Regional Engagement Taskforce

Council Champion: Heather Beebe ’85

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The Regional Engagement Taskforce, a year-long ad hoc committee of the Alumni Council, focused on laying the groundwork for “Bates and Beyond”, an initiative to support alumni-initiated and alumni-directed events. The long-term goal is for alumni to be able to host regional programs with remote administrative support and oversight from Alumni Engagement staff. 

✔ Conducted a scan of peer institutions’ practices to inform approach.

✔ Developed the strategy, processes, and tools to expand alumni-driven events in key secondary markets.

✔ Testing alumni-interface webpage with detailed “how to host a Bates event” guidelines and checklist. Anticipated soft launch in July.

Professional Development

Council Champion: Natalie Adler ’92

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For FY25, the Professional Development subcommittee planned and hosted a four-part webinar series, bringing together over 425+ participants. The webinars leveraged the alumni community’s remarkable breadth and depth of professional experience. With so many Bates alumni in attendance, the series received very positive feedback. Participants praised the panels for being insightful, inspiring, and highly relevant. The Alumni Council will continue this program in FY26.

✔ August 07: “Pursuing a Career in International Affairs”
Hosted by Alumni Council member Patrick Quirk ’03, this session featured panelists Paul Grove ’88, Clerk on the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations, Catherine Nzuki ’21, Associate Fellow in the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Eric Adamson ’15, NATO Coordinator at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency based in Stockholm. The conversation centered on the career paths of these alumni and the advice they would give a current Bates student or recent grad interested in pursuing a career in foreign affairs. They also shared what they wished they had known beginning their job searches and what they would have done differently. The event wrapped up with questions from the audience and the news of a new Bates Foreign Affairs group on LinkedIn.

✔ January 13: “Making the Jump: Young Professionals Making Their First Career Change”
Hosted by Alumni Council members Liza Pearce ’14 and David Akinyemi ’21, this session featured panelists Allie Freed ’16, Non-Profit Coordinator for Higher Ed Gifts/Development and an MBA Candidate; Sarah Sachs, Principal at Sarah Sachs ’18 Consulting; and Walter Washington ’19, Paralegal in Banking/Investments and Associate Assistant Coach. The conversation centered on how these young alumni successfully transitioned from their first jobs to new opportunities, the role of mentorship, and how they leveraged the Bates network to support their journeys.

✔ February 11:  “Careers in Scientific Research and Biomedical Professions”
Hosted by Alumni Council member Matt Bogyo ’93, P’27, this panel explored the diverse pathways into scientific research and biomedical careers. Speakers included Karin Borrelli, ’94, MD, Medical Director, Saratoga Hospital, David Ferrone, MD ’96 at Tufts University, Bruce Koch, Ph.D, Senior Director, Discover and Technology Services at Stanford University, Jennifer Shumilla-O’Mahoney, Ph.D ’94,Dartmouth-Senior Project Manager at Genentech, and Cara Starbach, 19, Ph.D student in Chemistry at Stanford. Panelists shared their academic and professional trajectories, and offered valuable insights into advancing careers in science, engineering, and medicine degrees.

✔ April 1: “Careers in Finance: Bobcat Alumni Insights”
Hosted by Steve Brackett ’85 P’22, Managing Member, and Co-Head of Alternative Investments at Shepherd, Kaplan and Krochuk, Graeme Welds ’15, Vice President, Stewardship and Sustainable Investing at Neuberger Berman, Terry Welch ’83, Managing Director at MFS Investment Management, and Fadia Felfe ’15, Vice President of High Grade and Emerging Markets, Credit Syndicate Desk, JP Morgan Chase. The panel of Alumni Council members offered strategic advice on entering the financial sector, navigating transitions, and building a successful career in business.

Communications and Engaging Past Alumni Council Members

Council Champion: Karen Finocchio ’92

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The committee continued refining the Past Alumni Council Member newsletter. Learnings from the newsletter can be applied to a broader strategy for alumni affinity group engagement. Future work could include a possible pivot into more curated content such as personal Alumni Council stories and creating more dynamic and interactive content for multi-purpose use across social media. The group leveraged lessons learned from the pilot Newsletter to refine future newsletter content.

Statistics from the Fall/Winter Newsletter:

• Opens: 40.1% (65)
• Clicks: 24.7% (40)

Most popular topics: 

• Stories about new and outgoing Alumni Council members
• Subcommittee updates
• Specialty content (i.e. personal connections at Bates events, Inauguration, Back to Bates: Alumni and Family Weekend, and Puddlejump)

Recognition of Alumni Excellence

Council Champion: Chuck James ’78

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2025 Alumni Award Winners:

Alumni Community Service Award: Robin Waterman ’85

Alumni Professional Recognition Award: Dana Bragonier ’95

Bruce Stangle ’70, P’96, GP’26 Award for Distinguished Service to the Bates Community: Ann Clark Tucker ’78

Distinguished Young Alumni Award: Nick Beati ’20

Helen A. Papaioanou Distinguished Service Award: Geri Fitzgerald ’75

Sesquicentennial Prize: Derek Anderson ’85

Awards will be presented at the Presidential Address and Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association during Reunion Weekend.

Governance – FY25

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Membership:

• Leah Elsmore ’12 began her term as President and John Howard ’86 began his term as Vice President in July 2024.

• We received 23 nominations for new members of the Alumni Council.

• Six new members, representing the ’70’s, ’90’s, ’00’s, and ’20’s were elected to join the Alumni Council in FY26.

• The following members have completed their second term on the Alumni Council and will be rolling off: Dan Barsky ’03, Fadia Felfe ’15, Kevin Moore ’93 (Past President), Monica Rodriguez ’12, and Steve Brackett ’85, P’22. Hank Geng ’13, President of the College Key, will also conclude his time on the Alumni Council as his term of President concludes.