To be eligible for the full-time Dean鈥檚 List, a student must have completed 12 or more calculable credits in the semester and have earned a 3.50 or higher semester GPA. Students who have part-time status during both the fall and spring semesters of a given academic year are eligible for the part-time Dean鈥檚 List in the spring. They must have completed 12 or more calculable credits over both terms and earned a combined GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Please note that some students have requested their information not be released; therefore, their names are not included.

Contact: Office of Student Records, umrecord@maine.edu

Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, University of 海角社区

The following article was , an independent nonprofit news organization that shares faculty expert analysis with a global audience.

As humans, we live out our lives on a planet that is constantly from the . For the most part, our world glides silently through space, shielded by Earth鈥檚 thin atmosphere.

Occasionally, however, the rest of the universe reminds us of its presence with stunning, visceral clarity.

Residents along the Massachusetts鈥揘ew Hampshire border were startled by a on the afternoon of May 30, 2026. A large number of people up and down the Eastern Seaboard witnessed it.

imagery from , they identified the culprit as a small meteor measuring roughly 3 to 5 feet (1 to 2 meters) across. It was screaming through space at an astonishing 42,000 miles per hour (68,000 kilometers per hour) when it plunged into Earth鈥檚 upper atmosphere.

Friction between the meteor and the increasingly dense air quickly turned the kinetic energy of the rock shooting through the sky into blistering heat. At an altitude of roughly 40 miles (60 kilometers), the immense overcame the structural integrity of the meteor, causing it to fragment in a brilliant flash.

The breakup released a staggering burst of energy . When an object travels through the air at speeds faster than sound, which is 761 mph (1,225 kph), it creates a shock wave creating a thunderous clap, or sonic boom. While the majority of the rock vaporized, the remaining fragments rained down harmlessly into the waters of Cape Cod Bay.

In the past, such an event might have passed as an unverified sighting in the daytime sky. Today, however, our planet is wired with an accidental network of planetary defense sensors: , .

Because meteor entries like this one last , they were easily missed in the past. Now, our collective digital eyes capture these spontaneous cosmic intrusions almost instantly, bringing the universe directly into our daily news feeds. While dramatic, these events are more common than most people imagine.

As someone who has worked as a for over four decades, I often get emails, social media messages and phone calls about such objects and sightings. While hearing a sonic boom can be a bit unsettling or even shocking, it reminds us we live in an active universe and may want to occasionally look up instead of down at our devices.

A meteoric spring

The Cape Cod fireball was the latest sighting in an active season of meteoritic arrivals. Just months earlier, the solar system seemed to be sending a parade of rocky objects down to Earth.

, observers in Northern Europe witnessed large, slow-moving fireballs in their skies. Enthusiasts and scientists successfully recovered several fragments. Lab analysis of these specimens revealed their place in a fascinating lineage 鈥� scientists determined that they had , a massive, pristine asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter.

On March 17, a 7-ton asteroid measuring roughly 6 feet across entered the atmosphere directly over Lake Erie. Traveling at 45,000 mph (72,400 kph), it generated a brilliant daytime flash and a powerful sonic boom, unloading an energy equivalent to 250 tons of TNT. about its trajectory, allowing meteorite hunters to recover pristine fragments in Valley City, just a short drive from Cleveland, Ohio.

Only four days later, on March 21, another cosmic fragment blazed across the skies of Texas. This object was about 3 feet wide, and it traveled at , releasing the energy of .

Outside of Houston, homeowner Sherri James was startled by a sudden crash, only to discover a 6-inch (15-cm) hole in her roof and a resting on her floor.

Thank goodness for Earth鈥檚 atmospheric shield

The benchmark for modern atmospheric impacts is the , which exploded over Russia on Feb. 15, 2013.

That object was significantly larger than any of the meteors researchers have observed in 2026, measuring 60 feet (18 m) across and weighing roughly 10,000 tons. When it shattered 18 miles (29 km) above the ground, it produced an airburst with an explosive force 30 times greater than the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

The resulting shock wave shattered glass across hundreds of square miles, and registering as a seismic event between 2.7 and 3.7 on the Richter scale. The incident was a stark reminder that while Earth鈥檚 atmosphere is an incredibly effective shield, absorbing the lion鈥檚 share of cosmic impacts, a large enough kinetic punch can still reach the surface below.

Despite the dramatic stories around these meteor impacts, history shows that the cosmic lottery rarely targets humans directly. In all of recorded history, there is only one universally confirmed case of a person being directly struck by a space rock.

In 1954, an 8.5-pound (3.8 kg) meteorite crashed through the roof of a house in Sylacauga, Alabama, ricocheted off a heavy wooden radio and struck a sleeping woman named . Though it left a severe bruise on her hip, the radio absorbed the brunt of the impact. Had it not been for the radio, there is a chance she could have been seriously injured or killed by this object.

Living with the cosmos

So, are you in any imminent danger from meteors? The mathematics of the cosmos provide profound reassurance. The are vanishingly small. You stand a better chance of winning a multimillion-dollar lottery jackpot 10 times in a row than ever being hit by a meteorite.

The vast majority of the tons of that bombard Earth daily arrive as harmless dust grains, burning up as elegant meteors or shooting stars. But when the larger pieces do break through and land on our planet, they offer a rare, tangible connection to the beginning of the solar system.

If you ever happen to witness one of these magnificent fireballs ripping open the sky, consider . The organization keeps track of sightings and falls from around the globe. Recovered fragments provide a way for scientists to gain valuable information about the origin of our solar system, and of our home planet.

Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu

In 鈥淎I Ethics and Governance: Historical, Cultural, and Regulatory Perspectives,鈥� W枚rsd枚rfer explores AI through the lens of history, philosophy, ethics, political economy and public policy. Through six interconnected essays, the book analyzes the origins of AI research, portrayals of artificial intelligence in popular culture and the emerging approaches to regulation.

The panel follows the journal鈥檚 release of . It will will feature leaders in healthcare, economic development and agriculture who contributed to the publication, including: 

• Rhiannon Hampson, vice president for economic development and the Gulf of 海角社区 Research Institute.
• Shelley Megquier, director of policy and research for 海角社区 Farmland Trust.
• Dora Anne Mills, chief health improvement officer at 海角社区Health.
• Tora Johnson, director of the Sunrise County Economic Council鈥檚 Sustainable Prosperity Initiative.
• David Vail, professor of economics emeritus at Bowdoin College
• Ann Acheson, former research associate at Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center.

Housed at U海角社区鈥檚 Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, the 海角社区 Policy Review is the leading peer-reviewed journal focusing on policy analysis and research in the state. It鈥檚 published twice per year by the center and Margaret Chase Smith Foundation. 

鈥淎t U海角社区, we are intentionally building a coordinated system of support and opportunity that reaches students early and continues throughout their academic journey,鈥� said Scott Marzilli, senior associate provost for student success and innovation. 鈥淭his work is not about isolated initiatives, but about creating a consistent, high-impact experience that prepares students for success in their studies and their careers from day one.鈥�

The student experience is being transformed from beginning to end at U海角社区 through the Student Success and Retention Initiative, a hallmark of UMS TRANSFORMS. Thanks to the historic investment from the Harold Alfond Foundation, over half of all first-year students at U海角社区 engage in research and inquiry-based creative work early in their college careers. 

As a result, more students have been able to succeed in challenging, core courses, and build essential skills that support participation in high-impact internships along the way.

The initiative is organized around three interconnected efforts: Research Learning Experiences (RLEs), Gateways to Success (Gateways) and Pathways to Careers (Pathways). Together, they ensure that students are engaged early in their college careers, have the academic support they need to succeed and are connected to opportunities that prepare them to enter the workforce after graduation.

RLEs were first piloted at U海角社区 and U海角社区 Machias in fall 2021 with more than 30 course sections enrolling 250 students. Following the pilot, courses expanded across 海角社区鈥檚 public universities, and participation increased by 800%. In 2025, 2,374 students enrolled in 207 sections across 103 unique courses systemwide. More than 5,500 students have benefited. 

Maeve Littlefield, a sophomore majoring in biology, didn鈥檛 always imagine a career for herself in STEM. She didn鈥檛 develop a passion for the scientific process until late in her high school career.

