News

Announcing the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity

Bowdoin is proud to announce a $50 million gift—the largest in our 231-year history—from Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings ’83 to launch the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity.

Tackling the “Alignment Problem”

Keep Expressing Yourself and Stay Human, Urges AI Expert and Author Brian Christian

The best-selling writer and researcher visits campus to meet with students and faculty and to deliver an address to the Bowdoin community. It’s all part of the College’s Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity, which aims to prepare students to lead in a world reshaped by artificial intelligence.
Homing in on Literature

Season Two of “Dead Writers” is in the Works

After a successful first season of their podcast exploring the homes of famous dead writers, two Bowdoin professors and their audio producer are ready to continue their journey for a second season.
Charlie Butt's Legacy

A Field House Tribute to a Beloved Coach

A new display case in Farley Field House holds several treasures from the adventurous and impactful life of long-time Bowdoin coach Charlie Butt.
Fun Fall Tradition

Homecoming: Harvestfest, Hugs, and Happy Alumni

Generations of alumni met friends on campus for the annual Homecoming weekend, where they were also invited to games, meetings, concerts, museum tours, and talks.
From Biology to Basketmaking

MacArthur Grant Honors for Two Bowdoin Community Members

Biologist Toby Kiers ’98 and Wabanaki basket maker Jeremy Frey H’25 are both being honored by the MacArthur Foundation. They are among the twenty-two “exceptional, creative, and inspiring” people receiving a so-called genius grant this year.
A Long-standing Relationship

Maine Day Highlights Bowdoin’s Commitment to the Future of the State

Each September, Bowdoin’s Office of Admissions rolls out the red carpet for high school students from across Maine to show them the College values them and why they would love studying here.
Mapping Schiller’s Story

New Guide Welcomes the Community to Schiller Coastal Studies Center

Visitors to the Harpswell campus can follow a new interactive guide to not only explore the center’s research facilities and trails, but to also find an osprey nest, a deer family’s favorite browsing ground, and a stand of historic white walnut trees.
Exploring Presidential Power

Bowdoin’s Rudalevige Addresses UVA Conference

Andrew Rudalevige, Bowdoin’s Thomas Brackett Reed Professor of Government, was a featured panelist at a recent gathering organized by the University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs.
An On-Air Discussion

Can Robots Be Companions?

Computer science and philosophy scholar Fernando Nascimento takes to the airwaves for a discussion on Maine public radio about “humanoid robots.” When it comes to the idea of using artificial intelligence models as human companions, he warns, there are clear ethical questions to be considered.
“The Monhegan Wildlands”

Book Honors for Art Museum’s Monhegan Show Publication

A book produced by Bowdoin faculty examining the changing ecology of a Maine island has picked up a prestigious publishing prize. Art, Ecology, and the Resilience of a Maine Island: The Monhegan Wildlands has been selected as an Honor Book for the 2025 Historic New England Book Prize.
A Musical Story

From Shakespeare Scholar to Rock Musician: Aaron Kitch Produces Concept Album

Professor of English Aaron Kitch is a world-renowned literary scholar with a special interest in William Shakespeare. He also has a side hustle as a rock musician, and his latest musical project marks an exciting new departure for him.
Listening, Talking, Learning

New Fellowship Prepares Students for Challenging Civic Conversations

Bowdoin’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity is offering a new program to help students build confidence and skills when communicating with people who hold opposing views.
Bringing Back Radical Love

Activist Loretta Ross Opens “Viewpoint Exchange” with Message on Making Good Calls for Human Rights

Hundreds of students, staff, and community members turned out on September 17 to hear reproductive justice and human rights activist Loretta Ross discuss her work to create a more compassionate and just society by “calling in” rather than canceling others.
The Beauty of Fiction

Brock Clarke’s New Collection of Short Stories Normalizes the Unusual

A. Leroy Greason Professor of English Brock Clarke loves to embrace the unexpected when it comes to writing fiction. His new book of short stories, Special Election, targets familiar preoccupations, like political dysfunction, family problems, and racial identity, but explores them in unusual ways.