Slideshow: 27 Commencement moments
At Commencement on May 25, the seniors’ four years culminated in a few very joyous hours on the Historic Quad.
Twenty-seven photographs by Phyllis Graber Jensen capture the Commencement experience for the Class of 2014.
8:50 a.m.: She registrars her approval
Registrar Mary Meserve gives a final look to the soon-to-be granted Bates diplomas.
8:49 a.m.: Stop fussing. It’s perfect!
Hank Schless ’14 of Old Greenwich, Conn., adjusts his mortarboard in the company of Logan Greenblatt ’14 of South Berwick, Maine, and Madeline Smit ’14 of Lawrenceville, N.J., as seniors begin to line up on Alumni Walk.
9:07 a.m.: Happy anticipation
Associate Professor of Psychology Krista Aronson and Associate Professor of African American Studies Myron Beasley await the academic procession.
9:18 a.m.: We’ll never forget you
Shortly before the procession begins, Bethel Kifle ’15 of Chicago shares a moment with Associate Professor of Spanish Claudia Aburto Guzman on Alumni Walk.
9:19 a.m.: Senior staff selfie
Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Leigh Weisenburger photographs herself with, from left, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty Matt Auer, Vice President of College Advancement Sarah Pearson ’75 (hidden) and Dean of Students Tedd Goundie.
9:25 a.m.: Get me to the Quad on time!
Just before takeoff, a student runs along Alumni Walk to take his alphabetically determined place in line.
9:27 a.m.: The pipes, the pipes are calling
Led by student marshals from the Class of 2015, the academic procession moves from Alumni Walk to the Quad. Here, the seniors walk between Hathorn and Parker halls.
9:29 a.m.: Y’all come back!
It’s traditional for staff from Facility Services to gather on the Hathorn Hall lawn to greet seniors as they pass by.
9:30 a.m.: Entering the Quad greensward
Omosede Eholo ’14 of New York City enters the Quad with her classmates.
9:32 a.m.: High regard
Associate Dean of Students James Reese regards the procession of seniors in the Class of 2014.
9:37 a.m.: Walking along Gomes
Members of the faculty in their academic regalia pass by the Peter J. Gomes Chapel.
9:45 a.m.: Leader of the pack
Led by macebearer Sawyer Sylvester, professor of sociology, the platform party, including President Clayton Spencer and the Commencement honorands, approaches Hathorn Hall.
9:45 a.m.: Hand to hand
Professor of Geology Dyk Eusden ’80 high-fives a student as faculty walk between two lines of graduates.
10:26 a.m.: Seniors sorted by row
These graduating seniors requested a “row” portrait.
10:04 a.m.: Something to say
Collin McCullough ’14 of Plattsburgh, N.Y., strides to the dais to deliver his senior address.
10:26 a.m.: But is it fleece?
Commencement speaker and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Alexis Wilkerson receives her academic hood, signifying her honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
10:26 a.m.: A message in all caps
Before a sea of mortarboards, including one with a clear message, the Commencement Choir, under the direction of John Corrie, performs Lennon and McCartney’s “In My Life.”
11:06 a.m.: Crowd source
Seen from high in Coram Library, a sea of faculty, seniors and guests fill the seats on the Historic Quad.
11:14 a.m.: With a degree of pride
Jivko Kozorov ’14 from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, takes a closer look at his sheepskin.
11:30 a.m.: Read it and weep, peeps
Alexandra Sejersted Bodtker ’14 of Zurich, Switzerland, shows off her diploma.
11:36 a.m.: Score!
Melanie Watson ’14 of West Granby, Conn., makes the most of the moment as she waits on the ramp to the stage to be called for her diploma.
11:44 a.m.: Unidentified flying caps
In a moment of celebration, graduates hurl their caps as the platform party departs at ceremony’s conclusion.
11:48 a.m.: Embracing the future
After the ceremony, a faculty member embraces Josh Ajamu ’14 of Breinigsville, Pa.
11:55 a.m.: Only a smile apart
Dan Remillard ’14 of Hanover, N.H., shares a hug with Sonja Favaloro ’14 of Morrisville, Pa.
11:57 a.m.: Hug it out, guys
Lorenzo Bonacini ’14 of Modena, Italy, says goodbye to Jack Gonsalves ’14 of Rye, N.H.
11:59 a.m.: Like daughter, like father
Kristy Han ’14 of Los Angeles shares her cap with father, Victor Han, for a photograph.
12:08 p.m.: This guy, right here!
Sean Woods ’14 of Gypsum, Colo., poses for a photograph with aunts Kathryn Simmons and Barbara Walpole as his older brother Chris Woods mugs for the camera.
12:13 p.m.: About faces
Cecilia Pina ’14 of Boston poses with her extended family during a photo session at the conclusion of Commencement 2014.
