Bates College first year student Fran Miele of Dallas, Texas, attends the opening convocation Tuesday on the Lewiston campus. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Su Langdon, Bates College professor of psychology, chats with colleagues Tuesday before the opening convocation on the Lewiston campus. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Bates College students Ali Manning, left, and Kush Sharma address students and faculty Tuesday during the opening convocation on the Quad at the Lewiston campus. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Students dump rainwater from chairs Tuesday before the start of the opening convocation on the Lewiston campus. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Bates College first year student Kamsiyochukwu Ekechukwu tries to stay dry Tuesday during the opening convocation on the Quad at the Lewiston campus. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

A Bates College employee wipes chairs Tuesday prior to the opening convocation on the campus Quad in Lewiston. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Bates College first year student Matthew Kunkiewicz covers himself from the rain Tuesday prior to the opening convocation on the campus Quad in Lewiston. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Bates College students take their seats Tuesday on a wet Quad for the opening convocation in Lewiston. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Bates College holds its opening convocation Tuesday in the rain on the Quad of the Lewiston campus. Fall semester classes begin Wednesday. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal