Recent News

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March 19, 2020

A Message to Alumni and Friends

How COVID-19 is Affecting Our Work on Your Behalf Updated June 1, 2020 We hope you and your loved ones are healthy and managing as well as possible during these stressful times. Our Association’s staff continue to work remotely in keeping with recommended physical distancing practices. However, we’re maintaining regular work hours and are fully…

March 13, 2020

Chappelle ’62 Receives Black Bear Award

Skip Chappelle ’62 was honored with the Black Bear Award on February 29 during the UMaine vs. University of Maryland Baltimore County men’s basketball game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Chappelle, who is considered one of the best men’s basketball players in UMaine’s history, coached and mentored many Black Bears and garnered respect…

March 13, 2020

Black Bear Road Trip Visits Arizona

The Black Bear Road Trip included two events in Arizona in February. Gatherings in Tucson and Phoenix brought UMaine alumni together for socializing, a meal, and learning about the latest news from Orono.

March 13, 2020

UMaine Alumni Gather for Polo Match

About 70 alumni and friends living in central Florida gathered on March 8th for a polo match and catered luncheon at The Villages Polo Club. For most attendees, it was their first exposure to the sport. The venue was suggested by Dave Ferris ’60, ’76G, who helps organize the Alumni Association’s annual gathering in the region.

March 13, 2020

University of Maine Foundation Hires Leader for Falmouth Office

Joyce Swearingen Kennedy ’80 has joined the University of Maine Foundation as Senior Director of Southern Maine Operations. She is based in the Foundation’s Falmouth office, and will work closely with UMaine Foundation colleagues to increase the UMaine donor base in Southern Maine and New England.   < Back to Summer 2020 MAINE Alumni Magazine

March 13, 2020

More Than 300 Attend Alumni Event at Sox Spring Training

More than 300 Black Bear alumni and guests gathered for the Alumni Association’s annual Red Sox Spring Training game and BBQ on March 5 in Fort Myers, FL. During a pre-game event attendees heard from UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Red Sox Executive Vice President Ron Bumgarner. John Reed ’79, ’91G, president/CEO of Maine Savings,…

March 13, 2020

Three Alumnae Honored with 2020 Maryann Hartman Awards

Three UMaine alumnae have been selected as recipients of the 2020 Maryann Hartman Awards. Left to right: Sharon Barker ’71, ‘87G, retired director of UMaine’s Women’s Resource Center; Maulian Dana ’06, Penobscot Nation Ambassador; and Kandyce Powell ’69, executive director of Maine Hospice Council are recipients of the awards, which recognize Maine women whose achievements in…

March 13, 2020

UMaine Seniors Make Headlines with “Coronamencement”

“In true UMaine fashion, we organized.” That’s how senior Hailey Bryant explained how she and members of UMaine’s Class of 2020 reacted to the sudden closure of on-campus classes and possible cancelation of May’s scheduled graduation ceremonies. The result was “Coronamencement,” a last-minute, ad hoc ceremony in Memorial Union at which hundreds of seniors gathered…

March 13, 2020

Student Alumni Ambassadors Work Alongside Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce

Several Student Alumni Ambassadors attended the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce’s (BRCC) “Business After Hours” this month. This after-hours event is designed for chamber members to meet and build relationships with business people from companies and organizations from a variety of industries in the region. Students were able to meet local business professionals, network, and…

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March 13, 2020

Here’s How UMaine is Responding to COVID-19

This creative diagram is circulating widely on social media. It offers Black Bears and friends a well-intentioned “how-to” for washing hands thoroughly and long enough to reduce the possibility of contracting COVID-19, a newly identified type of coronavirus.  COVID-19 has had a greatly disruptive impact on campus life in Orono and throughout the U.S. Most…

March 13, 2020

COVID-19 Precautions Force Cancellation of Awards Event

Given the uncertainty about the impact and length of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alumni Association has reluctantly canceled its 2020 Alumni Achievement Awards Dinner and Recognition Ceremony, which was scheduled for April 24th. Instead, a video tribute to our honorees is being produced and will be shared with alumni and friends through digital media in…

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February 11, 2020

Two Students Win Prestigious ‘M’ Club Dean Smith Awards

At the annual Scholar-Athlete Recognition Ceremony 289 student-athletes were honored for their academic success. The ‘M’ Club Dean Smith award, the most prestigious award presented annually to the top male and female student-athletes at UMaine, was presented to Cassandra Mascarenhas of the field hockey team and Mitch Fossier of the men’s ice hockey team.  Click…