{"id":38960,"date":"2025-07-28T13:50:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T17:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/?p=38960"},"modified":"2026-03-30T12:08:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T16:08:56","slug":"mosaic-newsletter-summer-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/2025\/07\/28\/mosaic-newsletter-summer-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"MOSAIC Newsletter: Summer 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/02\/mosaic_color_H-edited.webp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/02\/mosaic_color_H-edited-900x338.webp\" alt=\"Bates Alumni MOSAIC logo\" class=\"wp-image-36609\" style=\"width:775px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/02\/mosaic_color_H-edited-900x338.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/02\/mosaic_color_H-edited-400x150.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/02\/mosaic_color_H-edited-768x288.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/02\/mosaic_color_H-edited-1200x450.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/02\/mosaic_color_H-edited-1536x577.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/02\/mosaic_color_H-edited.webp 1609w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-garnet-bg has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-garnet-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-de7e727911efb0c9ea4298f3bef7ea8f\"><strong>Welcome!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-garnet-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-63aa072f0211cad6ceaef699dbe869be\">Summer on campus has given us some time to look back on an eventful spring and look forward to the next academic year. From events in major cities to Reunion on campus, the past few months have offered many opportunities to build the MOSAIC community.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-blue-bg has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>JUMP TO<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#BMBAS\">Update from BMBAS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#reunion\">Reunion Recap<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#first-gen\">First-Generation Programs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#pride\">NESCAC Pride Out and Proudly<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#then-now-student\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#then-now-student\">Then &amp; Now: Raices Unidas<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#b2b\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#b2b\">Back to Bates<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"BMBAS\">Benjamin Mays Black Alumni Society (BMBAS), from Washington to Lewiston<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/20250411_141319.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/20250411_141319-900x506.webp\" alt=\"BMBAS 2025\" class=\"wp-image-38969\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/20250411_141319-900x506.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/20250411_141319-400x225.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/20250411_141319-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/20250411_141319-1116x628.jpg 1116w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/20250411_141319.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Benjamin Mays Black Alumni Society (BMBAS) was on the road this spring! In April, BMBAS held its annual awards luncheon, which featured honorees Chantal Berry Dalton \u201969 and Constance Berry Newman \u201956, LL.D. \u201972. The event celebrated their significant experience and contributions in public service at some of the highest levels of office.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/BMBAS-2025-ver-1.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/BMBAS-2025-ver-1-600x900.webp\" alt=\"BMBAS 2025\" class=\"wp-image-38968\" style=\"width:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/BMBAS-2025-ver-1-600x900.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/BMBAS-2025-ver-1-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/BMBAS-2025-ver-1-768x1151.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/BMBAS-2025-ver-1-419x628.jpg 419w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/BMBAS-2025-ver-1-1025x1536.webp 1025w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/BMBAS-2025-ver-1.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Moving up the coast, the BMBAS Boston Social visited Park 54 in Hyde Park. Alumni from over five decades reminisced with long-time friends and made new connections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, BMBAS recognized senior Alexandra \u201cARose\u201d Long \u201925 on campus as she received the Frederick Drayton Outstanding Senior Award. The award recognizes a senior for their academic achievement, exceptional leadership prowess, positive servant leadership, and demonstrated commitment to fortifying the connection between current students and alumni. Congrats, ARose!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find more about BMBAS on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmbas.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">their website<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/groups\/13884576\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn group<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-lightgray-bg has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"reunion\">Reunion Recap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/reunion\/reunion-2025-photo-gallery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/MOSAIC-reception-Reunion-2025-900x900.webp\" alt=\"Reunion 2025 - Mosaic gathering\" class=\"wp-image-38977\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/MOSAIC-reception-Reunion-2025-900x900.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/MOSAIC-reception-Reunion-2025-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/MOSAIC-reception-Reunion-2025-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/MOSAIC-reception-Reunion-2025-768x768.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/MOSAIC-reception-Reunion-2025-628x628.jpg 628w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/MOSAIC-reception-Reunion-2025-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/MOSAIC-reception-Reunion-2025.webp 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Reunion this past June welcomed the largest crowd of alumni ever! From the alumni parade to the fireworks, there were a variety of classic Reunion festivities. MOSAIC alumni gathered in the new space of the Student Center for Belonging and Community (SCBC) to hear remarks from President Jenkins and connect across class years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the MOSAIC Reception, another new program highlight was the \u201cQueer Through The Years\u201d Panel, featuring Dee Grayton \u201875, Mike Hogan \u201885, Larry Handerhan \u201805, Benny VanDerburgh \u201815, and Anthony Del Real, Assistant Director of LGBTQ+ Programs. The alumni recounted the stories from their time as students and highlighted the progression of LGBTQ+ life at Bates, with staff member Anthony Del Real sharing current campus updates. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/reunion\/reunion-2025-photo-gallery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">View the Reunion Photo Gallery to see more of the weekend\u2019s festivities!