Hampshire soldiers on

Hampshire’s Latin motto, “Non Satis Scire,’’ means “To Know is Not Enough’’.

From Robert Whitcomb’s “Digital Diary,’’ in GoLocal24.com

More than a few of New England’s small private colleges are in deep trouble because of changing demographics and economics. Perhaps the most famous one is Hampshire College, in Amherst, Mass. Hampshire is well known nationally for its intimacy and for its experimental, innovative and, as they say, “student-driven’’ system. It opened in 1970 and still has a bit of its original quasi-hippie vibe from that era.

It looked as if the college would die in the academic year that ended in May but its board has managed to keep it going, under its new president, Ed Wingenbach. There was talk of merging Hampshire into a neighboring college in the Connecticut River Valley but the school, after some agonizing, decided otherwise. “That debate (over a merger) has been resolved. We will now do the hard work to have an independent Hampshire – or we will close.’’ Mr. Wigenbach came to Hampshire from the  very well-respected Ripon College, in Wisconsin, where he was vice president and dean of the faculty.

Other colleges should carefully watch as Hampshire first tries to stay afloat  through this academic year, and then to regain the strength it once had despite its small endowment