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Back to Bates: Family Weekend 2022

Students and families reunite for a beautiful fall sojourn

By Bates College

October 7^th, 2022

Reunited and It Feels So Good

During 2022 Back to Bates: Family Weekend, held this year on Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1, the college welcomed family members of current Bates students to experience life on campus, visit with their students, and enjoy the wonders of fall in Maine. The trifecta paid off well!

Jay Gulati ’26 of Minneapolis greets his parents Ani and Juhi Gulati as they register for the weekend at the Library Arcade.

Siena Byrd ’26 of Brooklyn, N.Y., reunites with Hazel, 2, an English Crane golden retriever.

Eleanor Lynch '25 of Chappaqua, N.Y., and her mom, Cindy, walk Coconut, 4, and Suki, 12, on Alumni Walk.

Sammy Freeman '26 of Dallas receives an impromptu kiss from her mother Sharon Freeman on the Historic Quad.

Carter Hansen '26 of Fairfax, Va., kisses Samson, his bichon poodle, brought to Bates by parents Cheryl and Tom.

Daina Valez '25 of NYC holds her cell phone up to provide a veiw for her mother, who was unable to attend Back to Bates.

Student-Faculty Partnerships

At a panel presentation titled "Joint Ventures: Student-Faculty Partnerships in Teaching, Research, and the Arts," Dean of the Faculty Malcolm Hill moderated a presentation by four Bates faculty members whose teaching of undergraduates aims to engage students in dynamic, meaningful work in their respective fields, whether that is helping to develop a course, engaging with the local community, conducting cutting-edge research, or creating unique spaces for artistic exploration and production.

The panelists, Assistant Professor of Biology Lori Banks, Assistant Professor of Music Asha Tamirisa, Associate Professor of History Joe Hall, and Assistant Professor of Digital and Computational Studies Anelise Shrout, talked about their collaborative work with students, the discoveries they all make, and the benefits of these partnerships.

From left, Professors Hall, Shrout, Banks, and Tamirisa address the audience.

Students Present Summer Research

Student researchers gathered in Pettengill Hall's Perry Atrium to share their 2022 summer research with family and members of the Bates community in a poster session. Researchers spoke about their findings and fielded questions from those interested in learning more.

The Magic of A Cappella

The magic of a cappella thrilled a capacity audience on Friday night, Sept. 30, in the Clifton Dagget Gray Athletic Building. Six groups — the Gospelaires, the Deansmen, Take Note, the Manic Optimists, the Merimanders, and the Crosstones — performed in this all-time campus favorite event.

A Q&A with President Spencer and Senior Leaders

President Clayton Spencer, in the final year of her presidency, reflected on Bates today and what lies ahead for the academic year. She was joined by Vice President for Academic Affairs Malcolm Hill, Vice President for Campus Life Josh McIntosh, and Vice President for Communications and Marketing Tracey Reeves, who moderated the session.

From left, Tracey Reeves, Clayton Spencer, Malcolm Hill, and Josh McIntosh.

2023 Families Gather in Dana

Bates has launched the inaugural Senior Parent Gift program, which this year will raise funds to name the Dana Hall Living Room. Senior class parents toured the newly renovated space, which has quickly become a vibrant gathering spot that students use for studying, group work, meeting with professors, and mentors.

Megan Lacey '23 of Braxton, Miss., shares her study spot with parents Jackie and Walter and Uncle Dennis Green.

It's Time for Lunch

The community gathered for a BBQ lunch, served in the Commons Tent, with seating around campus and in the Bardwell Street Tent.

Elizabeth Nahigian '26 of Needham, Mass., (right) shares a favorite on-campus perch with sister Emma.

Athletics Play Out

Saturday was filled with various athletic events, as Field Hockey, Women's Soccer, and Men's Soccer hosted Trinity, Volleyball hosted Wesleyan, and Rugby hosted Bowdoin.

Purposeful Work Panel

A group of students, moderated by Marianne Nolan Cowan '92, associate director of program design for the Center for Purposeful Work, discussed their summer 2022 internship experiences. The Purposeful Work-funded internships are part of the signature Bates program that prepares students for lives of meaningful work.

Sarah Bodien '25 of Salisbury, N.H., gives her parents Marybeth and Charles a tour of a Pettengill classroom.

An Artistic Showcase

The Department of Theater and Dance presented "An Artistic Showcase" in the Marcy Plavin Dance Studio, located in Merrill Gymnasium. The sold-out performance featured a series of talented artists whose dance, theater, and musical artistry wowed those in attendance.

MOSAIC Families Networking

Bates MOSAIC Families seeks to build community among the family members, guardians, and support networks of underrepresented racial, ethnic, LGBTQIA+, first-generation-to-college, and international Bates Students. The College hosted a MOSAIC gathering in the Bonney Science Center Living Room.