{"id":6802,"date":"2025-05-23T14:36:35","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T18:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/?p=6802"},"modified":"2025-05-27T14:37:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T18:37:32","slug":"slideshow-what-these-bates-seniors-will-miss-and-what-they-want-the-class-of-29-to-hear-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/2025\/05\/23\/slideshow-what-these-bates-seniors-will-miss-and-what-they-want-the-class-of-29-to-hear-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Slideshow: What these Bates seniors will miss \u2014 and what they want the Class of \u201929 to hear"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Among the 504 seniors at Sunday’s Bates Commencement will be these 13, each of whom recently shared what they’ll miss most about Bates, from professors attending their theater shows to unexpected joy found in Commons, while offering advice to the incoming Class of 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this collection of candid reflections (\u201cTry everything \u2014 and then pick what makes you smile\u201d), paired with striking and heartfelt photography by Phyllis Graber Jensen, the spirit of the Bates Class of 2025 comes alive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Watch Commencement <\/strong>
Livestreamed on the Bates website<\/a> and the Bates Facebook page<\/a>, the Bates Commencement ceremony begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, with live coverage beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Alexandra Long<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A mathematics major from Newtown, Pa., Long played varsity basketball and was an internship peer advisor with Purposeful Work, with academic interests in the intersections of data science and storytelling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alexandra Long is a mathematics major from Newtown, Pa. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the heart of the Bates experience<\/strong>:
\u201cThe thing I\u2019m going to miss most about Bates is the community. In the spaces I\u2019ve worked, played sports, and learned supportive people were everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On values lived out<\/strong>:
\u201cCommunity has always been my number one value, and that\u2019s a huge reason I came to Bates. I’ve been able to live that out in the choices I\u2019ve made and the relationships I\u2019ve built.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On advice to new students<\/strong>:
\u201cExtend yourself to make meaningful and authentic relationships \u2014 they will last. People are the most important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Izzy Beck<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A politics major from Montclair, N.J., Beck was a Purposeful Work peer advisor, coxswain on the men\u2019s varsity rowing team, summer Admission intern, and completed her honors thesis investigating the development of the unitary executive theory in contemporary American politics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Izzy Beck is a politics major from Montclair, N.J. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On what she\u2019ll miss most<\/strong>:
\u201cWhat I\u2019ll miss the most about Bates is the proximity I have to professors who are at the tops of their fields and excited to share wisdom with their students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Bates vibe<\/strong>:
\u201cBates students are interested in and enthusiastic about the many things they do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On academic advice<\/strong>:
\u201cTake one random class each semester that just sounds interesting. You might uncover a passion you didn\u2019t know you had.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Emma Gay<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A double major in anthropology and classical and medieval studies from Herndon, Va., Gay was president of the ski club, a member of the Bates orchestra, and was an Admission senior fellow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Emma Gay is a double major in anthropology and classical and medieval studies from Herndon, Va. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On what she\u2019ll miss most about Bates<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn short, the people. I have been lucky enough to meet some of the most amazing people across campus that have helped me become the person I am today, and I’m going to miss all the smiling faces and joy that people spread around campus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On unequivocal support<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom the faculty to staff to students, I have been able to succeed in all aspects of my life because of the support I had, and will continue to have after Bates. These people, who have been with me through so many ups and downs, have taught me so much, and I will forever be grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On advice for incoming students<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTake advantage of the offerings to get to know your fellow classmates \u2014 but don’t be afraid to say \u2018no\u2019 and take time for yourself during a really crazy transition period when it can become very overwhelming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Caroline Bibbens<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A politics major from Claremont, Calif., Bibbens was an Admission senior fellow and a volunteer at Lewiston public schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Caroline Bibbens is a politics major from Claremont, Calif. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On building lasting friendships<\/strong>:
\u201cFrom day one, Bates helped me feel socially comfortable. My first-year roommate is still my best friend, and I met five more on my AESOP trip who are still my closest friends today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On what she’ll miss most<\/strong>:
\u201cIt really feels like a second home. I’ll miss walking around campus and seeing the faces of all the people I\u2019ve built such close friendships with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On finding community far from home<\/strong>:
