From molecular biology and backcountry evacuations to hosting a medieval faire and performing a Greek tragedy, students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle will be showcasing their academic research, scholarly work and community service on Wednesday, April 14 during the 9th Annual University Day. The theme of this year’s event is Winds of Change: Propelling Progress and Sustainability.

University Day is an event that heightens students’ awareness of the work being done by peers in all of the disciplines represented on campus. The event allows students to better understand how disciplines interrelate and how the academic work they do applies to the local and global community.

It is also an opportunity for students to experience a professional conference format. No regular classes are held during University Day, but in their stead, students are encouraged to attend student-led presentations and talks held during five sessions throughout the day.More than 200 students will offer more than 30 talks and presentations, covering areas of study as wide ranging as recreation, criminal justice, social work, education, psychology, mathematics, history, biology, literature, foreign language, and political science.

Many of the presentations address the event’s theme of the connections between learning and the community. The International Students Club also will host its Culturefest 2010 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Pullen 210, offering presentations on the theme A Peek at our Global Communities. Throughout the day, there will also be poster sessions and displays from student clubs and organizations in Pullen and Folsom Halls. As a special presentation from 3:30-5 p.m., students will perform Antigone by Sophocles in Wieden Auditorium.

To add to the community spirit of the day, the University will open its doors to the public. The University Day committee has invited honors students from local high schools and community members are welcome to attend all sessions.

During lunch, Craig Cormier will be presented with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Cormier graduated from the University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in History and a minor in Management Information Systems. Cormier now is a successful local entrepreneur and the owner of design firm c3 creative. He also serves as the editor-in-chief of Our Maine Street magazine and as a community outreach coordinator and project assistant with the Power of Prevention Program, part of Aroostook’s Northern Region Healthy Maine Partnership.

Also during the day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Project Compass Ceramics Show will be open for viewing at 450 Main St., located near the Northeastland Hotel. This show features the work of several ceramics students who created clay vessels that depict Native American cultures and stories.

In the evening, the University’s Distinguished Lecturer Series will present Distinguished Lecturer Frank Schaeffer, a New York Times best-selling author whose most recent book is Patience with God: Faith for People Who Don’t Like Religion (Or Atheism). Schaeffer will speak at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center on Social Action and Religion: Hopeful Uncertainty in a Fundamentalist World, discussing his evangelical past and the lessons he has learned over the years about social action. His talk is free and open to the public.

More information about University Day can be found at www.umpi.edu/uday.