�ֲ��ý Fund – News

�ֲ��ý announces $28 million in gifts in fiscal 2018

�ֲ��ý News — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 14:00:34 +0000

�ֲ��ý alumni, parents, and friends contributed $28 million to the college during the fiscal year ending June 30.

“I want to express deep appreciation to all who chose to invest in �ֲ��ý this past year,” said Sarah R. Pearson ’75, vice president for college advancement.

“This level of giving, during the first full public year of The �ֲ��ý Campaign, reflects the pride felt by our alumni, parents, and friends as well as the excitement they feel about the direction of the college. I am especially grateful to the more than 500 volunteers who supported the fundraising effort this year.”

The annual �ֲ��ý Fund total includes $810,000 through the Friends of �ֲ��ý Athletics. Men's cross country runners Henry Raff '22 (center) of Hailey, Idaho, and Tucker Barber '21 (right) of Wilton, Maine, compete at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester on Sept. 15, 2018. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

The Class of 1993 broke three giving records for a 25th Reunion class, including most dollars, besting a record set 13 years ago. Here, the class struts its stuff during the Alumni Parade on June 9, 2018. (Jonathan Reece for �ֲ��ý College)

The Class of 2018 had an 84 percent participation rate for their Senior Gift — the highest since 2014. This newly minted alumna, among 473 seniors receiving degrees on May 27, 2018, brandishes her diploma. (Rene Roy for �ֲ��ý College)

Total yearly giving to �ֲ��ý has more than doubled since 2013. "I am so grateful for the support and engagement shown by �ֲ��ý alumni, parents, and friends,” said President Clayton Spencer, seen at Commencement on May 27, 2018, with honorand Lynsey Addario and speaker Bryan Stevenson. (Theophil Syslo/�ֲ��ý College)

�ֲ��ý giving in 2018 included $10.87 million to the college’s endowment. Here, Matt Jadud, who holds the newly endowed Colony Family Professorship in Digital and Computational Studies, offers his talk as the inaugural Colony Professor on March 22, 2018. (Rene Roy for �ֲ��ý College)

Total giving to �ֲ��ý from all sources in 2018 was $28,050,875 including $10.87 million to the college’s endowment. Total yearly giving to �ֲ��ý has more than doubled since 2013.

Forty-five percent of alumni made gifts, a level of participation that places �ֲ��ý among the top U.S. undergraduate liberal arts colleges. Thirty-four percent of �ֲ��ý parents made gifts.

The �ֲ��ý Campaign now stands at $190 million in gifts and pledges toward a goal of $300 million.

Gifts to the �ֲ��ý Fund totaled $7.1 million including $810,000 through the Friends of �ֲ��ý Athletics. The �ֲ��ý Fund is a key component of The �ֲ��ý Campaign and provides real-time support for financial aid, faculty and academic programs, student life, and the arts.

Launched with public celebrations in May 2017, the multiyear �ֲ��ý Campaign now stands at $190 million in gifts and pledges toward a goal of $300 million.

“I am so grateful for the support and engagement shown by �ֲ��ý alumni, parents, and friends,” said President Clayton Spencer. “The steady increase in yearly giving enables us to enliven the current student experience even as we strengthen the future of the college by building the endowment. Thank you.”

During fiscal 2018, alumni celebrating their five-year Reunions helped push the �ֲ��ý Fund to new heights. Overall, this year’s 14 Reunion classes, from 1948 to 2013, contributed nearly one out of every five dollars given to the �ֲ��ý Fund. Reunion 2018 was also the best-attended in college history, with 1,277 attendees.

“To the hundreds of alumni and parent volunteers who support the �ֲ��ý Fund effort in so many ways: Thank you.”

The Reunion Class of 1993 broke three records for a 25th Reunion class: highest attendance rate (32 percent), most �ֲ��ý Fund dollars raised ($253,293, besting a record set 13 years ago), and highest �ֲ��ý Fund participation rate (66 percent).

“The Class of 1993’s efforts are amazing — and illustrative of the great work that our volunteers do and the generous response by �ֲ��ý alumni,” Pearson said. “To the hundreds of alumni and parent volunteers who support the �ֲ��ý Fund effort in so many ways: Thank you. Your help and support are invaluable.”

