UMaine graduates celebrated during 2024 commencement ceremony

Brig. Gen. Diane Dunn, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard and commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, told University of Maine’s newest graduates to continue in an endless pursuit of knowledge, find passion in their work and live their lives in service of others. 

“I know the words — learn, work and serve are vague, basic and very broad intentionally. We know you are all different, with amazing backgrounds and stories that allow you to apply these three words in your own unique way, at different times throughout your life. But the simplicity of these three words allows for the space to fill each up,” said Dunn, addressing the 222nd commencement ceremonies on May 4.

Dunn, a UMaine alum, Maine native and first-generation college student, highlighted that those in attendance should feel a profound sense of accomplishment for the work they did to arrive at the occasion. 

“I feel compelled to share with others who might question their own purpose at times — class of 2024 — you may not know what is next, but from this platform, with this entire arena listening, I will tell you what I have told myself — you belong here,” she said. 

 

 

More than 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students, including upward of 50 doctoral candidates, participated in commencement ceremonies May 3–4 in Alfond Sports Arena. Nearly 10,000 spectators attended.

The Graduate School Commencement was May 3 with the address delivered by alumna and professor emerita at the University of Vermont Stephanie Seguino.

Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters were conferred to international leaders in the development of new communications technology, Neera and Rajendra Singh. 

Also honored were co-valedictorians Michael Delorge of Biddeford, Maine and Lydia Gilmore of Bangor, Maine, as well as salutatorian Katelyn Amero of Mapleton, Maine. 

The 2024 Distinguished Maine Professor Sandra Butler talked about the support that those graduating undoubtedly received from others in their lives. In her address, Butler said “I hope each of you will pat yourself on the back for reaching this milestone and make sure to give a hug to those who have helped you along the way.”

“To your support system on either side of me: Congratulations to you as you share the glory today, and deservedly so. You are the parents who lent a hand, financially and emotionally; the partners who took on more house chores; the kids who saw less of their parents than they would have liked; the grandparents, godparents, good friends and siblings who provided support in any number of ways,” said Butler, professor and director of the School of Social Work. “And graduates, you’ve needed that support, whether it was an offered meal, financial assistance when your car broke down, help understanding an assignment, or someone to take care of your kids while you studied for an exam.”

 

 

Five Presidential Award winners were also recognized at commencement: Lindsay Seward, a principal lecturer in wildlife ecology, received the Presidential Outstanding Teaching Award; Brian McGill, professor of ecological modeling, received the Presidential Research and Creative Achievement Award; Robert Glover, associate professor of political science and associate professor of honors, received the Presidential Public Engagement Achievement Award; Deborah Bouchard, associate extension professor, aquatic animal health specialist and director of the Aquaculture Research Institute, received the Presidential Innovation Award; and Nory Jones, professor of business information systems, received the Black Bear Award for Extraordinary Impact. 

Videos of the graduate school commencement ceremony May 3, the morning commencement ceremony May 4, and the afternoon commencement ceremony May 4 are online.

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