1925–1934

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

English Department, circa 1931

April 16, 1925, 80 women — faculty, alumnae and undergraduate representatives — met in Balentine Hall to pledge to a new honorary organization — All Maine Women. Induction was held six days later.

President Little resigned in 1925 to take a position at Michigan State University. In his resignation letter he wrote: “At the present time the State of Maine is lagging woefully in its support of the State University…There is not as yet enough unprejudiced support of higher education in the State…”

WGBX, the university’s first broadcasting station, went on air Jan. 24, 1926. Programs, including concerts, lectures and athletic events, were broadcast twice a week from the studio in Wingate Hall.

Harold Boardman, class of 1895 and longtime dean of the technology college, became president in 1926.

In 1926, Memorial Field House-Armory was finished. Constructed in honor of 41 UMaine graduates who died in World War I, it was funded entirely by contributions from alumni, faculty, students and administrators. It was the largest indoor field house in the United States.

In 1928, Edmund Black ’29 won the bronze medal in the hammer throw at the Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Carl Ring ’25 competed in the 110-meter hurdles.

In 1929, Harry Richardson ’30 and Francis Lindsay ’30 were crowned co-national cross-country champions when they ran across the finish line hand-in-hand at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City.

In 1930, a school of education was created.

In 1931, Merrill Hall was dedicated; in 1933, Memorial Gymnasium and Armory was dedicated; and in 1934, Stevens Hall was dedicated.

In 1932, due to the Depression, faculty volunteered a 5 percent cut in their salaries and the price of board for students was trimmed $1 a week.

Arthur Hauck, became president in 1934. His 24-year tenure is the longest to date. In his inaugural speech, Hauck, whose specialty was international relations, promised teacher education would be a priority. At the opening assembly in 1934 he promoted student civic duty.

The Faye Hyland Arboretum was created in 1934.