The college’s newest alumni, the Class of 2018, completed their Senior Gift effort with 84 percent participation — the highest participation rate since 2014 — and a class gift of $13,950. �ֲ��ý trustee Lisa Barry ’77 and the College Key provided special challenges to the class as it completed its gift campaign.

Gifts to �ֲ��ý top $27 million in 2016-17, new �ֲ��ý Fund record set

�ֲ��ý News — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 20:46:16 +0000

Alumni, parents and friends contributed $27 million to �ֲ��ý — including a record $6.98 million to the �ֲ��ý Fund — during the 2017 fiscal year that concluded on June 30. “This level of commitment to �ֲ��ý reflects confidence in the direction of the college and a deep sense of loyalty,” said Sarah R. Pearson ’75, vice president for college advancement. “I am grateful to everyone who invested in the success of �ֲ��ý this year, especially the more than 450 dedicated alumni and parent volunteers who supported the �ֲ��ý Fund effort.” The �ֲ��ý Fund, a priority of The �ֲ��ý Campaign, launched in May, provides vital support each year for current operations, including the faculty, financial aid, student life, athletics, and the arts. The 2017 �ֲ��ý Fund dollar total, $6,978,292, represents a 7 percent increase over 2016. Total giving to �ֲ��ý from all sources in 2017 was $27,061,563, including $13.3 million to the college’s endowment. Total yearly giving to �ֲ��ý has more than doubled since 2013. A total of 10,223 donors made gifts to �ֲ��ý in fiscal 2017, nearly a quarter of whom responded to the high-energy �ֲ��ý Campaign kickoff in May and the campaign’s �ֲ��ý+You challenge, which sought 2,000 donors between May 16 and 24. Over the eight days, 2,374 donors made gifts totaling nearly $1.2 million. The $300 million �ֲ��ý Campaign is the largest in �ֲ��ý history and comprises four major priorities, including Building Financial Sustainability, which seeks $40 million for the �ֲ��ý Fund as well as gifts to the unrestricted endowment. Overall, the campaign seeks $160 million in endowment gifts.

The �ֲ��ý classes that celebrated 2017 Reunions, including the high-energy 5th Reunion Class of 2012, boosted their �ֲ��ý Fund giving by 53 percent over 2016. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

The 2017 �ֲ��ý Fund includes a college-record $731,674 from Friends of �ֲ��ý Athletics, a fund that provides support for varsity and club teams at �ֲ��ý, including the national championship women's rowing team. (Aaron Morse/�ֲ��ý College)

The graduating Class of 2017 completed their Senior Gift effort with 75 percent participation. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

At the Boston kickoff for the $300 million �ֲ��ý Campaign, President Spencer reveals the total of gifts and pledges, to date, to the campaign: $168.5 million. (Jared Charney for �ֲ��ý College)

The record-setting �ֲ��ý Fund supports current operations: students' day-to-day insights, learning, and experiences. Here, students of Dana Professor of Chemistry Glen Lawson and Associate Professor of Spanish Claudia Aburto Guzmán celebrate a successful classroom project before their trip to Chile during Short Term 2016. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

“I am so grateful to our alumni, parents, and friends who have given so generously to �ֲ��ý,” said President Clayton Spencer. “Because of this support, we are able to set ambitious goals for the campaign that will strengthen our college for decades to come.” The 2017 �ֲ��ý Fund includes a college-record $731,674 from Friends of �ֲ��ý Athletics, a fund that provides support for varsity and club teams at �ֲ��ý. Since 2012, giving to FBA has nearly doubled. The �ֲ��ý Fund total also includes �ֲ��ý parent contributions of $1,445,359. The graduating Class of 2017 completed their Senior Gift effort with 75 percent participation and a class gift of $12,328. Trustee Emeritus Bruce Stangle ’70, P’96 and The College Key provided special challenge gifts to the class as they completed their effort. The 15 �ֲ��ý classes that celebrated Reunions in 2017 increased their �ֲ��ý Fund giving by 53 percent over 2016, contributing nearly $1 million to the fund. This year’s 15 classes also set an all-time Reunion attendance record with 1,206 attendees, including alumni, family members, and friends.

