FARMINGTON — Of the 468 members of the University of Maine at Farmington 2009 graduating class, approximately 416 graduates marched in the University’s 156th Commencement ceremony on, Saturday, May 16, at the UMF campus. Delivering the keynote address was Naomi Schalit, national award-winning journalist and opinion page editor of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. In her keynote address, Schalit encouraged graduates to share what they believe through accurate language and honest communication as they make their way in the world. Graduating senior Katharine Rose Gergosian, of Topsham, gave the student address; and Richard Pattenaude, University of Maine System chancellor, and Jean Flahive, Board of Trustees’ member, wished the graduates well. Theodora J. Kalikow, UMF president, and Allen Berger, UMF vice president for academic affairs, conferred the degrees.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, UMF leads the way in graduation rates among public universities in Maine and is in the upper tier among the 25 member institutions of the Council of Public Liberal Arts.
“We are so proud of the success of our graduates,” said Kalikow. “UMF students leave here ready to enter the workforce or graduate school with degrees in hand. Our graduates go on to contribute to their states’ economies, communities and families, and 80 percent of them remain to live and work in Maine.”
Ann Arbor, gifted teacher, poet and award-winning photographer, along with her husband, John Rosenwald, international scholar, poet and dramatist, were each recipients of an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters at the UMF ceremony. Together, they have shared their love of poetry and passion for international culture with the community and the region.
Local students receiving degrees included:
• Ashland: Kelly Basley, B.A., interdisciplinary-political science/social science; and Jared Jandreau, B.S., community health education;
• Bridgewater: Ashley Porter, B.S., elementary education; and
• Chapman: Ian Putnam, B.A., geology.
The following students received diplomas from Husson University at commencement ceremonies held on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, at the 110th Commencements of Husson University. Husson awarded degrees to 530 students. Students came from 150 Maine towns, 15 states and eight countries, earning associates’, bachelors’ and masters’ and doctoral degrees from Husson’s schools of business, education, health, and science and humanities.
Local graduates included: Ashland — Shannon M. Cook, bachelor of science in business administration, summa cum laude; and Monika Day, bachelor of science in accounting, magna cum laude. Easton — Wendy J. Kinney, associate of science in accounting, summa cum laude; and Daniel J. Menard, master of science business. Mapleton — Matthew S. Bell, bachelor of science in business administration; and Benjamin M. Shaw, master of science business. Mars Hill — Philip R. Gray, bachelor of science in accounting; and Brady A. Mahan, bachelor of science in business administration. Presque Isle — Penny L. Buck, master of science business; Patricia D. Dotson, bachelor of science in accounting; Linda A. Harding Dunn, bachelor of science in elementary education, summa cum laude; Erica A. Egeler, bachelor of science in kinesiology, cum laude; Kathleen A. Flora, bachelor of science in kinesiology, cum laude; Michaela R. St. Onge, bachelor of science in psychology; magna cum laude; Lindsae R. Willett, bachelor of science in accounting, cum laude, master of science business; and Jaclyn J. Winslow, bachelor of science in business administration. Washburn — Brent W. Turner, master of science business.
