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‘Sometimes…dreams come true’

Bates welcomes President-elect Garry W. Jenkins to campus

By Bates College

March 10^th, 2023

The Ninth President’s First Visit

Announced as the college’s ninth president on March 1, President-elect Garry W. Jenkins and his husband, Jon J. Lee, quickly made tracks to campus for their first official visit on Monday and Tuesday, March 6–7.

It was a whirlwind two days that included meetings with the college’s senior leadership, a student-led campus tour and visit to the College Store for Bates swag, a photography portrait session, and the highlight: a welcome event that packed Alumni Gymnasium and gave the community its first opportunity to hear the new Bates leader, live and in person.

The Portraits

On Day 1 of his visit, President-elect Jenkins set aside time for a series of portraits in familiar places on the Bates campus:, in front of Coram Library, Alumni Gymnasium, and Hathorn Hall.

The Admission Tour

Whether it’s the new Bates president or a newly admitted Bates student, a campus tour is always on the itinerary during a college visit.

On Monday afternoon, Jenkins and Lee arrived at Lindholm House, where they were greeted by the Admission team, including Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Leigh Weisenburger.

The tour, led by Bates Admission Fellow Illana Rosker ’23 of Lexington, Mass., visited iconic Bates places, including Gomes Chapel.

President-elect Garry W. Jenkins and his husband, Jon J. Lee, who is a law school professor.

It's a Great Day To Be a Bobcat

On Day 2, the Bobcat stopped by to hang out with President-elect Jenkins and President Clayton Spencer on Alumni Walk.

The Bobcat confirmed that it was indeed a great day to be the Bates Bobcat.

A Visit to the College Store

Jenkins and Lee stopped by the College Store to purchase some Bates gear and meet the staff.

The Walk to Alumni Gymnasium

Tuesday’s welcome event in Alumni Gymnasium kicked off just after 4 p.m.

As the crowd gathered in Alumni Gym, the featured players made their way from Lane Hall to the gym. From left, Lee, Jenkins, Board of Trustees Chair John Gillespie ’80, and Presidential Search Committee Co-chair and Trustee Andrea Bueschel ’90.

The Main Event

Not surprisingly, the largest group of attendees were students. Heads were on a swivel, looking for the main attraction.

Soon came the first smattering of applause as Jenkins walked into the gym. Then more and more applause, and then a standing ovation, everyone fully aware that the college’s next president was in the house.

“What a remarkable day for me, for my family, and for Bates,” said Jenkins as he began his remarks. “Sometimes…dreams come true!”

Jenkins begins to capture the attention of students seated in the Alumni Gym bleachers.

Jon Lee stands after being introduced by Garry Jenkins during the welcome event in Alumni Gynasium.

‘The Joy of Learning and Discovery’

In his remarks, Jenkins spoke about how his own liberal arts education, at Haverford College, shaped his life:

It shaped my life in ways that I’m not sure anything else would have had the capacity to do. The rigor; the versatility and exposure to a range of disciplines and modes of thinking; the joy of learning and discovery; the personalized attention from an astounding faculty; the emphasis on social responsibility; the relationships with staff who mentored me and helped me believe that I belonged and that my presence, my story, my leadership could make a difference; the lifelong friendships with classmates. The sense that with such a life-changing education and experience that anything is within reach.

Greetings and Selfies

After the talk, students, faculty, and staff lined up to greet Jenkins and take a few selfies.

Welcome, Garry W. Jenkins

Jenkins concluded by talking about what captivates him about Bates today:

Dedicated faculty, staff, and students with a culture that’s grounded in care for one another. The way the college’s scale, its campus, and its location offer unique opportunities to learn and reflect and also to develop and foster deep and powerful relationships. The college’s capacity to contribute to the greater good, characterized by illuminating issues, by the way we create common ground, the way we use data to clarify and enlighten, and how we center human dignity.