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"first-gen\">Staff and Program Spotlight \u2013 First-Generation Programs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/student-center-belonging-community\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Student Center for Belonging and Community<\/a> welcomed the new Director of First Generation Programs, Misael \u201cMisa\u201d Beltran-Guzman. Misa joined Bates in March, having previously held a similar position at Colby College. Misa himself is a first-generation-to-college graduate and is deeply passionate about supporting and empowering this population of students. Apart from his role as Director, Misa is also enrolled in a part-time Master&#8217;s program in Educational Leadership through the Harvard Graduate School of Education.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/240928_Back_to_Bates_MOSAIC_Networking-92-edited.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/240928_Back_to_Bates_MOSAIC_Networking-92-edited-900x600.webp\" alt=\"MOSAIC alumni gathering\" class=\"wp-image-38884\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/240928_Back_to_Bates_MOSAIC_Networking-92-edited-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/240928_Back_to_Bates_MOSAIC_Networking-92-edited-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/240928_Back_to_Bates_MOSAIC_Networking-92-edited-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/240928_Back_to_Bates_MOSAIC_Networking-92-edited-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/240928_Back_to_Bates_MOSAIC_Networking-92-edited.webp 1132w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As a new joint project, Misa and Danny launched a First-Generation letter-writing project. First-Gen alumni shared wisdom from their time at and after Bates with First-Gen first-year students who just completed their year at Bates. The letters contain impactful stories of joining campus communities, overcoming challenges in and outside of the classroom, finding purpose, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-garnet-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/2025\/05\/21\/paving-the-way-voices-from-first-gen-graduates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Check out the letters!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-lightgray-bg has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"pride\">NESCAC Pride Out and Proudly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In partnership with our NESCAC peers, we held Pride celebrations in Boston, Denver, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. These events brought together LGBTQ+ alumni from different schools in recognition of the strength of the NESCAC network. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you to all those who joined us! We\u2019re already looking forward to next year. <a href=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/appi8o3gujKYVC3Ek\/shr0oE2gz6YDu3Puz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Did we miss your city? Let us know!<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Boston-Pride-3.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"675\" data-id=\"38994\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Boston-Pride-3-900x675.webp\" alt=\"2025 NESCAC Pride: Out &amp; Proudly\" class=\"wp-image-38994\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Boston-Pride-3-900x675.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Boston-Pride-3-400x300.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Boston-Pride-3-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Boston-Pride-3-837x628.jpg 837w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Boston-Pride-3-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Boston-Pride-3.webp 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_6187.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"675\" data-id=\"38995\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_6187-900x675.webp\" alt=\"2025 NESCAC Pride: Out &amp; Proudly\" class=\"wp-image-38995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_6187-900x675.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_6187-400x300.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_6187-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_6187-837x628.jpg 837w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_6187-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/IMG_6187.webp 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/NESCACPRIDE2025-03.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"38993\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/NESCACPRIDE2025-03-900x600.webp\" alt=\"2025 NESCAC Pride: Out &amp; Proudly\" class=\"wp-image-38993\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/NESCACPRIDE2025-03-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/NESCACPRIDE2025-03-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/NESCACPRIDE2025-03-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/NESCACPRIDE2025-03-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/NESCACPRIDE2025-03-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/NESCACPRIDE2025-03.webp 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"then-now-student\">Student Group Spotlight: Raices Unidas, Then and Now<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cThen\u201d (Ismael E. Carreras \u201990):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think many people really know the story of how Ra\u00edces Unidas actually got started, which is why I wanted to share it now. It&#8217;s one of those origin stories that gets lost to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I think about it, the seeds were planted way before that pivotal moment in spring of 1990. I&#8217;d spent my years at Bates watching other groups like the Afro-American Society and the International Student organizations really thrive, and I kept wondering \u2013 where&#8217;s our space? Where do Hispanic students come together? But the reality was, we were such a small group back then. I&#8217;m talking maybe a dozen of us students on the entire campus in the late &#8217;80s. It could definitely feel isolating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was during Short Term of my senior year \u2013 May 1990 \u2013 when I decided just to go for it. I remember going to meet with Dean Reese, who was an institution even back then, to talk through my idea. He supported it wholeheartedly and said something that really stuck with me: &#8220;I was wondering when you guys would get organized!