Unforgettable moments flooded May and June at 乐播传媒 as the academic year closed. But our hearts were open. Revisit just a few of the experiences of faculty, students, staff 鈥� and alumni and parents 鈥� in this concluding edition of This Month at 乐播传媒.

Aspirations

乐播传媒 welcomes a group of Lewiston eighth graders for the college鈥檚 Aspiration Day in May. Each year, a series of Aspiration Days aims to introduce the students to potential post-high school pathways, including college, career, and trade opportunities. 乐播传媒鈥� Aspirations Club organizes the visits and additional mentorship efforts in the community, in conjunction with the Harward Center for Community Partnerships.

Sixteen Fulbrighters

This spring, 乐播传媒 received an abundance of Fulbright Student international exchange awards, and 16 recent 乐播传媒 alumni will soon set off for destinations around the world. Celebrating the good news in May (from left) are Fulbright Student awardees from the Class of 2026 Katie Heumann, Aiman Hasan, Jacqueline Coraci, Charles 鈥淟ee鈥� Anderson, Wilson Smith, Ava Elghanayan, Lucy Sterba, Evelyn Marchand, Sydney Wilmot, Ganga Corsaro, Kyra Chen Lie Friederich, Luciana Zaiet, and Blessing Ajayi. At front is Director of National Fellowships and Lecturer in English Robert Strong. Three of this year鈥檚 Fulbright awardees Maple Buescher 鈥�25, Eileen Dockery 鈥�26, and Alexander Duchin 鈥�26, are not pictured.

Clayton Unveiling

In May, 乐播传媒 President Garry W. Jenkins, at left, and Mike Bonney 鈥�80 unveil a portrait of Clayton Spencer, Jenkins鈥� predecessor and the eighth president of 乐播传媒 College, during a ceremony in Bonney Science Center. The portrait, by Massachusetts-based artist Mary Minifie, hangs in Bonney鈥檚 first-floor Zhang Living Room.

Softball鈥檚 Golden Anniversary

In Commons鈥� Fireplace Lounge on May 2, 乐播传媒 softball players and coaches, past and present, gather for the program’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Exiting Through the Gift Shop

From left, Caroline McCarthy 鈥�26, Jacobo Garces-Ramirez 鈥�26, and Rosina Makwabe 鈥�26 run a pop-up gift shop in the Olin Arts Center Lobby on May 19. The gift shop was the culmination of the Short Term course 鈥淓xit Through the Gift Shop,鈥� taught by Visiting Assistant Professor of Art and Visual Culture Erin Nolan, during which students designed and built a selection of products based on student artwork.

Row On

Led by coxswain Sara Maquera 鈥�28 of Glenview, Ill., the men’s varsity four races in the Marlow Regatta at Dorney Lake, Eton, England, as they prepare for the Royal Henley Regatta, the first time the 乐播传媒 rowing program has traveled 鈥渁cross the pond鈥� to compete since 2009. From left to right are Maquera, John Cleary 鈥�28, Bryce Ahn 鈥�29, Thomas Pacinda 鈥�28, and Kelly McKaige 鈥�26.

Home Win

Men鈥檚 lacrosse players huddle during a May 8 NCAA tournament game against SUNY Cortland, which they won 17-9.

Celebrating Theses, Together

From left, Class of 2026 graduates and best friends since the first week at 乐播传媒, Kayleigh Flaherty, Lauren Cockrill, and Mallory Johnson celebrate their theses bindings together on May 12. Their majors were, respectively, East Asian studies and biology, biochemistry, and sociology.

Breaking Ground for Stoddard

乐播传媒 President Garry W. Jenkins, at center, led the May 1 groundbreaking ceremony for the Stoddard Fitness and Well-Being Center, slated to open in late 2027. Jenkins was joined by many 乐播传媒 community members, including Jon W. Brayshaw 鈥�90, P鈥�25 and Jocelyn Stoddard Brayshaw 鈥�88, P鈥�25, whose $10 million gift was instrumental in bringing this much-anticipated project to fruition.

Glad to Be a Grad

Aydan Gedeon-Hope 鈥�26, second from right, celebrates his graduation during the 乐播传媒 Senior Student-Athlete Reception in May. Gedeon-Hope was a multi-sport Bobcat 鈥� a sprinter on the track and field team and a basketball player.

Illuminating Coram

In Coram Library鈥檚 IMStudios in May, Eileen Dockery 鈥�26 installs lanterns for her senior thesis exhibition, 鈥淏lueprints of Future Memories.鈥� The immersive lantern installation was the culmination of an independent study in cyanotype printmaking that explored memory and photography connected to Dockery鈥檚 recollections of Vietnam, where she lived as a young girl.

Lindos Earns NCAA Honors

Alisandra Lindos 鈥�29 of Westbrook, Maine, competes in the triple jump during the NCAA Championships in La Crosse, Wis., in May. Lindos took home 15th place in the event, earning second team All-America honors. 

Hello Free Laundry

From left, Aleisha Martinez Sandoval 鈥�26, Trinity Monstwillo 鈥�26, Mohammad Zayd 鈥�27, and Zachariah Richards 鈥�26 gather in May to celebrate the advent of free laundry for all 乐播传媒 students, a change slated for Fall 2026. The four campaigned for the cause throughout their time at 乐播传媒.

Hot Off the Press

Drafts of the newly redesigned 乐播传媒 Magazine sit ready for proofing at Penmor Lithographers, a Lewiston printing company and longtime partner of 乐播传媒 Communications and Marketing.

Employee Enrichment

Leana Am谩ez, left, vice president for equity and inclusion, chats with Dana Bosse, talent acquisition specialist, during the Front Porch Perk-Up, an event hosted by Human Resources as part of 乐播传媒鈥� June Employee Enrichment Week.

