At the college’s 147th Commencement, Tommy Holmberg ’13 of Winnetka, Ill., offered a “love letter” to the college that celebrated, among other cherished aspects of the Bates experience, the passing of knowledge and lore from one class to the next, and from the college to the world. “You see, it’s a beautiful cycle we’ve got here,” he said. “The goodness of Bates is passed on out of admiration and gratitude for what was, and excitement and pride for what will be.”