McKayla Kendall ’26 was navigating the different lunch options at Commons on Wednesday when she saw the man she’s followed on Instagram. The Bobcat Swim Camp counselor from Bangor, Maine, didn’t hesitate to approach the college’s new president.
“You’re Garry, right?” Kendall boomed, before asking, of all things, about Taylor Swift.
As Garry W. Jenkins moved through the Bates campus during a daylong tour, he was more than happy to stop, discuss, and share his knowledge of Swift’s songs.
“This is a very, very cool president. I’m excited,” Kendall said. “I saw on Instagram he went to see Taylor Swift with his husband in Minnesota. Of course I’m going to mention that. We talked about her surprise songs at her concert.”
Jenkins, who became president on July 1, used Wednesday as his get-to-know Bates day. And he made an impression wherever he went. A wide range of folks in the Bates community got to meet him, and many described Jenkins as authentic, attentive, down-to-earth and just plain kind. At every turn, he stopped to ask what people did; then listened intently to each person’s story.
“I was very impressed that his eyes never left mine,” said Kirk Read, professor of French and francophone studies. “I spoke with him about department work on [diversity, equity, and inclusion]. He’s tapping into everyone’s talent and good will. I’m wildly enthusiastic. I’ve been here 33 years, but I don’t want to miss this next chapter.”
Jenkins, who was unanimously elected by Bates Board of Trustees as the school’s ninth president in February, came to Bates after serving as dean of the University of Minnesota Law School since 2016. Prior to that, he was professor of law at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where he also served as associate dean for academic affairs for eight years.
Donald Tobin, a former Moritz colleague, said he once tried to “outlisten” Jenkins. “But it can’t be done,” Tobin said. “And Garry’s ability to listen makes him a fantastic leader.”
The trademark quality was on full display Wednesday.
Jenkins officially took over as Bates’ president as June 30 turned to July 1 at midnight on Friday night. Monday was a day spent getting set up on his computers and sending his first email to the Bates faculty and staff: an invitation for a “beverage and a cookie” provided by the college’s new food truck, dubbed Curb Cats, beside Lake Andrews.
“I very much look forward to meeting you in the weeks and months ahead and learning more about all that you are doing — and all that you have planned,” Jenkins wrote.
He started the day on Wednesday with a walk through Lane Hall, where his office is located. Popping into offices, he stopped for brief chats. In the office of Tom McGuinness, director of institutional research, analysis and planning, he waved to folks on a Zoom meeting.
Visiting the Bates Communications Office, he complimented the large photos lining a hallway — and wondered if similar photos of Bates people and events could cover an entire wall in his own office.
At the Curb Cats gathering, Jenkins weaved in and out of the crowd of 50. Reggie Thames, a dining room attendant in Commons, was one of the first to shake Jenkins’ hand. The new president then pivoted to Jason Tardif, a cook supervisor in Commons.
“He seems like a cool guy, very down to earth. He seems authentic,” Tardif said later.
A half hour after the food truck left and the crowd dispersed, Jenkins remained by the lake, talking with every last person.
“He talks to you like he’s a friend. I found that amazing,” said Sakina Saidi ’26 from Afghanistan, who is doing research at Bates this summer. “He asked what I was doing this summer. I felt he included me in the conversation.”
During lunchtime in Commons, Jenkins met Elliot Chun ’18 on the grill line and talked with the alum about the work Chun does for LifeHikes, a no-cost nonprofit that teaches communications and leadership skills. Chun, a summer counselor at the Bates swim camp, was delighted to find himself on a food line next to the new president, who carried a plate of rice, vegetables and a lentil pattie.
“He seems very cool. Very kind,” Chun said. “He kept asking me questions about my career and what path it took after Bates, and how I think Bates helped me make the transition. I’m not afraid to reinvent myself.”
After a lunch with faculty and staff who are leading a few different academic initiatives, Jenkins toured academic buildings with Malcolm Hill, vice president for academic affairs and the dean of faculty. At Bonney Science Center, he ran into Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Geneva Laurita, who shared a bit about her work on non-toxic alternatives, as well as the $582,000 National Science Foundation grant she was awarded.
“I’m thrilled to meet you. I’m very excited you’re here,” Laurita told Jenkins.
Next, he toured Carnegie Science Hall; Coram Library, site of the new Immersive Media Studio; and the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning in Dana Hall. He saw the ongoing renovations in Chase Hall, and visited Pettegrew Hall, where Assistant Professor of Dance Tristan Koepke invited Jenkins in to watch the young dancers with the Bates Dance Festival as they flitted and flew around Gannett Theater.
As he neared the end of a long, 90-degree day at Bates, Garry Jenkins looked like he was just getting warmed up.
“Accessible, welcoming, warm, and kind,” was how Professor Emeritus of History Dennis Grafflin described Jenkins after meeting him on Wednesday. “Those are all good things. That’s the way Bates is supposed to be.”
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