CONFERRED Honorary degrees, at Bates’ 140th Commencement, to four individuals highly esteemed as leaders in their respective fields: Shakespearean scholar and cultural critic Marjorie Garber (Doctor of Humane Letters), pioneering AIDS researcher David Ho (Doctor of Science); Pulitzer Prize–winning historian David McCullough (Doctor of Humane Letters); and influential choreographer Mark Morris (Doctor of Fine Arts). The four joined some 400 seniors in receiving degrees during the May 28 ceremony, the first Bates Commencement held on a Sunday in many years. 

RECOVERING Beth Sheppard, beloved to many Batesies through her good work on alumni issues, from serious injuries sustained in an April 24 automobile accident. Associate director of Alumni and Parent Programs, she is expected to make a full recovery. Send greetings to Beth care of alumni@bates.edu.

RETIRED Richard Williamson, professor of French, as of Aug. 31. Williamson, who arrived at Bates in 1975, is known among generations of Batesies as a dynamic, imaginative teacher skilled at energizing and engaging his students. “Your attention didn’t wander when he was teaching,” recalls French major Sue Hubley ’90.

Jenille Thibodeau.

Jenille Thibodeau, a 25-year veteran of Dining Services, on April 7. Jenille most recently worked the morning shift in the Bobcat Den and was known for her congeniality and infectious laugh. Jenille’s loyalty to Bobcat athletics, particularly basketball, was legendary, especially after she started bringing a cowbell to games.

DECEASED Professor Emeritus of Physics Robert F. Kingsbury, a member of the faculty from 1964 through 1978, on April 6, at 93. “Being required to think for themselves in Professor Kingsbury’s Physics 107 class shocked some students expecting spoon-feeding of scientific facts,” fellow physicist George Ruff noted at the time of Kingsbury’s retirement, “but appreciation of the man and his teaching method invariably accompanied the development of intellectual maturity and self-confidence.” Kingsbury made physics accessible to nonmajors and encouraged majors to steep themselves in the social sciences and humanities.

Also: Harvey B. Rose, a member of the Physical Plant team from 1965 through 1985, on Jan. 26, at 87; and Gerard R. Simoneau, a Physical Plant staff member from 1984 through 2003, on Feb. 22, at 68.