Colby College - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Waterville is typically viewed as a tiny, quaint, and impoverished town. It’s definitely a far cry from the Main Street college towns where many universities are located. While it provides Colby students with what they need, it is definitely not an attraction. Most students see a divide between the school and the town, although the Colby Volunteer Center, Burst the Bubble Weeks, and groups like the South End Coalition are working hard to improve town-gown relations. Students also recognize some of the truly unique aspects of downtown Waterville. Railroad Square Cinema is a small, independent movie theater well loved by students and faculty, and the Waterville Opera House is a cultural oasis in a town that sometimes seems to revolve around Wal-Mart. The most recent improvement includes a Starbucks addition.

No one comes to Colby College because they fall in love with Waterville. In fact, a lot of visiting students never even lay eyes on the town—Main Street is a five-minute drive away. There are rumors of there being other colleges in the area, but Colby students don’t interact with them. Waterville can be something of a culture shock, especially for students used to looking for trendy boutiques and unaccustomed to Wal-Mart greeters. Most students, though, accept its flaws and find ways to enjoy getting off the Hill every now and then. Almost every student has spent time skiing at Sugarloaf, and the 45-minute drive to the Freeport Outlets is well worth it.

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Students Speak Out

ColCR says: Colby College 2010 Social Sciences

Waterville isn't exactly... Waterville isn't exactly Collegetown, USA, but it has some great little sandwich places and everything a college student needs for housing and room supplies. The bar scene is also great for Colby. There is one other smaller college nearby but no interaction whatsoever occurs between the two. There is ice cream and fast food are everywhere! 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 09, 2009 Report

ColTK says: Colby College 2012 Other

The town is very small, and... The town is very small, and there's not a lot to do. However, you can find some cute things to do, like go out to dinner or go to the town market. There aren't many schools nearby, but sometimes kids come from Thomas College to hang out. The College is sort of isolated, but we're trying to change that. Don't come here if you can't stand to live without a big city. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 08, 2009 Report

ColCD says: Colby College 2012 Undecided

The town of Waterville is pretty... The town of Waterville is pretty awful. The only reasons I go into town are to buy groceries, go tanning, get my prescription at CVS, or eat at the one cute café there. There are a few restaurants that are little holes in the wall with good food, but other than that there's not much else to say about Waterville. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 08, 2009 Report

ColRR says: Colby College 2012 History

Waterville is a very small town... Waterville is a very small town with little to offer. The main attractions are the Wal-Mart and Waterville House of Pizza. Because of this, most of the Colby social life stays on campus. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 04, 2009 Report

ColLM says: Colby College 2012 Law and Legal Studies

There isn't much happening in... There isn't much happening in downtown Waterville, except a few restaurants and shops. However, Freeport is less than an hour away and has awesome outlet shopping. Also, Portland is an hour away and has great restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Bowdoin and Bates are both an hour away, and Colby students often travel there for sports games. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 03, 2009 Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Waterville:
• Waterville is known as Maine’s Elm City.
• Waterville is the home of the Maine International Film Festival.
• The series Empire Falls, starring Helen Hunt, Ed Harris, and Paul Newman, adapted from Richard Russo’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the same name was filmed here at the beginning of the year. Helen Hunt was occasionally spotted working out in Colby’s athletic center.
• Waterville has a large French-Canadian population and hosts great French-Canadian art festivals.
• The Colby campus was originally located in town, in between the river and the railroad tracks. It got too big and moved up to Mayflower Hill in the 1950s.

Famous People From Waterville:
David Kelley, Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and television producer
Jeff Libby, former professional hockey player
 

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Lane McVey
Hometown: Bronxville, NY
Major: Government

Fun Fact: Lane is a member of Colby's women's lacrosse team.

Contributing Author Internship

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