50th Reunion

Make Your 50th Your Best Bates Reunion

The 50th Reunion is a milestone occasion which allows the class to reflect on the community they built together while at Bates and nurtured over the past 50 years. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with classmates while creating an even stronger shared community moving forward.

By actively participating in your Reunion, you can strengthen the Bates experience and the Bates community not just for your class, but for generations to come.

Make a Special Gift

50th Reunion Schedule

Coming soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I participate in Reunion?

This year’s event will be a highly comprehensive and interactive experience. We’re excited to celebrate Reunion 2021 classes (and all Bates alumni!) in a new way, but with the same great Reunion spirit. There will be wonderful opportunities for social connection, unique programming, and activities.

Stay tuned for a survey asking for your feedback in how you would like to virtually celebrate your 50th year as Bates alumni!

In 2022, we hope to invite the classes of 1970 and 1971 to join the class of 1972 on campus for what should be a memorable milestone 50th Reunion celebration.

How do I register?

Stay tuned for more information.

Why is 50th Reunion giving important?

The Bates Fund serves as a necessary complement to our endowment, fully dedicated to the present needs of the college. Every gift is transformational and enables the college to enhance the educational experience of students every day. By giving to the Bates Fund, you provide the next generation with:

  • a best-in-class liberal arts experience spanning academic, athletic, and co-curricular programs
  • funded internships and student-faculty research opportunities
  • access to a global community of supportive alumni, forming a large and ever-growing Bates family
  • generous financial aid (more than $41,000 per student on average) for 43 percent of Bates students
  • a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with top-in-their-field faculty members
  • technology resources to enhance the experience of students and faculty on our campus
  • Plus, all gifts of any size count toward The Bates Campaign.
How will my gift be used?

The Bates Fund serves as a necessary complement to our endowment, fully dedicated to the present needs of the college. Every gift is transformational and enables the college to enhance the educational experience of students every day. By giving to the Bates Fund, you provide the next generation with:

  • a best-in-class liberal arts experience spanning academic, athletic, and co-curricular programs
  • funded internships and student-faculty research opportunities
  • access to a global community of supportive alumni, forming a large and ever-growing Bates family
  • generous financial aid (more than $41,000 per student on average) for 43 percent of Bates students
  • a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with top-in-their-field faculty members
  • technology resources to enhance the experience of students and faculty on our campus
  • Plus, all gifts of any size count toward The Bates Campaign.
What counts as a gift?

All gifts made to the Bates Fund from the your 46th year through the 50th year will count in the dollar amount raised. All gifts made to capital and endowment from this same period will count in the overall giving amount raised. Multi-year pledges made in the same period will be credited at the full pledge value. If the payment of those pledges extends into the 55th Reunion cycle, the cash donation will not be included in the 55th Reunion total. Gift annuities, charitable trusts, gifts of property, gifts-in-kind, and other irrevocable planned gifts made in the same period will be credited at face value and count toward the overall dollar amount raised.

Ways to give:

Ways to Volunteer

Reunion volunteers make Reunion happen. They take the lead building attendance, generating enthusiasm, and fundraising during their milestone year.

Volunteer leadership is vital to your class and to the college’s future. By planning a celebration that is full of fun and friends — and by asking your classmates to support Bates as part of your Reunion celebration — you send the message that Bates is an important priority. We’re grateful for your time and energy during this special year.

There are multiple ways to volunteer:

  • As a gift committee member, you will help your class leave a memorable legacy for Bates in celebration of this Reunion milestone.
  • As a social committee member, you can plan events and encourage people to attend. 
  • As a yearbook committee member, you can encourage classmates to submit bios and memories for the 50th Reunion book.

We want all who are interested to be able to volunteer for their Reunion. If you anticipate a barrier, please contact Casey Andersen via email (randerse@bates.edu), telephone (207-755-5976), or TTY [number]. We will do all we can to ensure you’re able to take part.

Class of 1971

1971 classmates gather for a 50th planning workshop over Back to Bates 2019 weekend (L-R): Cathy Cooper Tracy ’71, Mike Wiers ’71, Jan Face Glassman ’71 P’00, Lynn Bitzer Welbourn ’71, and Dave Welbourn ’71.