Events

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will present The Robot, The Rooster, The Red Dress, and The Blue Indian by Jme Smith from Dec. 2, 2013 through Jan. 11, 2014. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show’s run and attend the Opening Reception on Dec. 6 from 5-7 p.m. The opening reception is being held in conjunction with the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk.

An award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker is paying another visit to the University of Maine at Presque Isle in November to visit several classes, work with students and deliver a public presentation. Darrell Dorgan, who has served as the University’s Journalist/Professional Communicator in Residence, will speak on energy and the North Dakota-Maine connections on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. This event is free and open to the public.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is pleased to announce that Me to We motivational speaker and author Spencer West—who lost his legs at an early age but hasn’t let that stop him from climbing mountains and overcoming other obstacles to make a difference in the world around him—will serve as the next speaker in its 2013-2014 Distinguished Lecturer Series. West will deliver his talk The Power of We: Overcoming Obstacles to Make a Difference on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. West’s talk is free and the public is invited to be a part of this special evening.

The Presque Isle Rotary Club and the University of Maine at Presque Isle have declared their 2nd annual World Polio Day and Purple Pinkie Project events, held on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 23 and 24, a major success. The University and Rotary Club joined forces to present the activities, which raised awareness throughout the region about Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. In addition, this year’s Purple Pinkie Project raised an estimated $1,800 to go toward that global effort.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host a book signing for local author Gordon Hammond on Tuesday, Oct. 29. at 6:30 p.m. in the UMPI Library. Hammond will be reading from his novel The Orphan.

Hammond’s novel is about an orphan named Ezra Samuels who loses his parents at the age of eight. He is taken in by his aunt and uncle and his friendship with his cousin and mentor Lydia thrives. The Orphan shows the determination of both Ezra and Lydia, with the help of the wealthy Gladwells, as they begin their life together on a farm even while being condemned by some in the community.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is inviting all campus and community members to explore Asia in a BIG way on Oct. 23—with the world’s largest map of the continent. The giant National Geographic map will be on display on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from Noon to 5 p.m. in Gentile Hall. This event is sponsored by the Maine Geographic Alliance and is free. Everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy the interactive map.

According to Dr. Kimberly Sebold, UMPI Associate Professor of History, who was instrumental in bringing the map to Aroostook County, the interactive map measures 26 feet by 35 feet and is designed as a giant game board to introduce students to the diverse geography of Asia.

The latest novel by Dr. Richard Shain Cohen, Emeritus faculty member at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, has been published by CCB Publishing this fall. Our Seas of Fear and Love is available in hardback, paperback as well as an e-book. Dr. Cohen will visit UMPI for a book reading and signing on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. in the UMPI Library. The community is invited to attend.

Dr. Cohen retired from the University of Maine at Presque Isle after serving as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Professor of English. His latest book Our Seas of Fear and Love is a romance-family saga set primarily in Maine but also in Europe, Boston, and the Southwest.

Physical Education majors from the University of Maine at Presque Isle are saying “Aloha!” as they welcome kids ages 5 to 11 to their Fit and Fun Day, taking place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. Free registration begins at 9 a.m., with tropical-themed games, giveaways and activities to follow.

Fit and Fun Day is designed to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles for local children. This is the 18th semi-annual Fit and Fun Day.

In conjunction with the American Red Cross, the University of Maine at Presque Isle will hold its annual fall blood drive on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The drive will run from Noon until 5 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room. Door prizes will be given away during this time. Members of the campus and community are invited and encouraged to participate in this free event.

The blood drive is sponsored by the University’s Residence Life Office, the Brothers of Kappa Delta Phi, the Sisters of Kappa Delta Phi NAS, and Phi Eta Sigma – National Honor Society. These organizations help the American Red Cross put on three blood drives each year, in the spring, summer, and fall.