Scratch 鈥橢m Cats

On May 5, 乐播传媒 athletes, coaches, and staff gather in Merrill Gymnasium for the 2026 CATSBYS, 乐播传媒 Athletics鈥� annual celebration of the year鈥檚 standout athletic performances.

Exhibition Loading…

On June 10, Kenny Rosen installs frames in the 乐播传媒 Museum of Art ahead of the opening of Phyllis Graber Jensen: Picture Stories. The exhibition, on display until Sept. 19, chronicles the prolific work of Graber Jensen, the college鈥檚 longtime director of photography and video, across more than 50 years, including the 31 she has spent at 乐播传媒.

Golf Championship

Emma Lavallee 鈥�29 of Chestnut Hill, Mass., competes at the NESCAC Championships in May in Williamstown, Mass. Lavallee turned in the best hole of the tournament for the Bobcats, eagling the par-5 18th hole on Sunday, with the Bobcats ultimately finishing 8th overall. 

Thesis Joy

Enathe Muhawenimana 鈥�26, center, who double majored in biochemistry and French and Francophone studies, poses with friends after binding her two theses. From left, there鈥檚 Deborah Hirwa Asiimwe 鈥�28; Ornella Nibasumba, who works in Commons; Enathe; Addy Stephane Ntwali, a first-year student at Boston College; and Solomon Kayobotsi 鈥�29.

Champions Again

Greta Oberdiek 鈥�28 of Merion Station, Penn., exalts after the women鈥檚 rowing team secures their eighth NESCAC title at the National Invitational Rowing Championship on May 10 in Worcester, Mass.

SCBC Celebration

乐播传媒 President Garry W. Jenkins, standing at right, and his husband Jon J. Lee greet 乐播传媒 community members during the Student Center for Belonging and Community Senior Celebration Dinner.

Preparing the Historic Quad

In the days before 乐播传媒鈥� 160th Commencement in May, Facility Services set up chairs on the Historic Quad facing Coram Library. It鈥檚 a quiet scene, but soon the Quad would be bustling with soon-to-be-grads, their family and friends, and 乐播传媒 and Lewiston community members.

鈥楤e You, Bravely鈥�

On May 30, Professor of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies Stephanie Kelley-Romano gives the Baccalaureate Address to the Class of 2026. Candidly sharing her own struggle with, then recovery from, substance abuse as a student, Kelley-Romano offered poignant advice about being oneself鈥檚 and persevering through life鈥檚 low points.

Doggedly in Search of Diplomas

A dog sporting a 乐播传媒 bandana strolls on campus ahead of the 160th Commencement on Sunday, May 31.

And They鈥檙e Off

In one of their final group activities before becoming alumni, graduating seniors from the Class of 2026 gather on Garcelon Field for their senior photo.

Commencement Festivities

乐播传媒鈥� 160th Commencement speaker Deborah Harkness, center, prepares to process into the ceremony on Alumni Walk, with 乐播传媒 President Garry W. Jenkins at her right. In her Commencement address, Harkness, professor emerita of history at the University of Southern California and bestselling author of the All Souls series, used the pursuit of alchemy as a metaphor for striving to achieve one鈥檚 鈥済reat work,鈥� even in difficult circumstances.

They Did It!

Issac Nimako 鈥�26, a politics and studio art double major, cheers while crossing the Coram Library stage at Commencement.

The New Maine MILL

Tristan Seavey 鈥�26, left, an intern at Lewiston鈥檚 Maine Museum of Innovation, Labor, and Learning (Maine MILL), and Maine MILL Executive Director Rachel Ferrante 鈥�10 walk around the museum鈥檚 new building. The larger space with enhanced facilities for education, exhibitions, and community-building opens to the public on June 27.

Delicious Arrangements

乐播传媒 community members enjoy snacks during 鈥淭he Delicious World of Charcuterie,鈥� a course on arranging charcuterie boards offered to staff during Employee Enrichment Week.

Jenkins On the Court

乐播传媒 President Garry W. Jenkins enjoys a game of pickleball in Merrill Gymnasium during 乐播传媒鈥� Enrichment Week. After that morning鈥檚 annual 5K was canceled due to poor weather conditions, 乐播传媒 pivoted to a Community Movement Hour in Merrill including cornhole, ladder golf, a cardio dance session, and boot camp exercises.

Together Again

乐播传媒 Reunion brought together 乐播传媒ies present and past 鈥� and, considering their children who tagged along, maybe even future 鈥� for a weekend of reminiscing and building new memories together. Weekend activities included a lobster bake, a 5K, and visits to sites around campus and Lewiston.

Discover a vast array of choices at 乐播传媒. In the classroom or the lab, or on the stage or playing field, experience a community personified by enrichment and excellence. Take a look at our award-winning students, athletes, faculty, and staff as they course through the month of March.

Team Huddle

Ava James 鈥�26 of Bethesda, Md., Mya Hicks 鈥�27 of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Elsa Daulerio 鈥�26 of Harpswell, Maine, huddle during their winning game against Smith in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championships.

In the Classroom

Professor of Religious Studies Cynthia Baker addresses students in her 鈥淪acred Ecologies鈥� course, preparing them for a visit from Bayley Marquez, author of Plantation Pedagogy: The Violence of Schooling Across Black and Indigenous Space. Marquez was giving a book talk on campus later that day.

NCAA Champions

Tim Johnson 鈥�27 of Brewster, Mass., Marrich Somridhivej 鈥�26 of South Windsor, Conn., Nate Oppenheim 鈥�28 of Easton, Conn., and Max Cory 鈥�26 of Dublin, Calif., prepare to swim in the 400-yard medley relay at the NCAA Championships. The four swimmers won the relay in 3:08.43, surpassing the previous NCAA Division III record by more than a second and securing the first national title in a relay in the history of 乐播传媒 men’s swimming. The team ultimately finished in sixth place at the championships 鈥� the best performance at the national level in program history.

