Media cover UMaine’s 215th Commencement
The Associated Press, Bangor Daily News, WABI (Channel 5), WLBZ (Channel 2) and WVII (Channel 7) reported on the University of Maine’s 215th Commencement held May 13 in Harold Alfond Sports Arena. For the second consecutive year, UMaine graduated one of the largest classes in its history — more than 1,900 students. Commencement speakers Heather and Abe Furth offered three simple pieces of advice to the graduates, the BDN reported. “One, come to terms with the discomfort of pushing your boundaries. Two, define your own version of success. And three, don’t wait — do it now,” Abe Furth said. “Pursuing things that make us nervous is fundamental to our success. My hope for all of you is that you appreciate that life is finite and that you dare to do what you want with your time, even if it scares you.” The Furths met at UMaine in 1999, and have founded restaurants, a brewery and a property company, the AP reported. “We had a lot of fear and self doubt but like all of you, we had youthful energy, tenacity and something to prove,” Heather Furth said. Valedictorian Allyson Eslin spoke with WABI about the challenges she faced throughout her college career. “It was a struggle, and a lot of work, and a lot of time, but it was very much worth the effort,” she said of graduating at the top of her class. U.S. News & World Report carried the AP article.