Welcome back Black Bears — Sept. 2, 2025

Dear Black Bears,

Welcome, especially to those joining our University of Maine community for the first time. A new academic year brings excitement and possibility, a time to connect and reconnect, and look ahead to the blue horizons before us.

As we mark UMaine’s 160th year, there is much cause for optimism. Faculty are securing competitive grants that create opportunities for our students and state, developing groundbreaking solutions to real-world problems, and mentoring you and your fellow students to lead Maine into the future.

Across our campuses, UMaine’s momentum is visible, as is our commitment to our students and state.

The zebrafish lab is expanding to support new biomedical breakthroughs, and Aroostook and Witter Farms have been modernized to strengthen and grow Maine agriculture. The B.O.T. Loft robotics and automation training center in the Advanced Manufacturing Center has opened its doors, Hauck Auditorium is shining with new lights, and Reynolds Gymnasium in Machias has been transformed.

Renovations to the Alfond Arena and the New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex are nearly complete. Boardman Hall and campus dining facilities are being upgraded, and the GEM Factory of the Future is rising as a symbol of UMaine’s global leadership in innovation.

These facility improvements not only strengthen UMaine’s impact on Maine, but also enhance your experience and success — reflecting the strong support of our state, federal, and philanthropic partners.

This progress comes as we look ahead to signature community moments: Homecoming, Family and Friends Weekend, and of course, another Hockey East championship!

As we begin, it’s also necessary to recognize the moment. Higher education is evolving but UMaine’s commitment to the success of our learners is unchanged, and we continue to move forward with ingenuity, collaboration, and determination.

That strength is clear in our Research Learning Experiences, where students engage in hands-on research from their first days as Black Bears. From locations such as the Schoodic Peninsula downeast, they are contributing to discovery across Maine. This model sets UMaine apart by linking research with education and real-world problem solving.

Thank you for all you do to advance this mission. To our newest Black Bears, welcome. To all returning students, faculty, and staff, a hearty Maine Hello. Together, let’s make this our best year yet.
Sincerely,

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President, University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias