2014 Outstanding Graduating Student — Janelle Tinker

Tinker named Maine Business School’s Outstanding Graduating Student

Janelle TinklerJanelle E.L. Tinker of Lubec, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the Maine Business School at the University of Maine.

Tinker majored in business administration, with a concentration in accounting. Her honors include membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, the Maine Business School’s Excellence in Accounting Award, the Maine Bankers Association Award and the Maine Association of Professional Accountants Scholarship.

She was a peer tutor and participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Tinker also volunteered for missionary trips to Arizona in 2010 and 2013. She will return to UMaine in the fall to pursue an MBA, concentrating in accounting.

What difference has UMaine made in your life and in helping you reach your goals?
UMaine has taught me that you can attain any goals you set, but it is up to you to put in the amount of work and dedication needed to obtain them. Not all goals are impossible, some just may need a little more work ethic and commitment to achieve them.

Have you had an experience at UMaine that has changed or shaped the way you see the world?
My experience at UMaine as a whole has definitely changed the way I view the world. I am a small-town girl from Maine who did not know much of the word except for the bubble in which I lived. UMaine has made me realize that the world is a big place. It is not only filled with different countries, but many different cultures and people of all walks of life.

Why UMaine?
I chose UMaine because it is a well-rounded university that has many opportunities. The Maine Business School was a great place to get my undergraduate degree and will be great place to earn my master’s degree. The university is also a great size, [it’s a place] where you can find yourself meeting someone different every other day. This makes it a great place to network and get involved with student activities.

How would you describe UMaine’s academic atmosphere?
The university has a very respectful academic environment that encourages growth in its students. I have always felt comfortable with speaking up and participating in class.

Have you worked closely with a professor or mentor who made your UMaine experience better?
There have been many people who have made my experience at UMaine better. My adviser, Dr. Stephanie Welcomer has been encouraging me through all of my classes, especially in the past two years. She has been one of my biggest supporters and has helped me see my potential, not only in my education, but also in my future career. The Tutor Program staff has also really helped me here at UMaine. Mary-Beth, Jessica and Karen are really great people to work for because they are so involved in their tutors’ lives and are constantly making sure we are doing OK. They are always there whenever I need to talk and they give great advice.

What advice do you have for incoming students?
I would recommend that if you are undecided on a major, take a mixture of different classes your first semester. This would be a great way to find a major in which you are really interested. Aside from this, I would recommend being dedicated and disciplined in your studies from the beginning and making use of all of the resources on campus. This will become a great foundation for your college career.