From bullying and service learning in Tanzania to ADHD and demystifying sports myths, students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle will showcase their academic research, scholarly work and community service on Wednesday, April 11, during University Day. The theme of this year’s event is UMPI = Global Connections.
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 annual campus 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 100 students will offer 28 talks and presentations, covering areas of study as wide ranging as athletic training, criminal justice, social work, education, special education, business, biology and literature. Many of the presentations address the connections between learning and the community.
In addition, the International Students Club will host its Culturefest 2012 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Pullen 210. The event will include a display of artifacts from a variety of countries and international snacks. Members of the club will deliver presentations on Israel at 9:30 a.m., Nepal at 10:40 a.m., and China at 1:40 p.m. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., there also will be a Student Clubs and Organizations Fair. Campus groups will have displays on the second floor of Folsom and Pullen Halls.
Two new additions to this year’s University Day activities are a poster session in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Campus Center, and an Aroostook Right to Read “Stop, Drop, and Read” event being hosted by the Student Senate in Room 118 of the Campus Center. The poster session will feature more than a dozen posters by UMPI students, showcasing the research they have done in history, environmental studies, biology, business, accounting, geographic information systems, and psychology. Students will be present from 8:15-9:15 a.m. to discuss their posters and answer questions. The posters will remain on display throughout the day for public viewing.
To add to the community spirit of the day, the University will open its doors to the public. The University Day committee has invited students from local high schools, and community members are welcome to attend all sessions.
During lunch, Alana Margeson will be presented with the Distinguished Recent Alumni Award. Margeson, a member of UMPI’s Class of 2000, graduated from the University with two bachelor’s degrees – in Elementary Education and Secondary Education. Margeson is a Caribou High School English teacher who was named Maine’s 2012 Teacher of the Year during a surprise school assembly last September. She is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the National Council for Teachers of English. Margeson is a Caribou High School graduate. She also earned her master’s degree in education administration from St. Joseph’s College in Standish.
In the evening, the University’s Distinguished Lecturer Series will feature Dr. Gary Marx, Founder and President of the Virginia-based Center for Public Outreach, who has spoken in all 50 states and on six continents, constantly urging education institutions, other organizations, and individuals to stay ahead of the curve as they think and plan for the future and prepare tomorrow’s leaders. Dr. Marx will speak at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center on Emerging and Persistent Trends That Will Profoundly Impact Education and Our Future. His talk is free and open to the public.
A complete schedule of University Day activities can be found at www.umpi.edu/uday.
