February is the shortest month of the year, but you鈥檇 never know it based on the many photographs that populate the latest edition of This Month at 乐播传媒. From screenings to snowstorms, from rituals to remembrances, we鈥檝e taken the 乐播传媒 pulse 鈥 and now we share it with you.

Warm Drinks, Cold Nights

Happy Feet, Turmeric Lattes, and a Moment of Warmth

As January comes to a close, Andrea Perez 鈥28 glances down at her psychology flashcards before settling in at Le Ronj, the student-run coffeehouse on Frye Street. She joins her classmates for the 乐播传媒 Outing Club鈥檚 movie night, a welcome pause from their studies to enjoy the 2006 animated film Happy Feet together.

Amid the cozy glow of the projector, Le Ronj employees Amelia Killackey 鈥25 and [NAME NAME] 鈥00 celebrate the launch of a new turmeric latte, a creation developed by the team and served for the first time on campus. The warm, spiced drink is a fitting companion on this cold February night.

As one of the Ronj鈥檚 longest-serving employees, Killackey and NAME NAME 鈥00 reflect on former classmates who helped shape this quirky, comforting and beloved 乐播传媒 institution. Generations of students have gathered here, finding comfort in its familiar atmosphere a space that continues to evolve with each new year, filled with fresh hopes, challenges, and possibilities.
Happy Feet, Turmeric Lattes, and a Moment of Warmth

As January comes to a close, Andrea Perez 鈥28 glances down at her psychology flashcards before settling in at Le Ronj, the student-run coffeehouse on Frye Street. She joins her classmates for the 乐播传媒 Outing Club鈥檚 movie night, a welcome pause from their studies to enjoy the 2006 animated film Happy Feet together.

Amid the cozy glow of the projector, Le Ronj employees Amelia Killackey 鈥25 and [NAME NAME] 鈥00 celebrate the launch of a new turmeric latte, a creation developed by the team and served for the first time on campus. The warm, spiced drink is a fitting companion on this cold February night.

As one of the Ronj鈥檚 longest-serving employees, Killackey and NAME NAME 鈥00 reflect on former classmates who helped shape this quirky, comforting and beloved 乐播传媒 institution. Generations of students have gathered here, finding comfort in its familiar atmosphere a space that continues to evolve with each new year, filled with fresh hopes, challenges, and possibilities.
Sammy Weidenthal ’27 for 乐播传媒 College

On a chilly Winter Carnival night, students gather at the Ronj, the student-run coffeehouse, for a showing of the animated comedy Happy Feet. Amid the cozy glow of the projector, folks celebrated the launch of a new turmeric latte, a warm, spiced drink that’s a fitting companion on a cold winter night.


Flowers on Ice

January 1st, 2025 - Underhill Arena Club women鈥檚 ice hockey defeated UMaine 3-2 in overtime, the exciting game was made even more special by the celebration of the team鈥檚 seniors (from left to right) Julia White 鈥25, Lydia Carlos 鈥25, Miranda Eisennman 鈥25(captain), Olivia Hall 鈥25, and April McCall 鈥24(captain).
Avery Lehman ’25 for 乐播传媒 College

Women’s club ice hockey enjoyed Senior Night with a celebration of their five graduating team members 鈥 Julia White, Lydia Carlos, Miranda Eisenman, Olivia Hall, and April McCall 鈥 and a 3-2 win over the University of Maine.


On the Court

Men鈥檚 and Women鈥檚 squash vs. Colby at 乐播传媒 Squash Facility on Senior Day, Feb. 15, 2025.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

On Senior Day, the men and women’s squash teams honored seven graduating students, including Labeeb Ali ’25 of Plano, Texas, competing here vs. Colby at the 乐播传媒 Squash Facility.


Circle Up

Students in Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies Stephanie Pridgeon鈥檚 鈥淪creening Citizenship: Jewish Latin American Film鈥 class prepare for two upcoming presentations they will make at the upcoming
Maine Jewish Film Festival, both in Portland and 乐播传媒. One film is called 鈥淭orah Tropical鈥 (see below) and the other, made in Argentina and Austria, is called 鈥淭he Klezmer Project).

