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Back to Bates 2025

where 1,700 alumni and families of current students join to experience life on campus, reconnect with friends, and enjoy Maine's beautiful fall season

By Bates College

October 10^th, 2025

Welcome Home

The first weekend of October, current students’ families and alumni return to campus beneath the Historic Quad’s stunning fall foliage.

They’re in for a weekend of food, community, sports, music, and good ole reminiscing. From the a cappella concert to the inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony, there is something for everyone — young and old — at Back to Bates.

They're back...to Bates, that is!

Families stroll on campus, relax in Adirondack chairs, and snap photos to remember the weekend. Furry family members are welcome, too; dogs sport their own Bates gear as they sniff around Bates.

The Year Ahead at Bates: Thoughts from President Garry W. Jenkins

In the Olin Arts Center auditorium, Bates President Garry W. Jenkins addresses families and alumni in a speech reflecting on what’s to come for Bates in the next year. At the end of his address, attendees chime in with questions during a Q&A session.

Sharing Summer Research

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.

The Bates tradition that never misses a beat

The college’s a cappella groups — the Crosstones, the Deansmen, the Merimanders, ManOps, and Bates Take Note — took 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. It’s a beloved and well-attended Bates event.

The performances included powerful vocal displays, showing off, donning their Back to Bates best — and perhaps the occasional costume — and having some fun.

MOSAIC Moments

MOSAIC, a group for those who may not immediately “see” themselves represented on campus, hosts a community gathering for family members, guardians, and support networks of underrepresented racial, ethnic, LGBTQIA+, first-generation-to-college, and international Bates students, along with MOSAIC alumni.

(un)Common Portraits

Families enjoy lunch in Commons, many sporting their Bates gear. From tots to grandparents, generations of Bates families came out to enjoy Commons’ highly rated, delicious food.

Inaugural Bates Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony

Bates welcomes its first cohort of exceptional athletes and coaches into the newly established Athletics Hall of Fame during this special induction ceremony. Bates President Garry W. Jenkins, Director of Athletics Stacey Bunting, several current Bates coaches and athletes, and notable alumni join in the celebration.

The Hall of Fame “honors, pays tribute to, and perpetuates the memory of those individuals and teams who, either through participation, support, or interest, have made outstanding contributions in the field of intercollegiate athletics and who have helped bring recognition, honor, distinction, and excellence to Bates.”

They are, in alphabetical order:

James “Andrew” Byrnes ’05, men’s rowing: Two-time Olympic medalist... Captured gold in the men’s eights for Canada in 2008.
Rachel R. Clayton ’90, women’s volleyball, basketball, softball: Bates’ first volleyball All-American... Dominant outside hitter on 36-0 volleyball team in 1989... Still holds five softball records.
Margaret W. Coffin ’08, women’s soccer, basketball, lacrosse: One of just two Bates All-Americans in two wholly separate women’s sports... Second team All-America on 2005 NESCAC champion women’s soccer team... Top-10 all-time scorer and rebounder in basketball.
Sherry Deschaine, head coach: Pioneering women’s coach for a combined 50-plus sports seasons, focusing on field hockey and softball.
Nancy Ingersoll Fiddler ’78, women’s Nordic skiing, field hockey, cross country, lacrosse: Bates’ first woman to earn All-America honors... 14-time U.S. national champion and two-time Olympian in Nordic... Launched women’s cross country and lacrosse at Bates.
Keelin Godsey ’06, women’s track and field: Most decorated track and field athlete in Bates history... 16-time All-American thrower... Two-time national champion.
James P. Murphy ’69, football and head coach: Quarterbacked Bates’ winningest football era... One of four gridiron Bobcats to have their number retired... Head coach of women’s soccer and women’s basketball for a combined 37 years, with numerous NCAA tournament appearances.
William “David” Pless ’13, men’s track and field: Most decorated men’s track and field athlete in program history... 10-time All-American thrower... Three-time national champion.
Walter Slovenski, head coach: Legend who led men’s cross country and track and field for 43 years... Led Bobcat teams to 726 victories and five undefeated seasons, 20-plus Maine championships, and four New England regional championships.
2015 women’s rowing team: First team to win an NCAA championship in Bates history.

Happy 70th Birthday, Dean Reese!

It's easy to understand why everyone can agree: Associate Dean for International Student Programs James Reese is forever young.

Reese has worked at Bates and been a vital member of the campus community for nearly 50 years. Students, families, alumni, and faculty and staff members gather to wish Reese a very happy Back to Bates birthday.

A Weekend with the Bobcats

From field hockey and lacrosse, to volleyball and soccer, to football and a campus alight with Saturday night lights, Back to Bates attendees show up for a weekend of sports. Parents and alumni alike fill the stands with cheers for the Bobcats.