Giving to �ֲ��ý soars to record $28.2 million, more than doubling since 2013

�ֲ��ý News — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 16:00:37 +0000

Gifts by �ֲ��ý donors totaling a record $28.2 million in fiscal 2016 have "given us great confidence in setting ambitious goals for �ֲ��ý’ future," said President Spencer. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

The 2016 Reunion classes contributed more than $900,000 to the �ֲ��ý Fund. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

The Class of 2016 joined the �ֲ��ý Fund with 76 percent participation in the traditional Senior Gift. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

The �ֲ��ý Fund total includes Parents Fund contributions of $1.1 million with 38 percent participation. (Josh Kuckens/�ֲ��ý College)

Annual giving to the �ֲ��ý Fund topped $6.5 million to support academic, athletic, co-curricular, and financial aid programs. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

�ֲ��ý alumni, parents, and friends contributed a college-record $28.2 million during the fiscal year ending June 30, an increase of 134 percent since 2013.

“It’s thrilling to share news of a record-breaking year of philanthropy by alumni, parents, and friends. Their generosity is extraordinary and exemplifies pride in community and commitment to the college,” said Sarah R. Pearson ’75, vice president for college advancement.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone who made �ֲ��ý a priority this year. I’m especially grateful to the more than 450 alumni and parents who supported this effort as tireless volunteers.”

“Great confidence in setting ambitious goals for �ֲ��ý’ future.”

Giving to �ֲ��ý has increased 30 percent or more in each of the last three fiscal years — more than doubling since fiscal 2013, the initial year of Clayton Spencer’s presidency.

“Those who know and love �ֲ��ý have invested in the college to a remarkable degree, and we are profoundly grateful,” Spencer said. “The generosity and support of our alumni, parents, and friends have enabled extraordinary progress over the past four years, and given us great confidence in setting ambitious goals for �ֲ��ý’ future.”

Total giving to �ֲ��ý from all sources in 2016 was $28,155,471, with $13 million designated to the endowment. The $28.2 million breaks the previous annual dollar record of $24.8 million, reached in 2006.

With 47 percent alumni participation, annual giving to the �ֲ��ý Fund totaled $6.53 million, passing the goal for the year to support academic, athletic, co-curricular, and financial aid programs. The �ֲ��ý Fund total includes Parents Fund contributions of $1.13 million with 38 percent participation. In addition, gifts to the �ֲ��ý Fund through the Friends of �ֲ��ý Athletics exceeded $609,000.

The 15 classes that celebrated �ֲ��ý Reunions in 2016 contributed more than $900,000 to the �ֲ��ý Fund during the year, while the college’s youngest alumni, the members of the Class of 2016, celebrated their graduation from �ֲ��ý with 76 percent participation in the Senior Gift campaign.

“Giving to �ֲ��ý has an impact on every aspect of the college experience,” Pearson said. “On behalf of the entire campus community, I offer my gratitude. It’s been a remarkable year, and we are truly thankful.”

‘Opportunity not importunity’: a story of who really founded the �ֲ��ý Fund

Jay Burns — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 21:00:10 +0000

The college’s first 20 acres of land? A gift, from the people of Lewiston. The first building, Hathorn Hall? A gift, from Seth and Mary Hathorn of Woolwich. The name, �ֲ��ý College? A gift, from Benjamin �ֲ��ý. �ֲ��ý and most private U.S. colleges came to be through philanthropy. Yet the tradition of alumni making regular annual gifts — known as the �ֲ��ý Fund here — didn’t take hold until many years later. Mindful that some 2,000 �ֲ��ý alumni will make their annual �ֲ��ý Fund gifts this week, here’s a brief history of the fund, and how alumni took the lead in creating a robust giving tradition that, along with parent gifts, provides more than $6 million for academics, athletics, financial aid and student programs each year.