Pridgeon says:

This coming Tuesday, March 4 at 7 PM in Olin, we will be screening the beautiful documentary 鈥淭orah Tropical鈥 followed by a Q + A with producer Heidi Paster (parent of a current 乐播传媒 student) led by students from my Jewish Latin American film seminar. The documentary follows the story of a family in Cali, Colombia, who converts to Judaism and attempts to immigrate to Israel. Please join us if you're interested and please also consider passing along the information to your students, colleagues, and friends if they might also be interested (entry is free for 乐播传媒 staff, faculty, and students!)


This course considers films from throughout Latin America made by Jewish directors. Students learn the history of Latin American film production as well as terms and skills necessary for audiovisual analysis. The course examines the ways in which film is used as a vehicle to explore and represent issues of identity, belonging, immigration, and assimilation that have long characterized Jewish experiences in Latin America. Moreover, the course focuses on filmmakers鈥 engagement with key social and political issues within their respective countries as well as on a regional or global scale. Taught in Spanish. Recommended background: HISP 228. Prerequisite(s): HISP 210 or 211.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Students in Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies Stephanie Pridgeon鈥檚 鈥淪creening Citizenship: Jewish Latin American Film鈥 course prepare to give presentations at the Maine Jewish Film Festival following the films Torah Tropical and the The Klezmer Project.

Students studied how films made throughout Latin America by Jewish directors explore issues of identity, belonging, immigration, and assimilation.


Crowd at the Chapel

Gomes Chapel was packed the evening of Feb. 8 for the Winter A Cappella Concert, marking the end of Winter Carnival. Deansmen performed fourth.
Carly Philpott ’27 for 乐播传媒 College

The college’s five a cappella groups, including the Deansmen, performed to a packed audience in Gomes Chapel during Winter Carnival.


Governor Lights the Way

It wasn鈥檛 your typical 鈥渞un鈥 of events.

Though Thursday鈥檚 weather slightly impeded upon Winter Carnival plans, the 乐播传媒 Outing (@batesoutingclub) and Running Clubs still found a way to make the annual Torch Run happen.

Running club member Ellie Schueler 鈥25 of Colorado Springs, Colo., and club co-president Alden Zhang 鈥26 of Bethesda, Md., headed up to Augusta Friday morning for the ceremonial lighting of the torch, a tradition since 1958 when Maine Governor Ed Muskie lit the torch for the first Torch Run, created by the Outing Club.

Outside of the Maine State House, Maine @governorjanetmills joined in on the festivities and helped Schueler 鈥25, pictured in the first slide, light the torch, shielding the budding flame from cool winds.

At this point, students participating in the Torch Run would typically begin their run from Augusta all the way back to campus in a relay-style race, taking turns so that each participant runs a few miles.

But, four-and-a-half inches of snow on Thursday evening and Friday morning snow squalls meant the roads were not fit for torch running. Instead, Schueler, the first runner of the day, took the torch for a quick jog before the students headed back to Lewiston to complete a relay around campus. The last runner of the day will pick the torch back up before heading to Lake Andrews, flame in hand, to signal the beginning of the Puddle Jump.

鈥淚 think it's really awesome to see everybody on campus getting together in celebration of the season,鈥 Schueler says. 鈥淭he energy is always super high around campus.鈥
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Despite windy conditions at the Maine State House in Augusta, Gov. Janet Mills and Ellie Schueler 鈥25 of Colorado Springs, Colo., manage to light the ceremonial torch for Winter Carnival.

While bad road conditions suspended the usual torch run back to 乐播传媒, it re-emerged a few hours later, in time for students to use it to light the traditional bonfire for the Puddle Jump.


Sofa Studying

What better place to settle down for a mid-afternoon study session?

Pettengill Hall鈥檚 Perry Atrium provides a campus crossroads that鈥檚 filled with light and warmth, where students can collaborate, converse, or tackle their projects solo.

Whether it鈥檚 a psychology assignment, an anthropology abstract, a tasty snack, or a quiet catchup with a friend, there鈥檚 something for everyone here.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Aaron Martinez ’26 of Elmwood Park, Ill., studies in Perry Atrium, a campus crossroads filled with light and warmth, students collaborate, converse, and tackle projects.


