The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host its Annual Job & Career Fair in the Campus Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17. Thirty businesses and governmental agencies from the region and across the state are expected to participate in the event.

“The Job & Career Fair provides a unique opportunity for our students and the public to network with employers, discover opportunities, and to gain professional employment,” Barbara DeVaney, Director of Career Services, said.

Educational partners at the Houlton Higher Education Center are joining together on Tuesday, March 2 to present a “Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!” event for area preschoolers, elementary-age students and community members.

This year’s event – a collaboration between UMPI, the Houlton/Hodgdon SAD 29/70 Adult Education program, and NMCC – is being held throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The event is part of the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day, which calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of Theodore Geisel, the beloved children’s author also known as Dr. Seuss.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is pleased to present Judy Wicks – the founder of the White Dog Café in Philadelphia, the co-founder of the nationwide Business Alliance for Local Living Economies and the founder of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia – as its next Distinguished Lecturer.

Wicks will deliver her talk Local Living Economies: Green, Fair and Fun on Wednesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. in the UMPI Campus Center. Responding to the challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and the global financial crisis, Wicks will discuss the growing localization movement that is transitioning from an economy dominated by multinationals and long distance shipping to local living economies that produce basic needs at home while working in harmony with nature.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will be offering two courses this spring starting on Wednesday, March 24 as part of its American Management Association’s certificate programs. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, March 17.

These spring courses, part of a multi-course curriculum leading to Certificates in Management and Human Resources Management, are specifically created to meet the unique needs of working professionals who want to be more effective in their current positions and better prepared for future advancement, according to Keith Madore, campus AMA coordinator.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will present the exhibition The Art of Tim Finnemore from March 7 through April 9, providing an up-close look at the paintings and drawings of the northern Maine-based artist.

Tim Finnemore (1951-2001) was born and raised in Aroostook County, growing up on a potato farm in Limestone, Maine. His love of art came early – he drew since childhood – and stayed with him throughout his life. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Art from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 1973.

Momentum Aroostook, MMG Insurance and the University of Maine at Presque Isle are teaming up for the third year in a row to provide the area’s young professionals with a one-of-a-kind leadership development opportunity.

The three entities will host the Young Professionals Institute, a professional development short course designed specifically for emerging leaders looking to hone their professional skills. The program will be offered at the University during eight afternoon sessions between March and April. The Wednesday sessions will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 and April 7, 14 and 21 in the Alumni Room, located on the second floor of the Campus Center.

The Northern Maine Museum of Science and Aroostook C.A.N.C.E.R. will be taking a stand against some of the worst things that fate hands out – bitter, cold weather; loss of hair; and Cancer – when it hosts the Fourth Annual Planet Head Day on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Gentile Hall, and everyone is invited to attend.

Since 2007, Planet Head Day has been held to increase awareness of NASA’s mission to Pluto and to serve as a fundraiser for the local organization C.A.N.C.E.R [Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery]. Each year, participants from Maine and Canada have donned theatrical bald caps or had their hair shaved off, and then had their heads painted to look like planets, moons, asteroids and comets.

Criminal Justice students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle will take on members of the area’s police departments during the 5th Annual CJ Students vs. Law Enforcement Basketball Game.

The competition begins on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in Wieden Gymnasium.

With winter in full gear and warmer weather in the future, the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Outdoor Adventure Program International (OAPI) is offering a series of spring adventures for campus and community members to enjoy, including a winter mountain climb, cross country and alpine skiing, snowshoeing and rock climbing.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Faculty Noon Seminar Series returns for the Spring 2010 semester with presentations on First Nations students, student-led teaching models, the challenges ahead for higher education, and the connection between capitalism and zombies.

Seminars will be held on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Normal Hall Faculty Lounge. Presentations will be 20-30 minutes in length, followed by a discussion. Those attending are welcome to bring their lunches and join in the discussion.