Everybody Acting

Mo Al-Jabry 鈥�28 of Singapore performs in Gannett Theater during 乐播传媒 Theater鈥檚 production of Everybody, a play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

Tickets sold out for all performances of the play, which features an ensemble cast whose roles change during each performance based on a lottery.

Raising Their Glasses

Students from the Class of 2026 cheer during the Senior Toast event in Pettengill Hall鈥檚 Perry Atrium, held annually to recognize graduating students. Classmates cast their votes on the ivy stone design, collected their senior superlatives, and raised their glasses to celebrate their achievements at 乐播传媒 鈥� and look toward the future.

NCAA Tourney

Jamari Robinson 鈥�29 of Holbrook, Mass., attacks the hoop for a layup during an NCAA Tournament game against Yeshiva University, held at Montclair State University. 

A Great Day

From left, Leah Belber 鈥�26 of Washington, D.C., 乐播传媒 President Garry W. Jenkins, and Olivia Thomas 鈥�28 of Valley Stream, N.J., show off their 乐播传媒 spirit (and gear) during a livestream celebrating Great Day to be a Bobcat, 乐播传媒鈥� annual day of giving. 

The day was a success, culminating in 2,481 donors 鈥� hundreds more than 乐播传媒鈥� goal for the day 鈥� who came together to raise over $1.18 million.

On the Court

Rocco Regnier 鈥�29 of Eureka, Mo., makes contact with the ball during a tennis match against Middlebury at home in Merrill Gymnasium. 

Celebrating Ramadan

Students gather in Chase Hall鈥檚 Memorial Commons for the 2026 Ramadan Banquet hosted by the Muslim Student Association, featuring community, celebration, and a delicious buffet.

Costumes in Class

Students in Senior Lecturer in French and Francophone Studies Laura Balladur鈥檚 course 鈥淥ral French鈥� don costumes and perform for their classmates, as they do every Monday. Balladur employs these weekly performances 鈥� along with improvisation, debate, and one-on-one evaluations 鈥� to help students develop oral fluency in French and knowledge of Francophone culture.

Winterreise

Visiting musicians Randall Scarlata and Gilbert Kalish host a master class for 乐播传媒 students in Olin Concert Hall. The two musicians, plus musician Susan Youens, visited campus for three days in March for their 鈥淲interreise鈥� residency, during which they instructed 乐播传媒 students in vocal and piano performance, and gave performances themselves.

Learning About Politics

Assistant Professor of Politics Seulgie Lim instructs students in her 鈥淕ender, Power, and Politics鈥� course, which examines institutions where political power is produced. The goal is to assess how gender impacts the role of political actors.

On Garcelon

At center, Caroline Keating 鈥�26 of Rye, N.Y., takes a shot during a home lacrosse game against Middlebury on Garcelon Field. At back left is Sarah Stavrovich 鈥�28 of Westfield, N.J.

Learning Together

Senior Lecturer in Gender and Sexuality Studies Melinda Plastas engaging with students in her 鈥淩ace Matters: Tobacco in North America鈥� course in Roger Williams Hall.

Chatting with Students

During a meeting of her 鈥淥n Gender and Tyranny鈥� course in Bonney Science Center, Charles A Dana Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies Rebecca Herzig takes a seat next to her students.

Leaning Into It

At right, Emma Yen 鈥�26 of Albertson, N.Y., throws the ball to first base during a softball game against the University of Wisconsin in Kissimmee, Fla. At left is Ella Maher 鈥�26 of Newton, Mass.

Introduction to American Studies

Associate Professor of American Studies Myron Beasley gazes across his classroom during his 鈥淚ntroduction to American Studies鈥� course in Pettengill Hall.

Lights, Camera, Action

Cian Magner, an academic technology consultant for digital media technologies with the 乐播传媒 Digital Media Studios, films students performing a scene for Associate Professor of Theater Tim Dugan鈥檚 鈥淎cting and the Camera鈥� course.

Debate Prep

Students in Assistant Professor of Rhetric, Film, and Screen Studies and Director of Debate  Lauren Buisker’s 鈥淚ntroduction to Argumentation鈥� course study together in Pettigrew Hall.

Class Discussion

Assistant Professor of Japanese Language and Asian Studies Hanna McGaughey speaks with students in her 鈥淪amurai: Ethics, Gender, and Orientalism鈥� course in Hedge Hall.

Making a Film Festival

Professor of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies Jon Cavallero speaks to students in his 鈥淔ilm Festival Studies鈥� course. Throughout the semester, students have been planning the 2026 edition of the annual 乐播传媒 Film Festival, which will take place on campus and at other venues in Maine during Short Term in May.

Lewiston Adventures

From left, Phoebe Last 鈥�29, Cathy Shi 鈥�28, Misra Ahmed 鈥�28, and Paolo Lopez 鈥�29 venture off-campus for a trip to Forage Market, a popular bagel, pastry, and coffee shop in Lewiston.

Night at the Museum

During the first-ever 乐播传媒 Curates event at the 乐播传媒 Museum of Art, Assistant Curator Samantha Sigmon introduces attendees 鈥� including faculty, staff, and students 鈥� to the exhibition Shellburne Thurber: Full Circle, prior to inviting them to vote on which work from the exhibition they would like 乐播传媒 to acquire for its permanent collection.

Tiny Desk Concert

乐播传媒 student band “The Lot Lizards” gives a performance 脿 la NPR鈥檚 鈥淭iny Desk鈥� in the WRBC basement. A collaboration between WRBC, the 乐播传媒 Musicians Union, and the Village Club Series, the performance was a hit, with a crowd packing into the basement and more watching online.

Welcome to 乐播传媒

A current student leads a group of students admitted to the Class of 2030 and their families on a tour across campus during the first of two 乐播传媒 Beginnings days for admitted students. At 乐播传媒 Beginnings, prospective and committed students have the opportunity to explore campus, learn about academic programs from faculty, and hear from current students about student life. The second 乐播传媒 Beginnings session is on April 17.

