It’s 2026, and you know what that means? We’re creeping right up on our 45th Reunion! Yikes! How did that happen? At press time, it’s still early in the planning process so stay tuned for more info as Homecoming 2026 draws closer.
And now, here’s some news with the overall theme being “retirement”!
Mike Roughton retired from the Manufacturers Association of Maine, where he served as executive director for the past three years. He was credited with boosting membership and giving the trade group a higher profile across the state.
Congrats to Dianne McLaughlin Tilton on her retirement from the Downeast Institute in Beals, after serving as executive director since 2015. Dianne had an impressive career that spanned more than 30 years with non-profits in Maine. She spent 13 years as founding executive director of the Sunrise County Economic Council in Machias. She also served in the Maine legislature from 2008-2012. She received many awards and recognitions for her service over the years.
Bill Fraser was honored with the Lifetime Distinguished Service Award from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns last fall. Bill retired after 30 years as city manager in Montpelier, and a stellar career in which he used his public management degree from UMaine! Congrats, Bill! He now enjoys being able to take off whenever he feels like it and met up with Heidi Albert Gilmore last summer for lunch in New Hampshire. Three hours later, they had caught up on the years that had passed and enjoyed many laughs, reminiscing about their days on campus. Heidi is now also retired from her 43-year career in high tech sales and marketing.
Kim Powell Ladue is the membership director at The Cardinal at North Hills, a Senior Living Community in Raleigh, NC. She writes that she is still close with classmate Heidi Sternberg Forte, and they visit often. Kim, Heidi, and Kim’s husband went to Europe together a year ago at Thanksgiving and enjoyed a Christmas market self-guided tour through Belgium and Germany. Heidi was a guest at Kim’s daughter’s wedding in 2024, and they visit each year on Martha’s Vineyard. Kim also saw Cindy Noyes Lamond for the first time in 40 years last spring when she and her husband were on their way to Florida. And she keeps in touch with Pam Foster ’80, whom she says is “living her best life” in Maine and North Carolina. She notes that all these gals were from her days on The Hill in Somerset Hall. Love those college friendships that last a lifetime!
My Facebook plea for news from those who had lived in Wells Complex while on campus came up a bit short. Kathy Littlefield Reynolds did send along a memory from her time as an RA in Hart Hall. She recalled that during the Iranian hostage crisis, Martha Muskie was a resident in Hart, and her father, Ed Muskie, became secretary of state. During a period when the Iranian situation escalated, the Secret Service were called in to make sure Martha was safe and they could be seen roaming the halls in the dorm near her room. I was also in Hart Hall at that time, just one floor up from all the action, and remember it well! Kathy also joined the ranks of the retired after working for Northern Light Health in Brewer for 17 years. She and her husband moved to Harpswell and are enjoying life on the coast, along with eight beautiful grandchildren! They are avid boaters and skiers, so they keep busy no matter what the season.
If you lived in Wells Complex, I’ll still accept your memories for the next issue! If you haven’t been on campus in years, you will see quite a few changes. Dunn and Corbett have been office buildings for some time now. Hannibal is closed. Wells is no longer a cafeteria. Upstairs is a catering and conference center, and the first floor is more like a food court with several options including Wells Central Pub — yes, you can drink beer in Wells now! Imagine that back in our day! I’ll leave you with one final memory. I recently found a 1978 Prism at an estate sale — a blast from the past as I thumbed through it! Among the many candid photos, there was a shot from above (from Oak Hall?) of two rows of scantily clad Hart Hall women greased up with baby oil and stretched out on beach towels in “the pig pen!” Ahh, those early spring days when the temps topped 70 and we donned our bathing suits to get a little color. I remember the drill well. I also remember the day the guys from Oak got into an upper floor room and filled trash cans with water…cold water…and let ‘er rip on the sun worshippers. Anyone else recall this? Today, we pay with visits to our dermatologists but, darn, we had some fun! I bought the yearbook for three bucks!
Before the start of hockey season in the fall, I was thrilled to attend the dedication of the renovated Alfond Arena and Shawn Walsh Hockey Center. Wow. Simply, wow. If you were a hockey fan back in the early days when we were on campus, or have become one since, you must come back and check out this building. One classmate, whom I am sure is pleased, is Jean Bingham. She was one of the “founding mothers” of the women’s hockey program, when they first skated as a club sport. They rolled out at 5:30 a.m. for ice time to practice, bought their own equipment, and drove themselves to games, and were coached by two volunteer Beta brothers. Times sure have changed, and the women’s offices and locker rooms are now on par with the men’s — and they are stunning. From the minute you walk in the door, the facility is just incredible and the atmosphere at the early games this season has been electric — just like the old days! It’s an exciting time for Maine Athletics with all the facility upgrades, thanks to The Alfond Foundation’s amazing gifts. I hope you can catch a game this season!
Finally, I enjoyed lending a hand to help celebrate the UMaine Alumni Association’s 150th anniversary last fall. It was a gathering of many alums who have all given greatly of their time and talents to carry on the association’s mission over the years. I especially loved seeing Nancy Morse Dysart ’60, who wore her 80 plus years well! Many of you may remember her from her days working at the Alumni Association and advising the Student Alumni Association. As we head into the retirement years, we should take a page out of her book and remain active — including dedicating some time to our beloved alma mater!