Five Class of 2013 Graduating Student Profiles

A Family Tradition

When John “Jack” Baldacci Jr., graduates from the University of Maine May 11, he will be joining a long line of family members who are UMaine alums — including his mother and father, six of his aunts and uncles, and two cousins.

His father, Gov. John Baldacci, says it will be “a tremendous honor — and humbling” to see his son get his UMaine degree in May, maintaining the proud family tradition.

“The university will always be a part of me and my family,” Gov. Baldacci says.

The former two-term Maine governor and four-term U.S. Congressman received his bachelor’s degree in history from UMaine in 1986. He met his wife, Karen, at UMaine. Mrs. Baldacci received a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition from UMaine in 1983, and a master’s in elementary education in 2001.

May 11, Jack will receive a bachelor’s degree in international affairs, with a concentration in political science. He is headed to the University of Maine Law School.

Jack chose his international affairs major based on the recommendation of his roommate, Jordan Bailey, a graduate student in the program. “It was one of the best decisions I made,” Jack says.

“The University of Maine is great,” says Jack, a Dean’s List student. “I owe a lot to the faculty and staff. I’m very fortunate to have chosen to come to Maine, and the lessons I have learned here I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Jack took the advice of his parents, who encouraged him to find a field of study that interested him and learn everything he could about it.

“Challenge yourself, your professors and your fellow students,” Mrs. Baldacci told him. “Ask questions, struggle with issues, understand the who, what, where, when and how of the profession.”

The governor’s advice to his son was to stay focused on his studies, ask for help if he needed it — and have fun.

“UMaine is like a lantern,” says Gov. Baldacci. “It helps you find your way and (then) you have the responsibility to lead others.”

At UMaine, Gov. Baldacci studied a subject for which he is passionate — history.

“Where we come (from) leads a path to where we’re going,” he says of his choice of undergraduate study. “(UMaine) gave me a solid foundation and clearer thinking on difficult issues.”

UMaine was the governor’s school of choice not only as the alma mater of six of his siblings — Robert, Peter, Gerry, Rosemary, Lisa and Joseph Baldacci — but also because the university offers a “quality education” and is “affordable and represents value,” he says.

The Baldacci family has since established the Robert E. Baldacci Sr., and Rosemary K. Baldacci Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of their parents.

Growing up in Dexter, Maine, the university was Mrs. Baldacci’s school of choice because it was “close, has incredible opportunities, experienced professors, challenging studies and a great campus.”

“UMaine has incredible faculty and curriculum that challenge you to learn,” Mrs. Baldacci says. “They engage you in necessary, real-world experiences and connections that help you succeed, from your college preparation to your future career choice.”

For Mrs. Baldacci, human nutrition — the study of food and its relationship to human health — has long been an interest. As a UMaine undergraduate, she completed a dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian and was mentored by legendary nutritionist Katherine Musgrave. For 27 years, Mrs. Baldacci has worked in the dietetic profession, in both the clinical arena, as well as community dietetics.

Mrs. Baldacci also pursued a graduate degree at UMaine after her experience as a volunteer in Jack’s kindergarten class. With her master’s degree in elementary education, Mrs. Baldacci taught kindergarten in the Bangor School System until Gov. Baldacci was elected to the Blaine House in 2003.

Today, she says, UMaine is still part of her life. Mrs. Baldacci has mentored and been a preceptor for many UMaine nutrition students. And she continues to be a guest lecturer in the community nutrition class.

“I believe it’s important to reach back, as well as lean forward — to be a mentor,” she says, adding that her advice to students is to be engaged, active learners.

“Take advantage of the opportunities UMaine has to offer,” she says. “Make connections, build relationships, and make UMaine the college of your heart always.”

 

Finding His Voice

Joshua Comins came to the University of Maine to find the answers to the questions he’s been curious about all his life.

As a member of the UMaine community, he also found his voice.

“Ever since I was a few years old, I was asking my parents questions about perception, nature and behavior,” says Joshua, a psychology major with a minor in music, who will graduate in May.