Jumping for Joy

At center, Tyler Tucker 鈥�28 of Hamilton, N.J., and David Swift 鈥�28 of Yarmouth, Maine, chest bump during their home baseball opener against Plymouth State University.

Flipping of the Birds

College Archivist Pat Webber sets up 乐播传媒鈥� copy of John J. Audubon鈥檚 Birds of America portfolio during the Flipping of the Birds event, which each month marks the moment when a new page and bird species from the portfolio is displayed in Ladd Library. March鈥檚 event was a special collaboration between Muskie Archives and the 乐播传媒 Birding Club, and the latter chose to display the red crossbill, a boreal finch species found in Androscoggin County.

A Cappella

乐播传媒鈥� five a cappella groups 鈥� the Crosstones, the Deansmen, the Manic Optimists, the Merimanders, and TakeNotes 鈥� perform during their annual Sex Week concert in Gomes Chapel.

L’dor v’dor in Hebrew or 鈥渇rom generation to generation鈥� in English refers to the responsibility of passing down history and values.

That鈥檚 what happened when Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies Stephanie Pridgeon brought award-winning director Sandi DuBowski to 乐播传媒 to screen his critically acclaimed 2024 documentary Sabbath Queen and meet with students in several classes.

Pridgeon鈥檚 research and teaching expertise are on Jewish and Latin American film, where she often focuses on issues of gender and sexuality. When she was a freshman in college, 22 years ago, she saw Trembling Before G-d, DuBowski鈥檚 2001 groundbreaking documentary about gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews trying to reconcile their religion and sexual identities and was fascinated by it. That film, Pridgeon says, 鈥渟tuck with me all these years.鈥�

When she saw Sabbath Queen last year she realized it was thematically something of a follow up to Trembling Before G-d. When DuBowski visited Maine to screen the film at SPACE Gallery in Portland last May, Pridgeon had an opportunity to be his interviewer for a Q&A with the audience. That’s when she got the idea to invite DuBowski to 乐播传媒, to give her students a chance to see his work and discuss it with him.  

The feature documentary was filmed over 21 years. It follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie on an epic journey. He鈥檚 the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis. Two of his relatives, a first cousin and an uncle, were elected Chief Rabbis of Israel and served lengthy terms in these powerful positions. Arguably, his destiny was linked to the traditional, and as the film shows, he was torn between embracing that destiny and rejecting it.

Over those 21 years of being filmed by DuBowski , Lau-Lavie becomes a drag-queen rebel, a queer bio-dad and the founder of Lab/Shul鈥攁n everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation. The New York Times reviewer called Sabbath Queen a 鈥渇ascinating look at the act of questioning yourself and your family, your surroundings and your decisions.鈥�

DuBowski鈥檚 work struck a chord with Pridgeon鈥檚 student, Ellie Millard 鈥�26 of Harrison, N.Y., a double major in environmental studies and Hispanic studies who is taking Pridgeon鈥檚 Jewish Latin American film class. 鈥淭he film is incredibly interesting,鈥� Millard says. 鈥淏ecause it is the first time that I am seeing anyone from an Orthodox Jewish background coming out and being openly vulnerable about their sexuality and gender expression in media.鈥�

Millard credits Pridgeon with 鈥渁llowing students to experience a diverse range of media.鈥�

The gratitude goes both ways. 鈥淏eing able to bring Sabbath Queen to campus and discuss it and Sandi鈥檚 other films with my students has been really just a huge privilege for me,鈥� Pridgeon says. 鈥淚t felt like a really beautiful kind of full-circle moment.鈥�

Generation to generation. 

DuBowski鈥檚 visit was co-sponsored by the Office of Equity and Inclusion, Hispanic studies, religious studies, SPARQ, Multifaith Chaplaincy, gender and sexuality studies, humanities division, and interdisciplinary studies division.

The final month of the academic year begins with students wielding rakes and radar, and ends with fist pumps, Ferragamos, and farewells. The crescendo of Commencement arrives and passes, followed by time for respite and rejuvenation. But before the curtain rises once again, and before the next story unfolds, enjoy this month at 乐播传媒.

Discovery in Process

Caroline Friedman 鈥�25 (center) of Mercer Island, Wash., and Will Morris 鈥�27 (right) of Wayland, Mass., operate a Ground Penetrating Radar device on May 1 along Alumni Walk as Assistant Professor of Earth and Climate Sciences Shreya Arora (left) watches their progress.

The GPR device does what its name suggests, using radar pulses to create images of subsurface features. On this day, the students were investigating the location of underground storage space beneath Alumni Walk, created when Lane Hall and the bygone Maintenance Center were built during the 1960s.

The students were part of Arora鈥檚 hands-on, outdoor-focused Short Term course that teaches the ins and outs of various technical equipment, and how mastering equipment can help critical thinking, problem-solving, and employability. 

Ink, Press, Joy

From canvas totes to tank tops, creativity was in full swing at the annual Free Press printmaking event held outside Commons on May 7.

Participants used a variety of stamps, all created by 乐播传媒 student artists, rolled the stamps in ink, and then felt the simple joy of pressing ink onto fabric 鈥� no experience required. The event was sponsored by the Multifaith Chaplaincy and organized by Multifaith Fellows Jilly Scott-Lewis 鈥�27 of Portland, Ore., Rosina Makwabe 鈥�26 of Arusha, Tanzania, and Hana Roggendorf 鈥�27 of West Hartford, Conn.

Rake Break

鈥淭he best part of Short Term is that we get to work with our friends in Facility Services who are amazing and some of the best people I know on this campus,鈥� said Jonah Yaffe 鈥�26 of Dallas, a gardening assistant for the Facilities Services grounds crew, hard at work beautifying the campus ahead of Commencement and Reunion.

