Nathanael Batson graduated from the University of Maine in 2024 with duel degrees in music and political science and minors in legal studies and leadership studies. In addition to earning the distinction of summa cum laude, Nathanael also earned highest honors for his thesis, “Shostakovich, Soviet Cultural Policies, and the Fifth and Thirteenth Symphonies: A Contextual Evaluation. ” 

 

Born in Fairfield, Maine, Nathanael has received various honors and awards. He was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Pi Kappa Lambda, and was the recipient of the John M. Nickerson Scholarship at the University of Maine in 2022 and 2023. Nathanael is also active in various organizations and activities. In 2022, he was nominated to serve as secretary for the American Council of the Blind of Maine, and in 2023 was appointed by the Maine Governor to serve as a member of the Maine State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

 

 Nathanael has written various musical pieces throughout his college career, including the theme for the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center Podcast, “Maine Policy Matters. ” Nathanael played the trumpet in various ensembles at the University of Maine, including the pep band, jazz band, jazz combo, concert band, marching band, trumpet ensemble, and commencement ensemble.