Waterville, Maine – Nestled at the corner of campus, surrounded by open terrain and weeping willows, Johnson Pond is one of the most picturesque landmarks of Colby's campus and described by Colby College President David A. Greene as the "iconic shot of Waterville."  
 
Aside from its simple beauty, Johnson Pond is a feature marked by Colby tradition. It began in 1948, on the day Johnson Pond was dedicated in honor of former Colby President Franklin W. Johnson.  History recalls Johnson gleefully rowing around the man-made body of water in celebration. In the 1950s and 1960s canoe jousting matches began to take place, along with the fencing matches once the pond was frozen over. In the 1990s, graduating seniors would celebrate the last day of spring classes by drinking champagne on the steps of Miller Library, and then swimming across the pond as a rite of passage. The "Johnson Pond Regatta" also began in the late 90s and was held every September, an event during which students would race across the pond in "boats" constructed out of household materials. Many of these traditions have ceased to exist, but there is one that has been preserved through the years and thrives to this day: skating on Johnson Pond.
 
One might expect the cold Maine winter to dissuade students from the pursuit of outdoor activities during the most frigid time of year, but such is not the case on Colby's campus. Around the second week of January, just in time for the start of Jan Plan, Johnson Pond had officially frozen over. Students began to beeline for the recreation office in the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, where 50 pairs of skates are housed and available for students to check out. Tiffany Lomax, Colby's Director of Recreation Services, said "the first week after the pond was cleared we had a high of 124 users in one day." The demand continued through the week, topping 350 skaters in just a handful of days. Lomax added that "it has been amazing to be able to service so many from the brand new recreation office," with the office opening just in time for Jan Plan and outdoor skating.
 
The Men's Ice Hockey team has made use of Johnson Pond this winter as well. Captain Brendan Murphy said, "Our new facilities are amazing.  I think we have the best rink in the NESCAC. Still, there's something so special about playing outside." Getting the opportunity to play on the pond allows the team to reconnect with their younger selves learning to skate on ponds. Murphy added, "When we get to go out on Johnson Pond it's all just for fun.  It's about reliving that childhood passion at a time when I think a lot of people really need something like that."
 
Lauren Klein of the Women's Ice Hockey team shared a similar sentiment to that of Murphy, saying "it's always such a fun experience skating on Johnson Pond. Being able to play pick-up hockey with my teammates and other classmates out there reminds me of why I love the game and why I chose to continue playing hockey at Colby."
 
While President Greene himself has not yet donned his skates and taken to the pond, he is certainly aware of the gift that Johnson Pond is to both the Colby community and the local community as well. It is the source of remembrance for many Colby alums, as Greene noted the stories he has heard, "sometimes about skating, but often about other forms of high jinks…It looms large in the memory of alums, both for its beauty and the memories formed there." Johnson Pond has had the same effect on the local community, as Greene recalled a conversation he had just a week ago with a Waterville resident. "He told me that his son desperately wanted to play hockey but had never skated. So every day after school and on weekends he went to Johnson Pond and taught himself to skate. He is now a starting player on his team."
 
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunity to enjoy winter outside on Johnson Pond is especially cherished, and the skaters seen at all hours of the day confirm that sentiment. Serving many purposes throughout the years, many are thankful the tradition of skating on Johnson Pond has lived on.

Written by Ellie Hedison '21