Last fall, she enrolled in 鈥淐reative Expression of Science,鈥� a Research Learning Experience (RLE) that combined creativity and science by exploring new ways to understand and communicate research and science. In examining prints, paintings, drawings and examples of digital storytelling, she began to see ways in which she could combine her creativity and interest in science to promote a broader understanding of changes in our natural world.

鈥淪ometimes we get caught up in seeing statistics about the environment and human impact,鈥� Littlefield said. 鈥淏ut we also forget that adaptation and evolution make really resilient communities and populations, and that it鈥檚 not hopeless. It makes you want to fight more for these things that are important 鈥� that if we do lose them, they aren鈥檛 coming back.鈥� 

Experiences like Littlefield鈥檚 are foundational to the initiative鈥檚 broader effort to engage students in meaningful, hands-on learning early in their academic careers. They are designed to build skills and confidence, and to promote a sense of belonging through creative learning opportunities and research.

Following the success of the RLEs, 海角社区鈥檚 public universities began offering Advanced RLEs (ARLEs). They provide students who have completed one semester with more in-depth knowledge and experience, enhancing their critical thinking and building specialized skills.  

Recent ARLEs have tasked students with identifying methods to treat human polyomavirus-induced diseases, pitching business strategies to 海角社区 businesses such as Aroma Joe鈥檚 and Bath Iron Works, and conducting group research on tidal marshes, forests, seaweed and historical artifacts along the Schoodic Peninsula. 

While RLEs are designed to engage and empower, Gateways to Success aims to eliminate barriers to ongoing success for students in entry-level courses by implementing strategies such as mentorship, early alerts and curriculum updates. 

鈥淪tudents struggling in certain courses isn鈥檛 new. What is new is that now because of the generosity of the Harold Alfond Foundation, we鈥檝e been able to implement a number of interventions to address the issue,鈥� said Gateways coordinator Mark Brewer, also professor and chair of U海角社区鈥檚 Department of Political Science. 

Since Gateways鈥� launch, the vast majority of students who were enrolled in historically challenging “gateway” courses have participated in pilot interventions to support their course experience. The program is currently in the third year of studying impacts from the pilot process to select and expand the strongest interventions. 

鈥淚鈥檝e seen an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm from faculty across the colleges and at Machias in designing interventions to improve student success,鈥� Brewer said. 

In the 海角社区 Business School, a Gateways coordinator sent students notices about exams and other assignments, connected them with tutoring and review sessions, coached them on time management and facilitated weekly tutoring and academic support sessions. These efforts correlated with a 7% improvement in course success for MBS students.  

The College of Education and Human Development launched similar interventions through its Academic Support and Advising Program. By fall 2025, 92% of Gateway course enrollments led to successful course completion, compared to an average of just 79% from fall 2018-2022. 

For the course 鈥淎lgebra for College Mathematics,鈥� faculty updated the course to support students who would not historically qualify for it. Their efforts paid off, with 62% of students earning a C grade or higher. 

In fall 2025, over 5,000 students across UMS were supported by one or more of 24 Gateways-funded projects, including 67% of Gateways-eligible students at U海角社区.

As students progress through their academic journeys at U海角社区, Pathways to Careers bridges classroom experiences and real-world opportunities, making it easier for students to gain relevant experience and prepare to enter the workforce. High-impact practices such as early-stage career exploration, pre-internship training, networking support and mentorship are the cornerstone of gold-standard internship programs.

Internships are a hallmark of the U海角社区 experience, and graduates report high rates of participation. For the Class of 2025, 62% reported participating in at least one internship, totaling over 477,000 hours of experience. Furthermore, preliminary data from the first year of tracking graduates who participated in RLEs reveals that students who enrolled in them were more likely to complete an internship than students who did not participate.

For many, these opportunities are transformative.  

Pathways connected student Nathaniel Walker to an internship as a marketing and communications assistant at U海角社区鈥檚 Advanced Manufacturing Center. This summer, he will intern with the company Intuit.

鈥淎 year ago, I was unsure how to even find a job and honestly felt pretty overwhelmed and lost, but the Pathways to Careers coordinator went above and beyond to help me find a role,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淭hat chance has opened the doors for completely new opportunities and directions for me to pursue, and I am beyond grateful.鈥�

Student Holly Zschetzsche said Pathways鈥� networking support allowed her to secure an engineering internship with manufacturer Corning. 

鈥淧athways to Careers doesn鈥檛 just prepare students,鈥� she said, 鈥渋t actively connects them to opportunities where they are seen and considered.鈥�

Systemwide, 51% of students surveyed in 2025 report undertaking at least one internship, resulting in 695,000 hours of workforce participation.

Taken together, Research Learning Experiences, Gateways to Success and Pathways to Careers reflect the university鈥檚 commitment to ensuring that every student is engaged in their academic studies and community from the start, and that they receive the support and opportunities they need to succeed at U海角社区 and beyond.

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

Tim’s unlikely journey from rural Readfield, 海角社区, to U海角社区 to Los Angeles provides a backdrop for his latest gig: speaker for the 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremonies at his alma mater.

In this episode of 鈥淭he 海角社区 Question鈥� podcast, host Ron Lisnet and Allen Adams, communications specialist and marketing coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, speak with Tim about his journey, the business of show business, memories of his days in Orono and much more.

Listen to the podcast on , , , , or 鈥淭he 海角社区 Question鈥� website. 

What topics would you like to learn more about? What questions do you have for U海角社区 experts? Email them to mainequestion@maine.edu.

The symposium awards undergraduate and graduate students who displayed outstanding research, presentation and creative ability. Award winners were selected through judging across academic categories, all receiving a medal and a $500 cash prize. There were also several special awards, including the Student Innovation and Commercialization Awards, given to students and faculty. 

Over 350 projects from researchers at U海角社区 and its regional campus, the University of 海角社区 at Machias, were submitted to the annual event, co-hosted by CUGR, Student Government and the Graduate Student Government. 

Undergraduate category award winners

• Allied Health: Alyson Shook and Hannah Maker, for their project titled 鈥淪trengthening EMS Retention in 海角社区: A Path to Improved Patient Outcomes.鈥� They were advised by Sarah Hanscome.
• Arts: William Fortier, Oliver Rodi and Mikey Arbelo, for their project titled 鈥淭he Creativity of Mapping.鈥� They were advised by Andy Mauery.
• Biomedical Sciences: Hayden Kittell, Diana Goode and Moria Weese-Myers, for their project titled 鈥淢HCII Expression in Differential Doses of Chemotherapy Treatment on Mice.鈥� They were advised by William Otto.
• Business: Brady Merritt, for the project titled 鈥淐an Large Language Models Pass the CFA Exam.鈥� Merrit was advised by Sebastian Lobe.
• Education: Carly Philbrook, for her project titled 鈥淐omparison of High School Mathematics Textbooks Analyzing Higher Order Thinking Skills in New England.鈥� Philbrook was advised by Kamal Chawla.
• Engineering and Information Sciences: Elsa Perez Abella and Ahmed Kandil, for their project titled 鈥淪urface Flow Visualization Enhancement Using AI.鈥� They were advised by Ahmed Aboelezz.
• Engineering and Information Sciences: Wyatt Fessler, Cadence Kluck, Isabelle Irani and Marc Zoorob, for their project titled 鈥淎 Tissue-integrating, Resealable Hemodialysis Port for Reducing Complications Associated with Repetitive Vascular Access.鈥� They were advised by David Neivandt.
• Interdisciplinary Research: Richard Viveiros, for the project titled 鈥淪ublethal PFAS Exposure During Larval Stages of Culex: Consequences for Development, Survivorship, and Tissue Bioacculation of PFOA, PFBA, and PFBS.鈥� Viveiros was advised by Allison Gardner.
• Interdisciplinary Research: Luke Connolly, for the project titled 鈥淣ano-Pattern Fabrication Using Electron Beam Lithography.鈥� Connolly was advised by Dinh Loc Duong.
• Natural Sciences: Josie Aprea, Brendan Dahl, Emma Perry and Ian Bricknell, for their project titled 鈥減H vs. Predator.鈥� Bricknell also served as advisor for the project.
• Physical and Mathematical Sciences: Avery Richard, Ziyad ur Rehman, Henry Carfagno and Nuri Emanetoglu, for their project titled 鈥淔abrication and Characterization of Indenofluorene-based Organic Single Crystal Field-effect Transistors.鈥� They were advised by Dinh Loc Duong.
• Social Sciences and Humanities: Maya Aylesworth, for the project titled 鈥淩obert Johnson, the Crossroad Mythos, and the Lasting Effects of a Legend.鈥� Aylesworth was advised by Jennifer Moxley.

