Sonntag accepts top position at USC Sumter,
UMPI names interim
University of Maine at Presque Isle officials announced Jan. 17 that Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Sonntag stepped down at the end of January to accept the top position at the University of South Carolina Sumter. He has served as UMPI’s chief academic officer since 2007.
As USC Sumter’s regional campus dean, Dr. Sonntag will serve as the chief executive officer of the campus, with responsibility for the overall management and administration of the institution. USC Sumter is one of the regional campuses of the University of South Carolina. The campus serves students in a six-county area of central South Carolina. Because work in the position at USC Sumter begins immediately, Dr. Sonntag will need to leave his post at UMPI at the beginning of the Spring 2014 semester.
“Mike has done incredibly important academic work during his six and a half years with us, from his system-wide contributions and his work with MSSM to the connections he helped to build between UMPI and several schools in China,” UMPI President Linda Schott said. “Though he will be greatly missed, we know this is an excellent opportunity for Mike and we look forward to hearing about the great things he will do in his new position.”
During his time at UMPI, Dr. Sonntag has worked with faculty leaders to build a strong online academic presence, increase summer course offerings and develop a number of new agreements with schools like Northern Maine Community College, the Maine School of Science and Mathematics and the University of Maine at Augusta. Dr. Sonntag has also supported an increase in faculty research and scholarship, integration of technology in teaching, and increased internationalization through partnerships in China. Along with other campus leaders, he has worked to strengthen relationships between the campus and the community as well as within the University of Maine System.
Dr. Sonntag first came to Maine in 2007 from Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. where he was an associate professor of psychology, chair for the Department of Psychology, and director of assessment and planning. During his academic career, Dr. Sonntag has delivered numerous papers and had a variety of journal articles and book reviews selected for publication.
Dr. Sonntag received his Ph.D. in experimental psychology, with an emphasis in developmental psychology, and his M.A. in clinical psychology from the University of Arkansas. He received a bachelor of arts in psychology from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
“My time at UMPI and in Aroostook County has been both personally and professionally rewarding,” Dr. Sonntag said in reflecting on his years in the community. “I owe a debt of gratitude to Don Zillman and the faculty and staff of UMPI for taking a chance on a relatively green kid from the South. I have learned so much, and we have accomplished so much, that I simply could not be happier about my time at this special place. Dr. Schott is now taking UMPI in exciting new directions and I’m grateful I could be a part of the birth of this new and grand vision. My wife and children have benefited from the wonderful folks in The County, the wonderful schools and everything else the area has to offer. We have been strengthened and rewarded by our time here, and humbly hope we leave The County and its people enriched by our stay.”
UMPI appoints Rice, names new employees
Dr. Raymond Rice
The university is welcoming a familiar face to lead its academic affairs office. Dr. Raymond Rice is serving as UMPI’s interim provost and vice president for academic affairs starting Feb. 3, following the announcement that Dr. Michael Sonntag would be stepping down from the post to accept the top position at the University of South Carolina Sumter.
Dr. Rice has served as a member of the English faculty for more than a decade and as the chair of the College of Arts and Sciences for the past five years. In his work as chair, he has served on several system-wide task forces and committees.
Dr. Rice earned his bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College in 1989. He earned his master’s degree in 1993 and his Ph.D. in 1998, both from the University of Connecticut.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle also welcomed two new employees at the start of the spring 2014 semester.
Leigh Belair
Leigh Belair joins the University as co-director and assistant professor for medical laboratory technology. Belair has been a longtime instructor with UMPI’s MLT program, and also served as a science teacher at Central Aroostook Junior-Senior High School from 2000-14. She previously worked as a medical technologist at The Aroostook Medical Center.
Belair earned her bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science in 1994, and her master’s in education degree in instructional technology in 2009, both from the University of Maine in Orono.
Pam Easler
Pam Easler joins UMPI as the administrative specialist in the TRiO Upward Bound office. She comes to the university with experience in customer service, business management and as a health center administrative assistant at Northern Maine Community College.
Easler earned her associate in applied science degree from NMCC in 2013.
