At the microphone, seniors and family members reflect on their time at Bates. Musical and Dance offerings performed by seniors delight those gathered.

The senior class chose Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology Josh Rubin, Ph.D., to deliver the Baccalaureate Address. Rubin spoke about flourishes and flourishing and the relationship between them. As examples, he called out Central Park and public libraries. He'd like to think of them, he said "as flourishes in our social world, as things that aren't regarded as strictly necessary or strictly feasible but nevertheless add flair, complexity, distraction and meaning to our lives."

Leaving the Quad to "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "I Can See Clearly Now" played by the Senior Band, seniors pass through one of the festooned archways, to greet family and friends, pose for posterity, and embrace each other and the realization that they are about to cross a threshhold.