Graduate category award winner

• Allied Health: Katherine Brewer, for the project titled 鈥淭elehealth and Prenatal Care Utilization in Rural Communities: Addressing Access, Satisfaction, and Health Outcomes.鈥� Brewer was advised by Kathryn Robinson.
• Arts: Celena Powell, for the project titled 鈥淎t the Threshold: Domestic Space as a Site of Contemporary Resistance.鈥� Powell was advised by Susan Smith.
• Biomedical Sciences: Chloe Bossow, Lydia McCarthy and Melody Neely, for the project titled 鈥淚nteractions Between Group B Streptococcus and Candida albicans Are Influenced by Environmental Stress.鈥� Neely also served as the advisor for the project.
• Education: Kayla McLagan, Kate Ruskin, Alison Jolley, Karen Pelletreau and Edgelynn Venuti, for their project titled 鈥淭o What Extent Does a Weekend-long Field Course Influence Students鈥� Sense of Belonging? A Focus on Influential Course Elements.鈥� They were advised by Kate Ruskin.
• Engineering and Information Sciences: Mahbuba Daizy, Yu Zhang, Douglas Bousfield, Jinwu Wang and David Neivandt, for their project titled 鈥淐omparison of Stabilization Systems for Soybean Wax Emulsions to Produce Sustainable Water-resistant Paper Based Packaging: Surfactant vs. Pickering.鈥� Neivandt also served as the advisor for the project.
• Interdisciplinary Research: Zainab Jafri, for the project titled 鈥淩eimagining the Waste Disposal Landscape – Industrial Symbiosis in 海角社区.鈥� Jafri was advised by Reed Miller.
• Natural Sciences: Nabanita Das, Islam Hafez, Colleen Walker, Douglas Bousfield and Mehdi Tajvidi, for their project titled 鈥淔actors Influencing the Effectiveness of Cellulose Nanfibril Coatings on Molded Fiber Substrates.鈥� Tajvidi also served as the advisor for the project.
• Physical and Mathematical Sciences: Hettikankanamge Kalani Samarasekara, for the project titled 鈥淧aving the Way for Novel Drug Delivery Systems: Peptoid Nanoparticles.鈥� Samarasekara was advised by Alessia Battigelli.
• Social Sciences and Humanities: Catherine Segada, Chyanne Yoder, William Breneman and Gianna DeJoy, for their project titled 鈥淩euseME: Investigating Waste Reduction and Cost Benefits in Coastal Communities Through a Pilot Reusable Food Packaging Program.鈥� They were advised by Cynthia Isenhour.
• Social Sciences and Humanities: Cynthia Cushing, Catherine Taylor, Rachel Coleman, MaryLou Ciolfi, Jennifer Crittenden, Len Kaye and Sarah Currie, for their project titled 鈥淏uilding a Workforce Readiness Model for Older Adults: Partner Insights From AmeriCorps Seniors Workforce Development Program.鈥� Crittenden also served as advisor for the project. 

Student Innovation and Commercialization Awards

• First Place: Nabanita Das.
• Second Place: Amir Baharvand.
• Third Place: Noro John.

Additional awards

• Dean of Graduate School Undergraduate Mentoring Award: Joshua Hamilton.
• Dean of the Graduate School Faculty Mentor Award: Christine Beitl
• Bruce and Joanne Fournier Award: Gregory Simms, Mikayla Reynolds, Isabelle Irani and David Neivandt.
• Provost鈥檚 Innovative and Creative Teaching Award: Jillian Fedarick.
• Susan J. Hunter Undergraduate Award: Madelynn DeBest.
• Susan J. Hunter Graduate Award: Mya Griffith. 

Tenure for 17 of the faculty members was approved by the University of 海角社区 System Board of Trustees on March 16.

鈥淭hese promotions highlight the excellence of U海角社区鈥檚 faculty. Whether in the classroom, in the lab, or the field, their accomplishments are impressive and are a testament to their commitment to student success, discovery, and service to the state. We take great pride in the achievements of these faculty,鈥� says Gabriel Paquette, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at U海角社区.

鈥淓ach promotion and tenure decision reflects both individual excellence and the strength of our academic community,鈥� said U海角社区 President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. 鈥淎s a learner-centered R1 university, we advance research that matters while keeping students at the heart of all we do. These faculty exemplify that mission.鈥�

University of 海角社区

Promoted to Professor

• College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences
  • Alicia Cruz-Uribe, Petrology and Mineralogy
  • Adam Daigneault, Forest Policy and Economics
  • Shawn Fraver, Forest Ecology
  • Daniel Hayes, Geospatial Analysis and Remote Sensing
  • Anil Kizhakkepurakkal, Forest Operations
  • Melissa Maginnis, Microbiology
  • Caroline Noblet, Economics
  • Aaron Putnam, Earth Sciences
  • Kelley Strout, Nursing
  • Timothy Waring, Social-Ecological Systems of Modeling
• College of Education and Human Development
  • Catharine Biddle, Educational Leadership
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Ryan Dippre, English
  • William Gramlich, Chemistry
  • Gregory Zaro, Anthropology and Climate Change
• 海角社区 College of Engineering and Computing
  • Caitlin Howell, Bioengineering
  • Thomas Schwartz, Chemical Engineering

Promoted to Extension Professor

• Cooperative Extension
  • Colt Knight, Extension Livestock Educator

Promoted to Professor with Tenure

• College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences
  • Lisa Kerr, Fisheries Science

Granted Tenure at Current Rank of Professor

• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Jonathan Barron, English

Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure

• College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences
  • Noah Charney, Conservation Biology
  • Katherine Weatherford Darling, Health Science
  • Philip Fanning, Agricultural Entomology
  • Jonathan Malacarne, Agricultural Economics
  • Jane Puhlman, Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • Jessica Riccardi, Communication Sciences and Disorders
• College of Education and Human Development
  • Melissa Cuba, Special Education
  • Kathleen Gillon, Higher Education
  • Daniel Puhlman, Family Studies
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Gilbert Moss, Mathematics
  • Neel Patel, Mathematics
  • Franziska Peterson, Mathematics Education
  • Nimesha Ranasinghe, Spatial Informatics
  • Johanna Richlin, Anthropology
  • Jane Wang, Mathematics

Promoted to Associate Extension Professor with Continuing Contract

• Cooperative Extension
  • Sean Birkel, Climate Services
  • Michael Habte-tsion, Fish Nutrition
  • Glenda Pereira Parente, Animal Science/Dairy Specialist

Promoted to Associate Professor

• College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences
  • Christina Murphy, USGS 海角社区 Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Promoted to Senior Lecturer with Just-Cause 

• College of Education and Human Development
  • Maria Frankland, Educational Leadership
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Matthew Bates, Mathematics

University of 海角社区 at Machias

Promoted to Senior Lecturer with Just-Cause 

• University of 海角社区 at Machias
  • Daniel Ellis, English

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

The cohort is implementing ReuseME, a pilot program in partnership with the coastal towns of Bar Harbor, Bath and South Portland. Participating eateries include Cafe This Way and Coffee Matter/Mother鈥檚 Kitchen in Bar Harbor, Solo Pane in Bath, and Second Rodeo Coffee and Verbena in South Portland.

By testing the viability of reusable takeout packaging in participating restaurants, students are at the forefront of developing a model that reduces waste, prevents plastic pollution and saves local businesses and municipalities money on the purchase and disposal of single-use food and beverage packaging.

Throughout this project, U海角社区 student researchers are working directly with these businesses to track results and analyze usage patterns to refine the returnable model.

鈥淭he driver for this project has been a focus on wanting to maintain and protect 海角社区鈥檚 coastal environment because it鈥檚 a very important part of the state鈥檚 culture,鈥� said Ryan Kennedy, a University of 海角社区 senior in the Department of Anthropology.