Yaffe, photographed in the vicinity of Chase Hall working with fellow student to seed and plant new flowers, took a moment to display his talent at balancing a rake on his nose.

Hopping into Earth Day

The annual Short Term Earth Day barbecue was in full flight as George Fauver 鈥�26 of Bedford, N.Y., leapt over Tommo White 鈥�25 of Duxbury, N.Y., during the May 14 celebration.

Held outside Commons and sponsored by Sustainable 乐播传媒 and Dining Services, the event featured local food, solar smoothies, bike repair, live music, and plenty of springtime energy.

Softball Sendoff

With joy and flair, 乐播传媒 softball celebrated Senior Day in early May prior to a doubleheader against Tufts. The team honored its senior Bobcat, Grace Householter (No. 13) of Manhattan Beach, Calif., with a spirited team photo complete with this uplifting moment.

Heart of the Stone

E.J. Holm 鈥�25 of Hamilton, N.Y., tried their hand at masonry during the installation of the Class of 2025 ivy stone by campus mason Ron Tardif.

Holm designed this year鈥檚 stone 鈥� a stylized map of downtown Lewiston鈥揂uburn with a heart marking 乐播传媒鈥� location 鈥� as a tribute to both the college and the community the class has called home. 鈥淭he stone represents a connection to place that I found in my time at 乐播传媒,鈥� says Holm.

‘No Easy Feat’

With a celebratory point and a smile, Uche Anyanwu 鈥�25 of Brooklyn, N.Y., marked the binding of his senior thesis on the steps of Coram Library.

An economics major known on campus as Uche the Chompman 鈥� DJ, producer, and artist 鈥� Anyanwu explored the economic impact of entertainment and media across Sub-Saharan Africa. The project, he says, 鈥渨as no easy feat.鈥�

乐播传媒 Fulbright Five

Seven young alumni earned Fulbright Student grant offers for 2025鈥�26, including these five members of the Class of 2025, who gathered on Alumni Walk three days before graduation.

From left, Maple Buescher of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Maddy Kwei of Pasadena, Calif., Charles Breyfogle of Columbus, Ohio, Claire Bohmer of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Wes DeOreo of Westport, Conn. 

Joining these five as Fulbright Student award recipients are recent grads Emma Seitz 鈥�25 of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Helena Raddock 鈥�24 of Warren, Vt. 

乐播传媒 has been a Top Producer of Fulbright Student awards for 14 years.

Showcase Sweatshirts

Angel Huntsman 鈥�27 of Harpswell, Maine, and Graca Bila 鈥�28 of Westbrook, Maine, wear sweatshirts that celebrate their Short Term course with Assistant Professor of Psychology Elena Maker Castro.

Castro and her students worked together to redesign her “Educational Psychology” course, making suggestions for course materials, assessments, and engagement strategies.

The students wore the shirts during the annual Short Term Showcase, a presentation session where students share findings and progress from two groups of courses, Short Term Innovative Pedagogy and Practitioner-Taught Courses.

Past, Present, and Future

Students in Visiting Assistant Professor of History Janice Levi’s Short Term course “Mobile Histories: Transmitting the Past in Africa and the African Diaspora,” hear from guest speakers Fowsia Musse, a leader and health advocate in the Lewiston community, and Yun Garrison, assistant professor of psychology.

The course explored how people remember their pasts when forced into exile. Specifically, the courses looked at examples of African communities under duress due to climate change, political oppression, and religious persecution. 

Granny’s House

For four years, Jose Carmona 鈥�25 of Chicago has made the short walk from campus to visit Carmen Thibodeau, the Lewiston grandmother he gained through a bond that began more than a decade ago with his older siblings and the Thibodeau family. 

With hugs, shows, snacks, and sage advice, Carmen helped make 乐播传媒 鈥� and Maine 鈥� feel like home for every Carmona who passed through. 鈥淪ome of my friends know she鈥檚 not my actual grandma,鈥� says Jose. 鈥淥thers just say, 鈥榊ou going to Granny鈥檚?鈥欌��

Tuck Time

From left, Roan Hopkins ’27, Hope Seketa ’25, Jack Kingsley ’28, and Willa Laski ’26 review their final presentations for the inaugural “Tuck Business Essentials” Short Term course in late May.

Sponsored by the Center for Purposeful Work, the skills-focused course was taught by faculty of Tuck Business School at Dartmouth and led by Peter Friedman 鈥�92, a Tuck graduate who served as the course’s practitioner-in-residence.

Learning all about data analytics and business intelligence were two 鈥渂ig themes鈥� for the internship, said Laski, while gaining an appreciation for a liberal arts education in business added even more value.

鈥淭uck taught me the value of embracing a liberal arts background when approaching business ideas. The interpersonal skills that come with a 乐播传媒 education have really come into play.鈥�

One Last Huddle

During the annual Farewell Celebration for Seniors and Faculty, Daniel Snider 鈥�25 (center, in green cap) and his Orange Whip teammates took a moment to watch the Division III Ultimate championship.

Snider, who won this year鈥檚 Donovan Award, Ultimate鈥檚 highest honor for skill, spirit, and leadership, reveled in the evening’s laughter, gratitude, and connection, both with his classmates and his professors.

鈥淭his event was special,鈥� said Snider, a French and Francophone major from Belfast, Maine, 鈥渂ecause we were able to be around each other as friends, rather than just as students and professors. Saying goodbye isn鈥檛 easy 鈥� but I鈥檓 grateful for everyone who made 乐播传媒 such a meaningful place.鈥�

Peace Through Action

Axelle Tougouma 鈥�27 of Fada N鈥橤ourma, Burkina Faso, received a $10,000 Davis Projects for Peace grant to install a solar-powered irrigation system and provide agricultural training for Burkinab茅 women refugees in Ivory Coast.

A double major in mathematics and economics, Tougouma is using her analytical skills and passion for service to address food insecurity and support economic independence. 鈥淢y way to contribute to peace is through humanitarian action,鈥� she says.

