The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will present the exhibition Frank Sullivan’s Maine from January 17 through February 19, bringing to campus the oil paintings and pastel drawings of the artist, who hails from Massachusetts and now resides in Aroostook County. The public is invited to attend the exhibition’s reception with the artist, to be held on Friday, Feb. 3, from 5-7 p.m. The reception is being held in conjunction with the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee [SAAC] worked to make the holiday season a little brighter for many local children by hosting a Toys 4 Girls and Boys toy drive. The group was able to collect more than 150 toys for area youth.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will welcome five respected basket-makers from Native tribes throughout the region when Project Compass hosts the panel presentation The Evolution of Basket-Making: From Function to Art on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. in the Campus Center.

Fit and Fun Day returns for its 14th semi-annual event designed to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles for local children. This fall’s Fit and Fun Day will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 in Gentile Hall. Registration will begin at 9 a.m.; admission is free. UMPI Physical Education students will facilitate the activities and provide instruction throughout the day. The University’s Athletic Training staff and students will be on site as first aid responders.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will present Logging in the Maine Woods Today, a photographic exhibition on tour from the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts [MMPA], from Nov. 4 through Dec. 17. An opening reception will be held at the gallery on Friday, Nov. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend this event, which is being held in conjunction with the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will welcome Bob Crowley – the South Portland native and retired high school physics teacher who won the 17th season of the hit reality show Survivor – as the next speaker in its 2011-2012 University Distinguished Lecturer Series.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle celebrated the completion of its $2.3 million renovation project at Pullen Hall – which included the installation of solar panels on the roof, a biomass boiler in the basement, and many updates and energy efficiencies in between – with an official Rededication Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting at Noon on Thursday, Oct. 27 in the Pullen Art Gallery.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Faculty Noon Seminar Series returns for the Fall 2011 semester with presentations on everything from climate change in Central Asia and the Chinese public education system to research on branchiobdellidans and slave hiring in Antebellum Virginia.

Seminars generally will be held on the final Thursday of every month from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Normal Hall Faculty Lounge, unless otherwise noted. Presentations will be 20-30 minutes in length with a discussion period to follow. Faculty, students, staff and community members attending are welcome to bring their lunches and join in the discussion.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will hold its annual fall blood drive on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from Noon to 6 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room. Members of the campus and community are invited and encouraged to participate.

The blood drive is sponsored by the University’s Residence Life Office, the Brothers of Kappa Delta Phi and the Sisters of Kappa Delta Phi NAS. Walk-ins are welcome and door prizes will be given away during the drive. If donors wish to reserve a time in advance, they should call 768-9585 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Phi Eta Sigma recently held a ceremony to induct its newest members. Nineteen students received certificates signifying their achievement.