Jay Burns

Recently retired as editor of Bates Magazine, Jay now occasionally contributes stories to the magazine as well as Bates News.

jburns@bates.edu

Stories by Jay Burns
15 for 150: Moments from Bates football’s sesquicentennial history

Thursday, September 11, 2025 8:05 am

In 1875, Bates and Tufts played the first college football game in Maine. Here's to football's sesquicentennial: 15 moments from 150 years of Bates football.

Behind the scenes with the Bates golfers turned stars for an Adobe AI video

Tuesday, August 26, 2025 8:01 am

The talent pipeline to PGA Tour stardom typically runs through powerhouse NCAA Division I schools. But when Golf Digest — the sport’s top publication — went looking for college golfers to star in a feature video sponsored by Adobe, they turned to Bates.

Advice from new graduates to new students: Here’s what you should explore at Bates

Friday, June 13, 2025 12:46 pm

We asked 14 Bates seniors, in their waning hours as resident experts on all things Bates, to tell us what the Class of 2029 should explore when they get to campus.

12 tips to shape your surroundings, and your life, from Bates Commencement speaker Angela Duckworth

Friday, May 30, 2025 3:18 pm

Watch Duckworth's Commencement address and check out these 12 tips for taking control of your phone — and your life.

Slideshow: What these Bates seniors will miss — and what they want the Class of ’29 to hear

Friday, May 23, 2025 12:15 pm

Featuring portraits by Phyllis Graber Jensen, these Bates seniors Thirteen seniors share what they’ll miss most and offer advice to the Class of 2029.

97-year-old Ralph Sylvester, Bates Class of 1950, arrives at the Bobcat Den on Aug. 17, 2021, where he renewed a morning routine, having breakfast with Alan Kelley of Facility Services in the Bobcat Den, which reopened today at 8 a.m. after being closed since March 20, 2020, due to the pandemic. “The Den is where Ralph and I became friends,” said Kelley, who is the mechanical and electrical services manager for Facility Services. “You can see a lot of people come through the Den who you might not see on a regular basis on campus," Kelley added. "It’s great to say hi, how you doing, and fill your belly with a good meal to start your day.”
Bates receives $1.3 million bequest from a World War II vet and alumnus who fought for the underdog

Thursday, May 22, 2025 2:08 pm

The bequest from Ralph Sylvester '50, who died in 2023 at age 99 will fund two new endowed funds at Bates that create a legacy of access, opportunity, and community.

Fishin’, singin’, campin’ — 13 joyful Bobcat sportraits from the spring season

Friday, May 16, 2025 9:27 am

Open-water fishing doesn’t begin until April 1 in Maine, but that didn’t…

Remembering Sylvia Hawks, 1948–2025

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 3:58 pm

Sylvia Hawks’ work resume has no gaps: Fifty-one years, all spent supporting…

Picture Story: Chekhov’s ‘The Seagull,’ between avant-garde and traditional

Friday, March 14, 2025 3:48 pm

The play reflects on its own form, blurring the line between performance and reality — especially relevant for Bates students discovering their own creative voices.

CatFacts: Celebrating ‘Great Day’ success with fun facts, like a Muhammad Ali statue for Lewiston

Friday, March 14, 2025 2:39 pm

This year's Great Day was another great success for Bates and the Bates Fund

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