Some 83 years later, �ֲ��ý women celebrate silver at the NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships in Indianapolis on June 1, 2013. Photograph by Mike Bradley/�ֲ��ý College.

A study scene in Coram Library, circa 1930. Debuting in 1929-30, the first �ֲ��ý alumni fund raised gifts for the library, student activities and career development.

Students are variously engrossed in their work during finals week, fall semester 2012, in Ladd Library. Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College.

Debaters Catherine Djang ’13 and Ben Smith ’13, ranked among the world's best this year, pose with Director of Debate and Lecturer in Rhetoric Jan Hovden. Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College.

Debaters of 1923, the era of the first alumni fund. From left, Theodore Pinckney '23, later an orthopedic surgeon; Erwin Canham '25, Rhodes Scholar and editor of the Christian Science Monitor, Professor Craig Baird, and William Young '24, later head of elementary education in New York state. Photograph courtesy of Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library.

The �ֲ��ý Fund got going in 1929 when 81-year-old George S. Ricker, Class of 1867, made the inaugural gift of $10 to the �ֲ��ý College Alumni Fund, authorized the year before by Alumni Association vote. A graduate of �ֲ��ý’ first college class, Ricker was in some ways prototypical. A minister with a social justice commitment, Ricker was the longtime superintendent of the Society for the Friendless in Kansas, an advocacy group for ex-cons and prisoners. He hand-delivered his gift ($135 in today’s dollars) after traveling from Wichita, Kan., to �ֲ��ý for Commencement 1929, an act that was noted in a �ֲ��ý Alumnus story about the new fund, carrying the headline “Opportunity Not Importunity.” Meanwhile, the first U.S. college alumni fund had begun about 40 years before, as Yale was busy playing financial catch-up with Harvard. Problem was, while Harvard could tap the wealth of Boston’s Brahmins, there was nothing comparable in New Haven, according to Yale: A History.

George S. Ricker of the Class of 1867 made the first gift to the new Alumni Fund, now the �ֲ��ý Fund, at Commencement 1929.

So in June 1890, in response to the “widespread sentiment” among Yale alumni supporting a “systematic endeavor to increase the resources of the University,” Yale voted to establish an alumni fund. A few years later, President William Jewett Tucker created a similar fund at Dartmouth to bolster that college’s meager annual revenues. An alumni fund, he said, is “peculiarly adapted to our constituency, among whom many are willing and eager to do something regularly, while few only are able to make single large gifts or great bequests.” At Harvard, President A. Lawrence Lowell had the opposite opinion, even as the university launched its alumni fund somewhat late, in 1925. “Wrongly conceived,” he declared. An alumni fund “will do more harm than good, for it will serve the alumni with an excuse to contribute smaller sums than they might likely give for a specific purpose.” (How wrong he was: A central tenet of higher education fundraising is that alumni funds and “specific purpose” campaigns are perfectly complementary; it’s not either/or.)

The Alumni Association recruited and organized volunteers, who asked their fellow alumni to make gifts to support annual faculty salaries.

At �ֲ��ý, reduced enrollments combined with galloping inflation during World War I put a real scare into the college. The Alumni Association (not the college administration, mind you) responded by creating the �ֲ��ý Alumni Loyalty Fund, modeled after a similar fund at Brown.

Graduates leave the Chapel after Commencement 1930, the first year of the �ֲ��ý Fund. That year, the fund’s goal included career support for graduates. Photograph courtesy of Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library.

The Alumni Association recruited and organized volunteers, forebears of today’s �ֲ��ý Fund class agents, who asked their fellow alumni to make gifts to support annual faculty salaries. “A result not anticipated, but one of great importance, came out of the organization and work of the Loyalty Fund,” noted the �ֲ��ý Alumnus. “A scattered, unorganized and untrained group of college graduates learned to think and to work together.” President Clifton Daggett Gray relied on this motivated alumni volunteer network to solicit gifts for the Million Dollar Fund Campaign that kicked off in 1922 and funded Alumni Gymnasium and Gray Athletic Building. So it was that at Commencement 1928, alumni voted to create a permanent �ֲ��ý Alumni Fund. In doing so, they put forth a set of fundraising objectives that would fit just fine in a contemporary pitch for the �ֲ��ý Fund. That is, they sought support for the basics: For the library, “the intellectual dynamo” of the college. For students and their “athletic, musical, forensic and other activities.” And for life after �ֲ��ý, including career development and “opening up opportunities” in the fields of education, business, industry and other realms. Sources: �ֲ��ý Alumnus, November 1929

