The Alumni Council is pleased to share some updates from campus and highlight the ongoing activities of the Council. Our goal is to keep former council members informed and engaged. We hope these highlights will spark your curiosity, evoke fond memories, and inspire you to stay connected and contribute to the vibrant Bates community.

In this issue, please enjoy the following topics:

We encourage you to stay engaged with us and participate in the events and offerings at Bates, especially those within our alumni community. We look forward to seeing you in your local areas and on campus. As always, we welcome your input! Feel free to reach out to alumni@bates.edu with any thoughts or questions you may have.

At your service,

The 2024-25 Alumni Council

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Spring Meeting Summary

by Terry Welch ’83

Members of the Bates Alumni Council convened in Lewiston for our Spring Council meetings May 1-3, 2025. Short term was in full swing, and it was great to see students enjoying the campus amongst the background of blooming dogwoods and azaleas. The gathering opened with a Graduating Seniors Dinner with the Board of Trustees and Alumni Council in Memorial Commons.  

We started Friday’s program with breakfast in Commons. For many of us who graduated before the “new” Commons opened, we couldn’t help but reminisce about when Commons was in Chase Hall, and the memories many of us had working in Commons, either “on the line”, in the dish room, or replenishing the salad bar. Everyone agreed that having the new building has been a great addition, serving as a critical social hub, and we appreciated getting to join with students in enjoying this aspect of campus life.

Please enjoy the summary of our time together below.

Plenary I

Eric Foushée, vice president for college advancement, updated the Council on recent developments at Bates College, including key staff appointments, and the challenging landscape facing higher education. While Bates is fortunately not at the forefront of controversy like some larger institutions, it still faces many relevant issues. Eric praised President Garry Jenkins for his strategic leadership and prudent stewardship of Bates’ approach. 

Bates has been collaborating with other colleges in the NESCAC network and beyond, leveraging their collective influence and extensive alumni networks. He also noted the importance of effective media relations, highlighting the contributions of Kristen Lainsbury, the new vice president for communications and marketing.

The Council learned about other key hires, including Joanne Roberts, Ph.D., who will join Bates College as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty, and Stacey Bunting, the new director of athletics.  

Eric discussed Bates’ partnership with QuestBridge, a national nonprofit that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education and the launch of a new major in Digital and Computational Studies. On the fundraising front, he outlined Bates’ current priorities, emphasizing the need to enhance the endowment and maintain educational quality. He also provided an update on efforts to raise funds for a new fitness facility between Alumni Gym and the Grey Cage.  

Plenary II 

Highlights from Trustee meetings were shared, with AC president Leah and VP John noting the Trustees’ satisfaction with AC’s committee work, aligning with Bates’ priorities. 

We discussed continuing efforts around professional development, awards, governance, and communications. New initiatives include supporting Bates’ volunteer experience and MOSAIC. An ongoing theme throughout the working group and plenary discussions was how the Alumni Council’s profile and mission could be better shared with the Bates community.

We then moved into a general discussion about what motivates us to return to campus for Alumni Council meetings. Several key incentives were identified:

• Lodging: Members appreciated having lodging provided, including the option for early arrivals, especially for those wishing to spend more time with students.
  
• Zoom Updates: Members found value in receiving periodic virtual updates on topics such as college finances, admissions, and insights from senior leadership.
  
• Timing of Meetings: The timing of in-person meetings is important. Many members expressed a preference to be on campus when other alumni are present, such as during Back to Bates Weekend or Reunion.
  
• Interaction with College Leadership: There was strong support for aligning Alumni Council meetings with Bates Fund Executive Committee and Trustee meetings to maximize opportunities for engagement with college leadership.
  
• Balancing Committee Work and Campus Engagement: We discussed how to strike a balance between conducting committee work and staying informed about campus and college updates.
  
• Representing Alumni Voices: A key question was how we, as AC members, can serve as a voice for alumni and support efforts to strengthen alumni engagement and the perceived value of being a Bates alum.

Student Networking Lunch 

AC members enjoyed having lunch at the Benjamin Mays Center with a group of seniors to assist them with networking and discuss their plans for next steps and career moves after graduation. Many of them have already been successful in finding their first jobs. It was interesting to note how many of those opportunities originated from summer internships they secured through the Bates Center for Purposeful Work. Even AC members remarked that this was often the case, highlighting the importance of those internships in helping graduates enter the workforce. 

Committee Meetings

• Professional Development Committee
• Regional Engagement Taskforce
• Governance Committee
• Awards Committee
• Communications Engaging Past Alumni Council Members

A full report of committee activities can be found in the FY25 Alumni Council Impact Report.

Dinner at DaVinci’s

Gathering for an AC group dinner provided a great opportunity to socialize with one another and the Bates staff, helping us plan a productive and enjoyable weekend on campus.  It also provided us the opportunity to celebrate and thank retiring AC members, including Dan Barsky and Monica Rodriguez.  

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The next Alumni Council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25-27, 2025.

Alumni Council Membership FY25

25 alumni representing 7 decades, 17 classes, and 12 states/provinces

Get to Know New Council Members

by Monica Rodriguez ’12

As we wrap up another incredible year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to several members who are rolling off the Alumni Council. Their time, energy, and insights have made a lasting impact, and we’re so grateful for all they contributed.

A special shoutout to Steve Brackett ’85 P’22, Fadia Felfle ’15, Hank Geng ’13, Kevin Moore, Monica Rodriguez ’12, and Dan Barsky ’03— thank you for your leadership and dedication.

As part of the farewell, two of our outgoing members – Monica and Dan – have shared a short video message. Take a moment to hear their reflections and well-wishes as they close out their time on the council.

Council ’Cats in the Wild!

Check out these Bobcats in Action. Plus, members dug through their personal archives to share their Puddle Jump moments with you!