Clearing Hurdles

乐播传媒 College men's track and field welcomes Bowdoin College, Central Maine Community College, Colby College, Fitchburg State University, Husson University, Thomas College, and University of Maine at Farmington to Merrill Gym for the Bobcat Tune-up!

乐播传媒 College women's track and field welcomes Bowdoin College, Central Maine Community College, Colby College, Fitchburg State University, Husson University, Thomas College, and University of Maine at Farmington to Merrill Gym for the Bobcat Tune-up!
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

At the Bobcat Tune-up meet, Seneca Moore ’27 of Holt, Mich., clears a hurdle on the way to winning the 60-meter hurdles finals and setting a 乐播传媒 event record of 8.23 seconds, a few hundreds of a second faster than the prior record 鈥 his own!


Lights, Fire, Action

Every performance starts with a spark. This one added heat and light.

鈥淚ncendiary,鈥 written by playwright Adam Szymkowiczr and performed by The Robinson Players as their main stage production in Gannett Theater Feb. 8-10, featured a pyromaniac fire chief falling in love with the detective investigating her fires. The fire chief鈥檚 therapist is trying to stop her from setting the fires, and the therapist鈥檚 husband is leading the life of a corporate spy.

Splendid!

Featuring Lila Shamsi 鈥26 as the fire chief, Brandon Gustavo Villalta Lopez 鈥25 as the detective, Zoe Sloan 鈥25 as the therapist, and John Farrell 鈥27 as the therapist鈥檚 husband, the production featured synthetic fog that smoke from the fires.

The @batesrobplayers is the one and only 乐播传媒 student theater organization. Founded in 1922, the club takes pride in being all-student run. From casting to directing, designing to stage managing, the students work independently to produce between six and ten productions a year.

(Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College)
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

The student-run Robinson Players put on a fiery production of Incendiary, presented in Gannett Theater. Synthetic fog posing as smoke from fires clouded the theater as the story of a pyromaniac fire chief falling in love with the detective investigating her fires unfolded onstage.


All Clear

Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Facility Services plows walkways on the Historic Quad after a snowstorm, clearing the way for students to navigate their way all over campus.


Exploring Eternity

Sammy Weidenthal '27 for 乐播传媒 College
Sammy Weidenthal ’27 for 乐播传媒 College

In the Immersive Media Studio, dancers clad in white performed against a projection of shimmery hues and fiery colors the next during 鈥淢y Love Is Like Eternity,鈥 choreographed by dance major Lola Buczkowski 鈥25 of Jersey City, N.J., for her senior thesis.


Celebrating Black Life

Moments from the event, "Who is Trayvon Martin? Celebrating Black Life & Legacy in Perry Atrium on March 26, 2025. Sponsored by the Program in Africana as part of our Black Life & Legacy Series. Marcelle Medford,  associate professor of sociology, Frances Bell, visiting assistant professor of history, Catherine Saunders, visiting assistant professor of africana, Ian Khara Ellasante, assistant professor of gender and sexuality studies and Charles Nero, Benjamin E. Mays '20 Distinguished Prof of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies.

 (Theophil Syslo | 乐播传媒 College)
Theophil Syslo/乐播传媒 College

Associate Professor of Sociology and Africana Marcelle Medford speaks during a gathering in Perry Atrium on the anniversary of Trayvon Martin鈥檚 death, the second installment of the Africana program鈥檚 Celebrating Black Life and Legacy series.

Thirteen years having passed since Martin’s death, many current 乐播传媒 students are unfamiliar with the tragedy. In 2012, the unarmed 17-year-old Martin was shot and killed in Florida by a neighborhood watch coordinator, George Zimmerman. He was acquitted on all charges, sparking the founding of the Black Lives Matter movement.


