Meet our Multifaith Fellows!
If you are wondering what a “multifaith” community is, it is a group of people who create spaces for sharing and exploring identities, perspectives, convictions, and practices. At Hearth, {Pause}, or any of the programs of the Multifaith Chaplaincy, you will meet some of these student leaders and many others who bring unique stories and perspectives. These Multifaith Partners plan all the activities of the Multifaith Chaplaincy, so you will see them around. Below, you can find a few words about what they have found in this community.
Mariam Almzainy ’27 – Stringfellow
Emma Davidson ’26 Hello! My name is Emma and I’m a Junior at Bates this year. I’m from outside of Boston and am a lover of the cold New England weather:) I’m a psychology major, and will be abroad in Sweden this fall studying forensic psychology. I’m an arts and spirituality fellow, often organizing watercolor painting/friendship bracelet making events at the Ronj. I love bringing people together through art and obviously cookies/chai lattes too. The Multifaith events, people, and values have made me feel at home during my past two years at Bates.
The Chaplaincy facilitates spaces that build community in an authentic, welcoming, and playful way.
Emily Gonzalez ’25 – Emily Gonzalez is a senior majoring in politics and gender and sexuality studies. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she carries a rich heritage, being of Colombian and Cuban descent. In her free time, Emily enjoys painting, spending time outdoors, and exploring thrift shops. At Bates, she cherishes quality moments with friends at the Student Center for Belonging and Community or Multifaith and actively volunteers in the Lewiston community. Emily looks forward to connecting with everyone at Multifaith, sharing meaningful conversations, and building a warm and supportive community together. She will be organizing Multifaith Banquet in the Fall and Baccalaureate in the Spring.
Risa Sood Horiuchi ’25 – Hi! I am a Sociology major from Queens, New York. I love to run around Lewiston, eat all kinds of ethnic food, dance, and sit in commons for hours. At Bates, I am involved in the South Asian Students Association, the Bollywood Dance Team, the Restorative Practices Program and I co-host a radio show. I am thrilled to be a Crossroads fellow this year as multifaith has been a home for me since my first year. I hope to pass on the warmth and kindness that the multifaith family has shown me throughout my time at Bates. I can’t wait to build crossroads communities this year!
Rosina Makwabe ’25 – Hi guys! My name is Rosina Makwabe and I’m a junior from Arusha Tanzania double majoring in History and Biology. You’ll likely find me cozied up inside with a cup of tea or coffee either reading a good book, or watching the worst reality TV. I love collecting mugs, having tea parties and dancing! I love the Multifaith and Hearth has consistently been a highlight of my time at Bates so I’m super excited to be involved in creating that space for others. I’m currently abroad in China but I can’t wait to come back in the winter!
Caroline McCarthy ’26 is a junior from New Haven, CT majoring in Creative Writing and minoring in Hispanic Studies. While she currently lives in Connecticut, she has strong New York pride having grown up on Long Island (go Islanders!). Recreationally she loves being in bodies of water, going to the aquarium (or zoo), and making cooking Tik Toks. In her studies she enjoys writing poetry, speaking Spanish, and learning about the intricacies of language. Around campus you might find her enjoying an iced chai in the Ronj, at a Snaggletooth Magazine meeting in Chase Hall, or on any of the Frye St. porches. She has been a Hearth enjoyer since her freshman year and is so excited to welcome new and old faces into its cozy environment this fall! P.S. tell me your cuisine requests and I’ll see what I can do 🙂
At the Multifaith Chaplaincy I’ve found an oasis of peace on an otherwise busy, hectic campus. I’ve found a place to connect with people I wouldn’t normally meet and have heartfelt, eye-opening conversations. Multifaith is my home when I can’t be home. It’s become a second family.
Maria McEvoy ’25 – Hi friends! I’m a senior from Missoula, Montana and I’m studying Premodern and Indigenous Environmental Studies here at Bates! I spend my free time running around outside, looking at birds, cooking and baking, babying my sourdough starter and kombucha scoby, and chilling big time with my friends. Multifaith has played such an impactful role in my life at Bates, and I’m so lucky to spend the next year facilitating all of our amazing performances for {pause}! In addition to helping create cozy spaces of community & reflection with the Multifaith family, I also love hotdogs, painting my nails a bunch of different colors, rollerblading, looking at medieval textile production, and thinking about sheep! I’m looking forward to seeing old and new friends this year at {pause} and beyond.
Whitney Miller ’26 is a History major from Brooklyn, NY. She can often be found doing a crossword puzzle, taking a lengthy walk, and embarking on spontaneous adventures with her friends. Whitney is a strong proponent of drinking at least two cups of tea a day and taking time to enjoy the moon. She is studying abroad in Vietnam this fall, and is super excited to continue as a Stringfellow when she returns!
Fenna Oliphant-Linden ’26 is an Africana major from Bethesda, Maryland. He is a lover of spoons and sugar cubes, crackling campfires, and the 1997 Volvo 850 wagon. If you are looking for Fenna on campus, you will be sure to find him somewhere on Frye Street, enjoying a cup of tea in the Multifaith Chaplaincy or, perhaps, on the quad with a guitar. At Bates, he is also involved with Campus Life’s Equity and Inclusion team and the Village Club Series so you might get lucky and find him in uniform in the Village. He is so SO stoked to return for his second year as a Multifaith Stringfellow and do his part in helping students find where they belong at Bates!!
Multifaith is the beating heart of the Bates campus.
Hana Roggendorf ’27 is a Sociology major from West Hartford, Connecticut. She enjoys adventuring in the woods, swimming in rivers with friends, and gazing at the stars. Around Bates, she can be found admiring ducks next to the puddle, spending time in Lewiston Elementary schools, tossing a frisbee on the quad, or curled up in the Multifaith Nest. She is so excited to create new connections through Arts and Spirituality programs this year!
Multifaith has been a safe space to land throughout the chaos of college – it has made Bates feel like my home.
Jilly Scott-Lewis ’27 is a prospective Biochemistry major from Portland, OR. She loves to hike, read, journal and spend time with her friends! She loves to spend time outdoors hiking, doing yoga and swimming. At Bates she loves to linger in commons and spend time lying in the sun on the quad. She is very excited to make hearth a wonderful and warm space. She is passionate about bringing people together and is excited for Hearth in the fall!
Stella Simonds ’27 is from Westchester, NY. She is a Biology and Religious Studies double major and has deeply enjoyed studying Maine and its environment so far. She can often be found chilling on the Quad, reading a book in nooks and crannies around campus, and either staring at or swimming in any body of water around her. At Bates, she is also involved in the JSU and the W-CAT program. She is very excited to co-lead Pause this year and create a peaceful and mindful space in the Chapel every Wednesday night! She also wants to pass down the kindness and community that Multifaith has shown her so far on her Bates journey. She can’t wait to see you all at Pause!