Hello, ’89 classmates,
I’m writing this column as I approach 10,000 feet in the sky from the Land of 10,000 Lakes (Minnesota) to sunny, warm Florida, Land of 10,000 spring breakers — which gets me thinking about the good old days and some college spring breaks. Back in the day, Fort Lauderdale, FL, was a popular college student spring break destination. I vaguely remember taking turns driving 23 hours to Florida, straight down I-95S, in ’89 with some friends and Pi Beta Phi sorority sisters, crowding into a cheap hotel near the beach (lots of sand on the floor), eating McDonalds (cheap food), and just plain having fun. We took off with probably $200 between us and figured it out. Who was the responsible, resourceful one who read the map? (No Google maps.) How did I pay for it? I probably had some cash from my waitressing job at Pizza Hut by the Bangor Mall. (No credit card.) I don’t remember all the details. But what I do remember is that I was on the edge of adventure, and it gave me a taste of the big, wide world outside of Orono, ME. The best part was that I was experiencing it with some of my closest Black Bear friends who didn’t have a care in the world, except maybe finding a dance floor that night.
Do you remember your glorious late ’80s college spring breaks? I guarantee Springsteen, Mellencamp, Prince, or Madonna accompanied you and your friends on the radio (no music streaming services or Bluetooth technology or airpods) all the way to the Sunshine State. Maybe Casey Kasem was on the Top 40. Maybe you sang at the top of your lungs. Maybe you stuck your head out the window like a dog and sniffed freedom. Yes, I’m pretty sure that happened. Now that I’m done waxing nostalgic, let’s bring it up to the present.
Dan Michaud, who graduated with a BS in electrical engineering, has been hired as an associate vice president and principal to lead the building technologies department with the international interdisciplinary design firm HGA, based in Milwaukee, WI. “Over his 30-year career, he has developed and deployed Digital Master Planning and Intelligent Building services, based on his expertise in building controls, audio/video, security, telecommunications, and IoT systems,” noted The Daily Reporter.
Jim Chasse, who also earned his M.Ed. in ’97, stepped down in March as Hermon School Department superintendent. He has also served as superintendent of Greenville-based Union 60 and principal of Orono High School for seven years. Jim told the Bangor Daily News he was proud of the work he had done shepherding Hermon Schools through a global pandemic.
Tim “Westy” Weston ’04G, head athletic trainer at Colby College, will be inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2022.
Keep it classy, ’89!