Gov. Baldacci to speak at UMPI Commencement

Joan Benoit Samuelson and Stephen Richard to receive honorary degrees
    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Campus President Donald Zillman has announced Maine Gov. John Baldacci (D) will address the graduates at the 2007 University of Maine at Presque Isle Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 12. Also, Honorary Doctors of Humane Letters will be presented to local humanitarian Stephen Richard and Maine Olympian Joan Benoit Samuelson. All three have a deep commitment to the health, education and wellbeing of their fellow citizens.
    Re-elected for a second term in 2006, Baldacci has made health and education among his top priorities, drawing on his strong sense of community spirit to serve the people of the state.
Baldacci was born and raised in Bangor and grew up working in the family restaurant, Mama Baldacci’s, where he was surrounded by a civic-minded family who instilled in him an intense work ethic and desire to serve the people of Maine.
After earning a bachelor’s of arts degree in history at the University of Maine, Baldacci went on to serve on the Bangor City Council. In 1982 he was elected to the Maine State Senate where he served for 12 years before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. He was re-elected to that seat in 1996, 1998 and 2000.
Steve Richard has made it his mission to educate all around him to see beyond people’s disabilities. The longtime executive director of the Central Aroostook Association for Retarded Citizens is a tireless advocate for his consumers.
For 15 years, Richard has been a member of the Consumer Advisory Board, chairing it for the past six years. Currently, he is board chair of the Aroostook County Action Program and was the contracted administrator for St. John Valley Associates in Madawaska. He has served as the United Way campaign chair on two different occasions and has served as co-director of Aroostook County Special Olympics for 29 years. In 1998, he and his wife were named Citizens of the Year in Presque Isle and Paul Harris Fellows the following year by the Presque Isle Rotary.
Joan Benoit Samuelson is easily one of the all-time great marathoners the world has ever seen. In 1984, when Los Angeles hosted the first Olympic women’s marathon, few runners knew who Benoit was or what kind of impact her running would make in the world during the 1980s. Among women runners, her name is at the top of the list for speed, respect and perseverance.
At the age of 26, Benoit made her name shine around the globe. Merely 17 days after agonizing knee surgery, she won the 1984 Olympic Trials. She was the winner of the first Olympic women’s marathon that same year. Benoit has won the Boston Marathon (1983), holds the record for the Chicago Marathon (1985) and holds the U.S. record for the second fastest time ever by a woman.
Zillman said the two honorary degree recipients well reflect UMPI’s own commitment to its students and community.
“The University of Maine at Presque Isle recognizes human potential in our awards of Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degrees to Steve Richard and Joan Benoit Samuelson,” Zillman said. “Steve Richard has dedicated a career to the needs and aspirations of people with disabilities in Aroostook County and beyond. Hundreds of citizens’ lives have been made better by Steve’s leadership.”
Zillman added, “Joan Benoit Samuelson is a sports icon as the first Olympic gold medalist in women’s marathon, holder of the marathon world record and still winning races two decades after her Olympic triumph. But, Joan is also an international leader in health and fitness activities – promoting the world-famous Beach to Beacon road race, serving on the Governor’s Commission on Health and Fitness and speaking round the world on the values of a healthy lifestyle.”
UMPI’s Commencement is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, in Wieden gymnasium.
The valedictorian and salutatorian for the class of 2007. Jeffrey Kimball, of Easton, is the valedictorian and will receive a bachelor of arts degree in behavioral science with a minor in criminal justice. Jacqueline Cesare, from Millinocket, is the salutatorian and will receive a bachelor of science with a major in recreation and a minor in business.