The University of Maine at Presque Isle was recently recognized by the Maine Tobacco-Free College Network with seven stars as part of its Gold Star Standards of Excellence Recognition Program.

The Maine Tobacco-Free College Network, which is leading Maine’s efforts to strengthen campus tobacco policies and reduce tobacco use on college campuses, held a celebration in Bangor last month to highlight the efforts of its 2011 award winners to create tobacco-free environments and promote tobacco-free lifestyles. Linda Mastro, Director of UMPI’s Health Center, accepted the award on behalf of the University.

UMPI was among a short list of 8 universities across the state to be recognized as 2011 award winners. Other campuses included the University of Maine in Orono, Kennebec Valley Community College, University of Maine Hutchinson Center, Unity College, Northern Maine Community College, University of Maine at Machias, and the University of New England. Three people were recognized as 2011 Individual Gold Star Honorees. They were: John Delile, Bethany Fortier, and Barbara Larsson.

According to its website, the Maine Tobacco-Free College Network is dedicated to providing Maine post-secondary learning institutions with the information and resources needed to make campuses smoke- and/or tobacco-free. The network formed in February 2002 as an outgrowth of collaboration between the University of Southern Maine, Healthy Maine Partnerships, Communities Promoting Health, and Healthy Portland.

For more information about the Maine Tobacco-Free College Network, visit its website at www.mainetobaccofreecollegenetwork.org.