WHEN THE HONORABLE George Z. Singal ’67 presides over naturalization ceremonies in U.S. District Court in Portland, the new citizens hear a story they were not expecting from the man in the black robe high on the bench. Looking out over families from Maine’s immigrant communities, Singal holds up his citizenship certificate and says, “Just…
UMaine’s student and faculty diversity is among the lowest in the nation. The University’s administration and the Alumni Association commit to changing that. LIKE MOST AMERICAN land-grant institutions, UMaine is a national research university. It attracts faculty and students from across the U.S. and scores of nations—all 50 states and more than 75 countries during…
IN LATE 1987, JUNIOR Doug Dorsey was asked something that only 38 other students and two faculty members on campus could answer with any degree of authority: “What’s it like to be Black at UMaine?” The question, posed by a writer for this magazine, was prompted by the obvious — the ubiquitous whiteness of the…
IN MAY AND JUNE, the Alumni Association invited nearly 30 alumni of color to share their UMaine experiences through a series of conversations via Zoom. The conversations occurred in the context of President Joan Ferrini-Mundy’s public commitment to ensuring “inclusive excellence” at the university through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As students, nearly all of…
As UMaine grapples with increasing its commitment to DEI, it cannot forget its past. The following story is disturbing but provides a tragic glimpse into the type of racism and violence that took place on UMaine’s campus. It should serve as an example of how unknown and suppressed stories affect our ability to understand perspectives…
Black Bear alumni, faculty, staff, and students are among Maine’s most productive innovators and entrepreneurs. This month, Innovators of UMaine showcases Raleigh Toussaint ’21, a recent graduate who majored in animal science with a pre-veterinary focus. In her senior year, Toussaint structured her capstone project around supporting a team of faculty members exploring the commercialization…
UMaine Athletics recently hosted its fifth annual Alfond Golf Classic fundraiser at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club in central Maine. The event benefits the Alfond Fund, which provides scholarships and other forms of support for UMaine athletics. This year’s event attracted 168 players, including Black Bear Award recipients Skip Chappelle ’62 and Phil Morse ’64, 2018…
Six outstanding individual athletes, a former coach, and members of a women’s basketball team will be inducted into the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame. The 2021 UMaine Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will take place on Friday, Sept. 17, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer, at 5:30-8:30 pm. Space is limited, and tickets are available…
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) recently inducted Mark “Rookie” Letendre ’78 into the NATA Hall of Fame. The induction is the highest honor an athletic trainer can receive, and recognizes Letendre’s outstanding career, providing the best medical care, and being an advocate for the athletic training profession. Rookie spent 18 years as head athletic…
Save the date! Plan a return to UMaine for Homecoming on October 15-16. Join the campus festivities, including events planned by different colleges, and tailgating and a football game against the College of William and Mary, beginning at noon. Learn more at UMaineHomecoming.com.
Liam Nee ‘14 didn’t travel to Tokyo to watch the Olympics, but the former track & field student-athlete had a prime view, and participated in another way. Working from Stamford, CT, Nee served as a digital editorial producer for NBC Sports. He provided breaking news and feature coverage leading up to and during the Olympics.
In July, University of Maine System trustees approved a project that would transform Coburn Hall and Holmes Hall into boutique hotels. The two buildings have been unoccupied since 2009. The UMS trustees voted to enter a lease agreement with Radnor Property Group, LLC to redevelop and renovate the buildings. Coburn Hall was built in 1887-88…