Style on the Snow

February 6th, 2025 - Page Field/Rugby field Members of the outing club Lili Missbrenner 鈥26 and Claire Barlass 鈥25 organized a Nordic relay race on the page field during this pleasantly snowy afternoon. The relay consisted of teams of 4, each dressed up in fun team-themed outfits. Although fresh powder doesn鈥檛 make for the best cross country skiing conditions, you wouldn鈥檛 have been able to tell after seeing how excited and determined the students competing were!
Avery Lehman ’25 for 乐播传媒 College

Outing Club members participate in a Nordic ski relay race on campus during the Winter Carnival, each team clad in playful, themed outfits like this Stars and Stripes cowboy get-up. Other notable fashion choices included a neon leotard over leggings, a bath robe patterned with images of rubber ducks, and swimming goggles worn in lieu of ski goggles.


Cultivating Connection

乐播传媒, Bowdoin, and Colby Black Student Summit, Saturday, February. 8, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 乐播传媒 campus, hosted this year by the Student Center for Belonging and Community (SCBC).

These photographs were taken in Chase Hall, I Chase Hall Lounge (arrival and checkin, student and alumni panel, and Fireside Chat with BBC leadership). Lunch and mingling was in Memorial Commons.

鈥淲hen I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid,鈥   鈥 Audre Lorde

Student and Alumni Panel
Students
乐播传媒: Rashad King 鈥25 and Naomi Maloney 鈥28
Bowdoin: Ephraim Tutu 鈥28
Colby: Hadia Killang 鈥25 and Naj Yerokun 鈥26

Alumni
乐播传媒: Loseni Barry 鈥22 and Marissa Phoenix 鈥15
Bowdoin: Jasmine Ross 鈥14
Colby: Brian Guillery 鈥16 and Jamaal Grant 鈥16

Fireside Chat 鈥 BBC Leadership
乐播传媒: Rosanna Ferro, VP for Student Affairs
Bowdoin: Katie Toro-Kerrari, Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Colby: Gustavo Burkett, Dean of the College

Other activities, not photographed, included  student-led line dancing and music workshops, trivia, pre-assigned workshops on burnout prevention, imposter syndrome, and Black Masculinity, along with dinner  in Commons and a BSU mixer and dance in the Mays Center.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Students from 乐播传媒, Bowdoin, and Colby gather for the second annual Black Student Summit, hosted this year by the Student Center for Belonging and Community in Chase Hall.

The day kicked off with a student and alumni panel and included workshops covering burnout prevention, imposter syndrome, and Black masculinity, leading to deep conversations about identity, resilience, and self-care.

The Summit also included a Fireside Chat with student affairs leaders who offered insights on supporting Black students on campus and closed with a Black Student Union mixer and dance at the Benjamin E. Mays Center.


Wintering

Winter scenes on campus on Feb. 20, 2025.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

The Historic Quad’s colorful Adirondack chairs await students who will rush over at the first sign of spring.


Team Spirit

Men鈥檚 and Women鈥檚 squash vs. Colby at 乐播传媒 Squash Facility on Senior Day, Feb. 15, 2025.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Women’s squash player Tia Billimoria ’27 of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, cheers on her teammates during a match on Senior Day.


Icy Endeavors

Cutting the ice in preparation for the 50th-anniversary edition of the Puddle Jump.

Nick O'Brien, senior director of digital marketing for the 乐播传媒 Communications and Marketing Office, makes a test jump.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Before you can have a Puddle Jump, you need a hole in the ice.

On the morning of Feb. 7, members of the 乐播传媒 Outing Club and college staff worked together to cut a hole in Lake Andrews’ six-inch ice, using chain saws and ice block tongs, and staying steady with ice cleats on their boots.


The Pros Are Back

Nearly 50 years later, they returned to the place where it all started.

From left, founders of the 乐播传媒 Puddle Jump and 1978 classmates Lars Llorente, Chris Callahan, and Scott Copeland, respond to the cheers of current 乐播传媒 students, just before kicking off the 50th anniversary edition of the long-running 乐播传媒 tradition today, Feb. 7.

And then everybody else lined up along the shores of Lake Andrews followed them in. Approximate temperature: 29 degrees.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Puddle Jump founders and 1978 classmates, from left, Lars Llorente, Chris Callahan, and Scott Copeland respond to the cheers of students and alumni as they kick off the 50th anniversary of the Puddle Jump on Feb. 7.

They warmed up before their jump in matching boxing robes and hats specially made and embroidered for the historic occasion.


