PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Faculty from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of Toronto are teaming up this summer to offer the Deboullie Lakes Reserve Summer Field Institute July 16 – Aug. 3.
Open to students in any academic program and community members, specific courses within the institute are Deboullie Glacial Geology and Deboullie Field Geology. Both are offered for upper level credits.
Located within Maine Public Lands northwest of St. Francis, the Deboullie area is known for its variety of lakes, mountains and rock formations.
“The Deboullie Lakes Ecological Reserve is state property that was set aside for scientific research due to its unique characteristics,” said David Putnam, UMPI assistant professor of undergraduate research and course instructor. “Until recently, very little research had been conducted there. In 2002, we identified rock glaciers in many of the talus or scree slopes. These are the first identified rock glaciers in Maine.”
In addition, the reserve is home to 11 species of rare boreal plants and animals including the blue-black trout, northern bog lemmings and peregrine falcons.
“The presence of year-round ice maintains cold water in the lakes and supports plant communities common much farther north,” Putnam said. “The glacial history of the area is fascinating and only poorly understood. Nor do we know how the rock glaciers formed, how they behave and what factors contribute to their maintenance.”
The institute participants will explore these and other questions, first during in-class lectures at UMPI and then on a camping trip to the reserve July 22-28.
“Students will collect real data in the field to contribute to exciting and important research,” Putnam said. “After a brief introduction to the problems and field methods in the classroom, it is all hands-on, with the addition of wet feet, tired backs and good fun.”
Among the methods to be discussed and used are field observation, measurement and interpretation; data collection with GPS and GIS technologies; geophysical instrumentation; and woods skills including canoeing, hiking, camping, fishing and cooking.
Putnam said an introductory geology or ecology course in a student’s background would be helpful, but added the team of faculty is ready to work with students who are simply motivated and interested.
“This class represents the very best of science,” he said. “We approach an unsolved mystery and look at a variety of methods and approaches that can help us solve it. It is hands-on in some of the most beautiful country in Maine.”
Teaching the course with Putnam is Dr. Chunzeng Wang, UMPI assistant professor of earth and environmental science, and geophysicist Dr. Charly Bank and his students from the University of Toronto.
The research component of the class is sponsored by the Maine Department of Conservation.
For more information on how to enroll, contact Putnam at 768-9726 or e-mail putnamd@umpi.maine.edu; or Wang at 768-9412 or e-mail chunzeng.wang@maine.edu.
Davidshofer selected as AP reader
PRESQUE ISLE — Educational Testing Service (ETS) has selected Claire Davidshofer, an instructor of French at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, to be an AP French reader this summer. Davidshofer will join professors from across the United States this June in Louisville, Ky. at ETS’ expense.
The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program allows high school students to take college-level courses and exams and earn college credit or advanced placement. Readers selected from colleges and secondary schools worldwide use grade reliability measures and rigorous procedures to ensure the questions are scored in a consistent manner and that students receive the AP grade that accurately reflects college-level achievement in each discipline.
A native of France, Davidshofer has been teaching French at the University since 1990. She has been actively involved in the University of Maine System’s Partnership Maine France Quebec Program, a system-wide initiative for faculty and students to teach, study and do collaborative research in France and Quebec. Last year, she joined a system contingent that visited several of the partnering institutions in France.
Closer to home, Davidshofer has planned several events on campus to coincide with March Foreign Language National Week. For the past few years, she has collaborated with area teachers to organize a Foreign Language Day on campus for as many as 200 middle and high school students.
“We live in a global society and language is the key to open doors,” Claire said. “No longer can we get by with being mono-lingual. This work with AP is one more step I am taking to advance the importance of a multi-lingual society. It also shows that UMPI is in tune with the high school curricula.”
“This will be a wonderful opportunity for Claire,” UMPI President Don Zillman said. “It is so important for our faculty to participate in these endeavors for it will enrich the knowledge of our own students and make Claire an even greater resource to our local language teachers.”
In 2005, 2.1 million AP exams were administered at more than 15,000 schools in over 100 countries. Since the first AP exam was given in 1956, more than 12.6 million students have taken more than 19 million AP exams worldwide.
VISTA-Americorps Upward Bound Grant
The University of Maine at Presque Isle will use a grant-funded VISTA-Americorps campus position to increase access to university tutors and mentors by Aroostook County Upward Bound students.
Though the Americorps employee is not on board yet, UMPI Director of Upward Bound Darylen Cote has the job description mapped out and ready to go.
“This person is going to be responsible for two major projects,” Cote said. “We hope to have someone hired and starting in August.”
Nationwide, Upward Bound works with qualified high school students who are the first members of their families to seek post secondary educations. The UMPI program works with 69 students among 11 Aroostook County high schools.
“Upward Bound helps them get into a post secondary institution and succeed once they are there,” Cote said.
To that end, the Americorps staffer at UMPI will be responsible for using online technologies to develop both an online tutoring component for the Upward Bound students and setting up a mentoring program.
“These students are really spread out and it can be difficult to find tutors for them that can go into the schools,” Cote said. “Under the proposed system, our university students can use technology to tutor the (Upward Bound) students online.”
