Greetings, Class of 2015! I write to you shortly after the 2024 Alumni Achievement Awards, held on campus in late April. If you weren’t able to join us this year, I encourage you to make every effort to attend next spring. It was an inspiring and entertaining evening filled with memories and emotion as we honored a truly incredible slate of alumni and friends of the University of Maine who have distinguished themselves through service to our world, our communities, and our alma mater. Please also keep an eye out for the nomination period for candidates next year, opening this fall, and use it as an opportunity to recognize your peers and fellow alumni who should make us all proud.
Congratulations to Shelby Hartin, who was named director of communications for the University of Maine earlier this year. Shelby and I were journalism classmates, and it’s great to see her bringing her talents and experience back to Orono to the benefit of UMaine.
Congratulations also to Scott Heath, who has been promoted to associate head coach for the University of Maine Black Bears baseball team. Nick played a major role in leading the Black Bears to the 2023 America East championship. He returned to UMaine as pitching coach in 2017 and was promoted to recruiting coordinator and pitching coach in 2019. During his college career Scott was a four-year starter at pitcher and first baseman, appearing in 186 games and earning First Team All-Conference status in his final two seasons.
Liis Abbott also receives a hearty congratulations for her promotion to associate head coach for the University of Maine women’s soccer team. Liis finished her eighth season on staff for the women’s soccer team and played a key role in guiding the Black Bears to their first America East Championship. She played a total of 36 games for UMaine during her three seasons as a student athlete.
James Nelson ’21G has joined Katahdin Trust in Presque Isle as vice president, commercial services officer. Congratulations, James!
Drew Gagnon and Jared Winchenbach are both new shareholders of Gorrill Palmer Consulting Engineers based in South Portland. Well done!
Finally, congratulations to Duncan Mixer for his promotion to assistant vice president, commercial loan officer at Norway Savings Bank.
As always, please contact me with news or achievements you wish to share with our community. I hope this column finds you all enjoying a wonderful summer wherever you may be.