\u201cComing from so far away, I was nervous at first, but Bates is such a supportive and welcoming place. The friendships I\u2019ve made here have meant everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kendall Jones<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A double major in biochemistry and theater from Plymouth, N.H., Jones worked as a stage manager (including carpentry work) for many Bates plays, also handling social media for the theater and dance department, and was an organic chemistry teaching assistant and summer Admission intern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kendall Jones is a double major in biochemistry and theater from Plymouth, N.H. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On professors who show up \u2014 literally<\/strong>:
\u201cAlmost all of my professors have come to my theater shows. My biochemistry professors know I\u2019m in theater, and all my theater professors know I\u2019m in biochemistry. They\u2019re like, \u2018Are you surviving biochemistry?\u2019 You get hands-on learning \u2014 and a friend for life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On what she’ll miss most<\/strong>:
\u201cI\u2019m going to miss walking across the Quad and waving to everyone \u2014 even the people you just skateboard past every day. And I\u2019ll miss my professors. They were such a big part of my time here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On how to make the most of Bates<\/strong>:
\u201cTry everything \u2014 and then pick a few things that really make you happy and smile. It makes the whole experience feel so much more full.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Max Good<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A double major in economics and Hispanic studies from Shaker Heights, Ohio, Good was a men\u2019s squash captain, a member of the entrepreneurship club Bobcat Ventures, and a member of the Jewish Student Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Max Good is a double major in economics and Hispanic studies from Shaker Heights, Ohio. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On time well spent<\/strong>:
\u201cI\u2019ll miss walking into Commons intending to grab a quick bite but instead staying for hours chatting with friends until the next meal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On what Commons represents<\/strong>:
\u201cIt\u2019s a space that brings together all kinds of Batesies who pursue a plethora of passions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On everyday joy<\/strong>:
\u201cAt Bates I get to hang out with friends every day for no purpose other than enjoying each other\u2019s company.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maddie Kemp<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A double major in politics and in art and visual culture from Bethesda, Md., Kemp is one of the Bates rowing captains, regularly contributed to Bates theater with her poster designs, and was a collections intern for the Bates College Museum of Art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maddie Kemp is a double major in politics and in art and visual culture major from Bethesda, Md. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On what she\u2019ll miss most<\/strong>:
\u201cThe most important thing that\u2019s prepared me to leave Bates \u2014 and that I\u2019ll miss the most \u2014 is the community of people I have. It\u2019s a really wonderful group that I know I can go to for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On being ready for the world<\/strong>:
\u201cI feel really well prepared to interact in a larger global community because I\u2019ve spent so much time working in these smaller families, essentially.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On advice to incoming students<\/strong>:
\u201cYou\u2019re more prepared than you think. There are challenges beyond your wildest imagination \u2014 and you\u2019re totally ready to take them on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Luke Dai<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A double major in economics and psychology from West Hartford, Conn., Dai was a member of the varsity cross country and track teams, an Admission senior fellow, and a Purposeful Work peer advisor, and he interned with the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"peron
Luke Dai is a double major in economics and psychology from West Hartford, Conn. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the meaning of place and memory<\/strong>:
\u201cI\u2019ll miss the Russell Street track. When I think about my time at Bates, I think about my experiences with my teammates. We\u2019ve put a significant amount of work on this track, and it means a lot to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On belonging and shared purpose<\/strong>:
\u201cIt gave me a sense of community and belonging. My coach always told us, \u2018Run for each other, not just for yourself,\u2019 and I really embodied that. My fondest memories were just competing with my friends and just going to practice with them every day. That\u2019s why this track means a lot to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On how athletics shaped him<\/strong>:
\u201cBeing a student-athlete at Bates taught me discipline, time management, and motivation. It allowed me to be part of a greater purpose than just myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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David Nimura<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A psychology major from New York City, Nimura was an Admission tour guide, a member of the men\u2019s Ultimate team, and an Outing Club member who led the front country trip program while also officiating and coaching youth sports in Lewiston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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David Nimura is a psychology major from New York City. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On what he\u2019ll carry forward<\/strong>:
\u201cI\u2019ve really grown as a person, a student, and a caring individual. Bates has prepared me to step into something new and has given me friendships and mentors I\u2019ll cherish forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the little things that matter<\/strong>:
\u201cYou always feel seen at Bates \u2014 a high five, a hug, a wave. Even if you don\u2019t know someone well, they still acknowledge you. That\u2019s something I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the magic of the everyday<\/strong>:
