Balloons and blue skies greeted the grads of the Class of 2022 as they prepared to complete their final assignment as Bates students: Process from Alumni Walk to the Historic Quad, take their turn to cross the Coram Library porch for their diploma, and then recess as graduates of Bates College.

The best part about this assignment? Everyone passes.

From last-minute ‘fit adjustments, to photos with staff and faculty on Alumni Walk, to a joyous cap-toss, these are some of the highlights from the Bates Class of 2022’s big day.

Anticipation, happy tears, and relief were themes for the many family and friends gathered.

“I’m expecting to cry,” said parent Sandra Capo, who came to watch her son, Chris Capo ’22, an economics major from West Newbury, Mass., receive his diploma.

“It’s a huge accomplishment. It was quite the journey for us to see him go through the four years at Bates, and we couldn’t be happier.”

Even more than a feeling of accomplishment, there was a sense of having overcome many of the unprecendented obstacles thrown in their path. And now, their next step lies beyond the world of Bates College.