Graduate receives regional award for continuing education

Michael Munson of Hudson, Maine, the 2015 Outstanding Graduating Student in the University of Maine’s Division of Lifelong Learning, has been honored regionally with the University Professional & Continuing Education Association’s (UPCEA) New England Continuing Education Student Award.

The annual award is given to a student enrolled in an undergraduate program, offered through a division of continuing education, who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and an extraordinary willingness to learn in order to enhance his or her own career, quality of life, family and community.

In 1981, Munson’s university studies were interrupted due to family obligations, so he entered the workforce. He became employed as a mechanical trades specialist with Facilities Management at UMaine in 1996 and resumed his education in 2007.

While maintaining full-time employment, he worked toward completing his degree. He is a December 2014 graduate of UMaine’s Bachelor of University Studies program and has a minor in Maine studies.

Munson was nominated for the UPCEA New England Continuing Education Student Award by Barbara Howard, director of the Bachelor of University Studies program.

For his capstone, supervised by UMaine art professor Michael Grillo, Munson produced an experiential learning video on Benedict Arnold’s march through Maine. In addition to his academic work, Munson’s charitable contributions have benefited both local and international organizations, including children in developing countries.

Information on Bachelor of University Studies, UMaine’s degree completion program for adults, is online.