UMPI graduate takes knowledge beyond walls of academia

   PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Hundreds were on hand for the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s commencement ceremony held May 12 at Wieden.
Under blue skies and sunshine, students marched in, two by two, as loved ones watched and waved – some whistling and shouting in recognition of a son, daughter, sister, brother, mother, father or friend.
    The ceremony opened with Annie Charles, this year’s Aroostook Idol winner, singing both anthems for the United States and Canada. President Don Zillman welcomed everyone before introducing Board of Trustee member Barry McCrum.
“UMPI has had a long and proud history of helping students reach their goals. I know, I was one of them,” said McCrum. “This room is filled with pride and a sense of accomplishment – as well as a sense of relief. Congratulations on a job well done and good luck.”
Jeffrey Kimball, 2007 valedictorian, spoke next, explained how got to be valedictorian.
“I wasn’t seeking recognition. I just completed my assignments to the best of my abilities,” said Kimball.
Kimball credited his experience with the Coast Guard in helping him attain his goals in college. He then went on to thank all who made his university experience a memorable one, from faculty, cooks and janitors, to his wife and children.
Zillman told the class of 2007 they were in a rather unique position this year.
“We celebrate today a most consequential year. Today’s graduates attended under four presidents: Nancy Hensel, David Shields, Karl Burgher and myself. Congratulations on your accomplishments,” said Zillman.
This year’s guest speaker was none other than Gov. John E. Baldacci. He shared words of wisdom with the graduates.
“I was a non-traditional student. The journey and road takes us to some interesting places,” said Baldacci. “Today we celebrate the endless opportunities that stretch out before you. Graduation is about what can and will be, as much as what has been.”
Baldacci said he had no doubt the Class of 2007 was, “destined for great things.”
“You will be discovered,” said Baldacci. “Today’s speech is about how small the world is getting. We recognize a global economy. Markets are no longer regular or domestic, they’re international. Maine is doing business around the world. Maine will be a leader in the 21st century.”
Next, honorary degrees were presented to Steve Richard for his many years of work with individuals with disabilities and to Joan Benoit Samuelson for her many years promoting physical fitness.
The ceremony then moved on to the presentation of degrees. As one of his last official duties with the university, Vice President of Academic Affairs Richard Kimball read each student’s name, field of study and any honors they’d received as Zillman presented them with their degree. Once all were back in their seats, students were given the word to switch their tassels – a symbol of switching from student to graduate.
Thomas M. Umphrey, chair of the Board of Visitors, spoke at the end of the ceremony, as did Barbara J. Blackstone, president of the Alumni Association.
At the close of the ceremony, Charles sang “America the Beautiful.” The Blue Hill Brass Quintet provided music for the recessional.
With that, graduates marched out to begin their lives beyond the walls of the university – walls that served as home for several years of learning.
One of those graduates was Troy Adam Haines, who served as the president for the Class of 2007 and also one of the class marshals for this year’s graduation ceremony.
Although his time as a student at UMPI has passed, Haines is ready to take his degree out into the world and apply it in his every day life.
Haines, of Mapleton, originally chose to go to UMPI because of the proximity to his home.
“It’s a college offering a program that interests me and it didn’t necessitate moving away or leaving my job,” said Haines. “When I got there I found that it had a lot of things to offer, so even though I chose it based solely on the ease of the choice I found that it was a good choice based on the things I wanted to gain from a college experience.”
Originally a secondary education major, Haines decided to switch to a recreation major when he realized that sitting inside a classroom for the rest of his life wasn’t where he wanted to be. He enjoyed being outdoors and decided that he would rather spend as much time as possible being active outside. His change in major only opened up new opportunities for growth as an individual.
“As I progressed in my program I developed new and more specialized interests which took me farther and farther into independent studies,” said Haines. “I developed real passions for the outdoors and for our natural resources, and a new outlook on human ecology and changes that need to be made to ensure that the earth can sustain our society in relative homeostasis with all of the things around us.”
Through his studies at the university, Haines has developed a strong philosophy on life and preservation of our natural resources. He now feels very strongly about humans being aware of the effects our daily lives have on the environment around us, and the serious impact we can have on he ecosystems we create for ourselves.
His education at UMPI has also opened some interesting career opportunities.
“Another way in which my experiences at the college have changed my life is that they have made it possible for me to achieve some lifelong dreams,” stated Haines. “Through my courses and my internship, I have become a rock and mountain climbing guide and instructor and I have begun my pursuit of high elevation ascents, which before attending the university was only a dream. It is now a reality.”
Haines noted that in today’s society, a bachelors degree sometimes isn’t quite enough to find a job. He is considering his education in a graduate program. Currently, he is working as a climbing guide and instructor as well as running the recreation programs for the towns of Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman; but his dreams don’t stop with a graduate degree.
“I would eventually like to go into politics and hopefully affect changes in environmental policy and management of natural resources,” said Haines. “I think that my program at UMPI has given me a strong background for continuing on in my field and eventually realizing these goals.”