Come One, Come All to the Alumni House
Chase Hall. Lane Hall. Alumni Gymnasium. Carnegie Science. The list of places that Bates alumni might visit first after arriving on campus could go on and on.

But now, with the January opening of the new Alumni House at 67 Campus Avenue, across from Muskie Archives, Bates alumni finally have their own welcoming, first-stop place on campus.

Securing an Alumni House has been among the Alumni Council’s top priorities for years. We are proud – and grateful to the College – that this objective has been realized.

On Saturday of Reunion Weekend – June 7 – the Alumni Council will host the dedication of the new Alumni House. Whether you are a member of a Reunion class planning to attend, or if you are able to be on campus Saturday, we invite you to stop by Bates for any or all of the day’s festivities.

Beyond the immediate Reunion dedication festivities, the Council and the College are working to establish a tradition of hospitality for the new house, so that alumni will feel comfortable using this new space.

A key first step has been the relocation of the alumni relations staff from Lane Hall to the Alumni House. Scott Steinberg ’86, Scott Marchildon ’95, Sandy Osgood, and Carol Snow are there to help Bates alumni – whether that means planning Reunion for a few thousand guests, or perhaps suggesting a good local restaurant for an inquiring visitor.

The Alumni Council’s Major Events Committee, chaired by Jan Face Glassman ’71, has been working to suggest other ways to establish a tradition of hospitality, such as weekend seminars at the house, perhaps involving Bates professors; training sessions for Bates volunteers, offering the house to local Bates clubs for events; or evening musical recitals for small gatherings.

Another ongoing challenge for the Council is to forge a bridge between current Bates students and what the Alumni House represents – literally and symbolically. We hope to continue to host events for Bates students throughout each academic year so students understand the real place the Alumni House has on campus and the role alumni can and do play in the Bates experience. This winter, for example, seventy-five members of the senior class enjoyed a dessert reception with Council members at the house.

As these and other events come and go, the character of the Bates Alumni House will evolve. Given the Bates culture that we all value and cherish, I am confident that the house will become a wonderful and welcoming resource for all Bates alumni.