&#8221; But he understood that these things have to grow organically to have any real staying power. Community has to emerge naturally; you can\u2019t force it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So I put up this simple flyer on the ramp leading into Old Commons in Chase Hall. That&#8217;s where all the students posted everything back then \u2013 you couldn&#8217;t miss it on your way to meals. Just a basic call for Hispanic students to meet up at Frye Street Union on a Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I remember being nervous about it, wondering if anyone would show. My girlfriend Andrea \u2013 who&#8217;s been my wife for thirty years now \u2013 she wasn&#8217;t Latina herself, but she was very supportive. She helped me make the tostones that we were going to serve to the group, and honestly, her being there meant a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The turnout was small \u2013 less than half a dozen people, including Andrea and me \u2013 but the energy was great. That&#8217;s when I first met Ambrosio Rodr\u00edguez \u201993 (Gainesville, FL), Natalie S\u00e1nchez \u201992 (Los Angeles, CA), and Josarie Molina \u201993 (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico). We spent a couple of hours just talking, sharing our experiences, and no longer feeling alone in this journey. Despite the small numbers, I walked away feeling so energized and validated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The great thing was, because I ended up working in the Admissions Office the following year, I got to be there for the real launch. That fall, we had our first official gathering, and the turnout was amazing \u2013 at least a couple of dozen students. Professor Francisca \u201cPaqui\u201d L\u00f3pez graciously agreed to be our faculty advisor, which was huge for legitimizing what we were trying to build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking back, that little meeting with tostones and a handful of students really planted the seeds for something that I&#8217;m so pleased to see continuing to endure and support our Latino student community.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cNow\u201d (Sherlin Perez Gonzalez \u201927):<\/strong><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hola alumni,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope your summer has been suave (smooth sailing) and that you\u2019ve been spending time with your loved ones regardless of how busy you may be! We wanted to give you a bit of a recap of what Ra\u00edces Unidas was up to this past year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-30-144955.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"454\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-30-144955.webp\" alt=\"Raices Unidas club photo\" class=\"wp-image-39062\" style=\"width:314px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-30-144955.webp 612w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-30-144955-400x297.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-30-144955-200x148.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Starting off with celebrating Hispanic Heritage month, Bates College Dining, Conferences, and Campus Events (DCCE) helped us celebrate by having different foods throughout the month such as churros, Jamaica (hibiscus) water, and carnitas. Ra\u00edces Unidas also celebrated the month by having a taquiza, which is where the Little Room was decorated and tacos were catered! There was music, lights, and really delicious food. We have had a few partnerships with other clubs on campus, such as Bates Outing Club where we had a small hike and then we proceeded to make s\u2019mores. With Multifaith Chaplaincy in October, we made a community ofrenda to welcome all our loved ones back that have parted away from this world. Then in the spring, we held a \u201cMake Space\u201d space at Le Ronj and the community gathered to paint and drink matcha or their fave Le Ronj drink.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the fall we held different activities bringing the community together, and in the winter\/spring, we worked together alongside the Caribbean Student Association (CSA) to bring to life \u201cJourney Through Paradise.\u201d It was a showcase made to celebrate and bring together the variety of cultures and traditions we have on campus and present them to our Bates community. We had the opportunity to bring in Bomba de Aqu\u00ed. Bomba de Aqu\u00ed taught the Bates community Afro-Puerto Rican traditions through dance and music. We\u2019d like to thank everyone who made it to the showcase and a big hug and thank you to everyone who gave their time to bring the show together!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope you enjoyed hearing about our activities last year. If you\u2019d like to follow along this year, you can find us on Instagram <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/batesraicesunidas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@Batesraicesunidas<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bates.edu\/backtobates\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Back-to-Bates-2025-Instagram-Post-900x900.webp\" alt=\"Back to Bates 2025\" class=\"wp-image-38966\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Back-to-Bates-2025-Instagram-Post-900x900.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Back-to-Bates-2025-Instagram-Post-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Back-to-Bates-2025-Instagram-Post-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Back-to-Bates-2025-Instagram-Post-768x768.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Back-to-Bates-2025-Instagram-Post-628x628.jpg 628w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Back-to-Bates-2025-Instagram-Post-200x200.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/files\/2025\/07\/Back-to-Bates-2025-Instagram-Post.webp 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"b2b\">On The Horizon: Back to Bates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark your calendars for October 3rd and 4th! We\u2019ll be welcoming alumni and families for a fantastic fall weekend on campus. We\u2019ll have a MOSAIC networking event and a special birthday celebration for Dean James Reese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bates.edu\/backtobates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Be on the lookout for when registration opens!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Don&#8217;t miss out! Join the Bates Alumni MOSAIC email list to stay up to date with all the latest information.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-garnet-button large-button large-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/bates-alumni-mosiac-join-our-mailing-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Join the mailing list today!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There have been many exciting MOSAIC developments on and off campus, so we wanted to share them all with you. Check out this extended MOSAIC update.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1820,"featured_media":38977,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_hide_ai_chatbot":false,"_ai_chatbot_style":"","associated_faculty":[],"_Page_Specific_Css":"","_bates_restrict_mod":false,"_table_of_contents_display":false,"_table_of_contents_location":"","_table_of_contents_disableSticky":false,"_is_featured":false,"footnotes":"","_bates_seo_meta_description":"","_bates_seo_block_robots":false,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_id":0,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_twitter_id":0,"_bates_seo_share_title":"","_bates_seo_canonical_overwrite":"","_bates_seo_twitter_template":""},"categories":[1,59,19],"tags":[58,18],"class_list":["post-38960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni-news-and-updates","category-mosaic","category-newsletter","tag-mosaic","tag-newsletter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1820"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38960"}],"version-history":[{"count":84,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39486,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38960\/revisions\/39486"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}