Devin Frazer: Outstanding Graduating Student

Devin Frazer of Danbury, New Hampshire, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. He is a mechanical engineering technology major with a minor in naval science. He was awarded the Navy ROTC 4-year National Scholarship and has received the Navy ROTC Academic Excellence Award. Most recently, he received the Marine Corps Association’s Honor Graduate award and the Military Officers Association of America ROTC award. During his time at the University of Maine, he designed, conducted and analyzed remotely conducted experiments for the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. He has held the positions of platoon sergeant, assistant operations officer, platoon commander and battalion commanding officer in the ROTC. Upon graduation, he will be commissioned into the United States Navy as a submarine officer.

Why did you choose to come to UMaine?
I heard about the mechanical engineering technology program and its focus on practical hands-on learning. When I was awarded a Navy ROTC (NROTC) 4-year National Scholarship, UMaine was one of the universities I could choose and it came with a room and board waiver if you came in on scholarship. I also came to Acadia National Park with my parents when I was younger, and I love hiking, skiing and anything outdoors, so Maine was a great choice.

How would you describe the academic atmosphere at UMaine?
I think there is a strong push to think for yourself and drive your own learning here at UMaine, but professors also want the best for their students and make themselves available to help them if they reach out. Professors also try to instill real world expectations of future careers and applications of course material.

Describe any research, internships or scholarly pursuits in which you have participated, as well as awards and honors. How have they prepared you for future opportunities in your chosen field?
During the summer of 2023, I worked under Professor Berube as an undergraduate student research assistant where I designed, conducted and analyzed remotely conducted experiments for the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. During the internship, I learned a new programming language on my own, which is a skill I hope to take with me as I continually learn new tasks and positions. I have also earned Dean’s List and Presidential Scholar awards multiple semesters, and earned the Navy ROTC Academic Excellence Award. Most recently I was awarded the Marine Corps Association’s Honor Graduate award and the Military Officers Association of America ROTC award.

Beyond academics, what extracurricular activities have occupied your time?
The majority of my extracurricular time has been spent with NROTC, during which time I have held the positions of platoon sergeant, assistant operations officer, platoon commander and battalion commanding officer. As the battalion commanding officer I was the most senior midshipman (NROTC student) in the unit and I was responsible for 54 midshipmen. I have also spent my winters at UMaine skiing at Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon ski resorts and the warmer seasons hiking at Acadia.

Have you worked closely with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at UMaine better, and if so, how?
I feel that most of my professors at UMaine have been great role models. The NROTC staff have also been mentors to me and excellent role models of how a future naval officer ought to act and lead.

Did you have an experience at UMaine that shaped or changed how you see the world?
I have learned to be who I am. All of my experiences at UMaine have helped shape me into the person I am today.

Describe UMaine in one word and explain.
Transformational. My time at UMaine represents probably the greatest period of personal and intellectual growth in my life up to this point. In my time here I have formed friendships that I hope will last a lifetime and I have learned not only professional engineering knowledge but universal life skills.

What are your plans for after you graduate?
About an hour after my graduation, I will be commissioned into the United States Navy as a submarine officer. This summer I will be attending Nuclear Powers School in Goose Creek, South Carolina, and following that I will attend Prototype and Submarine Officer Basic Course as part of the submarine officer training pipeline before heading to my first submarine as a division officer. I was also service-selected for the engineering duty officer option, which means after my initial five-year contract I have the option to take a two year contract as an EDO in charge of construction and overhaul of naval ships in port.

Contact: Shelby Hartin, shelby.hartin@maine.edu