Stories about "Bates values"
On a chilly night in December, students from Associate Professor of Theater Courtney Smith’s Introduction to Digital Media course presented their final project on Lisbon Street, the heart of Lewiston's historic downtown, and the subject of this interdiscliplinary course (cross listed between theater and digital and computational studies). For their work in this community engaged learning experience, they explored resources that included the Muskie Archives on campus and the Androscoggin Historical Society, to create a multimedia portrait of Lisbon Street, dating back to the days of electric trolley cars. In attendance at the big reveal included Professor Emeritus Doug Hodgkin, Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline, and Darby Ray, who collaborated with Smith. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
National recognition for Bates’ ‘exemplary’ success in community engagement as well as its return on investment for graduates

Friday, January 23, 2026 3:07 pm

Bates has once again been recognized by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its deep level of commitment to community engagement, an honor the college first achieved in 2008 and again in 2015. Recently Bates was also lauded  by ACE and Carnegie for its success in providing paths for graduates to earn competitive wages.

New funding pushes Carolina González Valencia’s film toward the finish line

Friday, December 19, 2025 11:30 am

Associate Professor of Art and Visual Culture Carolina González Valencia's feature-length film How to Clean a House in 10 Easy Steps will be complete by the end of the year.

Everybody in the pool: The making of Metamorphoses

Thursday, December 4, 2025 5:09 pm

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.

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

Thursday, December 4, 2025 8:44 am

At the 20th annual Trashion Show, students and faculty modeled 16 elaborate runway designs crafted from trash to draw awareness to waste around campus.

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

Thursday, November 13, 2025 3:37 pm

At their sold-out show at Portland's State Theatre, Big Thief, a Brooklyn-based indie-folk band, shouted out Bates.

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

Thursday, October 30, 2025 1:54 pm

When he was still in high school, Misa Beltran-Guzman, director of first-generation programs at Bates, had a preview of many of the culture shocks experienced by first-gen college students.

Leaving out of Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island/ Acadia National Park, the morning cruise with Sea Princess Cruises featured a historic and nature commentary by National Park Ranger Tess Black ’20, as the boat traveled to and from Little Cranberry Island, there passengers docked for 45 minutes to visit the Island museum and other sites before returning to Northeast Harbor. Explore the connections between people and the sea on a ranger-led boat tour of Great Harbor and Somes Sound. Visit a 200-year-old lobster fishing village on Little Cranberry Island and enjoy the Islesford Historical Museum (open seasonally).
On a purposeful path: Park ranger Tess Black ’20 builds a career in America’s national parks

Thursday, September 25, 2025 11:27 am

As a seasonal park ranger, Tess Black ’20 educates park visitors on the beauty and importance of the National Park System.

The importance of the liberal arts: President Garry W. Jenkins in conversation with the Maine Trust for Local News

Friday, September 19, 2025 1:38 pm

This week Bates President Garry W. Jenkins joined Stefanie Manning, Maine Trust for Local News’ managing director, for a public conversation about his leadership and journey to Bates.

Pulling mussels: Bates researchers spend the summer studying Maine’s disappearing shellfish

Thursday, September 4, 2025 10:53 am

A research team from Bates spent the summer investigating Maine's disappearing shellfish, the blue mussel.

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.

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