Honors and Celebration

Eliza Skillings 鈥�25 of North Yarmouth, Maine, and Maria McEvoy 鈥�25 of Missoula, Mont., react to a slideshow during the Honors Program Celebration Banquet on May 7. Held in Commons, the event recognized students who completed honors theses, and their faculty mentors, with heartfelt remarks, shared stories, and well-earned celebration.

Introduced by Professor of Philosophy David Cummiskey, Kate Fetrow 鈥�13, offered the keynote. 

A double major in philosophy and politics at 乐播传媒 who earned a law degree from Stanford Law School, Fetrow is now with the New York Legal Assistance Group, a leading civil legal services organization, where she litigates structural reform cases on behalf of people experiencing economic hardship.

Stones in Spring

More than 130 ivy stones, dating back to the Class of 1879, dot buildings around campus, with a new stone added each year. Above are two stones found on the side of Hathorn Hall, the oldest building at 乐播传媒.

High Five for 鈥�25

Christine Schwartz, associate vice president for dining, conferences, and campus events, and James Reese, associate dean of students for international student programs, touch hands as they greet each other during the senior class photo on May 23 in Underhill Arena.

As two of the many behind-the-scenes Commencement organizers, they helped guide the Class of 2025 into formation 鈥� literally 鈥� for a 2025 group photo, followed by a champagne toast.

Evening Honors

Students from the Class of 2025 were inducted into honor society Phi Beta Kappa during a ceremony in Olin Arts Concert Hall.

Fifty-eight students out of the 405 participating in Commencement this year were selected to join the prestigious organization, which is the country’s oldest academic honor society.

Starr Power

Starr Bradley ’25 reacts during a recognition and celebration dinner sponsored by the college’s Student Center for Belonging and Community in Gray Athletic Building.

A psychology major from Houston, Bradley became a dedicated youth mentor at 乐播传媒. She served as a Community Outreach Fellow for the Harward Center for Community Partnerships and coordinated programming for Tree Street Youth’s girls empowerment program in Lewiston.

In Celebration

Family, loved ones, friends, and supporters of the Class of 2025 gather on the Historic Quad for Baccalaureate on May 24.

Presidential Pose

, Risa Sood Horiuchi 鈥�25 of Queens, N.Y., poses with President Garry W. Jenkins and Raymond Clothier, interim multifaith chaplain.

During the service, Horiuchi offered a tribute to parents, guardians, and supporters.

“Your love has held us through the lows, been with us through the highs, and stayed constant for every moment in between. We鈥檙e so proud to have you by our sides and are endlessly grateful for all that you are.鈥�

Early and Elated

Joyful, photo-ready, and dressed in white with garnet 乐播传媒 stoles, . Why so early? 鈥淭hese are the best friends I鈥檝e had in my life,鈥� said Hayden Eckblom 鈥�25, an earth and climate sciences major from Tolland, Conn. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to forget them.鈥�

Earned Not Bought

On Commencement morning, mathematics major Jamil Mouehla 鈥�25 of Harrington Park, N.J., wore these Ferragamo loafers, not for their label but for their legacy. A gift from his older brother, they symbolize the family鈥檚 values of effort and perseverance. 鈥淭hese shoes were not bought but earned,鈥� says Mouehla. 鈥淎nd I can walk in these shoes as my brother did.鈥�

Ceremonial and Personal

Professor of French and Francophone Studies Mary Rice-DeFosse carries the college mace during Commencement on May 25, 2025. Accorded to the senior member of the 乐播传媒 faculty, the role is a high ceremonial honor and, judging by her smile, also high personal joy.

Fist Pump Finale

Economics major Hope Seketa ’25 of East Amherst, N.Y., gives a triumphant fist pump as she and other graduates accept congratulations of 乐播传媒 faculty members during the Commencement recessional.

Float Like a Tribute

Event participants react to the unveiling of a 10-foot bronze statue of Muhammad Ali in downtown Lewiston that honors the city鈥檚 connection to Ali鈥檚 1965 鈥淧hantom Punch鈥� victory. 

Positioned on Main Street near the bright and colorful Hopeful sculpture, the statue represents the 鈥渓oud, proud, strong, resilient鈥� spirit of Lewiston, said Maine Gov. Janet Mills, seen in a tan raincoat exuberantly gesturing at the statue.

Among the speakers during the May 31 event were President Garry W. Jenkins (second from left) and Ilyas Bashir 鈥�25 (far left), a newly minted 乐播传媒 grad and former Golden Gloves champion. 鈥淎li showed us that the fight is bigger than the ring…. That鈥檚 why this statue matters, especially to kids in our community who can look up at Ali and see that greatness starts right where we stand.鈥�

Quiet and Reflective

A few days after Commencement and the final departure of students, empty Adirondack chairs on the quiet Historic Quad welcome summer visitors to sit for awhile.

Paul’s Pride

Director of Campus Safety Paul Menice smiles while being recognized for his 35 years of work at the college. A familiar 乐播传媒 presence since he arrived from Curry College in 1989, Menice has led Campus Safety for five years.

The day-long retreat for the staff of the college’s Student Affairs division included conversations, activities, and remarks from President Garry W. Jenkins and Vice President for Student Affairs Rosanna Ferro.

Gonzo Comes to 乐播传媒

Sadie Williams, daughter of famed artist Ralph Steadman and managing director of the Ralph Steadman Art Collection, reacts to Vintage Dr. Gonzo, a life-size bronze sculpture inspired by Steadman鈥檚 longtime collaborator, Hunter S. Thompson. 

The piece is among more than 149 objects in the current 乐播传媒 Museum of Art exhibition, Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing, that deftly capture Steadman鈥檚 artistic practice.

