UMaine confers record graduation numbers for advanced degrees
The University of Maine will issue an unprecedented number of graduate degrees this May. A total of 815 master’s and doctoral students will graduate, a high point in the flagship’s 160-year history.
The historic class includes 109 doctoral and 706 master’s level students, breaking the previous records set in May 2022, when 84 doctoral degrees were conferred, and May 2023, when 648 master’s degrees were conferred. Among the graduates receiving advanced degrees are 98 international students representing 35 countries. These milestones highlight the continued growth and distinction of UMaine’s graduate and research programs.
UMaine’s burgeoning research enterprise helps attract top talent to the Pine Tree State. In the past year, UMaine set new records for doctoral enrollment and research funding and expenditures, generating nearly 90% of all university research activity in the state. The university’s Carnegie R1 designation for very high research activity was also reaffirmed, illustrating the rich environment UMaine offers to graduate students as they prepare to launch their careers.
Graduate students enhance the education of undergraduate students by serving as mentors, teaching assistants and research collaborators. Their advanced knowledge and recent academic experiences help them explain complex topics in relatable ways, bridging the gap between faculty and undergraduates. Their role in active research provides undergraduates with valuable exposure to real-world academic inquiry, helping to inspire and prepare them for future academic or professional paths.
“This record-setting class reflects the University of Maine’s commitment to academic excellence and its growing reputation in research, innovation and creativity. Our graduate programs attract talented students from Maine and around the world and prepare them to make meaningful contributions to their fields and society,” said Kody Varahramyan, UMaine’s vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School. “As UMaine continues to expand its research enterprise and strengthen its partnerships in Maine and beyond, we look forward to seeing how these graduates will lead the way in addressing the challenges of tomorrow.”
UMaine’s Graduate School offers 152 graduate and professional programs, providing students opportunities to experience research and creative activities across disciplines. That flexibility, coupled with the university’s strengths in research and service, provides students with meaningful opportunities to help address real-world challenges and develop workforce-ready skills for their careers. This year’s graduating class of speech-language pathologists, for example, provided more than 6,000 hours of clinical service to Mainers as they earned their degrees.
The commencement ceremony marks the culmination of a student’s journey. Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of UMaine and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias, and Varahramyan will preside over the ceremony on May 10 in the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The ceremony will also be livestreamed.
University of Maine alumnus Graham Carr (‘83), now president and vice chancellor of Concordia University, will deliver the keynote address. Carr earned his Ph.D. in history from UMaine, and continues his academic work as a professor and researcher specializing in Cold War cultural history.
Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu