Thursday, May 29, 2025  

Hello students in the Class of 2029 and new transfer students, 

Welcome to Bates! We are so excited to welcome you to campus in the fall.

We know the summer leading up to college is an exciting time, and we hope you can join us for some virtual meetups if they are of interest to you. These meetups are an opportunity for you to connect on a Zoom call with other new students and Bates College community members who share a similar interest or identity with you.

Listed below are the dates, times, and details of each meetup. Feel free to sign up for as many as you’d like.  

If you have any questions, please contact Bates First-Year Experience team at fye@bates.edu.

Monday, June 23 at 7 PM EDT: Club Sports & Intramurals:

Join us for an engaging webinar exploring the wide range of recreation, intramural and club sports, fitness programs, and wellness opportunities available to Bates students. Learn how these activities foster a welcoming, inclusive environment that promotes well-being, leadership, and healthy competition for all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just looking to unwind, stay active, and connect with others, this session will highlight how to make the most of your college experience. Co-hosted by Scott Lehmann, Associate Director of Athletics, Mike Milliken, Manager of Community Wellness & Coordinator of Club Sports, and Logan Nichols, Coordinator of Athletic Events and Intramurals. Register to attend here.

Tuesday, June 24 at 7 PM EDT: LGBTQIA+ Students: 

Are you looking for more information about what LGBTQIA+ student life is like on campus? Come meet with professional staff, as well as current students, to learn more about our LGBTQIA+ community, resources, and support(s) on campus. This meetup is hosted by Anthony Del Real, Assistant Director of LGBTQ+ Programs, and Cole Taylor, Associate Director of Residence Life. Register to attend here.

Monday, July 7 at 7 PM EDT: BIPOC Students: 

Are you interested in learning about what community and support for BIPOC students is on campus? Are you hoping to connect with and create community with other BIPOC students in the entering class? Come meet with staff and student leaders to build community and get your questions answered. This meetup is hosted by Tonya Bailey, Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Student Center for Community & Belonging, and Marc Muro, Coordinator for Residence Life. Register to attend here.

Wednesday, July 9 at 7 PM EDT: First-Generation College Students: 

Are you a first-generation-to-college student and will be among the first in your family to complete a Bachelor’s (four-year) degree? If so, we encourage you to join this virtual summer meet-up for incoming first-gen students hosted by the First-Generation Programs team–Director Misael Beltran-Guzman and Assistant Director Tatiana Pullen.

First-gen students bring unique strengths and valuable perspectives to campus, and while the college journey can come with unfamiliar challenges, you won’t have to navigate it alone. Start to build your community and connect with the team that will support you throughout your time at Bates! Register to attend here.

We hope to see you! If you have any questions, please email  fye@bates.edu.

Steve Engel, Professor of Politics and Associate Dean of the Faculty 
Kim Trauceniek, Senior Associate Dean of Students
Nick Dressler, Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life and First-Year Experience
Catie Luedee, Associate Director for Outdoor Education and Programs
Luke Allen ‘22, Coordinator of Campus Life Programming and First-Year Experience