Kennedy, an undergraduate research assistant on the project, has been involved since the initial baseline surveys last June. They noted that the team met with restaurant owners to discuss their establishments鈥� capabilities and customer habits.

鈥淚 want to help bring cost savings to the frontline because that drives most business decisions,鈥� Kennedy said. 鈥淥n the commercial side, choosing between the wallet and the planet can be difficult. With the cost of everything going up, people want to know if a change will save them money. By providing hard data to businesses and a simple message to its customers, we can show that sustainable swaps don鈥檛 have to be a complicated transition.鈥�

These five local eateries now offer diners the option of having their food and/or beverage packaged in returnable stainless steel containers. Customers can check out these containers by signing up for a free account in the Recirclable app. After enjoying their takeout meals, customers can return the containers to any of the participating establishments.

鈥淚 think we鈥檙e starting to see people realize how easy it is to make more sustainable swaps,鈥� Kennedy said. 

In just a little over a month since the Reuse 海角社区 pilot project launched, more than 100 customers across the state have borrowed nearly 500 reusable containers. 

Other student researchers involved in the project include Chyanne Yoder, Catherine Segada, Gianna DeJoy, William Brenneman and Alejandro Snell. They are joined by project advisor Cindy Isenhour, a professor in the Department of Anthropology and the Climate Change Institute.

As part of an extensive, interdisciplinary effort to mitigate marine pollution, the project is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 海角社区 Sea Grant and the 海角社区 Department of Environmental Protection. The support allows the team to tackle environmental challenges while providing student researchers with the resources needed to develop scalable, real-world solutions.

鈥淚 think the hard data and transparency between the businesses, their customers and our team is what鈥檚 really driving the success and the happiness with this project,鈥� Kennedy said. 鈥淚t helps people feel like they鈥檙e making a difference without having to go out of their way. It鈥檚 just a part of their routine when they pick up a coffee or grab lunch.鈥�

Story by Alexa Rose Perocillo, news intern

Contact: Marcus Wolf, marcus.wolf@maine.edu; Cindy Isenhour, cynthia.isenhour@maine.edu

The team designed the app so event organizers can instantly notify student users when they have leftovers available by sharing posts with pictures, locations, event end times and potential allergens or dietary restrictions. 

鈥淲e’re taking out two birds with one stone here, trying to reduce some food waste and trying to give students just a little something for a bit more reliable nutrition on campus that’s free and accessible,鈥� said Moody-Broen, a computer science major and English minor, and his colleagues. 

The project was one of more than 350 on display during the U海角社区 Student Symposium for Research and Creative Activity on April 17. From lobster shell styrofoam and a shark fossil study to an autonomous model race car and a community loom, the event demonstrated the hard work and ingenuity of undergraduate and graduate students from both U海角社区 and its regional campus, the University of 海角社区 at Machias. 

The symposium reflects U海角社区鈥檚 commitment being a learner-centered R1 that offers hands-on, real-world research learning opportunities, where undergraduate students work directly with faculty and industry partners to tackle challenges facing 海角社区 communities.

Participating in the symposium not only allows students to showcase their work, but also develop skills in poster design, presentation, communication and networking, all of which will serve them in future careers and advanced degree programs. For Moody-Broen, the event served as an opportunity to test how he presents his work and gain more exposure to his field.

鈥淚 think it’s great to be interacting with other researchers and other products and seeing what that looks like in an early professional, late graduate setting,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t’s good to be able to get your work out there for the first time.鈥�

Over 200 judges from U海角社区 and the community perused the posters and interviewed the students about their work. Among them was David Barrett, lecturer in accounting for the 海角社区 Business School, who returned for a second year to support the students and enjoy their 鈥渞eally neat research.鈥�

鈥淲hat I’m looking for is that the presenter knows what they’re talking about and can communicate it effectively,鈥� he said during the event. 鈥淕etting students more practice and getting them more comfortable with talking about something with someone they’ve never met is a massively important skill for students to have as they go out of that comfort zone.鈥� 

Several rows down, Mya Griffith, a master鈥檚 student studying aquaculture and aquatic resources, presented her project to a judge, detailing her group鈥檚 ongoing investigation into the bioaccumulation of a group of toxic chemicals known as PFAS in seafood. Her team plans to integrate monitoring, predictive modeling and intervention for seafood food systems. 

For Griffith, participating in the symposium helps her refine her communication skills and network, both of which will help her toward pursuing a Ph.D. and career in sustainable agriculture. She also cares that people hear more about the issues she researches. 

鈥淓ven though I don’t have results, I want to bring awareness to it,鈥� she said, 鈥渃ollaboration with the community is super important. And just raising awareness and making sure that people understand that these things are occurring in the environment and that they do affect us as humans, is super important.鈥�

U海角社区鈥檚 Center for Undergraduate Research has hosted a student symposium since 2008. At their first symposium, only 98 projects were presented. Now there are more than seven times that. The growth has been made possible by students, staff, faculty and community members investing their time and effort into the research experience. It is also aided by generosity of community sponsors who help cover the costs of the event itself. 

鈥淎s you go around today, I encourage you to ask our students what is their 鈥榳hy?鈥� and what they love about research. Please support them through the journey that actually never stops,鈥� said Giovanna Guidoboni, interim vice president for research and dean of the 海角社区 College of Engineering and Computing, during her remarks at the symposium. 鈥淭oday is an opportunity to engage, connect and learn, be curious, ask questions and embrace the unexpected connections that emerge from conversations across the community.鈥� 

Jordan Potter, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, stood alongside his partners and their poster ready to answer questions about their project, 鈥淪mart Scrubs: Enhanced Scrubs for Medical Personnel.鈥� The group was designing moisture-resistant scrubs to protect healthcare workers from contaminants and prevent microbe colonization microbes through the application of water-resistant and microbiostatic coatings.

鈥淲hat I want to do directly after I graduate is go to graduate school,鈥� Potter said, adding that participating in the symposium helps me prepare for grad school because of the aspect of getting to present to people.I get to meet new people and tell them what we’ve been working on.鈥�

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu听

This year鈥檚 recipients are:

• Mehdi Tajvidi, Presidential Research and Creative Achievement Award.
• Darren Ranco, Presidential Public Engagement Achievement Award.
• Jay Wason, Presidential Outstanding Teaching Award.
• Melissa Ladenheim, Black Bear Award for Extraordinary Impact.
• William Davids, Presidential Innovation Award.

鈥淭hese awards recognize the very best of the University of 海角社区,鈥� said President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. 鈥淓ach of these individuals demonstrates a deep commitment to excellence, innovation and service. Their work strengthens our university, advances knowledge and makes a meaningful difference for the people of 海角社区 and beyond.鈥�

Mehdi Tajvidi

Presidential Research and Creative Achievement Award

Mehdi Tajvidi, professor of renewable nanomaterials in the School of Forest Resources and Advanced Structures and Composites Center, is recognized for internationally distinguished research and scholarship. The award honors faculty whose work contributes knowledge to issues of local, national and global significance.

Since joining U海角社区 in 2013, Tajvidi has focused on the production, characterization and performance of renewable nanomaterials and their composites. His research centers on cellulose nanomaterials for applications including coatings, packaging and building products, spanning work from foundational science to industrial trials.

鈥淢ehdi鈥檚 work reflects research leadership that brings global visibility to U海角社区 while delivering real value to our state,鈥� Ferrini-Mundy said. 鈥淗is focus on sustainable innovation is helping address important challenges in materials and manufacturing.鈥�

Tajvidi鈥檚 lab has developed bio-based alternatives to synthetic materials, including technologies to replace formaldehyde-based resins in building products and PFAS in molded fiber packaging, as well as foam products used in packaging. He has also launched a line of research in mycelium-based biocomposites, using fungal materials to produce low-density insulation and packaging products.

His work supports collaborations with 海角社区-based and national companies and contributes to new product development in the forest products industry. He also mentors graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and undergraduates who have gone on to careers in academia, industry and national laboratories.

Darren Ranco

Presidential Public Engagement Achievement Award

Darren Ranco, professor of anthropology, faculty fellow in the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, and chair of Native American Programs, is recognized for public engagement that applies academic expertise to enhance the public good.

