December 2024
Greetings, Black Bears! What a privilege it is for me to serve you as the President & CEO of the UMaine Alumni Association. Our staff team and I have so many great opportunities to connect with UMaine alums from all walks of life in our daily work, so I’ve decided to start a monthly journal of these ‘Black Bear Encounters’ to share with you. The regular interactions we have with you as alumni make our mission come to life, and remind us all why we love ‘the college of our hearts always’!
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What an honor and pleasure it was for me to be present for the retirement party for Robert Dana ’80, who left an indelible mark on UMaine and thousands of students during his 40+ year career at UMaine. Robert retires in January from the role of Vice President of Student Life & Inclusive Excellence, and Dean of Students. Colleagues, alumni, and family members joined in sometimes hilarious and often moving remarks about Robert’s impact, and President Ferrini-Mundy and former President Ferguson paid tribute to his importance to UMaine. Just saying the words “Dean Dana” brings smiles to the faces of current students and alumni alike. We wish you a joyous retirement, Robert, and hope your paths bring you back to campus often.
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The selection committee for our annual Alumni Achievement Awards met in December, which is always an inspiring meeting! This virtual gathering of alumni, chaired this year by Marie Dubois Tobin ’94, had the difficult task of selecting honorees for a variety of alumni awards from a slew of impressive nomination packets. We look forward to sharing more with you about our honorees for 2025, and hope to see you on campus for our annual Alumni Achievement Awards Dinner on May 2.
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Once our Alumni Award recipients are selected, I have the privilege of sending each recipient a letter to notify them of their upcoming honor. One of our 2025 recipients is Arthur ‘Ace’ Conro, President of the Class of 1960, who is a 2025 recipient of our Block ‘M’ Award. Ace left me a very touching voicemail upon receipt of his letter. He said, in part – “I am just overcome. What an honor! It’s right there with me receiving my ‘M’ sweater as a student. Maine means so much to me, because it did everything for me.” Well said, Ace, and we’re proud to honor you for your lifelong service to UMaine!
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During finals week each semester, we reserve all meeting space in Buchanan Alumni House for students to come and prepare for their final exams. It’s a program that we call ‘Study In A Place Like Home’, and staff from the Alumni Association and the UMaine Foundation volunteer to keep the building open until 11 p.m. each night for students, and often bring in home baked goodies to share. We love introducing Buchanan Alumni House to students, and we look forward to welcoming them back here as alumni throughout the course of their lives.
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So many alums are enjoying the continued resurgence of Maine men’s ice hockey, and just in the month of December, it brought so many people together to celebrate our shared love for UMaine.
Our Alumni Association staff and families had a great time attending a game together at Alfond Arena and cheering on the Black Bears to victory over Stonehill.
In Portland, I had many great interactions, including:
Being together with several members of our Alumni Association Board of Directors, including Sarah Pacheco Gallant ’12, Rich Goodenough ’88, Nate Wildes ’12, and Theresa Joyce Lee ’87.
My wife Michelle ’92 and I enjoyed reconnecting with Black Bears from our college days, including three other ‘Bear Pairs’ – Dave & Suzanne Harmon Withee, Dan & Sheila Skeffington Myhaver, and Mark & Karen Labbe Stebbins.
The game also brought opportunities for some meaningful moments for alums. Our staff worked through the logistics for one alum to be able to bring his father to the Cross Insurance Arena, despite some challenges with mobility. They thoroughly enjoyed their time together ‘on the glass’ cheering on the Black Bears.
We also worked with UMaine Athletics to recognize Steve Crane ’74 as ‘fan of the game’ during the third period. Steve is a proud Black Bear, and retired after 38 years at the Cumberland County Civic Center / Cross Insurance Arena – the last 20 years as General Manager of the facility. Steve has faced some health challenges recently, and we were pleased to be able to have the Black Bear faithful honor and recognize him as he returned to cheer on the Black Bears.
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We love hearing about your Black Bear Encounters as well, so please keep us posted!
Go Blue!
Tom Peaco ’88
President & CEO