University of Maine at Machias to hold 107th Commencement
The University of Maine at Machias will hold its 107th Commencement Ceremony at 2 p.m. May 13 in the Reynolds Center gymnasium. One hundred and three students will graduate with degrees or program certificates.
The commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient will be Allagash, Maine native Cathie Pelletier, an award-winning novelist and songwriter. She graduated from the University of Maine at Fort Kent with a bachelor’s degree and moved to Nashville to pursue a songwriting career. Two of her novels were made into films, and two have been optioned. She also has co-written books with notable celebrities such as country music icon Tanya Tucker; Grand Ole Opry legend Skeeter Davis; and legendary fiddler-singer Doug Kershaw. Several of Pelletier’s songs have been recorded by singers and she has collaborated on songs with numerous Nashville songwriters. She served as a writer-in-residence at UMM in spring 2014.
In addition to the honorary degree recipient and graduates, other honorees at Commencement will be: Susan Corbett, who will receive the UMM Distinguished Achievement Award; Charley Martin-Berry, the Distinguished Service Award; Heather Perry, the Distinguished Alumnus Award; and Kelsi Bean Thompson the Young Alumnus Award. Ryan Economy is this year’s Ivy Orator.
Corbett is the chief executive officer at Axiom Technologies, a provider of and advocate for fast, affordable and reliable broadband services for rural communities. In 2005, Corbett joined Axiom Technologies as chief financial officer. Under her leadership, the telecommunications company has designed and constructed more than 100 access points connecting more than 2,500 square miles in rural Maine. Most recently, Axiom Technologies was awarded a Microsoft grant to provide internet access to homes in Washington County using TV white space.
Martin-Berry is director of the Community Caring Collaborative (CCC), an organization dedicated to nurturing collaboration in order to expand resources and opportunities that improve lives in Washington County. From 2008–12, she participated in CCC as a community partner, serving as the coordinator and lead teacher for Passages, a high school diploma program for young parents. She joined the CCC staff in 2012, becoming director in 2016. She has focused on the design, collaboration and funding efforts for Family Futures Downeast, a two-generation education and workforce opportunity for families in Washington County. Marin-Berry is a University of Maine alumna.
Perry is superintendent of schools for the Gorham School Department. She received a master’s degree in educational leadership from UMaine and a bachelor’s degree in history from UMM. She is working on her doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Southern Maine. Perry chairs the Maine School Superintendents Association Statewide Funding Committee and Certification Committee, and serves as a member of its Executive Board.
Bean Thompson holds a bachelor’s in behavioral science from UMM, and an Associate of Applied Science in emergency medical services from Eastern Maine Community College. She will be graduating this spring as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Bean Thompson worked closely with public universities in Maine to create a statewide program to help support Maine students from diverse backgrounds in accomplishing their goals to become physicians. Bean Thompson has secured a residency position in internal medicine and plans to specialize in cardiology.
Economy is UMM’s 2018 Ivy Orator. Each spring, the senior class chooses a member to present at the Honors Convocation and Commencement. Economy graduated from Medomak Valley High School in 2014, and will receive a bachelor’s degree in environmental recreation and tourism management, with a concentration in leisure programming and a minor in counseling.