Happy winter! I hope this column finds you happy and healthy in this new year. Let’s see what our classmates have been up to over the last few months…
This edition we have two promotions to celebrate. First, Lura Carroll Wade was promoted to office leader of the Bangor location of SMRT Architects and Engineers. With her promotion, Lura will continue in her previous role of associate principal and senior electrical engineer with the firm. Congratulations, Lura!
Second, S.W. Cole Engineering, headquartered in Hermon, promoted Evan Walker to office manager of their Gray location. Evan has been employed at S.W. Cole since 2007 and previously served as a geotechnical engineer and senior geotechnical engineer. He is also a member of the board of directors of SWCE Holdings LLC, the real estate holding company of S.W. Cole. Congratulations, Evan!
Two members of the class were 2024 inductees to the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame. Arel Gordon, a member of the Black Bears football team, was an All-American return specialist. During his time on the team, Arel set a school record with three punt returns for touchdowns and tied the school record for longest kickoff return. He also holds school records for return yards in a season (729) and tied the record for kickoff returns for touchdowns in a season (2). Arel was a member of the track and field team as a sprinter as well. He set school records in both the 55-meter and 200-meter dash, as well as being named an All-American. Your induction is well deserved, Arel — congrats!
Kevin Reed, a member of the Black Bear basketball team, earned three America East all-conference awards, only one of two Black Bears to do so in program history. He was also chosen for the America East rookie team in 2003, a year he led the league in three pointers. He also led the league in steals two of his three seasons. Kevin is also in the top 10 all-time Maine Black Bears for scoring, rebounding, and steals. Congratulations, Kevin!
That’s it for this edition. If you have news you’d like to share, please reach out! Looking forward to hearing from you and sharing your updates in the next column.