College of the Atlantic facts for kids
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| Type | Private liberal arts college |
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| Established | 1969 |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
| Endowment | $46.5 million |
| President | Sylvia Torti |
| Undergraduates | 377 |
| Postgraduates | 3 |
| Location |
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United States
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| Campus | Rural |
| Colors | Blue and Green |
| Affiliations | Eco League Council of Independent Colleges Annapolis Group |
| Website | www.coa.edu |
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The College of the Atlantic (COA) is a special kind of college located in Bar Harbor, Maine. It is on Mount Desert Island, which is a beautiful place. COA started in 1969. It offers college degrees (bachelor's and master's) in just one main subject: human ecology.
Human ecology is a way of learning that connects many different subjects. It helps students understand how people and nature interact. At COA, you can study things like art, design, environmental sciences, history, and how to grow food in a good way. You can also learn about teaching and responsible business. The college is officially recognized by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The college campus is about 37 acres big and sits on Frenchman Bay. It also has two organic farms and two research stations on islands off the coast. The farms, Beech Hill Farm and Peggy Rockefeller Farms, are like living classrooms. Students use them for classes and research projects. These farms grow organic food, eggs, and meat for the college's dining hall.
The island research stations are also very important. The Alice Eno Field Research Station is on Great Duck Island. Here, students study seabirds like Leach's storm petrels and gulls. The Edward McCormick Blair Research station is on Mount Desert Rock. This station is a center for studying marine mammals like whales and seals, and ocean topics.
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College History: How COA Began
The idea for the College of the Atlantic came from people living on Mount Desert Island. They wanted to help the island's economy during the quiet times of the year. They thought a year-round college would bring more activity and jobs.
In 1968, a priest named Father James Gower and a local businessman, Les Brewer, thought of the college. They officially started the school in 1969. Other people from Mount Desert Island also helped make the college happen. Edward Kaelber became the first president in 1970.
Father Gower first suggested calling it "Acadia Peace College," but they chose College of the Atlantic instead. The college welcomed its first students in 1972, with only 32 students. By the 2012–13 school year, about 300 students attended. COA is unique because it offers only one main academic major: human ecology. Father Gower helped create the lessons for this special program.
Most of the campus land was bought for just $1 from a group of priests who used it as a monastery. Some parts of the campus were also given as gifts by the family of one of the co-founders.
Learning at COA: Human Ecology
COA's learning plan is all about human ecology. Every new student takes an introductory course in this subject. Students also take courses in environmental studies, arts and design, and human studies. They also take classes in math, history, and writing.
The goal is for students to explore ideas from many different subjects. This helps them build their own understanding of how people and nature connect. COA does not have separate departments like most colleges. All teachers see themselves as human ecologists, even if they specialize in one area.
To graduate, all students must complete a special project in their final year. They also write an essay about human ecology. Students must also complete an internship during their four years at COA. For the senior project, students choose what they want to study and how they will do it. Projects can be very different, like computer programs, scientific papers, art shows, or even garden makeovers.
Students at COA
Many students from other countries come to the College of the Atlantic. About 17 percent of the students are international. This makes COA one of the top liberal arts colleges for international students. Many of these students come from United World Colleges and receive scholarships to help them attend.
COA's Commitment to Sustainability
The College of the Atlantic is known for being very environmentally friendly. In 2004, it was the first college to promise to use only renewable energy. This means energy from sources like the sun or wind. In 2005, it was the first school to have a "zero-waste" graduation. This means they tried to create no trash at all.
In 2006, COA promised to become carbon neutral. This means they would balance out all the carbon pollution they created. They achieved this goal in 2007 by supporting projects that reduce carbon. The college continues to offset emissions they cannot reduce through Carbonfund.org. In 2016, The Princeton Review named COA the #1 green college.
New student housing at COA is also built to be very sustainable. It uses recycled materials and has special composting toilets. It also uses wood pellets for heat and has excellent insulation to save energy.
Notable People from COA
- Abigail Barrows, a scientist who studies the ocean
- Jacquelyn Gill, a scientist who studies past environments
- Amy Goodman, a journalist
- Nell Newman, an actress
- Chellie Pingree, a U.S. Representative from Maine
See also
- List of colleges and universities in Maine
