Bowdoin College is facing significant criticism from its alumni and student body following a social media post about the election of alumnus Zohran Mamdani ’14 as the 111th mayor of New York City. The initial statement, described by many as lackluster, has ignited a debate about the institution's role in celebrating the achievements of its graduates, especially those with progressive political views.
The controversy began Tuesday night after Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, secured a historic victory. The college's first public acknowledgment was a brief text-only post that many felt was dismissive of the milestone.
Key Takeaways
- Bowdoin College's initial social media post about alumnus Zohran Mamdani's NYC mayoral win was widely criticized by alumni and students for its tone.
- The post lacked a congratulatory message and used a stock photo of New York City instead of a picture of Mamdani.
- Following widespread backlash, the college updated its communication with a more detailed story and a photo of the mayor-elect.
- The incident has raised questions about the college's policy on commenting on alumni in politics and potential influence from donors.
An Understated Announcement Sparks Outrage
Shortly after Zohran Mamdani was declared the winner in the New York City mayoral race, Bowdoin College's official social media accounts shared a statement. The post read, in its entirety: “Zohran Mamdani ’14 has been elected the 111th mayor of New York City. Bowdoin has a long tradition of graduates who have pursued careers in public service, including mayors, governors, legislators, ambassadors, and judges.”
The reaction from the college community was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Comment sections on platforms like Instagram were flooded with critiques from hundreds of alumni and current students. They pointed out that the message included no words of congratulations for the 34-year-old, who made history as the city's first Muslim mayor.
Adding to the frustration was the choice of image. Instead of a photograph of Mamdani, the college used a generic stock photo of a New York City street, with the Bowdoin logo edited onto a bus stop shelter. One commenter noted, “The post about the Bowdoin invitational golf tournament was more enthusiastic than this.” Another described the post as feeling like it was “whispering under your breath.”
A Historic Election
Zohran Mamdani's victory was a significant political event. His campaign mobilized young voters and achieved the highest voter turnout in New York City in over 50 years, with more than 2 million people casting ballots. He defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary.
Alumni and Students Voice Disappointment
The sentiment among many was that the college's statement was disrespectful to a significant achievement. Morgan Rielly, a Democratic state representative from Westbrook and a 2018 Bowdoin graduate, called the initial post disappointing.
“To have an alum who is now going to be America’s mayor is an amazing achievement,” Rielly stated. “The college doesn’t have to endorse someone, but at the very least have a photo, and acknowledge that he had a historic achievement.”
Many critics felt the college's muted response was particularly ironic given its long-standing motto of serving “the common good.” Blaine Stevens, a 2023 graduate, commented that Mamdani's campaign, which focused on issues of affordability, was a clear example of this ideal. She called the post “bland and dismissive” but said she was encouraged by the strong, unified response from the alumni community.
“Seeing how many people were loudly saying, ‘This isn’t the celebration he deserves’ ... it reminded me why I love Bowdoin,” Stevens said. She expressed hope that the college would take note of the reaction and be more willing to celebrate Mamdani's accomplishments in the future.
The College's Position and Subsequent Actions
Throughout Mamdani's campaign, college officials remained silent, citing a policy against commenting on active candidates. A senior vice president for communications recently told the student newspaper that federal law prohibits non-profit organizations from engaging in political campaigns.
However, critics were quick to point out that the college has previously highlighted the political successes of other alumni. Profiles have been written about Justin J. Pearson ’17, a Tennessee state lawmaker, and DeRay McKesson ’07, a prominent civil rights activist. This perceived inconsistency has fueled speculation about the reasons behind the handling of Mamdani's victory.
Navigating a Complex Political Climate
Mamdani's progressive politics and his history as a student activist have brought increased attention to the small liberal arts college. While at Bowdoin, he founded a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. This same group was recently involved in a campus encampment that led to a congressional committee investigation and the revocation of the organization's charter by the college.
Some alumni, including Stevens, have wondered if the cautious initial statement was related to pressure from major donors. Recent reports in the student-run Bowdoin Orient highlighted that some of the college's largest donors, including 1983 graduate Reed Hastings, had supported Mamdani's opponent, Andrew Cuomo.
In response to the widespread criticism, the college did take further action. A short time after the initial post, Bowdoin's social media accounts shared a link to a more detailed story on its website. This new article featured a photo of Mamdani and provided more context on his electoral success and Bowdoin's history of alumni in public service. The story concluded by stating, “Bowdoin joins with many voices from around the country in wishing the mayor-elect well as he steps into this important role.”
Despite the updated response, the initial incident has left a lasting impression on many within the Bowdoin community, prompting a broader conversation about how the institution acknowledges the diverse paths and political ideologies of its graduates.