Cote stressed that for those high school students lacking access to computer technology, face-to-face tutoring options will remain available.
In the second part of the grant position, Cote said the Americorps worker will use existing Web-based tools like Myspace to link university students with Upward Bound students to provide support and mentoring development.
“A caring adult in a mentoring capacity can make a huge difference in a young person’s life,” Cote said. “It will be the VISTA person’s job to look at all this, check it out and design a workable program.”
To supplement the online mentoring program, Cote said several events will be organized on the UMPI campus to bring the university mentors together with their Upward Bound students.
The Vista position is funded for three years and UMPI is matching the grant with space, computer resources and a small portion of the salary.
“We are thrilled to be getting an extra person,” Cote said. “We have had these ideas of things we wanted to do if we had someone to do them and now we do.”
Cote said tutors and mentors will be recruited from upper-class students in several university disciplines including teacher education and social work.
For at least one UMPI professor, it’s a perfect match since the bachelor in social work program has added two field experience components.
“Students enrolled will be expected to complete a minimum of 100 hours during the semester of volunteer service in a supervised setting,” said Kim-Anne Perkins, program director. “The mentoring program to be coordinated by this VISTA person is an ideal setting for students to fulfill this requirement.”
Upward Bound, Cote said, is one of those federal programs that really works. Within the demographic eligible for the program, 8 percent go on to get a degree. When they participate in Upward Bound, those numbers shoot up to 75 percent.
UMPI Upward Bound receives $2.4 million in grants
PRESQUE ISLE –Upward Bound at the University of Maine at Presque Isle will use more than a half million dollars each year for four years in grant funding to expand its existing program and develop a new service in the St. John Valley on the university system’s Fort Kent campus.
“UMPI and UMFK are both leaders in delivering the message that college is a reachable goal for almost every citizen,” said Darylen Cote, Upward Bound director at UMPI. “Faculty and staff work hard to figure out how to help every student succeed.”
That’s where Upward Bound comes in. Aimed at high school students who otherwise might never go to post secondary education, the program at UMPI has been around since 1980. The recently awarded $355,789 each year will fund it for the next four years.
At the same time, a new $250,000 per year grant will fund services for four years to 50 additional area high schools students from eight schools.
The second grant, Cote said, was the result of a collaborative effort between UMPI, UMFK and Bowdoin College.
“UMPI and UMFK were co-applicants for the grant through a northern Maine college consortium,” she said.
Under the grants, four high schools which had worked with Bowdoin will send its students to the UMPI program. Houlton, Hodgdon and Southern Aroostook Community School will continue to send students to UMPI and will be joined this year for the first time by students from Katahdin.
Grant monies will also be used to hire one academic counselor each for UMFK and at the Houlton Higher Education Center in addition to funding a part-time secretary.
“Upward Bound benefits the students and families we serve by providing access to information and services that enable participants to move from high school into postsecondary education,” Cote said. “Those services include academic advising, tutoring, workshops and other support services such as SAT/ACT preparation, college visits and cultural enrichment experiences during the academic year.”
During the summer months, Upward Bound offers a six-week residential program on campus with core academic subjects including English, mathematics, science and foreign languages.
There are also summer elective programs and work experience, Cote added, “balanced with fun and adventure experiences such as camping and whitewater rafting.”
The goal, she said, “is to help students succeed in high school, getting the grounding necessary to apply to and then succeed in a course of postsecondary education, eventually earning a degree.”
In the long run, Cote said, Upward Bound benefits the communities they serve by encouraging students to go on to college and finish a degree.
“In our society today, an educated work force benefits all,” she said.
Within the demographic served by Upward Bound, 8 percent who do not participate in the program earn degrees. When students take part in the academic offering, that number shoots up to 75 percent.
“It’s exciting that both grants were funded,” Cote said. “The collaborative effort of the three colleges in expanding the reach of Upward Bound has made the new grant award especially rewarding. UMPI provides a warm, friendly and supportive home for Upward Bound. The expertise of faculty, staff and students is readily available. We expect that the same will be true of our newest home at UMFK.”
UMPI grads continue on
According to sources like the Clearing House on Higher Education, a college degree these days is worth about $1 million over the lifetime earnings of a graduate.
Beyond that are the doors opened and opportunities available to individuals with a solid baccalaureate degree in hand. Just ask members of the University of Maine at Presque Isle class of 2007. With the ink barely dry on their diplomas, UMPI’s newest alums are off to graduate programs, community service jobs, careers in the arts and employment options allowing them to remain in Aroostook County.
Dr. Deborah Hodgkins, associate professor of English, is watching several of her students march off to graduate schools around New England, including Kathleen Harrigan who was awarded a teaching assistantship at the University of New Hampshire.
“Kathleen is a Houlton native who began her course work with the Houlton Higher Education Center,” Hodgkins said. “She finished her course work on campus in Presque Isle where she also worked as a consultant in the UMPI writing center.”
Also pursing an advanced degree in English is Jason Black who is off to the University of Maine. His sister Cherie Black is going straight from the university classroom into the public school classroom when she begins her student teaching this fall.
