Joining Holbrooke as honorary degree recipients were career educator Robert E. Dunn, Bates class of 1950 (doctor of humane letters); biochemist Leroy E. Hood, M.D. (doctor of science); and urban sociologist William Julius Wilson (doctor of laws).

WEST NEW PORTLAND
Samuel Harold Anderson of West New Portland received a bachelor of arts degree in economics. Anderson played varsity football for the college in 1997 and was a member of the men’s alpine ski team throughout his Bates career, serving as captain in the 1998-99 season. He is the 1999 recipient of the college’s Dr. Lloyd Lux Award, given annually for overall contribution, dedication and leadership in the college’s skiing program. A graduate of Carrabassett Valley Academy, Anderson is the son of Paula Anderson, West New Portland, and William Anderson, North New Portland.

WEST PARIS
Melissa Vining of 52 Kingsbury St. received a bachelor of science degree (magna cum laude) in chemistry. Vining, who has a secondary concentration in French, was named Bates College’s 1997-98 Ruggles Scholar, a fellowship awarded to a junior for academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Vining used the $1,000 fellowship to fund her senior thesis as well as to attend a number of scholarly conferences to discuss the thesis findings. She was elected to Sigma Xi, a North American Honor Society founded in 1886 to reward excellence in scientific research. Named a Dana Scholar after her first year at Bates, Vining has been a dean’s list student, junior adviser and member of the varsity softball team. The granddaughter of Ruth Hazelton of West Paris, Vining is a 1994 graduate of Oxford Hills High School.