This Torch Medal is given to Bev Low, formerly Dean of First-Year Students, by Sean Carrigan ’07.
Torch Medals honor a Colgate faculty or staff member who made a meaningful impact on an alum during their time at Colgate. Alumni in the reunion classes of 2007 and 2012 are invited to give a Torch Medal, delivered virtually, to a present or past member of the faculty or staff. See more Torch Medals, and give yours here.
“Dean Low had absolutely tremendous impact during her time at Colgate. Her impact was really two-fold, and I feel qualified to speak to both.
As the Dean of First-Year Students, she was there as a resource to any first year student in need. I remember in the Fall of 2003 I went into her office when I was overwhelmed with a class I was taking that first semester. Being only a bit over a month into college, I was really nervous that I wouldn’t be able to perform and keep up with the pace. Bev put me at ease—talking to me a bit about myself, Boston sports, and then finally discussing my decision. She put things in perspective and made sure I left that room feeling confident about my ability to perform. While I never ended up crossing paths with calculus again at Colgate, my path did cross with Bev.
Her other claim to fame was the leader of the Link Staff. Her spirit and enthusiasm for the group and its purpose spread widely throughout campus. It became an extremely tough position to get, and the collection of students selected were extremely diverse in terms of backgrounds, campus involvement, career goals, and personality types. I was lucky enough to join the staff as a junior and look back on it as one of my favorite memories of Colgate. Bev really brought us all together. During our Link Staff training we all bonded—a group of friends I still have to this day thanks to my participation. When the freshman students arrived, the enthusiasm was palpable, and it set the tone for the next four years they would get to spend in a place so special.
I am honored to give a Torch Medal to Bev, and I am sure I am not alone in my appreciation of all of her effort”
— Sean Carrigan ’07