Bates honors alumni during reunion weekend

The Alumni Distinguished Service Award will be given to Lewiston resident Jane Ault Lindholm ’37, as the college holds its 129th annual reunion from June 6 through June 8.

First awarded in 1981, the honor is bestowed annually to an alumnus or alumna for truly distinguishing service to the college. Lindholm’s husband, Milton L. Lindholm, Bates class of ’35 and dean emeritus of admissions at the college, was the award’s inaugural recipient.

Raised in Auburn, Lindholm and her husband have resided in Lewiston for more than 50 years. In addition to raising a family, Lindholm worked at various times in the college library, registrar’s office and alumni office, where she became the alumni magazine’s wordsmith and fact-checker, a task that she continues today.

Lindholm’s other college service has included terms as secretary and president of the Bates College Key, a service and leadership organization, secretary of her class of 1937 and chair of the class’s 60th reunion social committee this year.

Lindholm and her husband have established two endowed funds at the college and are generous donors to the Annual Alumni Fund. She also is an active member of the Lewiston United Baptist Church.

“She reminds us that service to Bates and our community includes both public activities for all to notice, as well as private moments of friendship, hospitality and support,” said Alumni Council past president Geri FitzGerald ’75.

Also to be honored at this year’s reunion are Christopher J. Poulin ’86 of New Hampshire, and Kristin Carlson Garnett ’86 of Connecticut, who received the Distinguished Young Alumni Award in recognition of significant contributions for exemplary service to the college and/or distinction in one’s career.

Called “There’s a Place For Us,” in reference to the dedication of the college’s new alumni house on the corner of Campus Avenue and Franklin Street on Saturday at 2:15 p.m., the reunion will include a variety of activities for alumni and their families, such as the annual alumni parade on Hathorn Quad, featuring the 50th reunion class of 1947, as well as a variety of panel discussions, meals and athletic events.