University of Maine Commencement Scheduled for May 5

The University of Maine’s 210th Commencement will be held in two ceremonies in Harold Alfond Sports Arena on Saturday, May 5.

UMaine’s Commencement is the state’s largest graduation. More than 14,000 people are expected to attend, making it one of Maine’s largest annual single-day events.

A 10 a.m. ceremony is for graduates in the College of Business, Public Policy and Health; the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and the Division of Lifelong Learning. Graduates in the College of Education and Human Development; the College of Engineering; and the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture will receive their degrees at a 2:30 p.m. ceremony.

The Commencement speakers and honorary doctorate recipients are Owen Wells, vice chair of the board of trustees of the Libra Foundation, a Portland-based philanthropic organization, and UMaine alumnus George Sakellaris, president and chief executive officer of Ameresco Inc., a leading North American energy efficiency and renewable energy company headquartered in Framingham, Mass. Wells will address the morning Commencement ceremony; Sakellaris the afternoon event.

Valedictorian of the UMaine Class of 2012 is Rachel Binder-Hathaway of Millinocket. Binder-Hathaway graduates with dual degrees in financial economics and in business administration in finance, with an additional major in accounting. She is also a member of the Honors College and was named the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Business, Public Policy and Health. Currently, Binder-Hathaway is a Fulbright Fellow in Bangladesh.
Kayla Peard of York is the salutatorian of the UMaine Class of 2012. Peard majored in music education and also was an honors student. She is a graduate of York High School, where she was valedictorian. Peard plans to work as a music teacher before pursuing a master’s degree in instrumental conducting.

Also being honored are the four UMaine professors named to UMaine’s top annual faculty awards: Professor of Chemical Engineering Joseph Genco, 2012 Distinguished Maine Professor Award; Professor of Biochemistry Mary Rumpho, Presidential Outstanding Teaching Award; Professor of Chemical Engineering Hemant Pendse, Presidential Research and Creative Achievement Award; and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology Karen Horton, Presidential Public Service Achievement Award.

Contact: Margaret Nagle, (207) 581-3745