As I’ve watched my oldest go off to college this year, memories of friends and experiences at UMaine have come flooding back — meeting my first college friends on 4th floor Androscoggin, people watching in the quad, dining hall food (really, it was pretty good and I recall the peanut butter ice cream fondly), hockey weekends, Maine Day, and ooze ball. So many good memories. What were your favorites? Congrats to classmates with honors and milestones to celebrate.
Melissa Smith was honored with the Deborah Morton Award in June. This award from the University of New England recognizes distinguished Maine women who have made an exceptional impact through their careers and public service or leadership in civic, cultural, or social causes. Melissa has been the CEO of WEX since 2014 and chair since 2019. She was named one of PaymentSource’s Most Influential Women in Payments in 2014, 2019, and 2021. In 2021, Melissa was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from UMaine.
Some of us can only dream about the day we will retire, but Kathleen Ayers reached that occasion. After 30 years working in Kennebec County Probate Court, more than 25 as register of probate, she retired in June. She was appointed to the position by then-Governor Angus King in 1997 and won each re-election since then. Kathleen is looking forward to spending her time gardening, making jewelry, and visiting her adult children, who live in California and Seattle. Enjoy, Kathleen!
Wishing you all the best in 2024!
M-A-I-N-E, Gooo Blue!