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March 11, 2026

Good Returns: Upward Bound alum and director Rusty Brown..

Good Returns: Upward Bound alum and director Rusty Brown gives back to transformative program By Casey Kelly ’19G, ’25 CGS In the early 1990s as a student at Belfast Area High School, Rusty Brown ’98, ’01G admits that he was “floundering” somewhat on his educational journey. At a particularly low moment, coming off a three-day…

March 11, 2026

Merely Players

UMaine’s Original On-stage Bear Pair by Troy R. Bennett Ron Lisnet and Julie Arnold Lisnet’s now 43-year love affair with each other, and the University of Maine, 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.  “I…

February 17, 2026

Black Bears on the World Stage | 2026 Winter Olympics

The University of Maine is proudly represented at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with seven Black Bear alumni competing on the world’s biggest stage. From the ice to the bobsled, these former UMaine student-athletes are representing their countries and their alma mater in Milan-Cortina 2026. Ice Hockey Jeremy Swayman ’20 – Team USA Eduards Tralmaks ’19…

February 16, 2026

Black History Month | UMaine Alumni Spotlight

This Black History Month, we’re honoring two trailblazing University of Maine alumni whose legacies reflect leadership, service, and lasting impact, both on campus and beyond. Jim Varner ’57, was one of UMaine’s first Black student-athletes, competing in football and track & field. He later returned to UMaine as Assistant Director of Admissions for Minority Recruitment…

August 19, 2025

Robert Dana’s Legacy of Kindness, Caring, and Compassion

by John Ripley ’90 Robert Dana’s ’80 curriculum vitae is impressive enough — it boasts a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt — but his true legacy is etched not on parchment but in smiles, high-fives, hugs, tough-love advice, and shoulders for crying. And laughing. Lots of laughing. You cannot look at an image of Robert Dana without…

August 19, 2025

UMaine Alumni Association 150th Alumni Spotlight

On August 5, 1875, six recent alums (they were all recent alums back then!) met to form what is known today as the University of Maine Alumni Association. Of course, this month marks 150 years since that meeting, so it seems most appropriate to turn our alumni spotlight this month onto the six alums who…

August 11, 2025

The College of Our Hearts Always

The University of Maine’s Athletic Department is in the beginning stages of an unprecedented investment in upgrades to athletic facilities. An addition to the Alfond hockey arena, new soccer and track facilities, new field hockey complex, a new softball field, and a new basketball arena are all included in the expansion that will give UMaine…

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July 10, 2025

UMaine Alumni Association Elects Officers & Directors | 2025

  Nate Wildes ’12 of West Bath, ME, has been elected chair of the Board of Directors of the University of Maine Alumni Association. The board held its election of officers and directors at the Association’s annual meeting on June 13 in Portland. Wildes is managing partner of Flight Deck Brewing in Brunswick and also…

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May 14, 2025

Alumni Spotlight: Mildred “Brownie” Schrumpf ’25

In 1925, Mildred “Brownie” Schrumpf graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Home Economics, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree. A century later, as we look back on 150 years of UMaine Alumni greatness, we reflect on the enduring impact of a woman whose passion for Maine’s…

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May 13, 2025

Alumni Association Welcomes 2025 Grads

On Saturday, May 10, grads were invited to campus for a “Hearty Maine Farewell,” a new program started by UMaine Student Life this year. The campus was open for graduates and their guests to revisit favorite spots before graduation, shop at the UMaine Bookstore, and enjoy local eats at a food truck hub. Photographers were…

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May 8, 2025

2025 Maine Day of Service Recap

In 1935, Maine Day began as a campus cleanup, later evolving into a celebration; in fall of 2024, it transitioned to Spirit Week, a full week of beautification, service, and school spirit events. April 30, 2025 was reserved for Maine Day of Service this year, and it did not disappoint. From beautification projects to a…

April 16, 2025

Sandy Matters

Sandra Caron helped thousands of college students better understand sexuality and family relationships By Casey Kelly ’19G WHEN SANDRA CARON ’79, ’82G arrived on the University of Maine campus as an undergraduate student in 1975, it was the height of the sexual revolution. Landmark events like the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision and…