Since returning to 海角社区 in 2009, Ranco, a Penobscot Nation citizen who grew up in Orono, has worked with Wabanaki Tribal Nations on environmental and cultural issues. His work includes leadership on responses to the emerald ash borer, an invasive species that threatens ash trees used in traditional basket making. His efforts contributed to agreements among tribal nations, the state and federal agencies.

鈥淒arren鈥檚 work reflects a deep commitment to partnership and to connecting the university鈥檚 expertise with community needs,鈥� Ferrini-Mundy said. 鈥淗e builds relationships that lead to meaningful, lasting impact.鈥�

He has also supported tribal climate resilience and land return efforts, working with communities to develop priorities, establish baselines and create plans to address environmental change. 

Ranco has contributed to strengthening relationships between the university and tribal communities, including efforts to support collaboration and culturally informed research practices.

His public engagement includes educational initiatives supporting the development of Wabanaki studies curriculum, public talks, working with legislators to support environmentally and culturally sound legislation, and participation in projects that address community needs.

Jay Wason

Presidential Outstanding Teaching Award

Jay Wason, associate professor of forest ecosystem physiology in the School of Forest Resources, is recognized for advancing student learning through teaching and mentorship.

Since joining U海角社区 in 2018, Wason has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in forest biology, plant structure and function, and research methods. His teaching emphasizes scientific thinking and applying knowledge to new problems.

鈥淛ay鈥檚 teaching reflects a commitment to student learning that both challenges and supports students,鈥� Ferrini-Mundy said. 鈥淗e helps students build confidence and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.鈥�

His courses incorporate hands-on laboratory work, group activities and opportunities for students to design experiments and analyze data. These approaches support active learning and encourage students to engage directly with course material.

Student evaluations consistently highlight his preparation, clarity and enthusiasm, as well as his ability to help students understand complex topics.

In addition to teaching, Wason mentors undergraduate and graduate students and contributes to instructional development within his department.

Melissa Ladenheim

Black Bear Award for Extraordinary Impact

Melissa Ladenheim, associate dean of the Honors College, is recognized for exceeding expectations and making an extraordinary impact through service and leadership.

She coordinates the 海角社区 Day Meal Packout, a campus-wide initiative that provides meals to food-insecure communities across the state. A central part of 海角社区 Day Week of Service, the effort engages approximately 400 to 500 volunteers each year. Since its early years in the 2010s, the initiative will surpass 800,000 meals packed and distributed with the culmination of this year鈥檚 event.

鈥淢elissa鈥檚 leadership shows how service can bring people together while creating opportunities for students to lead,鈥� Ferrini-Mundy said. 鈥淗er work inspires a strong culture of engagement on campus and beyond.鈥�

The 海角社区 Day Meal Packout is student-driven, with a leadership team playing key roles in fundraising, logistics and partnerships, while Ladenheim oversees and coordinates the initiative. Through that work, students gain experience in leadership, project management and community engagement while contributing to a statewide effort to address food insecurity.

Ladenheim is also involved in the Servant Heart Research Collaborative, which develops educational initiatives addressing social and learning challenges in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Haiti and Uganda. Through this work, she helped create and build the National Education Test Tool, an online platform that prepares students in Sierra Leone for national exams, as well as the Attachment Theory Workshop, a caregiver training program focused on fostering healthy attachments in children who have experienced trauma.

Her work reflects a sustained commitment to service and student development, with impact across campus, throughout 海角社区 and internationally.

Bill Davids

Presidential Innovation Award

Bill Davids, Bodwell University Distinguished Professor and chair of civil and environmental engineering, is recognized for translating research into technologies with economic and societal impact.

Over nearly three decades at U海角社区, Davids has focused on engineering research that supports innovation and real-world application. He is a co-inventor of the CT Girder, a fiber-reinforced polymer bridge beam that is significantly lighter than steel and resistant to corrosion. The technology has been used in bridge construction projects in 海角社区, Rhode Island and Florida.

鈥淏ill鈥檚 work demonstrates how research at U海角社区 can translate into practical solutions that strengthen infrastructure and support economic development,鈥� Ferrini-Mundy said. 鈥淗e connects innovation with real-world impact.鈥�

He has also contributed to the development of the Continuous Forming Machine, a manufacturing technology for fiber-reinforced thermoplastic materials. This work has supported the creation of a startup company that is generating revenue, attracting investment and building a manufacturing facility in 海角社区.

His research has also contributed to improved methods for evaluating and maintaining bridges, helping extend the service life of infrastructure and reduce the need for repair and replacement.

Through collaboration with students and industry partners, Davids鈥� work has produced practical outcomes that advance engineering practice and support infrastructure solutions.

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

These questions serve as the inspiration behind the latest book from Caroline Bicks, professor of English at the University of 海角社区, which delves into the creative methodology of U海角社区鈥檚 most famous literary alumnus, Stephen King, by leveraging unprecedented access to his archives.

鈥淢onsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King鈥� is an exploration of King鈥檚 process through an examination of five of his earliest works: 鈥淐arrie,鈥� 鈥淪alem’s Lot,鈥� 鈥淭he Shining,鈥� 鈥淧et Sematary鈥� and 鈥淣ight Shift.鈥� The public launch party for 鈥淢onsters in the Archives鈥� will take place at 6:30 p.m. today  at Orono Brewing Company and will feature a conversation between Bicks and Justin Soderberg.

Through close readings of early drafts and comparisons to the final products, Bicks shows us how editorial choices and changes, whether large or small, can impact the flashlight-illuminated pages under the bedcovers that we ultimately experience.

But the book is also a story about Bicks鈥檚 own relationship with King鈥檚 work, from her discovery of the author鈥檚 work at a local library as a teenager through her 2017 appointment as the inaugural Stephen E. King Chair in Literature at U海角社区 and the writing of this book. The result is a blend of the personal and professional that is simultaneously scholarly and eminently readable.

Four years into her time at U海角社区, she received an unexpected phone call from King.

鈥淚 was pretty flabbergasted; it turned out he just thought it was time we meet,鈥� said Bicks. 鈥淚 invited him to come talk to the students on campus about 鈥楲isey鈥檚 Story鈥� and 鈥極n Writing,鈥� and he said yes, and it was just this magical first meeting I had with him. Seeing how passionate he was about talking to the students, how much he wanted to come back, and how much pleasure he took from it. It was really just a lovely way to meet him.鈥�

Bicks was a longtime fan of King鈥檚 work, having read it since discovering and falling in love with it in the Castine Public Library when she was 12 years old (coming to the author鈥檚 work perhaps a touch early, as so many of us do). And while the old adage might say 鈥渘ever meet your heroes,鈥� Bicks had the opposite experience. In fact, his generosity and kindness were a big reason why, when her year-long sabbatical approached, she reached out about this project.

鈥淚 felt comfortable enough to ask him and Tabitha,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 knew that they had just collected his manuscripts, a lot of them for the first time, and put them in a climate-controlled space attached to their home in Bangor, but that they hadn’t opened it up yet to people. I thought, 鈥榃ell, this is opportunity knocking.鈥� An amazing opportunity if they say yes.鈥�

It’s worth noting that Bicks wasn鈥檛 certain what this book was going to be when she made the ask. In essence, she had an idea to write about the books that scared her the most as a teenager and to try and understand how he crafted them.

鈥淗ow did he craft these moments that are so iconic, that have stuck in the heads of so many people?,鈥� Bicks said. 鈥淔ifty years after the fact, I can still talk to people my age who vividly remember Danny Glick at the window in 鈥楽alem鈥檚 Lot.鈥� And not just because of the movie. They actually remember the phrases that he wrote.

The question surrounding how he wrote these memorable moments was the seed that would eventually grow into 鈥淢onsters in the Archives.鈥� Bicks narrowed her focus to the five aforementioned King works, the ones that hit her hardest and scared her the most when she first read them as a teenager.

鈥淎s a scholar, you’re taught not to bring your personal feelings into your work,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I see the value in that to a point. But at the same time, I study gender and Shakespeare because I care about issues of gender. I really felt liberated to go in and say, 鈥業’m just going to look at these because they’re the ones that scared me the most.鈥� I’m going to go revisit these stories. I’m going to reread them. I’m going to look at them with the eyes of a literature scholar.

