{"id":59790,"date":"2012-10-26T16:00:40","date_gmt":"2012-10-26T20:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/?p=59790"},"modified":"2025-07-15T16:45:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T20:45:22","slug":"clayton-spencer-inaugurated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2012\/10\/26\/clayton-spencer-inaugurated\/","title":{"rendered":"‘The embodiment of Bates values,’ Spencer is installed as president"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Clayton Spencer holds the symbols of office during her installation ceremony as the eighth president of Bates College. The symbols are the keys, the presidential collar and the record book.<\/p><\/div>\n

Bates formally installed Ava Clayton Spencer, a woman described by her former boss as the “embodiment of Bates values,” as its eighth president before a gathering of 2,500 in Merrill Gymnasium on Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Spencer, who officially began work at Bates in July, was ceremonially installed as president in a celebration marked by glowing good wishes, a few tough facts and just enough pomp. Filling the gym were students, faculty, friends, Spencer’s predecessors as Bates president and 72 delegates representing colleges and universities from as far away as England.<\/p>\n

Also on hand were Spencer’s family and friends \u2014 including her parents, who got a briefly teary shout-out from their daughter as she held the cap her father Sam had worn as president of Mary Baldwin and of Davidson colleges.<\/p>\n

With a sleek stage, complete with giant video screens, the usually utilitarian Merrill was transformed for the occasion into a stunning ceremonial showcase. Michael Bonney ’80, chair of the Bates Board of Trustees, presided over a festivity that included music written and performed by faculty and students, formal greetings from diverse quarters and the ritual presentation of the symbols of the college \u2014 collar, record book and keys.<\/p>\n

Complete video of the installation ceremony<\/a>:<\/h3>\n