“I am moved beyond words by the warm welcome that you have offered me, here on this stage, on this day, but even from the very first moments that my joining this community became even a remote possibility. This place — our college — is a place of warmth and welcome, and you have made that abundantly and beautifully clear.”
— Garry W. Jenkins, as he begins his inaugural address on May 4, 2024
“On the one hand, I want to say Bates is so lucky to have Garry Jenkins as its president, but I don’t think it’s luck. I think it’s brilliance on the part of your search committee and your board. It’s just the right person in the right place at the right time. He is a problem solver. He is transformational in a way that makes other people do their absolute best.”
— Susan Krinsky, delegate representing the Law School Admission Council
“At the dinner for the people involved in the inauguration, we heard all of these comments about Garry that show what a great man he is. The stories about Garry give me inspiration to reach peace, to provide people with hope, and the positive influences we are looking for in this world. As a first-year, it gives me more inspiration to continue my three years here in this college. So, overall, words can’t describe how great this day is or how proud I am to be involved in this.”
— Mariam Almzainy ’27 of Madaba, Jordan, among members of Bates Student Government who served as student delegates
“People think of transformational leaders as people who changed institutions or organizations, but that’s not what I mean here. Garry loves institutions and actions that transform people. He will not try to change Bates, but instead will seek to harness the power of Bates and see how it transforms the lives of its students.”
— Donald Tobin, a longtime friend and former colleague of Jenkins’ at the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University
“Garry has been a champion for liberal arts education for 37 years. I can recall the exact number of years because this high achiever wrote a book about the college admissions process at 16 years old! He will give everything in his heart to serve Bates and guide this esteemed institution to continued success.”
— Garry W. Jenkins’ younger brother, Chris Jenkins
“For someone who is quite informal, Garry really likes rituals. I think it speaks volumes. Garry finds pleasure in ritual because he finds joy in the people behind the institutional rituals.”
— Martha Chamallas, a friend of Jenkins and professor emerita of law at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
“At the time of your appointment, you said, ‘Everything about Bates resonates with me.’ We take great pride in what makes Bates such a special place. We love our alma mater. And we are thrilled that you have chosen to join us and lead us forward. Call on us whenever we can be helpful. We stand ready to assist in whatever way we can. This is, truly, a great day to be a Bobcat.”
— Kevin Moore ’93, president of the Alumni Association of Bates College, offering a welcome to Garry W. Jenkins on behalf of Bates alumni
“On Feb. 27, 2023, the Bates Board of Trustees voted unanimously to elect you as the ninth president of Bates College. The excitement was palpable; the opportunity before us was clear. With profound respect for your experience as a leader and innovator in higher education, admiration for your deep understanding of, and love for, the liberal arts, and faith in your vision for Bates, we were proud and humbled to invite you to lead our college.”
— Greg Ehret ’91, chair of the Bates College Board of Trustees, as he led the presentation of the symbols of the presidency to Garry W. Jenkins
“There’s so much evidence about how much the students admire Garry and just already love him and everything about him. Yes, he goes to lots of things on campus. But they love him for his admiration of our principals and his commitment to education and because he wants to be president of a liberal arts college. That’s powerful.”
— James Reese, associate dean for international student programs and a member of the Bates staff since 1977
“The stories of this city and this college have been intertwined for over a century and a half. Our strong futures will continue to depend on that close relationship. Together, we will further our shared commitment to each other and progress shoulder to shoulder towards a sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant community.”
— Carl Sheline, offering a welcome as mayor of the city of Lewiston
“As I am certain you have found already, people in Maine say ‘Lewiston-Auburn’ in one breath. And while we are two uniquely different cities, we are proud of our shared history and the strong relationship we’ve built with Bates. These relationships are embodied in the spirit of the late John Jenkins, Bates Class of 1974, mayor of both Auburn and Lewiston, and a champion of our entire community.”
— Jeff Harmon, offering a welcome as mayor of the city of Auburn
“He’s elevated fresh and thoughtful approaches. He has a unique ability to lead while creating spaces for others to find their best self. To be innovative while appreciating. And I can’t imagine a better president for an institution whose motto translates to ‘with ardor and devotion.’”
— Joan T.A. Gabel, chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, offering the official introduction of Garry W. Jenkins
“What we can do is accept — or grab — the baton that is passed to us. Embrace the work and challenges that await us. Run as fast and as hard as we can during our leg of the race. We can renew the resource, strengthen it, and present it to those who follow us, ensuring that future generations and our society will benefit even more from a Bates that has served so well, for so long. That is our task. That is our privilege.”
— President Garry W. Jenkins as he concluded his inaugural address
“Long before the word became fashionable, Garry embodied inclusiveness. He’s a generous spirit who gives people leeway to make mistakes and he knows that not everyone is always their best self. But there is a difference between being tolerant and inclusive and being compliant. What makes Garry truly inclusive is that he actually has very little tolerance for people who aren’t kind, for people who lie, or for people who are dismissive of other people.”
— Martha Chamallas, professor emerita of law, Moritz College of Law at The Ohio University
“Garry and I are thrilled to be part of the Bates community and blessed to have been embraced so warmly by everyone in it, today and every day since he was first named as president last March. We look forward to deepening our relationship with the college and community in the years ahead.”
— Jon J. Lee, Garry W. Jenkins’ husband and the delegate for his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
“Through Bates and all that the Bates community represents, Garry’s ethical and impactful leadership, rooted in the liberal arts and an enduring set of values and humane capacities, will know no limits. Congratulations, Bates College, on being on the Jenkins journey!”
— Wendy Raymond, president and professor of biology at Haverford College, Jenkins’ undergraduate alma mater, who offered the traditional welcome on behalf of the academy
Enjoy scenes from the Inauguration of President Garry W. Jenkins, with selfies, high fives, and hugs in a 'place of warmth and love. '
Theophil Syslo/Bates College
© 2026 Bates College
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