鈥淚’m bringing that view that I have that I didn’t have when I was a teenager,鈥� she continued. 鈥淏ut I’m not going to lose my childhood reactions to it. I don’t want to lose what makes these such compelling stories, which is that they connect to our deepest fears. And everyone reacts differently. Everyone has a different story that scared them the most. At the same time, certain ones have staying power because they connect to issues we all face and fears we all have.

When Bicks finally ventured into the archives, the materials, particularly those that had yet to be examined, were 鈥渂eyond my wildest dreams,鈥� she said. 

What followed was months of research, with Bicks making the trip to visit the archives for at least a couple of eight-hour days per week, focusing on one of the five works at a time. 

Among the many joys Bicks derived from the process was the discovery of just how many different versions of these stories existed. Just as one example, there were three complete versions of 鈥淧et Sematary,鈥� all of which she worked her way through. Bicks 鈥� a self-professed slow reader 鈥� took something like three weeks to work her way through those three versions of 鈥淧et Sematary.鈥� After that? Right back into it.

鈥淢y days were filled with close reading, just going through these different versions,鈥� she said. 鈥淔irst off, I just have to read and take notes and see what’s what. You can’t take photographs, so a lot of notes.鈥�

One such change in 鈥淧et Sematary鈥� really captured Bicks鈥檚 imagination, as a slight alteration turned a good line into an iconic one, among the most memorable in the book.

鈥溾�楧ead is better,鈥� which is almost the hallmark of that book,鈥� said Bicks. 鈥淚t started as 鈥楧eath is better.鈥� 鈥楧eath is better鈥� is so different from 鈥楧ead is better.鈥�  It still gives me chills. It is so much better and it’s one little change, right?

鈥淎nd you can see why it became 鈥楧ead is better.鈥� It echoes, right? I was so pleased to find out that he still considers that the line that is the one that sticks with him the most from that novel,鈥� she said.

Not every deep dive played out in the same way, however. For some, like 鈥淣ight Shift,鈥� the process involved following the collection鈥檚 various short stories through their publication histories. King was a working writer, selling stories to whatever outlets would take them, including a number of men鈥檚 magazines, which were once quite prolific publishers of short fiction. For others, like 鈥淐arrie,鈥� Bicks would see a first draft that was significantly different from the book as it would ultimately be published.

But while some aspects of the editorial process varied somewhat from book to book, Bicks would discover that the writing process itself stayed largely the same. That included some surprising discoveries about the physical act of writing and the logistical and financial realities of such, including learning that King made a conscious effort to use as much of each sheet of paper as possible.

鈥淗e’s fitting it in as few pieces of paper as he can, because he had to,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think people today fully understand that. Paper costs money; he had to consider the materials needed in the creation of a book. The act itself had financial issues tied to it. You couldn鈥檛 just store it on a computer or in the cloud.鈥�

That physical necessity also meant that there would occasionally be issues. Pages could get misplaced or ruined. There are a couple of incidents recounted in the book that feel genuinely harrowing, particularly to a fan of King鈥檚 work, tales of one book鈥檚 ending or another entire draft lost due to circumstance. The analog nature of it all is easy to forget until we鈥檙e confronted with the idea that a beloved horror classic might have simply disappeared because a briefcase got left in a cab or on a plane.

This book couldn鈥檛 have happened without the approval of the Kings. Bicks considers herself fortunate to have been given the opportunity 鈥� she鈥檚 the first scholar to be granted this kind of long-term ongoing access to the archive, something that simply would not have been possible without trust and transparency.

鈥淚 think he and Tabitha understood what I was trying to do,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 said to them, 鈥業鈥檓 not interested in exposing your family secrets or psychoanalyzing deep, dark things.鈥� I’m coming at this as a literary scholar and as a fan. I really just wanted to look at these five works. I was very clear about my parameters. I wasn’t going in there to just paw through boxes.鈥�

The end result of this lengthy literary odyssey is a very special book. It鈥檚 a work of thoughtful and compelling scholarship that is also reflective of one person鈥檚 personal journey with a beloved author. It is bibliographic and biographical all in one. 鈥淚’d like to think I did him proud,鈥� said Bicks. 鈥淚 know he likes the book. He read it and he said it’s 鈥榣ike a breath of fresh air,鈥� so that makes me feel really good. Like I got it right.鈥�

Contact: Allen Adams, allen.adams@maine.edu

Hamidah Aldarwish

College of Education and Human Development

Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Relations

Hamidah Aldarwish of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is the Outstanding Graduating International Student for the College of Education and Human Development. Aldarwish arrived in 海角社区 in 2019 with her family 鈥� her husband, Jafar, and their three girls who are now ages 11 to 15. Aldarwish completed her capstone internship at U海角社区鈥檚 Children鈥檚 Center with a focus on the application of observational and developmental principles in early childhood settings, particularly related to children with diverse developmental needs, including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. After graduation, Aldarwish plans to return to Saudi Arabia to work with families and children. 

A full profile of Aldarwish is online. 

Ella Boxall

海角社区 College of Engineering and Computing

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with Minors in Sustainability and Mathematics and a Concentration in Water Resources

Ella Boxall of Kennebunkport, 海角社区, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the 海角社区 College of Engineering and Computing. She has completed internships with GEI Consultants and TRC Companies, conducted research using MATLAB to project sea level rise and king tides in Bar Harbor and served as a learning assistant and grader. Her capstone project focuses on redesigning a gravity-fed water system for a salmon rearing facility in Aroostook County, highlighting creative, low-energy engineering solutions. She plans to pursue graduate studies in marine science in the United Kingdom and build a career promoting coastal and environmental resilience.

A full profile of Boxall is available online. 

Dianne Brindisi

Division of Lifelong Learning

Bachelor of University Studies, Leadership Studies Track

Dianne Brindisi of Cape Neddick, 海角社区, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the Division of Lifelong Learning at the University of 海角社区. Service has always been central to Brindisi鈥檚 life. From supporting families in need and mentoring young leaders to contributing to professional associations that advance women and industry standards, Brindisi believes leadership is inseparable from service. Looking ahead, she is committed to educating the public about the university studies program and sharing her positive experience and welcomes the opportunity to serve as a program ambassador. 

A full profile of Brindisi is online. 

Kate Evans

College of Education and Human Development

Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a Second Major in Spanish

Kate Evans of Bangor, 海角社区, is the Outstanding Graduating Student for the College of Education and Human Development. A single mom of four young children, whom she has homeschooled while working toward her degree, Evans earned a 4.00 GPA while pursuing double majors in secondary education and Spanish. She received the Roger Hill Humanities Scholarship and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Outstanding Junior Award. Evans is an active member of her church community, where she often volunteers her time for service and educational programs. After graduating she plans to stay in the Bangor region and teach Spanish at a local high school.

A full profile of Evans is online. 

Chantelle Flores

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Honors College

Bachelor of Arts in English with a Minor in Creative Writing

Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a Minor in Classical Studies

Chantelle Flores of Oakland, 海角社区, is the Outstanding Graduating Student for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She was a McGillicuddy Humanities Center (MHC) Undergraduate Fellow, as well as a Zillman Art Museum Research Curatorial Fellow through the center. Flores interned at the U海角社区 Writing Center and served as co-editor-in-chief of Spire magazine. After graduation, she plans to pursue an internship related to literature or the arts and apply for graduate programs for art history, with the ultimate goal of acquiring a Ph.D. in contemporary art history and becoming a professor.

A full profile of Flores is online. 

Zoe Furber

College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Marine Science with a Second Major in Biology with a Concentration in Marine Biology

Zoe Furber of Vancouver, British Columbia, is the Outstanding Graduating International Student for the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. She has been a member of the U海角社区 Field Hockey team since 2022 and was appointed captain in 2025. During her time at U海角社区, she completed a capstone project comparing ocean temperatures in the Gulf of 海角社区 to heart rate metrics of blue mussels. These experiences prepared her for a career in environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability. Furber plans to complete a Master of Science in Global Strategy and Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh, where she will play field hockey for an additional year.

A full profile of Furber is online. 