“He asked many interesting ones,” his father added, “like: ‘Does one’s language affect legal reasoning?’ ‘Does the brain ever fill up?’ ‘When did early life first need to have blood?’

“Psychology was the best place to find most of the answers.”

In his major, Joshua focused on cognitive/biological psychology, especially in the classes of professor Thane Fremouw and, for two years, in the lab of professor Shawn Ell.

This past year, with a Center for Undergraduate Research fellowship funded by the Presidential Request for Visions of University Excellence (PRE-VUE) Program, Joshua studied human implicit and explicit category learning systems. In particular, he explored how people categorize stimuli using different learning systems and whether changing the paradigm they use — asking subjects to elaborate on their thought processes — would impact their learning.

A newly inducted member of Phi Beta Kappa, Joshua recently received the Department of Psychology’s Scholar Award for his research.

Beyond his success in the research lab, Joshua’s favorite campus haunts have been the rehearsal studios on the second floor of Class of ’44 Hall.

Joshua has been playing piano since age 5, following the lead of his older brother, 2007 UMaine alumnus James Comins, and his father, UMaine Professor of Physics and Astronomy Neil Comins.

Before enrolling at UMaine, Joshua also dabbled in choral singing. For three years, he participated in chorus at Maine Summer Youth Music camps on campus. But it wasn’t until he was a Bangor High School senior and joined the UMaine Black Bear Men’s Chorus that, he says, “I found out I was able to sing.”

Now, for the past four and a half years, Joshua hasn’t just been singing bass with a loud, low voice that resonates. He has found his voice as a basso profundo.

“Josh began singing with the Black Bear Men’s Chorus when he was in high school,” says Daniel Williams, who conducts the UMaine Black Bear Men’s Chorus. “From the moment he auditioned, I could tell his voice was something special. It’s unusual to hear such a low, resonant voice in someone so young.”

During his time with the men’s chorus, Joshua’s singing improved greatly, which can be attributed to, among other things, an incredibly strong work ethic, Williams says.

“But as good a singer as Josh is, his speaking voice has developed into something even more special. He has done several readings as part of Black Bear Men’s Chorus performances, and when he opens his mouth to speak, there is an audible reaction from the audience,” says Williams. “I just don’t think they expect to hear that voice coming from a tall, skinny body. He’s our very own James Earl Jones.”

As a UMaine junior, Joshua began taking voice lessons from School of Performing Arts faculty Francis Vogt and Nancy Ogle. On campus, he joined UMaine’s Collegiate Chorale, conducted by graduate student Justin Zang. In the community, he joined the Mainely Music Chorus as the youngest member of the group dedicated to barbershop singing.

“Psychology was my first love in college and music my favorite pastime — a way to unwind,” says Joshua. “Now, those may switch positions.”

When he graduates, Joshua plans to continue voice lessons and may pursue graduate work in vocal performance. And he will seek opportunities to join a touring musical troupe.

His dream job? A gig with the Grammy Award-winning male a cappella chorus Chanticleer.

“In high school and my first year of college, I was introverted. Eventually, I found a group of friends who dragged me out of my shell and made a world of difference. In addition, Danny Williams and Justin Zang have been both inspirational and supportive of my singing. I have a feeling if I had not come here, I would not have found the egging along (I needed) — egged on in the best possible way.”

Joshua’s other inspiration: his father, who has been a member of the UMaine faculty since 1978. “His work ethic is indomitable,” says Joshua, who took one course — basic astronomy — from his father.

Neil says having the opportunity to see his sons succeed at UMaine has been an enriching experience. “It’s been very satisfying to see Josh’s collegiate success and social development in real time,” he says. “It shows both Josh’s tremendous capability and that the university has done a good job.”

Joshua says his advice to incoming UMaine students is the same message his father gave him: College is what you make of it.

“I made sure to meet as many people as possible, join clubs and activities, and have a whale of a time.”

 

Profiles in Perseverance

When Elizabeth Gouin was a single mother in the mid-’80s, she took her two young children with her to classes at Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown, Mass.

Nearly three decades later, mother and daughter are together again at college.

Gouin, 53, and daughter, Shaunda Stevens, 30, will both graduate May 11 from the University of Maine.

