Slideshow: Moments and Milestones

From her inauguration in 2012 to her final months as president in 2023, President Spencer has been a constant presence and a driving force for the college.

In this gallery of images, we get a glimpse into the many moments and milestones of Spencer’s time at Bates. From her forceful speeches to her interactions with students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends, we witness the impact she has had on the Bates community and beyond.

Clayton Spencer holds the symbols of office during her installation ceremony as the eighth president of Bates College on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012. The symbols are the keys, the presidential collar, and the record book.
Clayton Spencer holds the symbols of office during her installation ceremony as the eighth president of Bates College on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012. The symbols are the keys, the presidential collar, and the record book.
Spencer poses with her father, the late Sam Spencer, president emeritus of Davidson College, on inauguration day in October 2012.
On her first day as president, Spencer catches up with longtime dean James Reese, who was a high school classmate in North Carolina.
Spencer presents the President's Cup to the winning Bates rowers in April 2016.
Spencer participates in a topping off ceremony for construction of two new residences on Campus Avenue in June 2015.
Getting a Bobcat Nation welcome to the Bates men's lacrosse NCAA tournament game at Garcelon Field in May 2015.
Spencer with 2015 Convocation speaker Danielle Allen, author of the prizewinning 2014 study "Our Declaration."
Spencer with 2015 Convocation speaker Danielle Allen, author of the prizewinning 2014 study Our Declaration.
Spencer poses with actor and Lewiston native Patrick Dempsey (left) in October 2013 during presentation of the CBB Challenge College Cup to Bates. Challenge organizers Hillary Throckmorton ’15 and Sophia Pellegrini ‘15 hold the trophy. The Dempsey Challenge is a fundraiser for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing in Lewiston. The CBB event challenged Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin to register the most participants. (Meg Kimmel/Bates College)
Spencer and Vice President for College Advancement Sarah Pearson '75 (right) cheer Reunion alumni during the Alumni Parade on June 7, 2014.
President Clayton Spencer does an interview with WRBC program hosts. Jordana Gluckow ’16, from Alpine, NJ and Alfred Russo ’15, from Garden City, NY -- Questions provided by WRBC Lauren Piccirillo '15 (the station’s general manager)
Attending the celebration of Erica Rand's appointment to the Whitehouse Professorship on Sept. 15, 2014.
Spencer talks with U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, Associate Professor of History Joe Hall, and MLK Day keynote speaker Jelani Cobb on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2016. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
Spencer talks with U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, Associate Professor of History Joe Hall, and MLK Day keynote speaker Jelani Cobb on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2016.
Spencer joins the Common Read Brunch with members of the incoming Class of 2021 on Sept. 5, 2017.
Spencer takes a selfie with the Bobcat on June 21, 2017.
At Reunion 2017, Spencer interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Liz Strout '77.
Two new Campus Avenue residence halls at Bates College will be named for Elizabeth Kalperis Chu ’80 and J. Michael Chu ’80 in recognition of their $10 million commitment to the college, President Clayton Spencer announced today. . I am deeply grateful to Elizabeth and Michael for their wonderfully generous gift,” said Spencer in her remarks at the dedication of Kalperis Hall and Chu Hall on Friday afternoon. . "Bates gave both of us a remarkable education that provided the foundation for our lives and careers as well as lifelong friendships that nurture us in so many ways,” said Chu and Kalperis Chu, who met at Bates and whose son Christopher Is a 2012 Bates graduate. . Elizabeth Kalperis Chu ’80 and Michael Chu ’80 are flanked by student speaker Kukzaiishe Mapfunde ’19 of Harare, Zimbabwe, and President Clayton Spencer at today's naming celebration.
From left, J. Michael Chu ’80, Elizabeth Kalperis Chu ’80, and Spencer on Oct. 26, 2016, during an announcement that Bates’ two new residences on Campus Avenue would be named Kalperis Hall and Chu Hall to honor their $10 million commitment to Bates.
Spencer speaks at the physically distanced topping-off event for Bonney Science Center on May 16, 2020. At left are Michael Bonney ’80 and Alison Grott Bonney ’80.
Spencer speaks at the New York City launch of the $300 million Bates Campaign on May 17, 2017.
At Harvard University, Spencer receives the Harvard Medal on May 25, 2015, for her service to four different Harvard presidents across 15 years.
Spencer speaks at the launch of the $300 million Bates Campaign on May 17, 2017, before a record-setting crowd of Bates supporters at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Mass.
Supporting Students on Election Day 2018
Supporting students on Election Day 2018.
Spencer stands with Commencement honorand Lynsey Addario (left) and Commencement speaker Bryan Stevenson on May 27, 2018.
Spencer greets Adelaide Armah ’23 of Accra, Ghana, outside Commons on Opening Day for the Class of 2023 on Aug. 26, 2019.
Having some fun at the Great Day to Be a Bobcat fundraising livestream on March 5, 2019.
Joining a pickup game of hoops in Alumni Gym with faculty, staff, and students in April 2019.
Spencer congratulates Nell Houde '18 at Commencement 2018.
Spencer takes part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of Dana Hall on Aug. 29, 2022. At left is Geoff Swift, vice president for finance and administration and treasurer, and at right is Malcolm Hill, vice president of academic affairs and dean of the faculty.
Spencer, Alison Grott Bonney '80, and Michael Bonney '80 take ceremonial shovels in hand for the groundbreaking for Bonney Science Center on May 2, 2019.
Spencer greets first-year students at a orientation event for Bobcat First, the college's first-generation program, on Aug. 28, 2023.
Move-In Day scenes on Aug. 31, 2022, as members of the Class of 2026 arrive on campus with their families.
Joined by students who help new students arrive and get settled in their residences, Spencer joins the effort to welcome the Class of 2026 on Opening Day, Aug. 31, 2022.
Spencer joins the audience in cheering President-elect Garry Jenkins during his first Bates remarks on April 8, 2023.
Spencer poses with the Bobcat on March 7, 2023.
Spencer and Mace Bearer and Professor of French and Francophone Studies Mary Rice-Defosse lead the academic procession at her final Commencement on May 28, 2023.
Spencer congratulates Martha Reyes '23, a mathematics major from Los Angeles, during her final Commencement on May 28, 2023.
Moments from this years Commencement on May 28, 2023. (Theophil Syslo | Bates College)
Spencer turns to a camera during her final Commencement recessional on May 28, 2023. At left is Mace Bearer and Professor of French and Francophone Studies Mary Rice-Defosse, and at right is Commencement speaker Drew Lanham.

Photography by Mike Bradley, Ben Gabbe, Phyllis Graber Jensen, Meg Kimmel, Rose Lincoln, Theophil Syslo, and Rene Roy.