Gather ‘Round

Nearly 50 years later, they returned to the place where it all started.

From left, founders of the 乐播传媒 Puddle Jump and 1978 classmates Lars Llorente, Chris Callahan, and Scott Copeland, respond to the cheers of current 乐播传媒 students, just before kicking off the 50th anniversary edition of the long-running 乐播传媒 tradition today, Feb. 7.

And then everybody else lined up along the shores of Lake Andrews followed them in. Approximate temperature: 29 degrees.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Seen from the upper windows of Pettengill Hall are the three stages of the Puddle Jump. At middle, student shuffle like penguins along the icy path toward their date with destiny. At right, students jump into the Puddle. Then comes the rush to the warmth of the bonfire, seen at top.


Ready to Throw

乐播传媒 College men's track and field welcomes Bowdoin College, Central Maine Community College, Colby College, Fitchburg State University, Husson University, Thomas College, and University of Maine at Farmington to Merrill Gym for the Bobcat Tune-up!

乐播传媒 College women's track and field welcomes Bowdoin College, Central Maine Community College, Colby College, Fitchburg State University, Husson University, Thomas College, and University of Maine at Farmington to Merrill Gym for the Bobcat Tune-up!
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Marie-脠ve Maillet ’28 of Saint-Antoine, Canada, executes one last rotation of her weight throw during the Bobcat Tune-up Meet on campus, ultimately placing second in the weight throw and shot put finals.


Making Splashes

乐播传媒 College Swimming and Diving host the CBB Meet on February 1, 205. (Theophil Syslo | 乐播传媒 College)
Theophil Syslo/乐播传媒 College

Swimmers Sophia Clausman ’27 of Edina, Minn., and Elena Trundy ’28 of Bath, Maine, cheer on teammates competing in the annual CBB Meet against Colby and Bowdoin at Tarbell Pool.


Up-Close

Eno Little ’27 for 乐播传媒 College

Marc Begin II ’27 of Jacksonville, Fla., the 2024 NESCAC Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year, drives to the basket during a game against Trinity in Alumni Gym.


Winter’s Fleeting Grip

乐播传媒, Bowdoin, and Colby Black Student Summit, Saturday, February. 8, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 乐播传媒 campus, hosted this year by the Student Center for Belonging and Community (SCBC). Icicles hanging over the entrance to the Gray Athletic Building. These photographs were taken in Chase Hall, I Chase Hall Lounge (arrival and checkin, student and alumni panel, and Fireside Chat with BBC leadership). Lunch and mingling was in Memorial Commons. 鈥淲hen I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid,鈥 鈥 Audre Lorde Student and Alumni Panel Students 乐播传媒: Rashad King 鈥25 and Naomi Maloney 鈥28 Bowdoin: Ephraim Tutu 鈥28 Colby: Hadia Killang 鈥25 and Naj Yerokun 鈥26 Alumni 乐播传媒: Loseni Barry 鈥22 and Marissa Phoenix 鈥15 Bowdoin: Jasmine Ross 鈥14 Colby: Brian Guillery 鈥16 and Jamaal Grant 鈥16 Fireside Chat 鈥 BBC Leadership 乐播传媒: Rosanna Ferro, VP for Student Affairs Bowdoin: Katie Toro-Kerrari, Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs Colby: Gustavo Burkett, Dean of the College Other activities, not photographed, included student-led line dancing and music workshops, trivia, pre-assigned workshops on burnout prevention, imposter syndrome, and Black Masculinity, along with dinner in Commons and a BSU mixer and dance in the Mays Center.
Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College

Icicles close in on the entrance to Gray Athletic Building on a sunny, albeit cold, February day.

The inscription above the entrance is drawn from1 Corinthians 9:25-27, a modern translation being, “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.”


The Seniors Take It All

乐播传媒 Women鈥檚 Basketball hosts Tufts on February 16, 2025. (Theophil Syslo | 乐播传媒 College)
Theophil Syslo/乐播传媒 College

Women’s basketball team captain Alexandra Long ’25 of Milton, Mass., accepts congratulations from teammates during Senior Day introductions prior to the Bobcats’ game vs. Tufts. Long led the team to a 62-46 victory.