1. Up 11 percent, admissions applications set new record
For the first time in the College's history, applications passed the 5,000 mark; students seeking a spot in the class of 2012 increased 11 percent over last year's class, from 4,650 to 5,160. Interest from multicultural students looked particularly impressive, with applications from African Americans up 61 percent; applications from Hispanic students up 49 percent; and applications from Native American students up almost 24 percent. Admissions staff will work to recruit 475 members to the class of 2012 and to enroll approximately 25 transfer students. About 40 percent of the class will be admitted via early decision. But admissions staff weren't the only ones busily recruiting the next class. Johanna Farrar '03, who oversees Alumni in Admissions work and coordinates requests for alumni interviews, estimates that at least 800 alumni interviews were conducted during the past recruiting season, up about 27 percent from last year. The staff of Lindholm House offer a big "Thank You" to all alumni, parents, and current students who encouraged someone to apply to Bates. "I believe Bates College has attracted its best pool of applicants," said Dean of Admissions Wylie Mitchell, "and we have the potential to select and enroll the most talented and the most diverse class, ever."

2. Slide show: King Day at Bates
Benjamin Mays' influence on Martin Luther King Jr. was a theme of keynote speaker Lawrence Carter's address on King Day at Bates. "You can see Mays all through King," said Carter, professor of religion at Morehouse College, noting how King often issued challenges to his audiences, just as his mentor did: "Mays was famous for his challenges." Carter, the curator and dean of Morehouse's Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, spoke mostly about King the "Christian personalist" whose own love for his fellow man, especially in the context of protest, achieved sustainable social justice. Carter urged his audience to look inward and outward, as King did. "If you are worried about the world, just work on yourself." View a slide show depicting the Bates' observance of King's legacy. www.bates.edu/go/news/0202

3. $1 million Mellon grant latest to support faculty initiatives
Bates College has been awarded $1 million to enhance the integration of scholarship and research into the lives of the college's 180 faculty members. The grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation of New York City will be used specifically to support year-long sabbaticals. Given the intense focus on teaching and collegial service at Bates, these leaves for research are essential to the scholarly vitality of the faculty. www.bates.edu/go/news/0203

4. Farnsworth receives 2008 Kroepsch Award
Winning the 2008 Kroepsch Award for Excellence in Teaching brought writer-in-residence Robert Farnsworth praise from two former students who are prizewinners themselves. Craig Teicher '01, recipient of the 2007 Colorado Prize for Poetry, saluted Farnsworth's "extraordinary" ability to guide a classroom conversation so that the "literature becomes both personal and exciting." Gabe Fried '96, winner of the 2007 Kathryn A. Morton Prize for his poetry, says that "great teachers — of anything — recognize the strengths of the students in front of them. Rob allowed us to explore our strengths and ambitions while making sure we could live with our shortcomings." www.bates.edu/go/news/0204

5. Stories desired of alumni experiences outdoors
"The Legend" is the Bates Outing Club Magazine, which was founded last year. This semester's publication will be the second issue, and magazine staff want alumni to share their experiences in the great outdoors, Outing Club-related or not. "It could be a canoe trip they took as a student as Bates, and Outing Club trip up Katahdin, a hike in a foreign country post-college, or learning how to ski with your children," says editor Rachel Hiles. "We're looking for interesting and exciting stories, but they need not be extreme or dangerous adventures. We're very flexible. Photos — with or without stories attached — would also be wonderful." The first submission deadline will be Feb. 25. Submissions or questions should be directed to BOClegend@gmail.com.

6. Students invited to learn of federal jobs and internships
Did you know that the nation's largest employer is the federal government, and that this year, more than 50 percent of its 1.8 million employees may be eligible to retire? "Federal Jobs & Internships: Opportunity is Knocking," an event sponsored by the Bates Office of Career Services and the Annenberg Speakers Bureau of the Partnership for Public Service, will be held 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, in the Keck Classroom of Pettengill Hall. Seating is limited and preregistration is required by calling Career Services. www.bates.edu/go/news/0206

7. Biology scholarships available for alumni
The biology department, in conjunction with the Medical Studies Committee, is soliciting applications for alumni scholarships to be awarded from the Harriet M. and Fred E. Pomeroy Fund. Each Pomeroy scholar will receive $5,000 to help support graduate/professional training in biology or the health sciences. To be eligible, alumni must have completed at least five biology courses while at Bates and successfully completed at least one semester of graduate or professional study before applying. Those who receive a stipend and tuition support are not eligible to apply. All application materials must be received by April 4. Interested? Details are at: www.bates.edu/go/news/0207

8. Bates hosting state climate summit Feb. 8-10
Bates is hosting the fifth annual Maine State Climate Summit, and the Bates Energy Action Movement and the Sierra Student Coalition are co-sponsors. Students attending high schools, colleges and universities in Maine will focus on issues and ideas regarding climate change, ranging from wind power to eco-art. More information is available at: www.bates.edu/go/news/0208

9. Campus Construction Update
In recent weeks we've learned what Dining Services director Christine Schwartz likes about the new dining Commons. Now it's the turn of Paul Farnsworth, Bates' project manager for the building. It's expected that the new dining hall will serve its first meal to students Feb. 24, with a soft opening — aka "burn and learn," in Schwartz's words — during the days just prior. www.bates.edu/go/news/0209

10. Deadline March 3 for Barlow alumni travel grants
The Barlow Alumni Travel Grant is an award of up to $3,500 to fund travel abroad by a Bates alumni educator who has been teaching kindergarten through 12th grade for at least five years. The grant must support educational and professional goals. Alumni are invited to apply online; the deadline is March 3 and the grant announcement will be made March 17. The Barlow Endowment, made possible by David Barlow '79, also funds a range of student study-abroad programs, plus opportunities for students to link their experiences with their academic work on campus. Application forms and information are available online: www.bates.edu/go/news/0210

11. Bates People in the News
The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education praised the work of Valerie Smith '75 in leading the Center for African American Studies at Princeton University. A Bates Trustee, Smith is Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature at Princeton. The Hofstra Chronicle, meanwhile, announced the historic appointment of Nora Demleitner '89 as head of Hofstra University's School of Law. The first woman to serve as the school's permanent dean, Demleitner had been interim dean since March 2007. Finally, the Idaho Press-Tribune talked with Kim Gamel '90, who has served as The Associated Press' news editor in Iraq since 2006. www.bates.edu/go/news/0211