“It provides an opportunity for everyone 鈥� from longtime fans to newcomers 鈥攖o engage with Ralph Steadman鈥檚 incomparable works and experience the unique mind and defining style of such a pivotal creative in American culture,” said Samantha Sigmon, the assistant curator at the 乐播传媒 Museum of Art who has curated the exhibition.

April at 乐播传媒 arrives with light, with motion, and with meaning. Students dance through history and map the past. There are thesis toasts, moonrises, and moments 鈥� big and small 鈥� that remind us what it means to learn, to lead, and to belong to this community. Come see for yourself in this month at 乐播传媒.

Moonlight Moment

The moon rises above Commons. April鈥檚 full moon is known as the Pink Moon, so named for pink creeping phlox wildflowers that bloom in early spring.

Sammy Weidenthal 鈥�27 of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, created this image from a composite of long exposure images taken just before clouds rolled in at mid-evening.

乐播传媒 Beginnings: The Beginning

Leigh Weisenburger, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission and financial aid, welcomes prospective students and their families to campus during 乐播传媒 Beginnings, the college鈥檚 program for newly admitted students. 

Held twice each spring, the full-day event offers tours, classes, panels, information sessions, and conversations designed to give future Bobcats a taste of all that 乐播传媒 has to offer.

Poster Party

Sloan Philips 鈥�25 of Evergreen, Colo., explains their poster at the Mount David Summit to President Garry W. Jenkins. Their senior thesis in biochemistry explores skin bacteria and associated risks of infection in humans.

鈥淲e shouldn鈥檛 take it for granted,鈥� said Jenkins in his welcome remarks, referring to 乐播传媒鈥� distinctive commitment to undergraduate, mentored research. 鈥淚t鈥檚 unique, it鈥檚 special, and it鈥檚 worthy of celebration.鈥�

Dancing through History

Students perform the dance En Route during the annual Marcy Plavin Spring Dance Concert, which honors the legacy of the founder of the 乐播传媒 dance program. 

The concert featured a range of repertory works reflecting a semester of creative exchange in two 乐播传媒 courses taught by Assistant Professor of Dance Tristan Koepke, “Dance Repertory” and “Repertory Styles,” in collaboration with 乐播传媒 Dance Festival artists-in-residence Gesel Mason, Lisa 鈥淢onaLisa鈥� Berman and Joe 鈥淢N Joe鈥� Tran of BRKFST Dance Company, and Christina Robson.

En Route, choreographed by Mason, was inspired by the Portland Freedom Trail, which highlights 13 key sites related to the Underground Railroad in Maine.

Four Ball

From left, Eli Criss ’25, James Sacco ’28, Eric Diop ’28, and Ben Adey ’25 warm up prior to the Bobcats鈥� match against Wesleyan in Merrill Gymnasium.

Have Your Cake and Read It Too 

Carina Plettenbacher (left) and Raluca Cernahoschi react to a cake by Sam Gamber ’25 of Marlborough, Mass., a recreation of the children鈥檚 book Llama Llama Red Pajama. Plettenbacher is a Fulbright teaching assistant in German for 2024鈥�25 and Cernahoschi is an associate professor of German.

Map Magic

Anelise Hanson Shrout, associate professor of digital and computational studies and history, works with Avery Lehman 鈥�25 (center) of Portsmouth, N.H., a studio art major and DCS minor, and Julia Roelofs 鈥�26 (left) of Rye, N.H., an environmental studies major and DCS minor, in the course 鈥淧ublic History in the Digital Age.鈥� 

A digital historian, Shrout is leading the class to create a map showing the development of Lewiston鈥檚 Lisbon Street from 1850 to 1940, including profiles of individuals who lived and worked in specific Lisbon Street buildings. 

乐播传媒 Beginnings: The Middle

In a Hathorn Hall classroom, Mollie Woodworth, an assistant professor of neuroscience, leads a discussion on 鈥渢he weird and wonderful neuroscience of the senses, from the tiny hairs in your ear that allow you to hear to the upside-down neuron relay in your eye that allows you to see.鈥�

Woodworth鈥檚 pupils weren鈥檛 乐播传媒 students 鈥� yet. Instead, they were prospective 乐播传媒 students on campus for the second of two 乐播传媒 Beginnings programs.

Launching a Love of Learning

At the annual Astronomy Extravaganza, Mikaila Whitaker Bennett 鈥�28 of Rowley, Mass., demonstrated the Doppler effect with a Nerf rocket, delighting young learners like 7-year-old Jorah Robbins. 

The community event, created in 2017 by Associate Professor of Physics Aleks Diamond-Stanic and deployed by students in his introductory astronomy course, featured dozens of interactive activities tailored to students from Lewiston and Auburn elementary schools, grades three through six.

Immersive Images

Assistant Professor of Music Asha Tamirisa listens during an artist talk in Chase Hall Lounge in early April.

The talk, whose attendees included students in her 鈥淚mmersive Media Installation鈥� course, was offered by guest artists Nadav Assor and Tirtza Even, whose multimedia exhibition Chronicle of a Fall was shown in the college鈥檚 Immersive Media Studio in Coram Library.

In the Studio

Lizi Barrow 鈥�25 of Winchester, Mass., works on her paintings in her studio in Olin Arts Center. Barrow was among the seven senior studio art majors whose work was featured in the annual Senior Thesis Exhibition in the 乐播传媒 College Museum of Art.

Real Poet

Dana Professor of English and Africana Ther铆 Pickens signs a copy of her recently published poetry collection, What Had Happened Was, during an event in Commons celebrating her new book and her appointment as a Dana professor. 

The event also included a Q&A moderated by Samaa Abdurraqib, executive director of the Maine Humanities Council, who asked Pickens if publication of her first poetry collection made her feel like a 鈥渞eal poet.鈥� 鈥淥h no, no,鈥� Pickens said, laughing as she described opening the box of author copies. 鈥淚 was screaming, running around the house being like, 鈥業鈥檓 a real poet!鈥� It feels surreal actually.鈥�

Tea with the President 

President Garry W. Jenkins was the featured guest for the ongoing Scholar Teas series. Interviewed by Associate Professor of Sociology Marcelle Medford, he shared the rich 鈥� and joyous 鈥� story of his journey as a legal scholar and his enthusiasm for and devotion to scholarship and the faculty side of academia.