Gouin, of Old Town, will earn bachelor’s degrees in social work and psychology, and Stevens, of Windham, will receive a bachelor’s in food science and human nutrition.

Gouin recently accepted the 2013 Wallace C. and Janet S. Dunham Prize, presented to an undergraduate who has overcome adversity to achieve personal growth and academic success, who has a positive outlook on life, and who shows potential for further accomplishment.

Gouin fits the bill. And she’s looking forward to the future — she’s been offered a job at Wabanaki Mental Health Association in Bangor.

“I am very proud to have the opportunity to graduate with my daughter,” says Gouin, who years ago earned an associate degree in paralegal studies and a minor in psychology at Bunker Hill.

Stevens’ life hasn’t been without challenges either. In high school, she says she wasn’t a stellar student and she didn’t envision going to college. Then, after working for nearly a decade as a merchandising consultant at a wireless technology provider, in 2010 she was laid off, along with the rest of her department.

“This was just another hurdle to jump over, but it wasn’t the end of the road,” Stevens says. “I weighed my options and found the right path and just moved forward.”

Stevens decided her path included enrolling at UMaine. And she hasn’t dallied along the trail. Stevens is earning her bachelor’s degree in three years and has been accepted into the university’s dietetic internship program. In two more years, she plans to have a graduate degree and take the National Registration Examination, with the goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian.

Stevens says nutrition and physical activity have been interests for some time and they were reinforced after she learned the science behind it. Perhaps her love of exercise was instilled years ago watching her mom play softball for the Bulldogs of Bunker Hill Community College.

Stevens says she’s proud of her mother’s strength, perseverance and tenacity, including managing to earn two degrees in three years at UMaine.

Gouin says her involvement with social work has helped make her a better person. “It’s brought a lot of awareness,” she says. “I think I’m less judgmental and more understanding.”

Stevens adds, “And she is more Dr. Phil-like in conversation. After talking with her you come out feeling motivated.”

To which, mother and daughter burst out laughing. The same raucous laugh. Like mother, like daughter.

After the graduation ceremony May 11, Gouin and Stevens will celebrate with family, including Ben Stevens, Gouin’s son and Stevens’ brother.

In 2007, Ben earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at UMaine. Like son, like mother.

 

Courage

When she was 20 years old, Nicole Langlois bought an assortment of wigs — red, brunette, short and long.

She did so after shaving her head when her hair started to fall out during chemotherapy for stage IV metastatic breast cancer.

Shaving her head, by comparison, was easy. The University of Maine fifth-year senior has also undergone chemotherapy with a drug nicknamed Red Devil, a double mastectomy four days before Christmas in 2011 and breast reconstruction.

And the kinesiology major has handled it all while taking classes and being a member of the Black Bears swim team.

Optimism and humor have been key. “I used to match my hair with my outfits,” she says.

Langlois says making jokes and being candid have helped her to not only survive, but to thrive. For instance, she proudly sports a T-shirt with the message: Yes They’re Fake! The Real Ones Tried To Kill Me.

“Throughout the diagnosis and chemotherapy I knew I was going to be OK,” says Langlois, who grew up in Washington, D.C. “I’ve always had a sense of humor about it.”

Langlois isn’t fazed by the less-than-favorable survival rate of people who battle stage IV metastatic breast cancer. And she has no time or patience for skeptics; she switched hospitals after inquiring about having children one day and being told by a physician that she wouldn’t live long enough to deal with that.

The freestyle distance swimmer, who placed in the top 25 in three events in the 2010–11 America East Conference Swimming and Diving Championships, exudes energy and resilience.

“I’m stubborn,” she says with a smile. “As soon as my doctors or parents told me I probably shouldn’t do something, I’d go out and do it.”

Which included continuing to train and compete on a Division I swim team.

Her doctors told her she’s one of the youngest women they know who has had breast cancer. From 2002–06, women 20–24 years old had the lowest incidence rate of breast cancer of all age groups, with 1.4 cases per 100,000, according to the American Cancer Society. Those same four years, 61 was the median age at the time of diagnosis.

