Bates College held its annual Mount David Summit on April 10, where more than 200 student researchers presented their work to the college community, family, and friends in Pettengill Hall.
The event is an opportunity for students to share their research across a wide range of subjects, from biology and marine ecology to legal studies and media analysis. It also serves as a celebration of academic achievement and collaboration within the Bates community.
“Mount David is not just a harbinger of spring and the nearing conclusion of the winter semester, though it is those things,” President Garry W. Jenkins said during his opening remarks. “It’s also a chance for our community to come together to celebrate the academic heart of our mission. And it’s an extraordinary opportunity for Bates students to show off their research, their brilliant and insightful analysis, and their dazzling creativity.”
Throughout the day, attendees explored poster sessions in Perry Atrium while engaging with students about their projects’ methods and findings. Joanne Roberts, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty, said: “It takes a village to bring an idea from its first spark through its final expression, and we owe a huge thank you to everyone involved, from our committed faculty, to our stellar academic staff, and our invaluable research librarians.”
Student presentations included topics such as dolphin social behavior by Zoe Ash; skin infections in diabetic patients by Enathe Muhawenimana; flooding patterns using community data by Hope Stafford; reproductive health access among women experiencing homelessness by Ariya Tayal; sponge-algae symbiosis modeling by James Hillers; hurricane impacts on sea turtle nesting by Gemma DeCarolis; wolf reintroduction effects on livestock ranching by Willa Laski; legal questions in U.S. court precedent examined by Matthew Peeler, Sammy Freeman (who discussed religious arguments for abortion access), and Reese Hillman (who investigated conservative legal divisions); elementary school civic engagement studied by Katie Heumann; memorialization of Japanese-American internment camps researched through visual art by Shay Campolongo; restorative effects of clay workshops explored with immigrant children by Catalina Passino; film surveillance analysis presented by Connor Gerraughty with advisor Stephanie Kelley-Romano.
The summit also featured photography exhibitions highlighting off-campus study experiences around the world.
As students reflected on both personal growth through research processes as well as broader societal implications—such as inclusivity in classrooms or advocacy within healthcare systems—the event underscored Bates College’s commitment to fostering inquiry-driven learning.
