To the editor:
This Saturday morning the University of Maine at Presque Isle will celebrate its 98th Commencement. Gov. John Baldacci will be the commencement speaker. Steve Richard and Joan Benoit Samuelson will receive Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees. Aroostook Idol Annie Charles will sing the National Anthem and America the Beautiful. Most importantly, a new generation of University of Maine at Presque Isle graduates will take another step in their professional careers.
The graduation ceremonies will also end a year of remarkable accomplishments for the campus. A few of the highlights:
• We have added measurably to our teaching strength with the addition of Reginald Nnazor, Jason Johnston, Lynn Eldershaw, Patric Edward, Shawn Robinson, and Harold Jones. Their disciplines include mathematics, business, education, sociology, and wildlife ecology. Their prior careers have touched Nigeria, the Middle East, Canada, North Carolina, Montana, and Kentucky. In addition to strong classroom teachers, our new professors are internationally visible scholars, experienced business people, and citizens involved in their communities. They bring those strengths to Aroostook County. I will confidently assert that this is the strongest new class in the history of the University.
• Joining our new faculty members are new Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Sonntag and Dean of Students Christine Corsello. Mike will join us from his post as the Chair of the Psychology Department at Lander University in South Carolina. Christine has served at the University of Maryland and as the Dean of Students at the Massachusetts School of Pharmacy. Both Mike and Chris delighted the campus during their interviews with their energy, vision, and collaborative leadership styles.
• A month ago, we announced the creation of a Master’s Degree program for K-12 teachers that will allow them to take their coursework close to home. The teaching will be done by expert faculty members from the University of Southern Maine, UMPI, UMFK, and the University of Maine at Machias. Instruction will combine face-to-face teaching with interactive television, internet courses, and occasional instruction at the Houlton Center. This creative new program will benefit all of K-12 education and the young people of the County. Instruction will begin this fall.
• Last week, we announced that the University would take steps to install electric generating equipment powered by the winds that occasionally visit campus. The public announcement was the product of two years of study of the wind potential and the economics of the project. Our goal is to save over $100,000 annually in the campus’ considerable power bill. In addition to dollar savings, we are also proud to position the campus as a leader in renewable energy sources in the State. We look forward to sharing our experiences with our students, the County, the State, and the world. We are excited to think that every kilowatt hour generated by wind power saves coal fired kilowatt hours and helps UMPI fight global warming.
• Our University Day in April featured our students’ research projects in 37 different sessions. Education at the University of Maine at Presque Isle is far more than students listening to the wisdom of their professors—as important as that is. Students are also engaged with their professors in research. They are using their knowledge to help the community with essential service projects. They are helping to write and edit our two new scholarly journals—Realia and Up Country.
• The University faculty and staff connect with the County in dozens of ways. At every public meeting I attend, people will be talking of the involvement of campus with business, education, social work, recreation and leisure, athletic training, criminal justice, communications, science and math, and the arts. We benefit from those connections. The County benefits from those connections. That is what defines good public universities.
I hope you get the message. The University of Maine at Presque Isle is a thriving, vibrant, and growing educational community. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to lead it.
And, one last thing, do join us graduation morning, May 12 at 6:30 a.m. at Gentile Hall. Our honorary degree recipient and Olympic Gold Medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson will lead a short and recreational fun walk and run for athletes of all abilities and ages. Take this opportunity to visit with one of Maine’s greatest athletes.
Don Zillman, president
University of Maine at Presque Isle
