September 2019

The University of Maine at Presque Isle was recently recognized by the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence’s Breath Easy Initiative. The campus received a Gold Award as part of its 2019 Gold Star Standards of Excellence (GSSE) recognition program, and Linda Mastro, the Director of the Health Center at UMPI and Northern Maine Community College, was named the recipient of a 2019 GSSE Individual Gold Star Award.

The MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence’s Breathe Easy Initiative held an awards ceremony this summer to recognize Maine organizations for implementing policies, procedures, and treatment strategies to prohibit tobacco use on campus and to support students and staff in being tobacco-free. UMPI was among a short list of eight universities across the state to meet all 10 Gold Star Standards. Other Gold Level recipients included Central Maine Community College, Northern Maine Community College, Saint Joseph’s College, University of Maine (Orono), University of New England, University of Southern Maine, and York County Community College.

Also during the event, Linda Mastro was honored with an Individual Gold Star Award for going “above and beyond” to champion and support the smoke and tobacco-free campus policy at both NMCC and UMPI. She was nominated by Dawn Roberts and Jo-Ellen Kelley of the Aroostook County Action Program.

UMPI’s Inclusion and Civility Task Force recently held a ceremony to rededicate the Democracy Wall, which has moved to the main floor of the Center for Innovative Learning. Questions will be posted to the wall on a regular basis and all are encouraged to join in the dialogue.

UMPI’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will be hosting their annual Homecoming spaghetti dinner to raise funds for the purchase of a shooting machine. The dinner will be held on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the Aroostook and Allagash Rooms of the Campus Center. The cost is $8 per person with children under 10 $3. People can purchase tickets at the door, from Sandy McDougal or from any of the basketball players. FMI, contact Sandy McDougal at 768-9506 or email sandra.mcdougal@maine.edu.

The Houlton Higher Education Center welcomed the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Aroostook County, Houlton office, to their building on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The staff of the Cooperative Extension moved into the HHEC building at 18 Military St. after residing in their former location for more than 30 years.

An Open House Celebration, with a ribbon cutting and light refreshments, will take place at the Houlton Higher Education Center on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 4 – 6 p.m.

Melissa DeMerchant and Brian Redmond welcomed Caroline Ann Redmond on Friday, July 19 at 6:07 p.m. She weighed 7 pounds 21 ounces and was 21 inches long. She has already made a visit to campus! Congratulations!

Seniors Achieving Greater Education (SAGE), a program that welcomes intellectually curious adults, age 50 and older, who have a desire to learn in the company of people with both shared and different perspectives, hosted its fall kick-off event on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in the Campus Center. Membership in SAGE is $25 annually (Sept. 1, 2019 – Aug. 31, 2020) and a $5 charge for each course. There are additional fees for field trips and some hands-on courses. Coffee was served starting at 9:30 a.m. Some of the courses offered are Reading Contemporary Poets, Hospice & End of Life Decision-Making, Acrylic Painting Workshop, CanAm Crown Dog Sled Racing, Finding Your Ancestors, Let’s Go to the Movies, and Senior Water Fitness, with field trips to the Maysville Museum and PI Air Museum. FMI, contact Lydia Kieffer-Till at 768-9502 or email lydia.kieffer@maine.edu.

Keli Marston, our Fitness and Wellness Coordinator, will be offering a “Wellness Week” from Monday, Sept. 23 – Thursday, Sept. 26. On Monday, Sept. 23, Marston will offer coffee, treats, and orientation to the fitness equipment from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. A free Fusion training class follows from Noon – 12:45 p.m. in the Campus Center, Room 112. A free Fit Camp will be held that evening, from 5 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. in Gentile.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Nancy Roble will be doing blood pressure screenings in Gentile from 9 – 10:30 a.m. (counts towards level 2 MotivateMe!), then Marston will be doing a free Circuit Training class from Noon – 12:45 p.m. in Gentile.

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 9 – 10:30 a.m., Marston will have recipes, treats, and protein supplements from Andrew Bouchard at Gentile. A free Fit Camp will begin at 5 p.m. in Gentile.

On Thursday, Sept. 26, Marston will have a free Fusion class from Noon – 12:45 p.m. in the Campus Center.

All events are free and open to the public. FMI, contact Keli Marston at 768-9773 or email keli.marston@maine.edu.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s National Society of Leadership and Success hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, Sept. 19 from Noon to 5 p.m. in the Gentile Hall gym. Traditionally, UMPI helps to put on three blood drives during the year for the American Red Cross—in the spring, summer, and fall. Since 1987, more than 5,000 pints of blood have been collected at UMPI through these drives.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle celebrated the 232^nd birthday of the signing of the U.S. Constitution with a new event this year. UMPI’s Student Activities Office presented an interactive forum, Decision 2020 featuring MTV’s Nick Brown, on Tuesday, Sept. 17 in the Campus Center. The forum allowed participants to discuss “hot campaign issues and how they relate to you” while encouraging students to get out and vote.

Want another great reason to read through the image newsletter? Well, somewhere in this issue of the image is our very own owl emoji. Here’s the challenge: just find it (don’t tell anyone else its’ hiding place!), let our office know, and you could be eligible for a $5 gift certificate to UMPI Starbucks! A winner will be randomly drawn from all of the people who find the emoji on Friday, Oct. 4. You can win one time per semester.

To let us know you’ve found it, either click on the emoji and fill out the very short form, or email Gayla Shaw with the location at gshaw@maine.edu. Happy searching!

Join the UMPI Alumni Association for an evening of networking, reunion, and celebration of UMPI’s Alumni. The evening will include social time, President Rice’s State of the University Address, recognizing classes in attendance, and bestowing of the Alumni Association awards. A ticket is required and a cash bar will be available. The cost is $25 and that includes a buffet meal and dessert, along with supporting the Alumni Association’s efforts to increase programming. Friends of UMPI are welcome and encouraged to attend. FMI, contact Craig Cormier at 768-9425 or email craig.cormier@maine.edu. Please go here to purchase tickets:  https://secure.touchnet.com/C22921_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=2483&SINGLESTORE=true&fbclid=IwAR0bWrO2aTqGh-3CVGP7_eIzYGg3HXDdC7CDYgI4j3BLbGRBxVP4j40vm7k

UMPI held its Convocation Ceremony on Sept. 12, welcoming in the largest incoming freshman class since 2008. The new students were greeted by boisterously cheering staff as they entered Wieden Gymnasium. After brief introductions from Deans Barb Blackstone and Jason Johnston, President Ray Rice gave a welcome and senior Evan Zarkadas spoke. The students were called up on the stage by major to receive colored T-shirts and were then presented with a banner for the Class of 2023. After an UMPI Chant Challenge to determine bragging rights and which side of the gym got to leave first, everyone enjoyed a Blue and Gold BBQ. Thanks to everyone for making this a huge success!