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Everybody in the pool: The making of Metamorphoses

December 4, 2025

Shortly after Courtney Smith joined Bates in the fall of 2024 as an associate professor of theater, he floated an idea for a production that was both over-the-top ambitious and absolute catnip to his colleague Sally Wood, a visiting lecturer in theater who was trying to decide what play to direct in the fall of 2025.

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They are jumping for joy. Women’s varsity rowing teammates Oli Seline ’24 (left) of Delaware, Ohio, and Olivia Dekker ’24 of Bethesda, Md., high five it at the conclusion of their last-ever Bates lab in Bonney 360. The teammates are students in Assistant Professor of Biochemistry Geneva Laurita’s Short Term course, “Chemistry and the Arts.” Seline is a biochemistry major with a GEC in “Visible Ideas,” while Dekker is a biochemistry major with a minor in art and visual culture. The course explores the connection between chemistry and various topics in the arts and arts-related fields. The students learn about the chemistry behind these topics, exploring the literature behind various artistic practices, and applying hands-on techniques in the laboratory involved in various art processes This year, Laurita asked students to focus on the origins of color, different crafts, print making, jewelry making, dyeing, and art conservation. Laurita is the recipient of a major National Science Foundation grant of $581,984. The NSF CAREER award, considered to be one of the foundation’s most prestigious awards for faculty members who are just beginning their teaching and research careers, is based on both her scientific research in solid state materials and how she brings undergraduates into that vital area of scientific exploration. 3:18 What the particular lab was about...the lab handout. Kate Baumler, intern for Geneva’s NSF grant, wearing, black shirt Benji Richards, ’27, wearing tan shirt Finian Gunny ’27, gray pullover and blond hair Charlotte Maffie ’25 with pink tie dyed and hair in bun Sister Alice Maffie ’27 in t-shirt and pony tail Nina Greeley ’24 with hair in bun and pink t-shirt Riley Lund ’26 in gray sweatshirt Jahan Baker-Wainwright ’25 in green golf Rohini Kandasamy ’27 in dark tan Life is cool t-shirt and low bun Chemistry and the Arts S28, the origin of different crafts, print making, jewelry making, dyeing and art soncserv

December 11, 2025

Faculty member Geneva Laurita wins national teaching award

Scenes around campus at dawn on Nov. 5, 2025. Pettengill Hall

December 11, 2025

Picture Story: November 2025 at Bates

December 4, 2025

In the News: December 2025

The Annual Harvest Dinner held in Commons, followed by horse rides around campus, a dessert part and the Annual Trashion Show in the Gray Athletic Building. Where friends, fashion, fun, and sustainability all collide. Welcome to the Bates Trashion Show 2025, held in the Gray Athletic Building on Wednesday, Nov. 19. All participants were winners! Singled out for recognition were, in first place, seniors Annie Robinson and Grace Thomas (the model), who designed the dress together; Professor of French and Francophone studies Kirk Read in second place; and in third place, a team of students in Read’s first-year seminar “Family Stories.”

December 4, 2025

Sew sustainable: Student, faculty designers stun at annual Trashion Show

November 13, 2025

Bates plays Big Thief — How a musical tribute is turning into tradition

November 13, 2025

The logics of acceptance: Francesco Duina in conversation about his new book and the sociology of economic inequality

November 13, 2025

Picture Story: October 2025 at Bates

November 13, 2025

Upcoming artistic events on the Bates campus

November 13, 2025

Purposeful Work biopharmaceutical roadshow introduces students to dynamic career possibilities

October 30, 2025

Meet new faculty in chemistry, religious studies, and rhetoric

October 30, 2025

Clarisa Pérez-Armendáriz, professor of politics, receives Kroepsch Award

October 30, 2025

Radiohead Trending: Bates students jam in Olin with professional tribute band Fitter Happier

Misa Beltran-Guzman mbeltranguzman@bates.edu Director of First-Generation Programs Student Center for Belonging and Community Misa poses for portraits in his SCBC office and entry, and then interacts with colleagues and students. The session between 4-6 p.m. on Mondays is called “Snack and Chat.” Cooking in kitchen s Bianca Vega, Kessler Scholars program coordinator Sadie New, admission counselor (white blouse) Wearing a Bates hat between Sadie and Misa is Alina Kunakbayeva ’27 of Kazakhstan. Seated with Misa, from left are Alessandra Williams ’29, Kitana James ’29, and Lucy Meeker ’29.

October 30, 2025

As director of first-generation programs, Misa Beltran-Guzman encourages Bates students to find their ‘why’

October 10, 2025

Meet new faculty in psychology, environmental studies, and anthropology

Drone photography operated and captured by Theophil Syslo on October 10, 2024. (Theophil Syslo | Bates College)

October 10, 2025

In the News: Oct. 10, 2025

October 10, 2025

Picture Story: September 2025 at Bates

October 10, 2025

Picture Story: Back to Bates 2025

October 6, 2025

Upcoming artistic events on the Bates campus

Trees of Bates: A History Tour, August 27th at 10am-11am Meet up location: Front steps of Hathorn Hall Come join us as we explore the evolution of the trees on campus from the farmland beginnings to the lush campus of today. Pat Webber, Director of Archives and Special Collections, will discuss the early years of tree planting and various tree traditions. Christine Murray, a Maine Master Naturalist and Ladd’s own Social Sciences Librarian, will be on hand to discuss the natural history of our trees and the challenges they face including issues of disease. No need to sign up! See all our upcoming events here! Please let me know if you have any questions! All the best, Caitlin -- Caitlin Lampman Education & Engagement Archivist Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections, Bates College Also featuring College Archivist Pat Webber

October 2, 2025

The way back Bates machine

October 2, 2025

‘Rising Star’ Marshall Hatch Jr. ’10 is on TIME 100 NEXT list