Recent News

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February 7, 2022

Alumni Association President Announces Retirement Plans

Search underway for Diamond’s successor ORONO—The president and CEO of the University of Maine Alumni Association has announced his plans to retire at the end of June following seven years leading the organization.  John N. Diamond `77, `89G began his tenure as the Association’s leader in 2015. In that role, he directs the independent organization’s…

January 14, 2022

Veena Dinesh: Accelerating Innovation

Black Bear alumni, faculty, staff, and students are among Maine’s most productive innovators and entrepreneurs. In this month’s column, we hear from Veena Dinesh, whose role is to help UMaine’s innovators bring their ideas to life. As the university’s director of business incubation, Dinesh leads efforts to accelerate university innovations, coordinating several programs that help…

January 13, 2022

Meet the 2022 Alumni Achievement Award Winners

A former chief justice, a civil rights advocate, and a physician are among the 2022 Alumni Achievement Award recipients who will be recognized during an awards celebration on May 12.  The Hon. Leigh Ingalls Saufley ‘76 was chosen to receive the Alumni Career Award. Saufley was the first woman to serve as Maine’s Chief Justice…

January 13, 2022

Online Event Honors MLK Day and Addresses Civil Rights in Maine

A livestreamed event on MLK Jr. Day focused on the State of Civil Rights in Maine. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and a panel of five individuals addressed the topic and spoke about their experiences. The panelists included Maulian Dana ’06 of Indian Island, Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador; State Rep. Richard Evans of Dover-Foxcroft; David…

January 13, 2022

Accomplished Alumna Joins President’s Senior Leadership

Diane Dunn ’01G, former assistant adjutant general of the Maine Army National Guard, has joined UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy’s senior leadership team as senior advisor. During her 33 years of military service, Dunn became the highest-ranking woman in the Maine Army National Guard. At UMaine, she will focus on the President’s Council on Diversity, Equity,…

January 13, 2022

Morse Gift to Support Athletics Facilities for Years to Come

Philip and Susan Keene Morse, both members of the University of Maine’s Class of 1964, have pledged $1 million to support UMaine’s Athletics Facilities Master Plan. The master plan is part of the UMS TRANSFORMS initiative, launched by the Harold Alfond Foundation’s historic gift in 2020. The Morses, who met at the university, have generously…

January 13, 2022

University Inn Sold to Technology Company

The University Inn and Academic Suites, situated on College Avenue and overlooking the Stillwater River in Orono, was sold in December and will become an office complex for Texas-based Tyler Technologies. The familiar landmark opened in 1964, and served generations of alumni with its 48 hotel rooms. Tyler Technologies provides software and services to public…

December 10, 2021

Stephen Gilson and Elizabeth DePoy: An expansive vision of mobility

Black Bear alumni, faculty, staff, and students are among Maine’s most productive innovators and entrepreneurs. In this month’s column, the husband-and-wife team of Stephen Gilson and Elizabeth DePoy, both professors of interdisciplinary disability studies and social work at UMaine, provide updates on the adaptive mobility device they invented in 2013. Called the Afari, the sleek,…

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December 9, 2021

Corbitt ’05 Oversees People and Culture for the Phoenix Suns

Former UMaine basketball standout Kim Corbitt ’05 holds an essential behind-the-scenes position with the Phoenix Suns. Corbitt became the Phoenix Sun’s Senior Vice President of People and Culture last summer. She oversees all human resource functions for the Suns as well as for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Suns Arena, and all the affiliated entities. …

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December 9, 2021

Nominate a Service-Focused Alum for an Alumni Achievement Award Today

Do you know an alum who has a history of involvement with the UMaine Alumni Association? There’s still time to nominate an alumnus or alumna for the Suzanne K. Hart ’68 Alumni Service Award. The award recognizes exemplary leadership and extensive service, in multiple ways and over a lengthy period of time, to promote the…

December 9, 2021

Patrick ’16, ’19G Supports Communities of Color

David Patrick ’16, ’19G is cofounder of Racial Equity and Justice (REJ), a nonprofit that provides consulting services, educational support, and professional development programs. REJ seeks to raise awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. With cofounder Desiree Vargas ’20, he works to help communities of color “survive and thrive with greater equality, justice, liberation,…