Alumni make May 15 a “great day”

Victoria Stanton — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:00:08 +0000

Generations of �ֲ��ý students and alumni have rallied around the slogan “It’s a Great Day to Be a Bobcat!” On May 15, alumni from around the world committed to making the day especially grand.

The Bobcat takes a break after May 15’s “It’s a Great Day to Be a Bobcat” campaign, when �ֲ��ý sought 555 additional alumni donors to the �ֲ��ý Fund in one day. Photo by Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College

The college sought 555 additional alumni donors to the �ֲ��ý Fund in one day, part of the ongoing campaign to reach 55 percent alumni participation by the close of the giving year on June 30.

Alumni easily exceeded the goal with 599 total gifts, bringing their total �ֲ��ý Fund participation thus far to 37 percent, a three-point increase in one day.

The slogan “It’s a great day to be a Bobcat” comes from former football coach Web Harrison ’63, who adapted the cheer from his days as a U.S. Marine — “It’s a great day to be a Marine!”

Today it is used to observe any successful �ֲ��ý endeavor.

The Wednesday event, dubbed “It’s a Great Day to Be a Bobcat!,” celebrated alumni pride while also raising awareness about �ֲ��ý Fund giving, which supports faculty salaries and student financial aid, among other programs.

The May 15 challenge came on the heels of several recent �ֲ��ý Fund successes. This spring, young alumni secured �ֲ��ý’ first March Mania victory, defeating Colby, Connecticut College and Trinity in a competition to see which college could garner the most gifts to their annual funds from their 10 youngest class years.

Last year, �ֲ��ý alumni achieved a record-breaking 55 percent participation and earned an extra $500,000 for the college.

Alumni had until midnight on May 15 to make their gifts and be counted in the challenge.

Make a gift to the �ֲ��ý Fund.

�ֲ��ýNews Monthly Update: August 2010

�ֲ��ý News — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:14:14 +0000

For �ֲ��ý alumni, parents, and friends, here is a look back at stories that represent some of the major �ֲ��ý events and achievements of the past month, important upcoming events, and a sampling of �ֲ��ý people making news.

In this issue:

1. Restructuring enhances �ֲ��ý’ commitment to diversity and inclusion
2. Chemistry major wins top award at international conference
3. �ֲ��ý Fund flourishes in 2009-2010 fiscal year
4. Campus Construction Update
5. Museum of Art offers summer retrospective by noted painter Nicoletti
6. With Young Dancers Workshop, festival bridges gap in dance education
7. Save the date: Parents & Family Weekend Oct. 8-10
8. �ֲ��ý in the News

1. Restructuring enhances �ֲ��ý’ commitment to diversity and inclusion
�ֲ��ý is working to reinforce and enhance the institution’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of its operations and campus life through a restructuring of three administrative areas of the College, effective immediately, President Elaine Tuttle Hansen has announced.

As part of the restructuring, the president has announced that longtime �ֲ��ý administrators Roland S. Davis ’92 and Carmen L. Purdy have accepted new responsibilities.

2. Chemistry major wins top award at international conference
Marilla Pender-Cudlip ’10, a recent �ֲ��ý graduate and a chemistry major from Torrington, Conn., was honored with a top prize and 100 euros in prize money for her research poster at the 10th European Biological Inorganic Chemistry Conference, held June 22-26 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

