Help us reach our goal of 2,026 donors by March 12
Join us for this year’s Great Day to be a Bobcat on March 12, 2026, our annual giving day when we celebrate all that is great about Bates. Let’s show our Bobcat pride by reaching 2,026 donors for Great Day 2026!
We’ll be bringing Bates to you starting at noon EDT, with our Great Day to be a Bobcat Livestream. Tune in for this Great Day tradition featuring students, campus celebrities, President Jenkins, and – of course! – the Bobcat.
You can make this a GREAT DAY by making your best gift to Bates. Give early, or join thousands of other alumni, families, and friends in supporting Bates on March 12 for Great Day to be a Bobcat!
JOIN THE CELEBRATION!
- Make your Great Day gift in under 2 minutes before or on March 12.
- Set a calendar reminder for the Great Day livestream starting at noon on March 12. More information about the livestream schedule will be posted as available.
- Wear Bates gear and post your photos and stories on Instagram, Facebookusing #BatesGreatDay. Please tag us to get re-posted.
- Encourage your fellow Bobcats to participate! Find different ways to amplify the campaign here.
Livestream Schedule
12:00 -12:40 pm
- President Garry W. Jenkins
- Olivia T. ’28, Student Philanthropy Ambassador
- Leah B. ’26, Senior Co-Chair
12:55 – 1:30 pm
- Audrey Thebarge ’17, Student Financial Services
- Jay Burns P’17, P’19, Retired editor of the Bates Magazine
1:35 – 2:20 pm:
- Marisela Flores Pineda ’24, Center for Purposeful Work
- Luke Allen ’22, Campus Life
- Abby Ryan ’21, Advancement
2:25 – 3:10 pm
- Erin Foster Zsiga, AVP and Dean of Students
- Molly Newton ’11, Sr. Assoc. Dean of Students
- Brenna Callahan ’15, Dir. of Health Services and Well-Being
3:15 – 4:00 pm
- Michael Rocque, Professor of Sociology and Department Chair
- Emma L. ’29
- John H. ’29
4:05 – 4:50 pm
- Paul Gastonguay ’89, Head Men’s Tennis Coach
- John Harvey ’09, Leadership Gift Officer
- Tyler Lussier, Leadership Gift Officer
- Ben Peck ’05, Associate College Librarian
4:55 – 5:40 pm
- Christine Schwartz, VP for Dining, Conferences, and Campus Events
- Kim Trauceniek, Sr. Assoc. Dean of Students
- Kirk Read, Professor of French and Francophone Studies
5:45 – 6:30 pm
- Zach R. ’26 & Mohammad Z. ’27, Co-Presidents of the Bates College Student Government
- Lauren C. ’26 & Kainda N. ’29, Student Philanthropy Ambassadors
6:30 – 7:00 pm
- Bates Bobcast with Aaron Morse (pre-recorded)
7:00 – 7:40 pm
- Darby Ray, Harward Center
- Tonya Bailey, Student Center for Belonging and Community
7:45 – 8:30 pm
- Dean Reese P’29, International Student Programs
- Hoi Ning Ngai, Purposeful Work
8:35 – 9:00 pm
- Live a capella with the Crosstones and ManOps
Show your Bobcat Pride on social media posts using Bates-themed Stickers!
Try out our new Bates-themed GIFs!
When creating your posts, search “Bates College” or “Bates GreatDay” in the GIPHY search.
If you use a Bates GIF in your story, tag @Bates.Alumni for a chance to be re-posted!
Why is Bates Great?
Great Day 2023
Why your support makes all the difference.
Photos of Great Day past!