President David Hales resigned, Andrew Griffiths became interim president., Darron Collins ‘92 was inaugurated as the 6th college president. 

After 5 years as president, David Hales announced his resignation. Over his term, he pushed the school towards sustainability and action, and oversaw the completion of many exciting projects such as new ecologically-designed housing and stewardship of lands such as Peggy Rockefeller and the Cox Protectorate. Under his guidance, COA became the first college to go carbon neutral. 

In the interim, Andrew Griffiths became president, before passing the baton to Darron Collins ‘92. Collins was inaugurated as the college’s 6th president. He was the first president in the college’s history who was also a graduate! During his time at COA, he studied biology and public policy, creating a course for his senior project called Whitewater/Whitepaper with Ken Cline that is still taught at the college today. After COA, he was granted the Watson Fellowship and travelled around the world to study the impacts of hydroelectric dams. He went on to pursue a masters in Latin American Studies and eventually a PhD in Anthropology from Tulane University. The breadth of his studies and his work, which included several years working for World Wildlife Fund, exemplify the interdisciplinary nature of human ecology. COA was enthused to welcome one of their own back in the role of president, and Collins took up the mantle with good humor, a strong grasp of the value of human ecology and a belief in the college’s unique value. 

Look at our Office of the President Records to learn more, or read through the article in COA's 2011 Spring Magazine that welcomes Darron and Griffiths. Curious about Collin's time at COA? Read about his Watson Fellowship in COA News Summer 1992!