Dear members of the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias communities,
I hope you are enjoying the welcome arrival of spring.
This is a season for recognizing the achievements of our terrific students, faculty, and staff. Many events in the coming weeks will highlight their accomplishments, and I encourage you to attend if you can. One of my favorite annual events is this Friday’s Student Symposium, when nearly 1,000 students will present research, scholarship, and creative activity developed with their dedicated faculty mentors. It is a powerful example of what it means to be a learner-centered R1 university.
That same commitment to experiential learning is reflected in the approximately 2,200 students who work across the university in roles that support departments, services, and campus life. Increasingly, these roles are designed to build professional skills and connect to students’ academic and career interests, consistent with our broader commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers. Always, and especially during this National Student Employment Appreciation Week (April 13-17), we thank them for the essential role they play.
These experiences — along with others, including through UMaine’s athletics, the arts, student organizations, and service — shape the journeys our students carry with them to graduation and well beyond. We are now just over three weeks away from Commencement at our recently renovated Alfond Arena, where we will celebrate the Class of 2026 and the faculty, staff, and loved ones who supported their success.
As we mark this milestone, we are also focused on welcoming incoming Black Bears. Faculty and staff across our university have taken part in an all-hands-on-deck effort to connect with admitted students and their families. Through handwritten postcards, phone calls, and events, including our Open House on April 25, they are helping future students see themselves at UMaine and at our regional campus in Machias and develop a strong sense of belonging.
This spring has also brought meaningful recognition for faculty achievement. To highlight just a few: Brian McGill has been named an AAAS Fellow, Rob Glover has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award, and David Neivandt and Giovanna Guidoboni were elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Together, these and other honors bestowed on our faculty reflect the national and international recognition of UMaine scholars.
Our faculty’s contributions are directly addressing real-world challenges here in Maine while also engaging students in research. Recent examples the university has highlighted in its external communications include Caitlin Howell’s work using fungi to create plastic-free food packaging, Damian Brady’s satellite data model supporting oyster farmers, and Ben Herzog’s mass timber research. Furthermore, Lily Calderwood and Sean Birkel are supporting farmers through advanced weather networks, Catherine Biddle is strengthening rural schools, Matthew Magnani is exploring the frontiers of generative AI, and Caroline Bicks’ recent book on Stephen King’s writing process has drawn international attention.
I am deeply grateful to all who support our students, advance our mission, and foster an environment where learning and discovery can thrive. The work of our exceptional faculty opens up possibilities for our students, serves the state of Maine, and helps drive continued investment in teaching and research facilities across our campuses and statewide sites and centers.
In the weeks ahead, there will be many opportunities to recognize achievement, welcome new members to our community, reaffirm our shared mission, and position our university for continued success and impact.
To faculty and staff, thank you for all you do to support our students and strengthen the University of Maine for the future. And to our students, especially our upcoming graduates, congratulations on another successful semester, and thank you for shaping our great university with all that you do.
Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy, President
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias
