Bates College Alumni

06/07/2026

Come along with Alumni Council President Leah Elsmore ’12 for a day in her life back on campus as a Short Term practitioner.

Leah is back in the classroom, leading "Public Health Practicum", a course teaching students how to apply qualitative methods to understand and solve real-world public health challenges.

06/04/2026

Is there anything more inviting than an Adirondack chair on the Quad?

For the Class of 2026, those chairs aren’t just a favorite spot to study or catch up, they are a symbol of community and their time at Bates. When Mia Wetzel ’26 designed this year's Ivy Stone, she chose the iconic chairs to represent the welcoming, unexpected connections that define the Bates experience.

On May 26, Mia’s design officially joined our campus tradition, installed on the southeast side of Pettengill Hall by retiring Bates mason Ron Tardif.

Take a closer look at the story behind the 2026 Ivy Stone: https://www.bates.edu/news/2026/05/28/take-a-seat-2026-ivy-stone-highlights-community-gathering-at-bates/

06/04/2026

This is what the Bates network is all about!

In mid-April, the Bates men's soccer program held their second annual Alumni Mentoring Night for current players in Commons. It was the highlight of another strong year for the Alumni Mentorship Program, which has continued to grow under head coach Ben Brewster. James Peter '22, George Carr '07, Dav...

06/01/2026

It was a beautiful day to celebrate the Bates Class of 2026!

To the 480 newest members of our alumni community: welcome home. Your Bates Alumni family is ready to cheer you on in every next step. 🎓

Check out a recap of the day: https://www.bates.edu/news/2026/05/31/commencement-2026-into-the-future-with-heart-humanity-curiosity-and-community/

05/31/2026

Join us for our live coverage of Bates' 160th Commencement, as we celebrate the Class of 2026 and welcome Commencement speaker Deborah Harkness and fellow honorary degree recipients H. Scott Bierman ’77, and Seema Hingorani.

President Garry W. Jenkins will deliver welcoming remarks and biochemistry major Sebenele Lukhele '26 of Manzini, Eswatini will give the Senior Address.

The processional will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the ceremony starts at 10 a.m.

Thank you for being with us on this special day.

05/30/2026

Four years at Bates in 20 seconds… and tomorrow, a lifetime in the Bates alumni community.

To our graduating Bobcats: this isn’t goodbye to Bates, it’s your next chapter with the alumni family! Help us give a warm welcome to the Class of 2026!

05/30/2026

As Commencement for the Class of 2026 is approaching, the Bates Alumni Council has a few words of wisdom for you. They’ve walked these same campus paths, felt the same mix of excitement and anticipation, and emerged ready to take on the world.

Take a breath, enjoy the ride, and know that a global network of Bobcats is ready to welcome you with open arms.

Leave your best advice for the Class of 2026 in the comments!

05/29/2026

ALUMNI UPDATE: Rajeev Malhotra ’82

Congratulations to Rajeev Malhotra, who was recently highlighted in a feature profile by American Kahani, celebrating his incredible journey to becoming a powerhouse producer behind some of the biggest shows on television!

If you’ve watched Yellowstone, 1883, 1923, or Landman, you’ve been watching Rajeev’s work. As a core producer in Taylor Sheridan’s multi-billion-dollar TV universe, he’s the "quiet architect" bringing these massive, epic stories to life. Before that, he was busy working on films like The Passion of the Christ and blockbusters like Transformers.

Check out the full profile by American Kahani: https://americankahani.com/business/a-powerhouse-producer-rajeev-malhotras-journey-from-hollywood-epics-to-yellowstone-and-beyond/

05/28/2026

Love seeing the Bobcat pride run deep, no matter where you are! 🐾

Great "Bates Lacrosse" showing at the Final Four weekend down in Charlottesville! Walked around all weekend with Bates Lacrosse swag and dozens of people shouted out the Bobcats!

Pete Carey and John Shay (1991) were stopped by this Bates Mom who's daughter is on the Bates Women's Lacrosse team!

May be Virginia Avery's mom! 1st year GK on the Bates Women's team! https://gobatesbobcats.com/sports/womens-lacrosse/roster/virginia-avery/17145

05/28/2026

Did a Bates professor change the course of your life, career, or community work? 🐾

Honor that impact by nominating them for the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award Trust, which recognizes faculty whose teaching has inspired alumni to create organizations, ideas, or movements for the public good.

Submit a nomination and help us celebrate those who continue to inspire beyond the classroom. https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/beckman-award-trust/