Faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) celebrated the remarkable life and legacy of Dr. Mariette Bates, the former academic director of the School’s groundbreaking Disability Studies programs, in a memorial ceremony on November 13.
Dr. Bates, who passed away on June 12, joined CUNY SPS first as an adjunct and later as academic director, a role she served in from 2008 until her retirement in 2022. During her tenure, she established three degree programs and several advanced certificates in Disability Studies, including two first-of-its-kind master’s degrees: the MA in Disability Studies and the MS in Disability Services in Higher Education.
The memorial opened with comments from CUNY SPS Dean Dr. Lisa R. Braverman who thanked everyone for attending and praised Dr. Bates for her contributions. “She made quite an impact on her colleagues and certainly in the department, and touched the lives of many, many students.”
Following Dean Braverman’s remarks, Dr. Andrew Marcum, the current academic director for the CUNY SPS Disability programs, recounted her contributions to the disability studies field as well as anecdotes about her rich and colorful life.
“She celebrated difference, and she believed in disability as something more than a diagnosis.” Dr. Marcum said, also noting that his predecessor “believed in [disability] as a source of knowledge and creativity and a way to understand the world. A critical lens through which you could understand history, politics, and power.” He further added, “I know this program wouldn't exist without her.”
In keeping with Dr. Bates’ guiding principle, “Be of good cheer,” attendees followed Dr. Marcum’s eulogy with heartwarming stories about the beloved academic’s eclectic life–which included not just advocating for people with disabilities, but also partying with rock stars, living on a boat in the Harlem River, and fighting for social justice.
Chris Vine, academic director of the Master’s in Applied Theatre program and close friend, recounted an anecdote about Dr. Bates attending Woodstock in her youth. He noted that although the Summer of Love has long since passed, Dr. Bates kept that spirit constant through all her years. As he concluded his reflection, Vine referenced Joni Mitchell, adding, “She was starlight, she was golden, and I'm sure she's found her way back to the garden.”
To read more about Dr. Mariette Bates’ extraordinary life, please see our special feature story in the 2022-2023 issue of the CUNY SPS magazine (pgs. 6-7).