Ruth Griffith

College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences | Honors College

Bachelor of Science in Economics with Minors in Mathematics and International Affairs

Ruth Griffith of Parkman, 海角社区, is the Outstanding Graduating Student for the Honors College and the 2026 U海角社区 valedictorian. She is majoring in economics with minors in mathematics and international affairs. Through her honors thesis, Griffith developed a method to analyze sub-county economic trends using regional data, helping illuminate how policies impact local communities across 海角社区. Drawing on her background in regional economics, she adapted tools used for markets to understand disparities. Beyond academics, she has led service initiatives such as the 海角社区 Day Meal Packout, coordinating efforts that provide tens of thousands of meals statewide. She will launch her career at TD Bank in New York City after graduation and plans to one day pursue a Master of Business Administration.

A full profile of Griffith is online.

Sarah Johnson

海角社区 Business School

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting with a Second Major in Business Information Systems and Security Management

Sarah Johnson of Clifton, 海角社区, is the Outstanding Graduating Student for the 海角社区 Business School. Johnson has completed multiple internships with both the 海角社区 Business School and BerryDunn, an accounting and consulting services firm. She has also worked as an undergraduate assistant for U海角社区鈥檚 Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. These roles strengthened her professional skill set, including effective communication, adaptability, critical thinking and the ability to apply feedback constructively. They also prepared her to approach problems analytically and to collaborate effectively in a professional setting. Following graduation, she will launch her career at BerryDunn as a tax specialist.  

A full profile of Johnson is online. 

Jasper Makowski

College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences | Honors College

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

Jasper Makowski of Dover-Foxcroft, 海角社区, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. He secured internships and part-time work with two medical facilities and U海角社区鈥檚 Maginnis Lab. Working closely with associate professor of microbiology Melissa Maginnis, he researched signaling mechanisms in viruses and learned about a range of diseases. Makowski is a student organizer for the 海角社区 Day Meal Packout. Outside of academics, he retreats to the 海角社区 outdoors and enjoys a variety of activities, from backpacking to fly fishing. After he graduates, he is pursuing a medical degree with plans to return to rural 海角社区 as a primary care provider. 

A full profile of Makowski is online. 

Andrii Obertas

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Physics

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Andrii Obertas of Lutsk, Ukraine, is the 2026 Outstanding Graduating International Student for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the 2026 U海角社区 co-salutatorian. Pursuing dual degrees in physics and mathematics, Obertas has distinguished himself through academic excellence and perseverance. He has conducted original research in both physics and mathematics, while also engaging in outreach efforts that bring science education to communities across 海角社区. His experience at U海角社区 has been shaped by a strong sense of community and opportunity, which he credits with providing hope for his future. After graduation, Obertas plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in mathematics through the accelerated 4+1 program.

A full profile of Obertas is online.

Samuel Tremblay

海角社区 Business School

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Management

Samuel Tremblay of Quebec City is the Outstanding Graduating International Student for the 海角社区 Business School. Tremblay is a tutor, mentor, 海角社区 Business School ambassador and president of the U海角社区 chapter of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He is also a kicker for the U海角社区 Football Team, through which he became a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award, and a representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He served as a captain on Canada’s Junior National Team at the International Federation of American Football鈥檚 World Junior Championship. After graduation, he plans to stay at U海角社区 and pursue a master’s degree while continuing to play football.听听

A full profile of Tremblay is online. 

Karun Varghese

海角社区 College of Engineering and Computing | Honors College

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a Minor in Robotics

Karun Varghese of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is the Outstanding Graduating International Student in the 海角社区 College of Engineering and Computing and the Honors College. Varghese assumed research roles in the Computer Vision and Autonomous Robotics Lab, the High Altitude Ballooning Lab and the Advanced Structures and Composites Center. Outside of academics, he participated in the Black Bear Robotics Club, the South Asian Association of 海角社区 and Model United Nations. Through Model UN, he traveled internationally to Taiwan, the Philippines and Peru. After graduation, he will pursue graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon University鈥檚 Robotics Institute.

A full profile of Varghese is online. 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

Why did you choose to come to U海角社区?

I really admired the faculty interactions and courses taken during my time with U海角社区鈥檚 ExplorEC program in high school. Although I never toured U海角社区鈥檚 campus beforehand, I attended the 海角社区 All-State Music Festival conference in my senior year, where I fell in love with the campus atmosphere. 

Describe any research, internships or scholarly pursuits in which you have participated. How have they prepared you for future opportunities in your chosen field?

I鈥檝e interned at the U海角社区 Writing Center, developed a creative project as a McGillicuddy Humanities Center Undergraduate Fellow, explored museum practice and research as a McGillicuddy Zillman Art Museum Research Curatorial Fellow and learned editorial management as one of the co-editor-in-chiefs for Spire: The 海角社区 Journal of Conservation and Sustainability. Each of these opportunities has expanded not only my knowledge of literary and art history career paths but has provided me with a range of skills, from interpersonal communication to grant writing, which are applicable to so many other opportunities.

Have there been other students who supported and inspired you or exposed you to something new? 

The small cohort communities I found in my creative writing and art courses provided collaborative feedback and immense project inspiration, which has influenced the kind of interdisciplinary explorations I鈥檝e taken part in. There is always joy in sharing the art process with other students. I have also been inspired to pursue new skills, whether it be painting or cooking techniques, from my close friend and roommate, Sarina. 

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at U海角社区 better, and if so, how?

Dr. Justin Wolff has truly gone above and beyond, not only by advising my Honors thesis but also by helping with editing my papers for presentation and supporting me in my post-graduation goals. Likewise, Dr. Hollie Adams was a wonderful mentor throughout my McGillicuddy Fellowship, encouraging me to intersect my creative exploration with my research interests. I could name so many other passionate, knowledgeable professors who listened, inspired and supported me throughout my time here. Thank you!

What has coming to U海角社区 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

While still related to academic courses, my time learning various art mediums and processes has enabled me to explore so many different interests I wouldn鈥檛 have had the space, time or resources to explore otherwise. For instance, in ART 180 I鈥檝e recently learned that I love the film photography process, an interest I hope to continue beyond graduation. Similarly, being a part of creative writing cohorts and the Storied Club has often inspired me to work on my writing projects beyond the bounds of a classroom or assignment.

What experiences have you had at U海角社区 that really highlight the ingenuity of 海角社区rs?

As a Writing Center tutor and editor for on-campus journals, I have had the privilege of witnessing creativity, effort and determination through interactions with cross-disciplinary writers, artists and researchers. While I鈥檝e seen their innovative final works, I鈥檓 always incredibly humbled by how passionate our students are to put in the time and effort to pursue what interests them and what positively impacts our greater community. 

Did you have an experience at U海角社区 that shaped or changed how you see the world?

In Spring 2023, I attended the U海角社区 Singers tour to Italy. While not necessarily an experience at U海角社区鈥檚 campus, I truly felt like my effort, time and passions could lead to opportunities beyond the bounds of my expectations. I also learned that while traveling to new places can be intimidating, you can always find reassurance and encouragement from the community and the connections you make.

Describe U海角社区 in one word and explain. 

Connection. 

My time at U海角社区 would not have been nearly as impactful or positive without wonderful friends, caring faculty and the cross-disciplinary explorations that are widely embraced. 

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate? 

I hope to pursue a post-baccalaureate internship related to literature or the arts, and I aim to apply to graduate programs in art history this fall. My ultimate goal is to pursue a PhD in contemporary art history to become a college professor. 

Contact: Allen Adams, allen.adams@maine.edu

The talk “Reflections on the State of the World and America’s Role” will feature William M. Bellamy, former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya; Anne Hall, former ambassador to Lithuania; and Pamela A. White, former ambassador to Haiti and The Gambia. They will share their perspectives on current global affairs and the future of public service.听
The conference is hosted by U海角社区’s School of Policy and International Affairs, and include talks on the school’s impact in 海角社区 and beyond.听SPIA alumni work across five continents in nonprofits, United Nations agencies, the private sector and the U.S. government.听

Registration is available听.

Ron Lisnet and Julie Arnold Lisnet鈥檚 now 43-year love affair with each other, and the University of 海角社区, did not begin with a thunderbolt from heaven back in 1982, when they met inside the Cyrus Pavilion Theatre. In fact, it started with a snide comment. 

鈥淚 was sitting there with a friend, being a snotty senior,鈥� Julie said, remembering the day she first laid eyes on her future husband, 鈥渁nd Ron walks in, and I said, 鈥榃ho is that geek?鈥欌�� 

They were both there auditioning for a play. Ron was also in the middle of a fraternity beard-growing contest. It wasn鈥檛 going well. 

