A Muskie-Bates chronology

1932: Muskie enters Bates after graduating from Stephens High School, Rumford, Maine.

1932-36: At Bates: Varsity debater; class president as junior and senior; student council, serving as vice president and secretary-treasurer; member of Politics Club; Ivy Day speaker; runs track as a freshman.

1936: Graduates from Bates, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, with degree in history and government. Enters Cornell Law School, graduating in 1939.

1950: President of College Club, honorary service organization of Bates alumni (now College Key).

1953: President of Kennebec Bates Club (alumni).

1955 (Commencement): Receives honorary doctor of laws degree from Bates.

1956-661970-88: Member of Bates’ Board of Trustees.

1960: Receives Distinguished Alumnus Award from Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha Forensic Society in recognition of his debate career at Bates.

1969 (Commencement): Receives honorary doctor of civil law degree from Bates.
(Oct. 15): Speaks at Bates as part of nationwide Vietnam Moratorium Day protesting continued American involvement in Vietnam. He calls for specific timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops.

1980: Muskie announces he will donate his papers and memorabilia to Bates, which says it will build Edmund S. Muskie Archives. When completed in 1985, it is largest archive devoted to a political figure who was not a president.

1981: Receives lifetime appointment as Oren B. Cheney Distinguished Lecturer in Government (named for founder of Bates).

(Commencement): Presents Warren Christopher (undersecretary of state when Muskie was secretary) with honorary doctorate.

1984 (June 9, Reunion): Receives Benjamin E. Mays Medal for distinguished accomplishment and achievement by an alumnus.

1985 (Sept. 28): Joins former President Carter for dedication of Muskie Archives.

1989: Muskie takes part in annual “Report of the Secretaries of State” conference held at Bates and taped for PBS telecast.

1989: Bates inaugurates annual Edmund S. Muskie Environmental Lecture.

1989-1995: Participates in college’s annual Muskie Summer Scholars program for high-school students.

1994: Participates in Bates seminar marking 40th anniversary of the Maine election of 1954, in which he was elected governor.