Maine Memo — Embracing religious diversity

April is a welcome time of year, especially here in Maine, with spring promising more daylight hours, warmer weather, greening landscapes, and overall sense of hope and renewal. That appreciation for what’s ahead and possible is particularly true after two years of a pandemic.

This month, too, is a time for a number of religious holidays. Among them: Ramadan, which started this past weekend and will be observed through May 2; Passover, April 15–23; and Good Friday and Easter Sunday, April 15 and 17, respectively.

At the start of each academic year, the Office of Human Resources shares a holiday schedule reminder, as well as one of the many web-based listings of religious holidays worldwide. We encourage you to learn about the potential for interfaith dialogue as a global community.

As with all forms of diversity, our inclusive, caring community embraces religious diversity as an opportunity for observance, reflection and celebration. It’s also an opportunity for greater awareness, mindfulness and understanding.

We appreciate the varied religious and cultural backgrounds of our faculty, staff and students who contribute, enrich and strengthen our community. And we are thankful for the health of our community that allows us to be together, again.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President

John Volin
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Robert Dana
Vice President for Student Life and Inclusive Excellence, and Dean of Students