All done in ’81 — but, thanks to the pandemic, no reunion for our crew until ’22! I had hoped to report on Homecoming and the classmates who returned for our Reunion in this issue, but that didn’t happen. Events were scaled back, and I got many messages from classmates who were opting to play it safe and stay home. With the Alumni Association eliminating most activities, we thought it best to wait a year before planning anything. We’ll see if we can join our ’82 friends for a tailgate and perhaps something else next year. Let’s hope COVID is in the rearview mirror by then!
As part of our reunion festivities, we also were hoping to motivate YOU to help us beef up our class scholarship fund. Last year’s award was under $400 — just a drop in the tuition pot. If you’re looking for a tax deduction, this is a great option for an even greater cause!
A couple of retirements to report, and both classmates were — as we referred to it — “BCC” students in the law enforcement program. Liz Ginn Ryan retired from the Penobscot Regional Communication Center after nearly 40 years as an emergency dispatcher and Deputy Peter Stone ended 40 years with the Penobscot County sheriff’s office. Congrats on great careers to both!
News from the sports world! Ann Turbyne Andrews was a member of the seventh class inducted into the Maine Principals’ Association Hall of Excellence. At Winslow High School, she broke the national high school record in the eight-pound shotput. She went on to win more titles, including a second place at the 1980 U.S. Olympic Trials. She also won her division of the National Powerlifting Championships from 1978 to 1980, breaking four world records.
O.J. Logue G, ’89 C.A.S. became head men’s and women’s cross country coach at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine this past summer. O.J. is a member of the Maine Running Hall of Fame and coached at Bangor High School and UMaine. He will be the long-distance running coach for the USA Deaf Track and Field Team competing in Brazil in May 2022.
I think I’ve written about this guy more than any other classmate in the past 40 years — John Tortorella is now a studio analyst for NHL games on ESPN. Known as one of the most physical and aggressive players in UMaine hockey history, John has the distinction of being the winningest American-born coach in NHL history during his tenure as coach of several NHL teams. Will this be his last gig, or will we see him back behind the bench again? Time will tell.
Remember Greek Week on campus? Oh, what fun we had! Students today would be shocked at some of the things we got away with back then! The beer run, rotational parties at the fraternities, the mud bowl, and it seems like we always wound up at the Oronoka in my sorority, where someone claimed it to be their birthday to get a free cake!
Peter Madigan was guest speaker at the opening ceremonies for Greek Week 2021. Peter was a member of Beta Theta Pi and served in the Reagan administration as deputy assistant secretary of the treasury for legislative affairs. He also served at the Department of State as the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs. Peter has been a guest lecturer on campus and serves on the Cohen Institute board and the Hudson Museum advisory board.
On a final note, at press time we’re celebrating being back at live UMaine sporting events, after the pandemic hiatus. What a thrill to walk into the Alfond and hear the roar of the crowd! While they haven’t all been wins, it’s been great to feel that Maine spirit again in a crowd and see those familiar faces — even though we’ve been partially covered by masks indoors!
Be well, respect the health of others, and let’s hope that many of you can return to campus for Homecoming 2022!