3. �ֲ��ý Fund flourishes in 2009-2010 fiscal year
In another successful year for the �ֲ��ý Fund, nearly 7,600 alumni and 1,500 parents made a gift to the Fund, contributing an impressive $4.7 million. This incredible show of support is an inspiration to the entire �ֲ��ý community and sends a strong message that now, more than ever, our alumni and parents believe that a �ֲ��ý education is second to none. The College depends on the �ֲ��ý Fund as a critical source of current-use dollars that have an immediate impact on every area of student life, ranging from faculty compensation to financial aid. In a two-year dollar growth comparison conducted with 30 peers schools of similar size and structure, the �ֲ��ý Fund outperformed all but two schools. The $4.7 million that the Fund raised represents a 10 percent increase over the dollars raised in the prior fiscal year. Please join us in thanking our volunteers, alumni, parents and friends who played a part in this remarkable accomplishment for the College! More information: etraiste [at] bates [dot] edu

4. Campus Construction Update
Thunderstorms on July 21 that unleashed torrents of rain and spawned three tornadoes in southern Maine also made their mark, happily minor, on the Hedge/Roger Williams construction site. Winds, which gusted up to 90 mph in some parts of the state, knocked over 40 feet of the fence around the site.

5. Museum of Art offers summer retrospective by noted painter Nicoletti
A summer exhibition examining the career of Joseph Nicoletti, a �ֲ��ý lecturer and one of Maine’s foremost realist painters, runs through Sept. 25 at the �ֲ��ý College Museum of Art.

6. With Young Dancers Workshop, festival bridges gap in dance education
Five days a week for three weeks in June and July, 100 student dancers spend hours perfecting their technique in studios, gymnasiums and classrooms around the �ֲ��ý campus. These accomplished students come from the U.S. and abroad to attend the Young Dancers Workshop, part of the nationally acclaimed �ֲ��ý Dance Festival.

7. Save the date: Parents & Family Weekend Oct. 8-10
Please join us on campus for Parents & Family Weekend Oct. 8 – 10, a celebration honoring parents, grandparents, and all extended family. This is an excellent opportunity to experience your student’s life at �ֲ��ý by attending classes, sharing in co-curricular activities, attending presentations and performances, meeting friends, and enjoying the beauty of the campus. This weekend includes the �ֲ��ý Parents & Family Association Volunteer Luncheon Workshop and the much anticipated Garcelon Field Dedication Ceremony. Information on Parents & Family Weekend is available online at:
/parents-weekend.xml

8. �ֲ��ý in the News
The Providence Journal profiles incoming student Erik Bou ’14, who reflects on his Cambodian American mother’s hardships and explains how football taught him to achieve academic goals. The Bangor Daily News talks to Maine District Court judge Bernard Staples ’55, who’s leaving the bench after 21 years only to enter the seminary. And as the �ֲ��ý Dance Festival winds down, the Portland Press Herald reviews the recent AXIS dance troupe performance and explains how the company has “created a dialogue and re-evaluation of how disability does and does not affect artistic movement.”

Online giving comes to �ֲ��ý

�ֲ��ý News — Wed, 28 Nov 2001 13:08:57 +0000

Beginning Dec. 5, alumni, parents and friends may go online with their credit card to make gifts to the �ֲ��ý Fund.

“It’s a great option for donors as we head into the final month of the 2001 tax year,” said Kimberly Hokanson, director of annual giving. “Gifts can be made online using a secure server, which protects the donor’s privacy. It’s easy and it’s fast. People are used to the convenience of making purchases online — it’s a logical step to offer online giving, as well.”

After the system goes live Dec. 5, alumni, parents and friends will be able to make credit card donations at

“Most of our peer schools offer online giving,” said Vicky Devlin, vice president for development. “Those schools have seen a significant increase in participation following the introduction of online giving — particularly among their most recent graduates. The alumni participation rate is perhaps the college’s most reported fact, due to the weight it is given in college guide rankings.”

During the 2000-2001 fiscal year ending last June, 9,817 alumni, parents and friends gave $12.94 million to �ֲ��ý, including a record $3 million to the annual �ֲ��ý Fund.

�ֲ���ý Fund – News

�ֲ���ý announces $28 million in gifts in fiscal 2018

Gifts to �ֲ���ý top $27 million in 2016-17, new �ֲ���ý Fund record set

Giving to �ֲ���ý soars to record $28.2 million, more than doubling since 2013

‘Opportunity not importunity’: a story of who really founded the �ֲ���ý Fund