Stories about "Commencement"
From Iraq to Bates: ‘Sometimes, it’s the detours that lead us to our true destinies’

Friday, May 31, 2024 1:00 pm

From shelling in Iraq to the shelter of Bates, Mohammed Shwani '24 was able to find a public platform during Commencement Week to thank his parents and Bates for helping him achieve his dreams.

Try not to let the success treadmill ‘obscure the actual living of life,’ Bates seniors told at 158th Commencement

Sunday, May 26, 2024 2:32 pm

One of the nation’s foremost journalists, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly, offered three pieces of life advice to the Class of 2024: Be wary of when success becomes a non-stop treadmill, remember much of life depends on what we choose to see, and hold tight to those lifelong friendships forged at Bates.

Predictions (accurate and not), Catfacts, and photos from milestone Bates Commencements

Thursday, May 23, 2024 3:06 pm

As the Class of 2024 gets ready for Commencement on May 26, here's a look back at some milestone Commencements through the years.

Mary Louise Kelly, journalist and co-host of NPR flagship program ‘All Things Considered,’ to deliver 2024 Bates Commencement Address, joined by honorands Richard Blanco and Clayton Spencer

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 9:58 am

Set for May 26, 2024, the 158th Bates College Commencement takes place on the Coram Library Terrace on the Historic Quad.

J. Drew Lanham to deliver 2023 Bates College Commencement address joined by fellow honorands Michael Lewis, Julieanna Richardson, and Shankar Vedantam

Friday, April 14, 2023 8:00 am

Author The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature, Lanham is a MacArthur Fellowship–winning ecologist, ornithologist, and inclusive wilderness advocate.

Picture story: A graduation celebration for the Bates Class of 2020

Wednesday, June 8, 2022 1:53 pm

After a 812-day wait, the Class of 2020 got its in-person graduation celebration — their moment to cross the Coram Library porch and bask in the college’s full congratulations “in three dimensions,” as President Spencer said in her welcome.

Class of 2022 celebrates Baccalaureate on the Historic Quad with Baccalaureate address delivered by Josh Rubin, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of Anthropology.Saturday May 28, 202211:00 a.m., The Historic QuadBaccalaureate is a gathering of graduating seniors and their families and friends to celebrate this milestone in their lives and give thanks for the help they received along the way. It is a joyous celebration planned by students that features poetry, story-telling, a cappella, a student band, dance, parent reflections and an address by a faculty or staff person chosen by the graduating class.Baccalaureate is held on the Historic Quad (rain or shine) and seniors process into the service wearing caps and gowns. All friends and family are welcome to attend and seating is first-come, first-served. The procession begins at 10:50, with a musical prelude before.We invite parents and families to contribute to the festivities in two ways:Parents & Families Reflection and Blessing Cards
Picture story: Baccalaureate for the Bates Class of 2022

Friday, June 3, 2022 2:27 pm

Held the day before Commencement, Baccalaureate offers a time to pause and reflect, to remember and rejoice, being fully present to those around us.

Picture story: It was the Friday before Commencement…

Friday, June 3, 2022 2:24 pm

Photographs of honors, inductions, traditions, and bravos on the Friday before Commencement 2022 at Bates College illustrate the sweet intensity of it all.

Video: Highlights from Commencement 2022 and the march of the seniors

Friday, June 3, 2022 11:29 am

From last-minute fit adjustments, to photos with staff and faculty on Alumni Walk and the joyous cap-toss, highlights from the Class of 2022's big day.

Video: Dr. Nirav Shah’s 2022 Commencement Address

Friday, June 3, 2022 11:19 am

Text and video of the witty, warm, and insightful 2022 Commencement Address by Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control.

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