Over 100 Alums gather at the UMPI MAHPERD for Reception

On November 3rd UMPI hosted their annual reception during the MAHPERD (Maine Association of Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance) at the Samoset in Rockport, Maine. (see group picture).

We are proud to acknowledge alums that were recognized at the conference

KATHERINE WILBUR '73 and '80 (see picture)
Highest Praise award

They crossed paths on UMPI's soccer field in the fall of 2001, and for Jamie and Steph, the rest is history...

Both originally from The County, Jamie Brewer '05 was born and raised in Presque Isle, and Stephanie Gagnon ‘03 is a native of Madawaska. Together, they've gone from being stellar student athletes to being a pair of UMPI Alum success stories.

During their time at UMPI, the two were very active in sports, academics and even the cultural arts. Jamie played for four years on the Men's Soccer team and was named Captain twice. He also was honored as an athlete with the Soccer Rookie of the Year Award in 2001 and the Sunrise All-Conference Award in 2003. In 2004, he received the Al Arman Make a Difference Award and was named the Most Valuable Player in Men's Soccer. Jamie also was a member of the UMPI Hockey Club and was the Head Hockey Coach for Presque Isle High School. Aside from being a good student and stellar athlete, Jamie also received the Outstanding Student Worker award in 2004. And, as if that wasn't enough, Jamie also performed locally, singing and playing guitar to quite a following.

Steph was also an outstanding student and athlete. She played soccer from 1999-2002, basketball in 1999, and softball from 2000- 2003. Her athletic abilities were strong and her awards acknowledge that. In 2000, she was named to the All-Conference Softball Team and in 2002 she received the Al Arman Make a Difference Award. Also in 2002, she was honored with the Softball Most Inspirational Player Award. However, it was in 2003 that Steph went beyond ‘north of ordinary," receiving four major honors: she was named to 2nd Team NAIA All-Region Soccer, 2nd Team All-Conference Soccer, again named Softball Most Inspirational Player, and was honored that year as UMPI Female Athlete of the Year.

Steph also tutored and took her studies seriously, making the Dean's List in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Upon graduating from UMPI in 2003 with her B.S. in Fitness and Wellness-Non-Teaching Degree, she worked with physically and mentally challenged adults in a group home. She coached the Easton girls' varsity soccer and basketball teams and Fort Fairfield Middle School girls' softball team. She even taught aerobics at UMPI.

Jamie completed his degree in 2005, receiving his B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Business. In July of that year, Jamie and Steph relocated to East Stroudsburg, Penn., where Steph was accepted to participate in East Stroudsburg University's masters program in Clinical Exercise Physiology. While there, Jamie soon was hired in an entry position at American General Financial. Steph immersed herself in her program, participating as secretary of the Clinical Exercise Physiology Club and as Student Associate Athletic Director. In 2006, she was bitten by the "running bug" and, inspired by her professor, she completed the Pocono Mountain Run for the Red Marathon that May and, four months later, she completed the Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Half-Marathon Distance Run. In June 2007, she graduated with honors and at the top of her program, receiving her M.S. in Clinical Physiology.

That fall, Jamie was promoted and, with Steph, relocated to Manchester, N.H. Jamie was growing in his position as a financial consultant and Steph was soon employed as an Exercise Physiologist in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at Caritas Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, Mass.

Today, Jamie and Steph are again achieving success. Jamie has been promoted as Branch Manager of the American General Finance office in Portsmouth, N.H. and he and Steph have relocated there. Steph has decided to continue her education and has already begun course work to become a Physician Assistant.

Seven years after their fateful meeting on UMPI's soccer field, Jamie and Steph were wed on August 30th in Madawaska.

They hope someday soon to return to Maine and to "The County".