\u201cYou\u2019re never going to have the same day twice at Bates. There\u2019s always something unplanned, something surprising, and that\u2019s where new connections are made. Currently standing by the Puddle in my hammock on a sunny day \u2014 it\u2019s moments like that when you really understand how special Bates is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Amanda Zerbib<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A psychology major from Larchmont, N.Y., Zerbib was a varsity field hockey player, a Purposeful Work peer advisor, an Admission senior fellow, and a volunteer in Lewiston schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Amanda Zerbib is a psychology major from Larchmont, N.Y. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On community<\/strong>:
\u201cI think what I\u2019m going to miss most about Bates is the genuine small-scale community. It\u2019s hard to replicate once you graduate. Bates has done a really great job at creating a genuine community: very safe, warm, and tight-knit.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On learning and faculty<\/strong>:
\u201cIt\u2019s such a unique opportunity to be surrounded by so many intellectual and generous people. I\u2019m going to miss getting to choose from incredible classes and professors who truly care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On transformation and discovery<\/strong>:
\u201cThere\u2019s so much I didn\u2019t even realize Bates was doing around me until senior year. Once you start paying attention, it can lead you onto a whole path of amazing things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nora Fox<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A philosophy major from Minneapolis, Minn., Fox was a Purposeful Work peer advisor, an editor for The Bates Student<\/em>, and a philosophy teaching assistant who completed an honors thesis on protecting human dignity and meaningful work from the ethical risks of AI in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nora Fox is a philosophy major from Minneapolis, Minn. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On faculty connection<\/strong>:
\u201cI\u2019m going to miss my advisor, [Professor of Philosophy] David Cummiskey, a lot. He\u2019s been really instrumental in shaping my Bates career. We met every week for my thesis \u2014 he always made sure I was understanding the material and learning well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On exploring the liberal arts<\/strong>:
\u201cI was on the rowing team for a little. I joined Ultimate. I took classes from a bunch of different departments \u2014 and then I finally kind of homed in. You never know what connections you\u2019ll make or what path you\u2019ll find. Bates is great at that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On work, purpose, and friendship<\/strong>:
\u201cI\u2019m going to miss my coworkers at Purposeful Work, helping other students, and of course, my friends. I just love coming home and having them as support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aneeza Ahmad<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A double major in environmental studies and philosophy from Sharon, Mass., Ahmad was a Purposeful Work peer advisor, a leader of the Muslim Student Association, and a violinist in the Small Ensembles Club, and she completed an honors thesis on the concept of a \u2018good farmer\u2019 in Maine by centering Wabanaki, white, and Somali Bantu farming perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aneeza Ahmad is a double major in environmental studies and philosophy from Sharon, Mass. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On a caring campus<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt Bates, you are surrounded by people who care deeply about you and your success, and you are gifted with the beauty and surprises of Maine’s stunning landscape. You feel, with unwavering certainty, that you are home. That is what I will miss the most.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On taking a chance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTry out that new sport or club, take that fun class outside of your major, have lunch with your professor, even if all of these things make you nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the freedom of college life<\/strong>: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are awarded the freedom and support to explore your intellectual and personal curiosities as far as you are willing to chase them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Danny Zuniga Zarat<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A double major in art and visual culture and in Latin American and Latinx studies from Houston, Texas, Zuniga Zarat exhibited his artwork at this year\u2019s Senior Thesis Exhibition<\/a>, presenting work in charcoal, performance, and video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"person
Danny Zuniga Zarat is a double major in art and visual culture and in Latin American and Latinx studies from Houston, Texas. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On friendships that became family<\/strong>:
\u201cSome friends became family along the way, and now that we\u2019re stepping into adulthood, that\u2019s going to be the hardest part: from seeing each other every day, to suddenly living our own lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On following the heart through the liberal arts<\/strong>:
\u201cMake use of the liberal arts. Take dance or theater or whatever calls to you. When you’re a senior, you\u2019ll look back and say, \u2018I did it because it\u2019s what my heart desired.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On what he\u2019ll miss most<\/strong>:
\u201cI\u2019ll miss the community I\u2019ve created. Now that we\u2019re stepping into adulthood, leaving that behind will be tough \u2014 but I know we\u2019ll all manage somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Featuring portraits by Phyllis Graber Jensen, these Bates seniors Thirteen seniors share what they\u2019ll miss most and offer advice to the Class of 2029.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":104,"featured_media":6803,"comment_status":"closed","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":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commencement-2025"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/104"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6802"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6802\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6804,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6802\/revisions\/6804"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/commencement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}