January 2023

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Sophomore Bootcamp 2023: Basic Training for Getting That First Great Job

Finding a job, especially that first one, is a job in itself–one that requires job-seeking skills. This is what Sophomore Bootcamp is all about. For three days in January, the sophomore class—all 500 of them—returned to campus a little earlier than the rest to partake in Career Exploration and Development’s (CXD) Sophomore Bootcamp.

Listen! Bowdoin Presents Is the Podcast That Makes You Even Smarter

Religion professor Robert Morrison explores how information spread around the Mediterranean in medieval times, discussing horoscopes, medieval party tricks, and how Copernicus figured out that the planets circle the sun. Season two of Bowdoin Presents transports listeners back to the classroom by sharing the work and research of Bowdoin faculty and others in Bowdoin’s academic community. Listen in as award-winning independent radio journalist, podcast producer, and editor Lisa Bartfai engages in conversation with those who teach, inspire, and share knowledge on our campus.Find Bowdoin Presents on: Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Google Play, Simplecast, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Meet 1794 Society Membership Committee Chairs Rich Bonomo '85 and Claire Newton '02

Three years ago, the 1794 Society Membership Committee was created to champion the work of leadership annual giving and grow membership in that group. As cochairs of this volunteer committee, Claire Newton ’02 and Rich Bonomo ’85 strive to embody the Offer of the College in the quest “To make hosts of friends... Who are leaders in all walks of life.”

Where Are They Now? Bowdoin Orient Alumni on the Record

Generations of student reporters have covered the College for the Bowdoin Orient since its founding in 1871. Many of them have used the experience to launch impressive journalism careers.

"Remarkable Coastal Resource": The Gift of Merritt Island and How It Continues to Offer Intriguing Possibilities

Bowdoin received the deed to Merritt Island, twenty-eight acres in the New Meadows River in West Bath, in the fall of 1999. It came to the College as a bequest from Richard "Dick" Sanborn '40 and is used by the Bowdoin Outing Club as a base for trips, service projects, and leadership training.

Black History Month Features Two Prominent Alumni Speakers

Black History Month gets underway on campus this week with the theme Black Resilience. Highlights include conversations with two distinguished Black alumni, Eric Hollister Williams ’99 and Dr. Terri Young '81 (above), both hosted by the Bowdoin College Black Alumni Association.

Education Department Offers New Snow Family Teaching Fellowship

This fall, Bowdoin's Department of Education began a fellowship program to give graduates more teaching experience on campus before they enroll in its Bowdoin Teacher Scholars program.

Kind Hearts Count

Save the Date:

Thursday, February 16

Inspired by National Acts of Kindness Day, we'll be on campus encouraging acts of kindness and promoting gifts to Bowdoin that pay it forward. The goal is to inspire 2,047 people to make gifts—one for every student enrolled at the College. Click here to participate, and you’ll also be able to recognize someone in the Bowdoin community for their kindness. After BowdoinOne Day, three participants will be selected to receive a surprise bit of kindness from the College!

Winter Sports Update

The home-stretch run has begun for winter sports teams as February brings about championship season. Visit the composite calendar at GoUBears.com to follow the Polar Bears as they chase postseason playoff berths.

Fall Postseason Honors

In a final round of postseason honors, the Bowdoin cross-country team was recognized for its work in the classroom, while the women’s soccer team garnered a prestigious sportsmanship award.

MaryBeth Mathews Honored by Women’s Rugby Foundation

Longtime women’s rugby head coach MaryBeth Mathews was inducted as one of the US Women’s Rugby Foundation’s inaugural class of Kathy Flores Lifetime Achievement Award recipients at the organization’s annual convention in January. Head coach since 1994, Mathews has been a staunch proponent of the sport in collegiate athletics throughout the last several decades.

Women's Contributions to Solving the Climate Crisis

The Environmental Studies Program partnered with The Nature Conservancy in Maine to bring together a panel of women who are working with communities to address climate change.

One Year In, a New Diversity Fellowship is Already Impacting the Tech Industry

In the inaugural year of the Next Leaders Fellowship (NLF), twelve fellows learned and worked together, and saw their careers grow. With Bowdoin support, Michael Cato, senior vice president and chief information officer, launched NLF for tech professionals working at colleges and universities around the country. The next cohort of fellows has recently been selected and will begin the program in March.

Reach Out with Your

Class News

Have you picked up a new hobby? Just read a great book? Spent fun time with a Bowdoin friend? Had a Go U Bears moment while traveling or even in your own neighborhood? Please keep giving us the milestones—weddings, babies, new jobs, moves—but think of Class News for these things too. We love them, and so do your classmates!

EOS Visiting Professor Evan Dethier Warns of Global Mining Crisis in Tropical Rivers (Science News)

Fernando Nascimento on Artificial Intelligence and Its Potential Benefits and Harms (Maine Public Radio)

Barbara Held: A Reverse Jewish “Exodus?” Circling our Tribal Wagons Is Not the Answer (Times Record/Portland Press Herald )

Museum of Art's In Light of Rome Leads Travel News Roundup (Boston Globe )

Bowdoin in Maine Celebrates International Polar Bear Day

5:00–7:30 p.m., Monday, February 27

Celebrate International Polar Bear Day with Bowdoin friends at a happy hour gathering in Portland, hosted by Maya (Jaafar) Lena '07. Can't join in person but plan on celebrating? Tag @bowdoinalumni and show us how!

Bowdoin in Boston: An Evening with Professor Patty Jones

Tuesday, February 21

Join Assistant Professor of Biology Patty Jones, director of the Bowdoin College Scientific Station on Kent Island, in Boston for a talk and reception. Jones's research currently focuses on how bee behavior influences pollination ecology.

Learn More about the Latinx Steering Committee

The newly formed Bowdoin Latinx Alumni Steering Committee is expanding the conversation by inviting more Latinx alums to join the conversation. The purpose is to serve, engage, and support Latinx Alumni. The three initial objectives are: strengthen the alumni Latinx community; support, guide, and advise current Latinx students; and celebrate the accomplishments and history of Latinx alumni.

If you identity as Latinx and are interested in serving, complete this form by February 28.

1794 Society News is published monthly by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs.

Please send your comments and suggestions to [email protected].

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