Artist in Bloom

At the opening reception for the annual Senior Thesis Exhibition in the 乐播传媒 College Museum of Art, studio art major Danny Zuniga Zarat 鈥�25 (left) of Houston, holding a bouquet of flowers given to each artist in the show, talks with Carolina Gonz谩lez Valencia, associate professor of art and visual culture, one of this year鈥檚 faculty advisors to the studio art majors.

The Ava Equation

Facing Wesleyan, Ava Steinberger ’27 of Hockessin, Del., goes to the backhand during her doubles match with partner Ava Lyon ’25 of Naples, Fla.

Thesis Time

From left, seniors Sophia Ibeh, a biochemistry major from Houston, Darlene Igiraneza, a biology major from Glendale, Ariz., and Blessing Akinmade 鈥�25 (right), a biochemistry major from Newark, N.J., celebrate their theses bindings with a spray of bubbly on the steps of Coram Library.

鈥淎fter four years of working toward our majors together, spending late nights in Bonney covering boards full of equations, what was hard work is now a small picture of who we are, and a snippet of what college was to us,鈥� said Akinmade. 鈥淚 want to thank you guys for doing it with me and for being a part of me.鈥�

Reigning on the River 

On a chilly and showery day, the men鈥檚 second varsity crew rows to victory in the 27th annual President鈥檚 Cup regatta on the Androscoggin River.

Welcoming Bowdoin, Colby, and the University of Maine, the regatta and festive moments off the water, including the christening of a new shell, The Cadillac, and a celebration of the 2015 NCAA champion women’s team.

乐播传媒 Beginnings: The End

Associate Professor of Politics Clarisa P茅rez-Amend谩riz leads a 乐播传媒 Beginnings presentation and discussion titled, 鈥淲hat is Populism? Lessons from Latin America,鈥� exploring the distinctive features of populist leaders, including those of the 1940s and 1950s, versus neo-populists of today, looking at populist leaders of Argentina, Mexico, and El Salvador.

P茅rez-Amend谩riz recently received the Kroepsch Award 鈥� 乐播传媒鈥� highest honor for excellence in teaching. The current Kroepsch recipient, Associate Professor of Education Mara Tieken, says that P茅rez-Armend谩riz has great passion for what she teaches, rooted in deep respect for her students. 鈥淪he treats them as worthy of her time and attention.鈥�

Reading the Room

D.J. Mason 鈥�28 of Naperville, Ill., reacts during a campus gathering in Commons celebrating the publication of What Had Happened Was, the debut poetry collection by Ther铆 Pickens, and Pickens’ appointment as the Charles A. Dana Professor of English and Africana.

Victory, With a Family Assist

Olivia Joaquin 鈥�25 of Washington, D.C., shares a moment with her mother, Mary Joaquin, during Senior Day introductions at Garcelon Field for the women鈥檚 lacrosse team in early April.

Olivia was joined by her brother, Teddy (left), and her father, Alan (right). The Bobcats defeated Connecticut College, 18鈥�11.

Breaking the Mold

鈥淚 love these pots,鈥� says Britton Gorfain 鈥�25 of New York City as he takes a closer look at what his friend Alex Provasnik 鈥�25, a studio art major from Arlington, Va., created for the 2025 Senior Thesis Exhibition, featuring the works by this year鈥檚 seven studio art majors.

For her senior thesis, Provasnik unraveled expectations of 鈥渦seful鈥� pots, drilling holes into her ceramics, then entwining the holes with embroidery thread or yarn, turning traditional pots into hand-stitched landscapes.

From Archive to Interface

Becky Philips 鈥�25 of San Francisco, Calif., stands beside a display for an interactive digital map tracing the history of downtown Lewiston鈥檚 Lisbon Street, 1850鈥�1940.

The project, developed by students in the course 鈥淧ublic History in the Digital Age,” taught by Anelise Hanson Shrout, associate professor of digital and computational studies and history, made its soft launch in Pettengill Hall, where students presented their research and digital work to the campus community.

Welcome to the Show

Jack Margiloff 鈥�26 of Rye, N.Y., has his eye on the ball during a game vs. Trinity College. The 鈥淲elcome to 乐播传媒鈥� banner in the background hangs above the entrance to Commons.

Coding the Way Forward

Barry Lawson (left), the Colony Family Professor of Digital and Computational Studies, works with Emily Mueller ’25 (center) of Alexandria, Va., and Fatina Mulumba ’25 of Yarmouth, Maine, as they present their final project in the course “Introduction to Web Development.”

The students developed and presented an interactive and algorithmic questionnaire to help current and prospective students understand pathways and options within the new DCS major.

Diving for the Cure

Center fielder Zariya Anderson 鈥�27 of Wayzata, Minn., makes a splendid diving catch during a 3鈥�2 乐播传媒 victory over Bowdoin. The team wore pink as part of a Strikeout Cancer Game sponsored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

thROWback!

From left, Win Brown ’89, Graham Proud ’08, and Arnold Robinson ’87 enjoy the moment as they christen the new 乐播传媒 boat, The Cadillac, at the Traquina Boathouse in Greene following the President’s Cup regatta.

Founding members of 乐播传媒 rowing in the 1980s, Brown and Robinson have remained dedicated to the program 鈥� Brown鈥檚 daughter Kathryn 鈥�21 was a coxswain at 乐播传媒 鈥� and were among a throng of Bobcat rowing enthusiasts on hand for this year’s President’s Cup, which included honoring the 2015 women’s team that captured the NCAA rowing title.