since, the college and the community have been deeply interconnected, providing mutual support, sharing resources, and collaborating in innumerable ways to ensure the well-being of both communities.
This year the Town-Gown Awards honor two individuals, Daniel C. Snyder of New London and Barry Caravan of Newbury, whose extraordinary contributions, generous spirits and deep commitment to making a difference have improved the lives of individuals and our communities.
2009 Town Award Recipient Daniel C. Snyder
The Town Award is presented to residents of the New London area who have shown extraordinary involvement in, and made noteworthy contributions to, the college.
Daniel C. Snyder is a visible presence in the New London area, whether he's speaking to teachers and parents as a member of the school board, watching children compete in sports at the New London Outing Club, or sailing his boat across Pleasant Lake. An active community volunteer and civic leader, Mr. Snyder enjoys taking on and excelling in each new role, using his broad vision and strategic skills to move organizations and institutions forward toward their goals.
Mr. Snyder has a passion for education, viewing it as a catalyst that empowers individuals and communities. He has committed himself to involvement in the local schools at every level and angle: he has brought computer technology to the Windy Hill School on campus and supported the construction of much-needed new classrooms at the New London Elementary school. Mr. Snyder has served as a leader on the Kearsarge Regional School District's school board and its related Municipal Budget Committee, and he has created rare educational opportunities for Colby-Sawyer's students through his commitment and generosity.
“Dan has a wonderful ability to identify opportunity and to envision solutions. He is not confined to history,” says Elizabeth Cahill, vice president for Advancement at Colby-Sawyer. “At Colby-Sawyer, he has helped the college uncover opportunities to broaden student experiences while benefitting the greater New London community.”
Mr. Snyder served as a field artillery commander in the U.S. Army prior to joining Atlanta-based Equifax Inc., a national credit bureau, rising to vice president of the company. He later led a national financial services and insurance company before taking on the presidency of Abacus Direct Corporation, a Denver-based marketing database company. He took that company public in 1996 and successfully merged it with a New York-based internet company in 1999.
Mr. Snyder and his wife Ellie live on Pleasant Lake in New London with their two daughters, Rosie and Emmalie. His son Steve is married to alumna Tamsen Bolte '04.
2009 Gown Award Recipient Barry Caravan
The Gown Award is presented to an individual from Colby-Sawyer College whose work and contributions in the New London area are extraordinary.
Barry Caravan, a staff member in the Facilities Department, will receive the college's Gown Award in recognition of his service to the New London area community and beyond. Mr. Caravan is involved in the New England Handicapped Sports Association (NEHSA) and organizes an annual dinner for disabled veterans.
Every weekend from December to April, Mr. Caravan can be found on the slopes at Mount Sunapee Resort teaching students of all ages how to snowboard as one of the head instructors in NEHSA's program. NEHSA was founded in 1972 as a non-profit organization run by and for individuals with disabilities who wanted to enjoy active and independent lives through participation in sports.
For three years, Mr. Caravan has also worked with Sodexo Dining Services and Colby-Sawyer to organize a dinner for veterans from around the country who participate in NEHSA's Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled Veterans.
Mr. Caravan, who lives in Newbury, N.H., joined the college nine years ago after owning a plumbing and heating business. He graduated from Norwalk High School in his hometown of Norwalk, Conn. and earned his plumbing license at the J.M. Wright Technical School in Stamford, Conn. Mr. Caravan has coached Little League baseball teams, directed an elementary school ski program, and played a major role in the creation of Fishersfield Park in Newbury, N.H. He has been nominated for Employee of the Year at Colby-Sawyer, and in 2007 he was honored for his work with veterans at a Sodexo dinner event in Florida.
“Barry's nature is to be helpful in any way that he can. While he goes about his work around the college, he always has his eye out for the best interests of the students, which carries over to his volunteer activities as well,” says Doug Atkins, vice president for administration. “Barry very much enjoys snowboarding and takes great satisfaction from showing disabled people that they, too, can enjoy the slopes. Barry works very hard each year to put together the dinner for the veterans, and he shows the same dedication to his work at the college.”
