Bates Alumni Council Honors Six Distinguished Alumni with 2025 Awards
Celebrating outstanding achievement and service, the Bates Alumni Council announces the recipients of the 2025 Alumni Awards. These exceptional alumni have made significant contributions and achieved remarkable success, reflecting the very best of the Bates community.
“It is truly inspiring to witness the profound impact our alumni are making in diverse fields and communities around the globe,” said Leah Elsmore ’12, President of the Bates Alumni Council. “This year’s award recipients embody the core values instilled at Bates, and their dedication serves as a powerful reminder of the potential within our alumni network.”
Alumni Community Service Award
The Alumni Community Service Award is presented to Robin Waterman ’85 in recognition of her distinguished leadership and unwavering commitment to serving underserved communities around the world through organizations such as Aurora Community Connect and Healing Waters International. Her work exemplifies Bates’ core values of service and civic responsibility.
Alumni Professional Recognition Award
The Alumni Professional Recognition Award is presented to Dean Bragonier ’95, founder of NoticeAbility, in recognition of his outstanding professional success and global impact on students with dyslexia, exemplifying the ideals and spirit of Bates College through his empowering work.
Bruce Stangle ’70, P’96, GP’26 Award for Distinguished Service to the Bates Community
The Bruce Stangle ’70, P’96, GP’26 Award for Distinguished Service to the Bates Community is presented to Ann Clark Tucker ’78, recognizing her extraordinary and long-standing volunteer leadership across advancement, admission, and the Center for Purposeful Work. Her impactful service, including her role as Practitioner-in-Residence and ongoing mentorship, has touched countless Bates individuals, embodying the spirit of the award established in Bruce Stangle’s honor.
Sesquicentennial Prize
The Sesquicentennial Prize is awarded to Derek Anderson ’85 for his significant academic achievement with the 2020 publication of “Improbable Voices: A History of the World Since 1450 Seen From 26 Unusual Perspectives.” This work, celebrating diverse perspectives and highlighting the value of liberal arts, embodies a core Bates value and reflects years of extensive research and collaboration.
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
The Distinguished Young Alumni Award is presented to Nick Beati ’20, recognizing his exceptional and impactful volunteer service to Bates in the few short years since his graduation. His outstanding contributions, particularly his leadership within the Purposeful Work Summer Internship program, have created valuable opportunities and guidance for fellow young Bates alumni.
Helen A. Papaioanou ’49 Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Finally, the Helen A. Papaioanou ’49 Distinguished Alumni Service Award is bestowed upon Geri M. FitzGerald ’75, honoring her decades of truly distinguished and extensive service to Bates College. Geri’s unwavering commitment and leadership across various volunteer roles, from Class Agent and reunion volunteer to Alumni Council and the Board of Trustees, exemplify the profound and lasting impact one alumna can have on the college and its students.
The recipients will be honored at the Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association during Reunion on June 7, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Bates College.
For more information about Bates College and the Alumni Awards, please visit https://www.bates.edu/alumni/recognition/