![Campaign Overview](https://www.bates.edu/campaign/files/2017/04/151002_Presidents_Reception_0106-400x267.jpg )
From President Clayton Spencer
This major fundraising endeavor — the largest in our history — will strengthen the college for decades to come.
The surprise announcement of $19 million in new gifts to Bates took place on Feb. 5, 2016, in historic Memorial Commons amid cheers, smiles, song, and a toast to the seven Bates families whose gifts will create six new professorships and launch the college’s Program in Digital and Computational Studies.