Leigh Campbell ’64 tribute highlights Reunion 2016 alumni awards

At the Annual Gathering of the Alumni Association on June 11 during Reunion, five alumni were honored for their contributions to the college, including retired Director of Financial Aid Leigh Campbell ’64 receiving the college’s distinguished alumni service award.

Leigh Campbell ’64: Helen A. Papaioanou ’49 Distinguished Alumni Service Award

The citation for Campbell’s award read, in part:

If you ask alumni from the mid-1970s to the early-2000s about their Bates experience, you’ll hear a constant refrain: “My family and I wouldn’t have been able to afford college without Leigh Campbell. He made Bates possible.” In his 39 years of service as a financial aid officer at Bates, most of that time as director, Leigh became a trusted confidant, adviser, and friend to thousands of students.


Catherine “Cat” Djang ’13: David G. Russell ’66 Alumni-in-Admission Award

Cat Djang '13, recipient of the David G. Russell Alumni-in-Admission Award at Reunion on June 11, poses with President of the Alumni Association Michael Lieber '92 and President of Bates College Clayton Spencer. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)

Cat Djang ’13 (center), recipient of the David G. Russell Alumni-in-Admission Award at Reunion on June 11, poses with President of the Alumni Association Michael Lieber ’92 and President of Bates College Clayton Spencer. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)

The citation for Djang’s award read, in part:

Cat, you have been a selfless, highly engaging ambassador for the Bates Admission Office in the New York City area. Building on your success as a fellow in the Admission Office…you show prospective students and their families the power of a Bates education through your own accomplishments — as a member of the College Key, the award-winning Brooks Quimby Debate Council, and now a student at Columbia Law School.


Jill Kopicki Blankenhorn ’03: David G. Russell ’66 Alumni-in-Admission Award

Jill Kopicki Blankenhorn '03, recipient of the David G. Russell Alumni-in-Admission Award at Reunion on June 11, poses with President of the Alumni Association Michael Lieber '92 and President of Bates College Clayton Spencer. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)

Jill Kopicki Blankenhorn ’03 (center), recipient of the David G. Russell Alumni-in-Admission Award at Reunion on June 11, poses with President of the Alumni Association Michael Lieber ’92 and President of Bates College Clayton Spencer. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)

The citation for Blankenhorn’s award read, in part:

Jill, you have been a critical part of the college’s outreach to prospective students in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Utah, and New Mexico — attending admission fairs and meeting with individuals to educate them about the strength of Bates’ academic programs as well as our distinctive history and values.


Bradley McGraw ’10: Distinguished Young Alumni Award

Bradley McGraw '10, recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award at Reunion on June 12, poses with President of the Alumni Association Michael Lieber '92 and President of Bates College Clayton Spencer. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)

Bradley McGraw ’10 (center), recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award at Reunion on June 11, poses with President of the Alumni Association Michael Lieber ’92 and President of Bates College Clayton Spencer. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)

The citation for McGraw’s award read, in part:

Since graduating magna cum laude with a degree in economics, Bradley has never failed to make time for Bates or to encourage other New York City-based young alumni to volunteer for the college. His own lengthy record of service includes ongoing work as a BCDC Career Adviser…and he has also been a highly engaged member of the New York City Signature Event Host Committee, his Reunion Committee, and his Reunion Gift Committee.


Diane “Dinny” Felt Swett ’56: Bates’ Best Award

Diane Felt Swett '56 (center), recipient of a Bates' Best Award at Reunion on June 11, poses with President of the Alumni Association Michael Lieber '92 and President of Bates College Clayton Spencer. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)

Diane Felt Swett ’56 (center), recipient of a Bates’ Best Award at Reunion on June 11, poses with President of the Alumni Association Michael Lieber ’92 and President of Bates College Clayton Spencer. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)

The citation for Swett’s award read, in part:

Dinny, as the lead class agent for the Class of 1956, you have done a marvelous job leading a large team of class agents to success. Under your leadership, your class now stands at a record-breaking 90 percent Reunion Gift participation — well on its way to your personal goal of seeing 100 percent of your classmates give to Bates this year.