The University of Maine at Presque Isle is pleased to present Dr. Richard Keeling, a nationally recognized expert on transformative change for higher education, as the next speaker in its 2012-2013 Distinguished Lecturer Series. Dr. Keeling will deliver his talk The Future of College: Rethinking American Higher Education, which also serves as the keynote for UMPI’s 12th Annual University Day, on Tuesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. His presentation is free and open to the public.

University of Maine System Chancellor James Page will speak on The University of Maine System: Challenges & Opportunities during the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming business breakfast, to be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 11 in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Campus Center.

As he completes his first year as Chancellor, Dr. Page will share his perspective on Maine’s seven public universities and how they are working with our state’s businesses to drive economic development. He will also provide an update on several strategic initiatives underway during the past year at the System.

A Boston University professor who will be in Aroostook County concerning research on plant flowering and bird arrival times will pay a special visit to the University of Maine at Presque Isle to deliver a talk on climate change and how it impacts the flora and fauna Henry David Thoreau observed in his writings.

Dr. Richard B. Primack, Professor of Biology at Boston University, will speak on The effects of climate change on the plants and birds of Thoreau’s Concord on Thursday, March 28, from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. in Folsom 201 (UMPI’s GIS Lab). The public is invited to attend this free presentation.

With warmer weather right around the corner, several local organizations are in the process of planning two summer triathlons, one for adults and the other for youth.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is partnering with several community organizations and businesses—including the Wintergreen Arts Center, the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library, The Aroostook Medical Center, The Whole Potato Café and Commons, and Star City Coffee—to host its biggest celebration to date in honor of Brain Awareness Week [BAW].

There are four main components to the region’s Third Annual Brain Awareness Week festivities: a Brain Art Contest with community judging (that took place on March 1) and an award ceremony on Tuesday, March 19; a Wii Challenge on Saturday, March 16; a Ceramic Brain Painting Night on Wednesday, March 27; and a Movie Night on Friday, March 22.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host its 2nd Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta on Saturday, April 20 at 4 p.m. in the Gentile Hall pool area, and this year community members are invited to join UMPI students, faculty and staff in competing for first place and bragging rights. The public also is invited to watch, cheer on the participants, and vote for their favorite boat.

Community voting will take place the day of the race from 1-4 p.m. in the Gentile Hall gym. As a special treat, the public is welcome to take part in UMPI’s Beach Bash, which will be going on in the gym from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Enjoy a 65-foot-long inflatable obstacle course, mechanical surfboard, opportunity to make a wax hand, smoothies, and more.

University of Maine at Presque Isle History Professor John Zaborney has shed new light on slave labor in the antebellum South in his newly published book and the University will celebrate with a reading and book signing event with the author on Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. The public is invited to attend this special event, which will include a reception featuring light refreshments, and wine available through a cash bar.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will be holding a bone marrow drive on Tuesday, March 12, at 11 a.m. in the Campus Center’s Allagash Room. This event is open to members of the public who are at least 18 years of age or older. Organizers hope to have at least 50 new donors register during the course of this event.

The bone marrow drive, coordinated by the organization Delete Blood Cancer DKMS, is being held to help inform people about how bone marrow donation works and how it can help give people with blood cancer a chance at a long life, as well as to register people to become bone marrow donors.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will present a public forum on Mineral Deposits, Mining, Mine Water Treatment, and Environmental Concerns from 8:30 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, March 23, in the Campus Center. This event is free and open to the public.

The forum will provide a first-of-its-kind opportunity for residents of Northern Maine and students of the University to hear from a panel of high-profile speakers who are experts in the fields concerning issues of mining metallic minerals.

A University of Maine at Presque Isle program that serves local residents over 50 and believes in “learning for life” will host its spring kick-off event at 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 15 in the Campus Center. This year’s event will include special presentations by Maine Senior College Poet Laureate Dr. Alice Bolstridge as well as Daisy the therapy dog and her “person” Dr. Bonnie Wood.