The recognized “father of the personal computer,” a noted heart surgeon, a widely respected higher education leader, and a fast-rising young attorney are among the Black Bear alumni to be honored as part of the University of Maine Alumni Association’s 2019 Alumni Achievement Awards. Chuck Peddle has been chosen for the Alumni Career Award, the…
John Diamond ’77, ’89G, president and executive director of the UMaine Alumni Association, was selected as the 2018 recipient of the nation’s top award for higher education advocacy and government relations. Diamond received the Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Achievement Award on December 6th during ceremonies held in Atlanta as part of the annual Higher Education…
Alison Bromley Siviski ’11 was recently named an “Emerging Maine Icon,” as part of Anania Media’s series highlighting young entrepreneurial leaders in the state. As the feature story explains, Siviski overcame a series of life challenges growing up, including her mother’s severe health issues and a fire that decimated the family’s home. As a result,…
This month the Alumni Association staff took part in two charitable activities to spread holiday cheer throughout the community. Staff and friends donated nonperishable food items and gently used clothing for the Black Bear Exchange, UMaine’s on-campus food pantry and clothing exchange. The mission of the Black Bear Exchange is to provide equitable resources to…
Thinking of doing some exploration and travel during 2019? Consider joining Black Bear alumni and friends for an excursion to Italy. The Alumni Association’s travel program will journey to Italy November 11-23. The trip, titled “Italian Vistas,” will explore Florence, Pisa, Siena, and more. Special activities will include wine tours, cooking classes, historic excursions, and…
Former UMaine women’s basketball coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie returned to Maine for a November game, where her nationally ranked Duke Blue Devils took on the Black Bears, coached by her former star guard Amy Vachon ‘00. Maine came within three four points of pulling off an upset, falling to Duke 66-63. The occasion brought together dozens…
A ten-day trip to Ireland in October launched the resumption of the Alumni Association’s annual alumni travel program. Partnering with Collette Travel, a national leader in alumni travel programming, 13 Black Bear alumni and friends visited many of Ireland’s most historic and stunning locales, including the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry National Park,…
Michael Bourque ’89, president and CEO of MEMIC, received the Rudy Vallee award from the University of Maine Alumni Chapter of Southern Maine on Nov. 8th. The award was given to honor Bourque’s community involvement and enhancement of the University of Maine image. A portion of the proceeds from the event will support a scholarship…
Matt Clark ‘00 and brother-in-law Matt Grondin ‘01 took the ultimate road-trip – one that took them through all 17 Pat’s Pizza locations in 24 hours last month. What first opened as Farnsworth’s Cafe, an ice cream parlor selling ice creams and confections, became an Orono staple when owner “Pat” Farnsworth added pizza to the…
Do you know an alumnus or alumna whose professional achievements, community service, or volunteer activity on behalf of UMaine deserves recognition? Nominations are being sought for the 2019 Alumni Achievement Awards. There are eight categories of awards, the purposes, criteria, and the nomination process for which can be found here. The deadline for nominations is…
The UMaine Sports Hall of Fame inducted a 10-member class on October 5th. The induction ceremony added standouts from several sports including baseball, football, basketball, track and field, men’s ice hockey, and athletic training. The hall now totals 195 members. Inductees included John Gillette ’65, three-year letterman in basketball and baseball; Ray Jacques ’85, who…
UMaine graduate students are benefiting from the real-world experience of alumni. Lt. Col. Jon Velishka ’97 has returned to campus to help teach a graduate-level course on the potential reunification of the Korean Peninsula. Velishka, who belonged to the Army ROTC while he was a student in Orono, has a 20-plus year military career, including…