From Connection to Commitment: The Power of Staying Connected

At its heart, philanthropy is an act of connection. We give to the places that shaped us, the communities that supported us, and the institutions that reflect our deepest values. That connection evolves after graduation, sometimes spanning generations.

Take, for example, a member of the Class of 1967, Bruce Lyman. Through his volunteer work at a community kitchen, Bruce met a talented young man named Chandler. When Chandler found himself graduating from high school and looking at colleges, Bruce recommended his alma mater Bates. He also reached out to the track coach with a ringing endorsement.

Chandler was accepted and is now thriving. Today, he is pursuing a path toward engineering, performing with the Manic Optimists a cappella group, and competing on the track team. As Chandler recently wrote to his mentor: “Bates has been the best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you for your effort in allowing me to attend this school.”

Through Forever Garnet, a new volunteer program helping elevate the way we engage with one another and the future of the college, we are committed to fostering connection. Forever Garnet is about deepening your ties to Bates while helping fellow alumni discover the ways they can have an impact on and participate in Bates today.

Volunteers are deepening relationships with classmates and sharing the latest news from campus. They play a vital role in keeping alumni involved and encouraging classmates to participate in virtual and in-person alumni programming. From these connections grows commitment.

For many Bobcats that I have the opportunity to meet, making a commitment to Bates means leaving a lasting legacy to ensure a new generation of students finds their place at Bates. For all of these connections and commitments, the Bates community is truly grateful.

To learn more, contact us at giftplanning@bates.edu | 800-762-3145. But, don’t just take it from us. We can put you in touch with alumni who can share more about the reasons they have updated their giving strategy for Bates.