鈥淵eah, I was not winning,鈥� Ron 鈥�83 said. 

鈥淭here was a little patch here and a little patch there,鈥� Julie 鈥�82, 鈥�85G, said. 

But Julie鈥檚 original assessment changed after Ron shaved and applied his stage makeup for the show, in which he played a fishnet shirt-wearing brothel owner. 

鈥淚 thought he had beautiful eyes,鈥� Julie said, 鈥淚 thought, 鈥榟e鈥檚 actually a very handsome guy.鈥欌�� 

A few months and dates later, they were inseparable. The two married July 14, 1984. 

鈥淚 think we鈥檙e the only Bear Pair to have met inside the Cyrus Pavilion Theatre,鈥� Julie said. Bear Pairs are what U海角社区 calls alumni couples, many of whom met as students on campus. 

And Ron and Julie are more than just a Bear Pair. Ron started working at the university 33 years ago, in 1993. Julie began teaching in the School for Performing Arts in 2002. Their daughter, Natalie Lisnet 鈥�21, also works at U海角社区 at the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. 

鈥淏etween us and our daughter, we have four [U海角社区] degrees and a teaching certificate,鈥� Julie said. 鈥淚 don’t think we could get much more involved.鈥� 

The whole family reunited inside the Cyrus Pavilion Theatre in January when Natalie directed both her parents in a production of 鈥淧ride and Prejudice鈥� produced by the Ten Bucks Theatre Company, which Julie co-founded 25 years ago. 

Originally constructed in 1908, the Pavilion Theatre used to be a livestock judging arena. Julie said she remembers it housing sheep when she first lived on campus. At the end of the 1970s, it was converted into a theater. 

鈥淲hen the theater department acquired it, I spent some time ripping out sheep mangers and shoveling lots of sheep poop,鈥� Julie said. Now, both she and Ron are getting involved in the fundraising effort for another refurbishment. 

Growing up in Milbridge, 海角社区, Julie always knew she wanted to study theater. She applied to both the University of 海角社区 and the University of Southern 海角社区 and chose the one closest to home. After earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in Orono in 1982, she continued on and earned a Master of Arts in Theatre in 1985. She now teaches in the same department. 

鈥淚 teach fundamentals of acting,鈥� Julie said. 鈥淥ccasionally, I teach a survey of dramatic literature, which means we read a lot of plays and talk about them. This year, for the first time, I’m also teaching in the Honors College. I鈥檝e basically taken my acting class and turned it into a class focused on acting for Shakespeare.鈥� 

Over the years, in addition to working at U海角社区, Julie has put her acting and directing talents to work at the Penobscot Theatre, 海角社区 Theatre, Theatre of the Enchanted Forest, The Assembled Players, Marsh Island Stage, 海角社区 Shakespeare Festival, Northern Lights Theatre, The Grand in Ellsworth and True North Theatre. 

In fall 2023 Julie directed 鈥淐rimes of the Heart鈥� for Penobscot Theatre鈥檚 50th season opener. In 2025, she directed 鈥淢atinicus: A Lighthouse Play鈥� for the same company. The play told the story of real-life 海角社区r Abigail Burgess鈥� heroic exploits keeping her father鈥檚 lighthouse burning on a desolate rock, miles out to sea. 

In 1995, Julie appeared in a two-part network television miniseries based on a Stephen King short story called 鈥淭he Langoliers.鈥� She played the part of Aunt Vicki, who gets erased by a mysterious force. 

鈥淥nly her fillings and her glasses were found on the airplane when everybody that fell asleep disappeared, I think.鈥� Julie said, struggling to remember the details. 鈥淢y mother was very excited about it. I had 17 speaking lines, though that was cut down to just two in the final edit. My mother was very upset.鈥� 

Ron was also in the film, sort of. 鈥淭hey had me put on this airline captain鈥檚 hat and drive around in the background,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e get a residual check for it every once in a while, for DVD rentals in Thailand, or something.鈥� 

After growing up in Connecticut, Ron arrived at U海角社区 to study forestry. He only auditioned for the play where he met Julie because a professor invited him. After graduating in 1983, Ron went to work for Bangor鈥檚 ABC television affiliate, WVII, where he eventually became sports director. After nine years, Ron brought his media production skills to the university. He鈥檚 now manager of visual media, overseeing all aspects of visual media for U海角社区, including photography and video production, as well as the university鈥檚 photo and video database and archives.

Ron has also been the play-by-play voice of U海角社区 Men鈥檚 Basketball broadcasts for more than 30 years. He hosts the university鈥檚 鈥淭he 海角社区 Question鈥� podcasts, which he created in 2019, as well. The podcast explores how U海角社区 students and researchers make sense of, and learn about, the world around them. Recent topics include 鈥淐an Zebrafish improve human health?鈥� and 鈥淲hat is the future for manufacturing in 海角社区?鈥� 

In 2025, the podcast won the Council for Advancement and Support of Education鈥檚 Circle of Excellence bronze level award, with judges saying, 鈥淲ith its punchy, distinctive title, this zero-budget podcast has impressive engagement metrics and demonstrates how thoughtful, location-based audio storytelling can translate complex academic work into accessible content that connects with local and national audiences alike.鈥� 

In addition to all their work at U海角社区, Ron and Julie have always found time to perform in plays together. 

鈥淲e鈥檝e probably played husband and wife 15 or 20 times,鈥� Ron said. 鈥淚鈥檝e lost count of how many times we鈥檝e been in shows together.鈥� 

Though they can鈥檛 remember the exact number, each agrees it’s in the dozens. For the past quarter century, the pair has appeared in an outdoor Shakespeare show put on by the Ten Bucks Theatre Company at Indian Trail Park in Brewer every summer. In 2010 Ten Bucks added Fort Knox in Prospect as a second regular Shakespeare venue. 

鈥淛ust about every anniversary we’ve had has usually been standing out in the field, getting bitten by bugs, rehearsing a show,鈥� Ron said. 

One of their favorite shows they鈥檝e performed together was the bickering couple in 鈥淲ho鈥檚 Afraid of Virginia Woolf.鈥� They said it was fun because they鈥檇 never speak that way to each other in real life. 

鈥淚 got to say, 鈥榊ou make me puke,鈥欌�� Julie said. 

鈥淭hat was a good one,鈥� Ron said. 

Now, more than 40 years have passed since the couple first met at the Cyrus Pavilion Theatre. Julie no longer thinks Ron is a geek and his now-gray beard has come in nicely 鈥� and they have no plans to leave the theater life behind. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 enervating,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heater is energizing. It goes through a cycle. You get to the week before opening 鈥� we call it hell week 鈥� and you don’t think you’re going to get through it. Then you get to the play, and it’s just magic. It鈥檚 like getting high without drugs.鈥� 

Ron sometimes thinks about it in sports terms. 

鈥淭he similarities are quite striking. There’s a team chemistry kind of thing in both endeavors,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here’s nothing quite as cool as when you’re telling a good story, and it’s being told well, and either the place bursts into laughter or you can hear a pin drop. It鈥檚 a very inviting, alluring, intoxicating kind of feeling.鈥� 

Julie said she can鈥檛 even imagine her life without Ron or theater, both at U海角社区 and off campus. 

鈥淚鈥檝e never made a ton of money but it’s made me outrageously happy,鈥� she said. 

Story by Troy R. Bennett 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

In his lecture, Tomah will discuss the hidden legacy of a 1493 Papal bull that is the basis of all European claims to Indigenous land in North America. He will explore the influence of language on land dispossession, and highlight the resurgence of  Passamaquoddy-Wolastoqey language language. A full lunch of salad, sandwiches, and sides will be free for those who attend.

Tomah is a teacher of the Passamaquoddy language and culture. He is the youngest fluent speaker of the tribe and has served on the Tribal Council. Tomah has dedicated his life to working on language and cultural preservation and shares Native legends through song and dance. He has created a Passamaquoddy Language app compatible with Apple Inc. products, edited the Passamaquoddy dictionary and is currently working with the Library of Congress to translate the Passamaquoddy Wax Cylinders. The wax cylinder recordings are the first recordings in the world of Native languages.