Bates College, President

The Bates College Board of Trustees unanimously elected Garry W. Jenkins, JD, currently dean and William S. Pattee Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota Law School, to become president of Bates.

“Throughout the search process, it was rewarding and illuminating for the committee to see Garry’s genuine affinity for Bates grow as he learned more about the college and the alignment between Bates’ values and his own. As a candidate, he energized the committee — with intellect, charisma, and sincerity that will serve Bates well both on campus and in the world,” said Andrea Conklin Bueschel ’90, co-chair of the search committee.

As dean of the Minnesota Law School, Jenkins led the work to eliminate a budget deficit; deepen the school’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and expand and improve the demographic and academic profiles of its admitted students, with the 2022 entering class achieving the highest academic credentials in the school’s 134-year history.

A graduate of Haverford College, Jenkins brings a deep affinity for liberal arts education and has served his alma mater in a variety of ways since graduation, including as a member of the college’s Board of Managers since 2009 and its vice chair since 2015. 

Read the full announcement here. 

Kate Barry led this search with Karen McPhedran, Miguel Santiago, and Kaitlin Cruz.