Dear members of the Bates community,

Welcome to the 2023–24 academic session!

I am thrilled to join you in kicking off what promises to be an exciting year of exploration, innovation, and engagement for Bates. 

For those of you who are, like me, just beginning your Bates journeys — whether as members of the Class of 2027, transfer students, or faculty and staff colleagues — I offer an especially warm welcome. I look forward to meeting you.

For those of you who are returning to campus after a summer away — welcome back! And for those of you who have been working so hard to prepare for the new year — and who have given me and my husband, Jon, such a warm welcome to Bates — thank you for all you do!

I have learned a great deal about what drives and inspires this community since I arrived on campus in July, and I look forward to learning more and more in the months ahead. We’ll have many conversations about what makes Bates special — and where we can do better, together.

For now, though, I’ll just say good luck this year — be healthy, be curious, and be inspired. Please take advantage of all that our campus and the greater Lewiston-Auburn area have to offer. Let’s make this a year to remember.

Warmly,

   Garry