President Winthrop C. Libby/Reverend Pavlos T. Taiganides Award

Pictured is Dr. Taiganides [left] with the then associate dean of Agriculture Dr. Libby [right] and the then president of the University Hauck [middle]. Dr. Taiganides was very close with these men, he and the president would walk together cleaning up the campus on Maine Day. Dr. Libby ended his tenure at UMaine as president of the university.

The President Winthrop C. Libby/Reverend Pavlos T. Taiganides Award was established at the University of Maine in 1994 by Professor E. Paul Taiganides in memory of two of his mentors.  The award is given to the international student who has contributed the most in international relations on the campus and in the University community through participation in student activities, scholastic achievement and moral leadership.

In 1953 there were only seven UMaine students that were from abroad (excluding Canadians). Dr. E. Paul Taiganides was one of those foreign students, the only Greek, and he became very active on the UMaine campus during his time as an undergraduate student. Dr. Taiganides was elected VP of his class sophomore year, elected Winter Carnival King and Senior Skull, and was in the running for a watch award for the best student graduating.  His involvement in student life, sports and academics at UMaine continued throughout his international career and until today. He cherishes his four years in Orono and the Greek community in Bangor.

Dr. Taiganides established this award as a way to give back to his alma mater and those whose mentorship and friendship gave him a great start to his career and life.

2022-2023 Award Recipient

Diprajit, a student from Bangladesh who recently completed a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, arrived at UMaine in January 2020 in the depths of the Maine winter and just two months before our world changed as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Throughout the challenging times that followed his arrival, Diprajit found a way to both survive and thrive and also to be a leader and role model for his fellow students whenever possible.

During the Fall 2021 New International Student Orientation, Diprajit volunteered to be an Orientation Leader providing invaluable support to OIP as the staff navigated the challenges of transitioning to a hybrid orientation program. His friendly and supportive nature made new students feel welcomed and included, even as they sat quarantining in their rooms during the first few days on campus.

As we transitioned back to “normal” life Diprajit embraced the campus culture and participated in Coffee Hour, Culturefest, and even took the stage at the 2022 International Dance Festival. He is an accomplished photographer and became the unofficial photographer for ISA and OIP events. In March he defended his thesis and is now pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Previous Recipients

  • 2022 – Betelhem “Betty” Abay, Saman Zare and Priyanshu Bhatta
  • 2021 – Abolaji Akinyemi, Karina Iskandarova and Abdelrahman “Bruce” Elbrolosy 
  • 2019 – Shweta Desai
  • 2018 – Aliya Uteuova
  • 2017 – Han Nguyen
  • 2016 – Dominika Trzilova
  • 2015 – Iva Jugovic
  • 2013 – Anin Maskay and many others

International Students Association Team '05-'06 Scholarship

The International Students Association (ISA) Team ’05-’06 Scholarship Fund was established in the University of Maine Foundation in 2006 for the benefit of the University of Maine, Orono, Maine, with gifts from the International Students Association (ISA) through the 2005-2006 officers, President Priyanth Chandrasekar, Vice-President Jessica Umel, Treasurer Marianne Schneider, and Secretary Rasika Somaneera, and their advisor, Sarah Joughin.

The scholarship is intended to be awarded for deserving students attending the University of Maine who have been active members of the ISA and who demonstrate academic merit.

The Director of the Office of International Programs, in consultation with the President of ISA and the ISA Advisor, shall make selection of the recipient(s). 

Recipients:

  • 2023 – Dariush Bodaghi
  • 2022 – Jinyoung Park
  • 2019 – Naveen Saladi
  • 2017 – Favour Akinador and Akbar Mahkdavi Shakib
  • 2016 – Chi Truong
  • 2015 – Danielle Runyambo and Yvane Ingabire