10%

And they're back...to Bates!

It’s that time of year when families and alumni come back for a beautiful fall weekend at Bates College

By Bates College

October 13^th, 2023

Excited and proud

Back to Bates is when families and alumni come back for a fall weekend to hang out together, explore new places, and support students on the field, in the classroom, and on the stage.

Below, Heath Fellows ’27 of Reno, Nev., shows his parents, Jenny and Chris Fellows, his chemistry classroom in Dana Hall, newly renovated in 2022.

“Bates is a place I am excited — and proud — to show my parents around,” Fellows said.

Smiles and Hugs

Back to Bates could be renamed “Smiles and Hugs” as students proudly pose with parents, siblings, and relatives (and their pups!).

The images showcase a shared enthusiasm for Bates and the strong bonds that flourish within the Bates community.

Iris Ireland '26 of Hallowell, Maine, reuniting outside of Chase Hall with Pepper, an 11-year-old Black Lab. "She missed me," Ireland said.

Risa Horiuchi '25 of Oakland Gardens, N.Y., (second from left) pose with her parents Yozo and Malini and sister Hana on the Library Quad.

James Hillers '26 of De Witt, N.Y., poses with his parent Robert and Colleen Hillers on the Historic Quad.

Conversing and traversing

Happy, emotional, and heartfelt: Conversations are the soundtrack of Back to Bates weekend.

The conversations reflect moments of care for one another, intellectual curiosity, and insight into the college’s academic character — a brilliant weave of knowledge and connections.

"Unleashing Potential: The Power of Inclusive Teaching for Student Success," moderated by Malcolm Hill, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, with Katy Ott and Stephanie Kelley-Romano

Sharing Session

It’s a lively scene in Perry Atrium during Back to Bates as alumni, family members, and President Garry W. Jenkins explore and engage with students’ academic achievements, made manifest on research posters that share work done over the summer, often with Bates faculty members.

Intellectual discourse, sharing of accomplishments, and a blend of academic enthusiasm and family support characterize the Bates academic community.

Ali Priganc '24 of Richmond, Vt., discusses her research on the American approach to autism and the new American population with President Garry W. Jenkins.

Captivating a cappella

The college’s a cappella groups take center stage in the Clifton Daggett Gray Athletic Building, creating a soundscape of talent, joy, and camaraderie.

The annual concert gives the groups a chance to introduce their newest members to a big audience. “I feel like we are such a talented group this year,” says John Campana ’26 of Detroit, Mich., a member of the Deansmen, the college’s oldest a cappella group. “I loved showing off our new members.”

Showing off includes having some fun. For the Deansmen, it’s when each new member is given a silly hat to wear during their performance. Last year, Campana’s head wore a bright pink flamingo cap, a keepsake that he’s held onto since.

Since the group’s founding in 1957, the Deansmen have been all-male. Now, the membership is male and non-binary identifying. The day after the concert, as Campana strolled into Commons for breakfast, a Bates parent and alum introduced herself and complimented Campana on how the group is more inclusive while maintaining their best traditions.

“She said how it was so good to see the Deansmen reinvented from when she was at Bates,” recalls Campana. It was a cool moment for the sophomore. “I feel like I’m part of the history of Bates.”

After lighting up the stage with their energy, the Merimanders took a bow.

The Man Ops, say a little prayer for you.

Armchair conversation

President Garry W. Jenkins sat down with Leigh Weisenburger, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission and financial aid, for a conversation in the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall.

Asked what has surprised him about Bates in his first few months, Jenkins said that the Bates people he’s met and worked with so far are “more talented, more engaged, and more thoughtful,” than he had suspected.

“We have an uncommon depth of care for one another and for the world around us on this campus.”

President Garry W. Jenkins engages in conversation with Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Leigh Weisenburger on the Olin stage.

Brad Peacock '92, P'24 and '26 asks President Jenkins a question during the Q&A.

A day with the Bobcats

A big Bobcat win during Back to Bates weekend was the women’s soccer team blanking No. 17 ranked Hamilton, 2-0. Anna Masumoto ’25 of Seattle delivered the eventual game-winning goal in the 22nd minute.

Once she saw that ball hit the back of the net, “I was beyond happy,” Masumoto told the Bates Bobcast. “One of my former teammates, Elizabeth Patrick ’23, came for Back to Bates. She was congratulating me on the goal, and we were talking about how if we could bottle up that feeling and sell it, it would be viral. It was just the best feeling ever.”

The goal was the first of her college career, and it came before a boisterous Back to Bates crowd.

“I’ve never seen a crowd at [Russell Street Field] like that,” she says. “Both my parents came from Seattle, so that was really special. And it was my mom’s birthday, so that’s a birthday goal for her!”

Our alumni award recipients

On Saturday afternoon, eight alumni received awards for their contributions to Bates and beyond, including two members of the Class of 1973, which celebrated its 50th Reunion last spring.

Tom Carey led 1973’s gift committee to the second-highest 50th Reunion fundraising total in Bates history.

Debbie Gahm chaired the yearbook committee, and “truly excelled by focusing on a diverse, diplomatic, kind, and fun committee,” said presenter Eric Foushée, vice president for college advancement. The committee achieved a high, 72-percent participation rate, which is “known to have a direct impact on overall Reunion attendance.”

Cat Lathrop Strahan ’86, Alumni Community Service Award
Liza Danello ’14, Bates’ Best Award
Aditi Vaidya ’00, Alumni Professional Recognition Award, and daughter Kaushalya Selvaraj-Vaidya
Gary Silverman ’83, David G. Russell ‘66 Award
Tom Carey ’73, Bates’ Best Award
Allison Matlack ’85, Bates’ Best Award
Debbie Gahm ’73, Bates’ Best Award
Kevin Tejada ’17, Bates’ Best Award

You don’t have to be a star

You might remember the song by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., with this lyric, “You don’t have to be a star to be in my show.” That’s how it is at Bates: The college supports the artistic interests of all students. You don’t have to be a star to be in the show. But tremendous creativity is on display.

It’s quintessentially Bates — nurturing individual expression, promoting artistic growth, and fostering a supportive community that appreciates and celebrates the diverse talents and endeavors of all students.

Star Yang '24 performs a Chinese traditional solo dance "Glimpse of A Dream"

2BEATS performs to Missy Elliot's "We Run This."

All of the student showcase participants take a final bow.

MOSAIC MOMENTS

Devin Harris ’24 of Bear, Del., poses for a portrait with his mother, Jeanna Howard, during Back to Bates 2023. It's an update of a Back to Bates portrait of them that we made in 2021.

Mosaic Moments

President Jenkins joins a gathering of Bates MOSAIC.

MOSAIC family and alumni events seek to build community among family members, guardians, and support networks of underrepresented racial, ethnic, LGBTQIA+, first-generation-to-college, and international Bates students, and among those members of the Bates alumni network who identify as MOSAIC community members.

These frames capture interactions and dialogue, exemplifying the commitment to inclusive communications, opportunities for engagement, and ensuring that every voice is heard and valued within the Bates community.