We are excited to let you know that �ֲ���ý has just announced the 2022 honorand class! 

The following individuals will receive honorary degrees from �ֲ���ý on Sunday, May 29 at the Class of 2022’s Commencement ceremony:

• ’80, biotechnology leader, �ֲ���ý alumnus, and longtime �ֲ���ý Trustee
• , acclaimed poet
• , director of the Maine Center for Disease Control
• , author, Episcopal priest, and founder of

Dr. Shah will serve as our Commencement speaker. The Class of 2022 senior speaker has not yet been announced.

We encourage you to read the �ֲ���ý News piece about this year’s honorands, and we look forward to sharing more details as May 29 approaches. Remember that the Commencement site is an excellent resource that is frequently updated.

With best regards,
The �ֲ���ý Parent Team

We have some Commencement updates for you:

• It’s official – there is no limit to the number of family members who can attend the outside Commencement 2022 ceremony. (A reminder that all guests must observe campus health protocols.)

• The Commencement FAQ now includes information about meals and campus accessibility. Make sure you bookmark the site and check for regular updates. 

• Just for fun, why not celebrate your Bobcat grad with our lawn signs.

Our incredible Facilities Services team is working hard to ensure campus will look its best when the big day arrives. We look forward to welcoming you in May!

With best regards,

The �ֲ���ý Parent Team

We need your thoughtful reflections!

Baccalaureate (Saturday, May 28th at 2pm, the day preceding Commencement) is a reflective ceremony planned and led by members of the graduating Class of 2022 in collaboration with the �ֲ���ý Multifaith Chaplaincy. The ceremony is designed to celebrate the graduates’ journey through �ֲ���ý and beyond, and the event speaks from the languages of many religions and spiritualities, and combines poetry, music, dance, and reflection. 

Please complete this form no later than April 4th if you would like to have your thoughts– whether in the form of poetry, prayers, prose, or short stories– for inclusion in the ceremony! 

If it’s easier, you can send an email to the multifaithchaplaincy@bates.edu with the subject line: “Baccalaureate Family Reflection.” 

1. What about the �ֲ���ý experience has most impacted your graduate and enabled them to grow?
2. What does your student’s graduation from college mean to you or your family?
3. What advice would you give the senior class in this time of transition?

Family reflections are an integral part of the Baccalaureate ceremony, so we hope to hear from many of you. 

The Commencement 2022 weekend schedule has been updated, and additional details will be included as we move through spring. 

Other updates for you today include:

• The Commencement FAQ is a helpful resource for families as well as for students. New information is added regularly, so you may want to check this link frequently.

• Baccalaureate will feature family reflections on the journey and accomplishments of this year’s graduates. The Multifaith Chaplaincy encourages you to submit your thoughts by April 4. 

• Seniors have received instructions on how to order caps and gowns by the March 20 deadline. They have also been asked to update their contact information with the college by April 1. Thank you for any gentle reminders you can offer your seniors on these tasks!

89 days to go – we can’t wait to see many of you on campus for the big day!

With best regards,

The �ֲ���ý Parent Team 

Would you like to read this update in a different language? Visit our family email archive page and use the translation tool at the top of the page.

Greetings from a quiet campus. As February break begins, we remind you that an overview about return testing protocols can be found here. Students have received additional information about this via Garnet Gateway.

The end of the semester is approaching, with Commencement not far behind. This is the first in a series of updates we will share throughout the spring to keep senior families informed:

• Students received an update last week from the Registrar about Short Term. If your student has questions, please remind them to speak with their faculty advisor.

• Baccalaureate offers special opportunities for families to offer reflections on the journey and accomplishments of their graduates. Consider submitting your thoughts and learn more about this �ֲ���ý tradition. 

• We encourage you to bookmark the Commencement site, which will be updated with additional details in the next few weeks. We will also continue to share information with families.

• On February 28, seniors will receive instructions on how to order caps and gowns, so please remind them to watch for this first step in getting ready for Commencement.

With best regards,

The �ֲ���ý Parent Team 

Would you like to read this update in a different language? Visit our family email archive page and use the translation tool at the top of the page.