Commencement 2023

A photo of James Tardy

Tardy receives 2023 Black Bear Award for Extraordinary Impact

James Tardy, the lead facilities maintenance worker for the University of Maine athletics complex, is the recipient of the 2023 Black Bear Award for Extraordinary Impact. The annual award, established in 2021, recognizes an individual or group at UMaine that exceeds expectations, contributes positively to the university community and makes an extraordinary impact through their […]

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UMaine 2023 commencement ceremonies are May 5–6

The University of Maine’s 2023 commencement ceremonies for graduate and undergraduate students will be May 5–6 at Harold Alfond Sports Arena. The Graduate School Commencement begins at 4 p.m. May 5, featuring an address by Suzanne Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools. An estimated 424 graduate students are expected to be on hand […]

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A photo of the roofline of Winslow Hall

UMaine names 2023 Presidential Award recipients

The 2023 Presidential Awards recognize outstanding teaching in molecular and biomedical sciences, pioneering research in wireless sensor technology, public engagement and research focused on K–12 rural education, and innovation that has advanced Maine’s potato breeding program. Sally Molloy, associate professor of genomics, received the Presidential Outstanding Teaching Award; Ali Abedi, professor of electrical and computer […]

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A photo of valedictorian and salutatorian medals

UMaine names 2023 valedictorian, two salutatorians

Mechanical engineering major Lara Chern of Bow, New Hampshire is the 2023 University of Maine valedictorian. UMaine’s two 2023 salutatorians are Mikayla Reynolds of Winslow, Maine, a double major in business management and marketing, and biomedical engineering major Zoe Vittum of Brewer, Maine. The three will graduate May 6 at UMaine’s 221st commencement ceremonies.  “We […]

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A photo of Lara Chern

Lara Chern: UMaine 2023 Valedictorian

Mechanical engineering major Lara Chern of Bow, New Hampshire is the 2023 University of Maine valedictorian. Chern is an Honors College student with minors in engineering leadership and management, and mathematics. She graduated from high school two years ahead of her class and enrolled at UMaine when she was 16. As a UMaine junior, she […]

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A photo of Zoe Vittum

Zoe Vittum: UMaine 2023 Salutatorian

Zoe Vittum of Brewer, Maine is a University of Maine 2023 salutatorian. Vittum, who minors in bioinstrumentation and neuroscience, is a UMaine Presidential Scholar, and a 2022–23 Helen Louise Stinchfield ’18 Memorial Scholar and Tau Beta Pi Scholar. Her numerous academic and research awards include two National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) — […]

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A photo of Ben Campbell

Ben Campbell: Sixth-generation Black Bear holds up family traditions

When Duncan Aleister Benjamin Campbell — or “Billy Ben,” as his friends and fraternity brothers know him — walks across the stage to graduate this spring, he will be continuing a family tradition. Campbell is part of the sixth generation University of Maine graduates from his family, whose Black Bear origins can be traced back […]

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A photo of the stage during UMaine's 2022 commencement ceremony

UMaine names its 2023 commencement speakers

The president of the Council of Graduate Schools and a retired U.S. ambassador and career diplomat with 32 years of experience with the State Department in Europe, Asia and Latin America will address graduates at the University of Maine’s 221st commencement ceremonies on May 5–6.   Suzanne Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools […]

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