Founded in 1865, the University of Maine is the state’s flagship institution, ranked in the top 100 U.S. public universities by U.S. News and World Report, and recognized as a world leader in graduate education. The first master’s degree was granted in 1881, conferred to Walter Balentine in Agriculture, and a year later to the first female graduate student Percia Vinal White in Literature.
In 1923, the Division of the Faculty of Graduate Studies was formally created as a distinct administrative unit at the university. The following highlights reflect a short selection from archived information about the Graduate School.
Past Graduate School Deans
The first Graduate School Dean was George Davis Chase who served from 1923 to 1938. Discover more about the history of leadership in graduate education.
Global Impact Local Relevance
From 1881 to Present day, learn about the impact graduate education has had on the state, the nation, and beyond.
History of Stodder Hall
Originally, Stodder was a women’s only residence, named after Anne E. Stodder.
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