Stephen King to Address UMaine Graduates on May 7
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — Stephen King, a 1970 University of Maine graduate who has become one of the world’s best-known authors, will address graduates, family members and friends at UMaine’s commencement, scheduled for Saturday May 7. The event is set for 10:30 a.m. on Morse Field at Harold Alfond Sports Stadium, weather permitting.
“We are so pleased that Stephen King will be with us for this year’s commencement,” says UMaine President Robert Kennedy. “Not only is he a world-renowned UMaine graduate, he is a loyal and generous friend to this university. His incredible achievements make Stephen a real inspiration, and we all look forward to his participation in this event.”
President Kennedy will preside over the ceremony, which will be the 203rd in UMaine history. Some 1,923 people are expected to graduate, including 33 at the doctoral level. This will be the largest commencement event in the university’s history.
UMaine will award two honorary doctorates at the May 7 event. Douglas E. Kneeland, a Lincoln native and UMaine graduate whose distinguished journalism career included work as a reporter and editor at the New York Times and Chicago Tribune, will receive one honorary degree. The other will be presented to Andrew M. Shepard, the president/CEO and co-founder of the Maine Winter Sports Center. That organization works to promote Nordic and alpine skiing as a means help with economic development and more active lifestyles in rural parts of Maine.
Stephen King received an honorary doctorate when he addressed UMaine graduates in 1987. His wife, author Tabitha King, also received an honorary doctorate at that graduation.
Dusty Vincent Lavoie of Lisbon Falls is the Class of 2005 valedictorian. He will graduate with a degree in secondary education. Tyler Adam Dunn of Skowhegan, an engineering physics major, is the class salutatorian.
In the event of an untenable weather situation, two commencement ceremonies will be held inside Alfond Arena. A decision as to the venue will be made by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 6. The event will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.umaine.edu.