Langlois discovered a lump in her breast during her sophomore year at UMaine. She had it examined and was told it was an inflammation of a duct.

But it kept growing, and during her junior year, a biopsy of the 7-centimeter growth revealed Langlois had stage IV metastatic cancer — invasive cancer that had spread beyond her breast.

Because it is a hormone-receptor-positive cancer, Langlois takes medication that reduces her estrogen level. She also has regular shots and every three months, she has a scan to make sure she is cancer-free.

Langlois graduates May 11, four days after her 23rd birthday. This summer, while she stays with her parents in D.C., she says she’ll have fun with friends, perhaps wait tables and apply to graduate schools.

Her experience surviving cancer has inspired her to pursue a career as a physician assistant and work in oncology, perhaps pediatric oncology. Langlois says she’ll enjoy all aspects of patient care, including cancer screening, discussing treatment options, counseling and assisting with surgery.

She says it will be rewarding to support other cancer patients like people have supported her.

“My swim team has been like a second family,” Langlois says, adding teammates shaved their heads when she shaved hers, stayed by her side during chemotherapy and helped raise funds for cancer research.

 

Stages of Life

Justin Zang, music director of the University of Maine’s Collegiate Chorale, has been involved in more than 400 performances as a student in the School of Performing Arts.

Zang of Wiscasset, Maine, is a third-year graduate student majoring in choral conducting and vocal performance, and expects to graduate in May.

Along with conducting the Collegiate Chorale, he is also a member of the Senior Skulls Honor Society; has worked with New Student Programs as part of Team Maine for the past six years; was the director of the UMaine Visitor Center for two years; and has been involved with many musical ensembles on campus, including Maine Steiners, University Singers and Black Bear Men’s Chorus. He has also had lead roles in UMaine theater productions of “Hair” and “Sweeney Todd.”

Zang has participated in so many performances that he estimates most of his time as a student was spent in rehearsals. He says music has always been one of his passions and he has been singing in choruses for 20 years.

“I thoroughly enjoy working with students, both young and old, to help them realize their potential in the musical community,” Zang says. “There is no better feeling than creating music with a group of individuals that are searching for the special moment that only a musical experience can provide.”

Zang initially wanted to be a music teacher, but grew interested in working with choirs after attending UMaine as an undergraduate. He then decided to enroll in graduate school for choral conducting.

“I came to UMaine because I felt at home here,” Zang says. “I knew from the moment I set foot on campus that I could spend the next four, five, six or even seven years of my life here. This community of people on campus is like no other — friendly, compassionate and caring.”

Zang says he has had the time of his life conducting the Collegiate Chorale and is proud of boosting the number of members from 35 to 95 in the past year.

“I never feel like I’m lost in a sea of students here,” Zang says. “I feel like I make a difference on campus as an individual and that I contribute to the overall community aspect of UMaine.”

One of Zang’s proudest moments of his musical career occurred during his first year of graduate school. He was chosen by Distinguished Concerts International New York to perform at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City with Grammy Award-winning composer Eric Whitacre. Zang says there were 220 singers in the choir, and he was one of 20 to be individually invited by Whitacre and Distinguished Concerts International.

“UMaine has made the biggest impact on my life,” Zang says. “It has helped me realize my potential, not only as musician, but as a human being.

“UMaine helped me realize that the only boundaries on success that exist are the ones that we build ourselves,” Zang says. “As long as you’re willing to have the determination to accomplish your goals, this university can help make your dream a reality through support of the staff, faculty and administration.”

Zang says he has worked with many professors that have contributed to the person he is today, but has worked closely with Dennis Cox, his conducting mentor, and Elizabeth Downing, who hired him at New Student Programs. He credits Cox with helping him improve his skills as a musician and director and credits Downing with allowing him to become an effective leader.

After graduation, Zang plans to work with Bangor-area choirs, as well as UMaine enrollment management and New Student Programs to continue promoting the university.

“I want to share my experience with prospective college students and help them create a bright future for themselves like I feel I have here at UMaine,” Zang says.

Contact: Margaret Nagle, 207.581.3745