More than 2,000 graduate from the University of Maine
ORONO, Me. — The University of Maine awarded degrees to some 2,123 graduates at a pair of commencement ceremonies held at Alfond Arena today. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins addressed the Class of 2011, offering remarks at both events.
Sixty-eight of those graduates earned doctorates, 361 earned master’s degrees and 24 earned certificates of advanced study.
Collins, who told the graduates she hopes they “apply (their) talent, energy and enthusiasm right here in (Maine),” brought a message encouraging civility and community engagement.
She used the example of Alex Haley, the grandson of slaves who authored “Roots: The Saga of American Family.” Haley’s personal motto, “find the good and praise it” could be adapted by this year’s graduates as “find the good, praise it, and join it,” Collins said, noting the decline of civility in our society and the need for unified, community-based efforts to change the tone of public discourse.
“We each have a responsibility to turn back this destructive tide,” she said. “We all have a stake in a society that can work together to solve problems. We all must do our part to elevate the tone and respect each other as part of our greater community.”
UMaine awarded Collins and honorary doctorate at the morning ceremony. Peter Vigue, the board chair and CEO of Cianbro, Inc., a Pittsfield-based construction company, received an honorary doctorate at the afternoon event.
UMaine President Robert Kennedy, who presided over the ceremony, praised Collins for her “extraordinary life, career and contributions” in presenting her degree. Calling Vigue a “Maine business leader and economic development visionary,” Kennedy noted that Vigue has also “done much to encourage and inspire Mainers to pursue excellence and focus on our state’s great potential and unmatched attributes.”
University of Maine System Board of Trustees member William Johnson of Saco, a 1956 UMaine graduate, delivered greetings from that board at the morning ceremony. Trustee Charles O’Leary of Orono, a 1960 UMaine graduate, delivered that message at the afternoon ceremony.
Kurt Marston, chair of the University of Maine Alumni Association Board of Directors, shared his perspectives and welcomed the new graduates to the ranks of the more than 100,000 living University of Maine alumni. Marston, who lives in Standish, earned a UMaine engineering degree in 1974 and a master’s degree in 1979.
A total of nearly 14,000 people attended the two ceremonies.
Kennedy, who is stepping down from the UMaine presidency at the end of next month, told the graduates that he feels a “special connection” to the Class of 2011. He offered encouraging comments during the ceremonies, telling the graduates that “the UMaine experience, in the classroom and beyond, rivals that of any of our nation’s great universities and it exceeds most.” He said that those graduating today should be inspired by the example of generations of UMaine graduates who have become leaders around Maine and beyond.
“Your predecessors today have exemplified the UMaine ideals of work ethic, integrity and commitment,” he said. “You will leave here today emboldened by their example and enriched by your experiences, prepared to achieve at the highest levels. I have no doubt whatsoever that you are destined for great success in life, and I wish each of you the best.”
Prof. Alfred Bushway, a 1968 UMaine graduate who serves on the Dept. of Food Science and Human Nutrition faculty, represented the UMaine community of scholars in presenting the traditional “Celebration of Academe” address. The winner of the 2011 Distinguished Maine Professor Award for exemplary contributions in support of UMaine’s teaching, research and public service mission, Bushway noted that “much has changed, yet much remains the same” as compared to his time as a UMaine undergraduate.
“Have confidence that your training has prepared you to address the relevant and emergent issues of our day,” Bushway said. “You have the tools. And those generations who came before you and those who follow will look to you as tomorrow’s educators, artists, nurses, social workers and leaders of industry to impact our world in significant and positive ways. Use what you have learned here to think creatively while facing the challenges of the modern world.”
During the ceremony, Kennedy also recognized three faculty members honored, along with Bushway, at Friday’s Academic Honors Convocation with the university’s annual faculty awards:
– John Mahon, the John M. Murphy Chair of International Business Policy and Strategy and Professor of Management, winner of the 2011 Presidential Research and Creative Achievement Award
– Kathleen March, Professor of Spanish, winner of the 2011 Presidential Public Service Achievement Award
– Douglas Nangle Professor of Psychology, winner of the 2011 Presidential Outstanding Teaching Award
Kristopher Cooper of Winthrop, a biology major with a minor in business who will attend the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine in the fall, received the first Class of 2011 diploma in recognition of his status as class valedictorian. Rachel Ann Ventrella of Fayette, who graduated with an elementary education degree and a concentration in liberal arts, is the class salutatorian.
May 7, 2011
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
joe.carr@umit.maine.edu