“All three of these students went to Utah to present at the Undergraduate Learning Conference,” Hodgkins said. “I eagerly look forward to what they will contribute to literary scholarship and teaching.”
Also hitting the books at graduate school this fall are Tammy Smith and Priscilla Jewell who will attend the University of Maine and Holly Carter who is going to study in Florida. Three others have been offered full scholarships at their future graduate schools in the area of political science: Erik Davidshofer, the University of Oklahoma; Chris Raymond, the University of Missouri; and Laura Stoyanova, a 2006 graduate from Bulgaria, to Florida State University.
Jewell, a recipient of the Ray Dow Award from the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers in recognition of a senior who best exemplifies the values of the social work profession, is entering the MSW program at the Orono campus.
Other members of the class of 2007 have decided to enter the work force right away. Brad Fitzgerald is the newest member of the Presque Isle Police Department; Alicia Crandell, teacher; Misty Violette, Stepping Stones Transitional Living Program in Houlton; Management Trainee Glen McNally; Jessica Cesare, the new manager of the 21st Century Program and the Fort Fairfield Recreation Department; and a host of graduates to the Defense Finance Accounting Services in Limestone: Kristi Fitzpatrick, Celena Paul, Collette Cormier and Jocelyn Winslow.
Lacey Boone, a commuter student from Gladwyn, New Brunswick, translated her field experience at the Presque Isle Battered Women’s Project into a full-time position there.
“The director of that organization states they are delighted to have someone of Lacey’s caliber join their work,” said Kim-Anne Perkins, director of UMPI’s bachelor of social work program.
Non-traditional student graduate Wendy Koenig celebrated her commencement with the near-simultaneous publication of her science fiction novel and is looking ahead to the publication of her first young adult novel.
“All of us at the University of Maine at Presque Isle continue to be impressed by not only our graduates, but by our current students,” Don Zillman, campus president said. “Through their consistent levels of high-quality work both in academics and in public service, they do their faculty and fellow students proud. They are shining examples of what degree holders at our campus can achieve.”
UMF holds 154th commencement ceremony
FARMINGTON – Of the 501 members of the University of Maine at Farmington 2007 graduating class, approximately 423 graduates marched in the university’s 154th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12, on the UMF campus.
Delivering the keynote address was Alan G. Kuniholm, AIA, LEED, principal of Portland’s PDT Architects and architect of UMF’s new Education Center. In his remarks, Kuniholm discussed the significance of creativity, collaboration and sustainable architecture in the efforts to reduce the effects of global warming. Graduating senior Alexander B. Pringle, of Portland, gave the student address and University of Maine System Board of Trustee Chair Margaret A. Weston wished the graduates well. President Theodora J. Kalikow and Vice President for Academic Affairs Allen Berger conferred the degrees.
This year’s commencement ceremony marked a continuation of the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability and to graduating responsible global citizens who care about the environment.
“In addition to educating our community, we should demonstrate by our own policies and practices that we are good environmental stewards,” said Kalikow. “It’s exciting to see our graduates so deeply rooted in their beliefs and ready to take their turn to make a difference.”
Local students receiving degrees included:
• Blaine – Justin M. Reed, B.A., psychology;
• Eagle Lake – Holly Theresa Pelletier, B.A., psychology;
• Mapleton – Thomas Hoyt Gregg, B.A., geology;
• Presque Isle – Benjamin Lauritsen Deschene, B.S., secondary social studies; Kristin Lee Guerrette, B.S., early childhood education; and Bailly Ada Hovey, B.S., elementary education.
301 students receive degrees at UMFK commencement
FORT KENT – Three hundred and one students received their degrees at the 125th commencement exercises at the University of Maine at Fort Kent this past weekend.
University President Dr. Richard W. Cost presided over the ceremony that conferred 267 bachelor and 38 associate degrees.
In addition to awarding the diplomas to the class of 2007, Norman L. Fournier, from Wallagrass, was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, which was conferred by Cost.
In addition to Fournier, Sherrie L. Clavette, senior class president, addressed her fellow graduates. Clavette, from Frenchville, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Also at the commencement ceremony, E. Daniel Nicolas, from Fort Kent, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award.
The number of female graduates outnumbered the male students earning degrees. Sixty-three percent, or 191, of the graduates were female; 37 percent or 110 graduates were male.
The largest percentage of students earning baccalaureate degrees were in the field of education.
Fifty-three percent of the class of 2006 (166 students) graduated with a bachelor of university studies in education. That number includes 99 students earning their degree in elementary education and 67 students in secondary education.
Baccalaureate degrees were awarded to students in: behavioral science (13), biology (seven), business (14), computer applications (three), educational studies (three), electronic commerce (one), English (two), environmental studies (seven), French (one), nursing (38), mathematics (one) and public safety administration (three), social science (two) and university studies (six).
Associate degrees were awarded to students in: business (13), criminal justice (11), computer science (one), human services (five), forestry (six) and general studies (two).
The following is a list of local graduates and their field of study:
• Eagle Lake: Laurie Ann Belanger Boutot, bachelor of science in behavioral science; Michelle Lynn Richardson, bachelor of university studies in general studies; Nathan Theriault, associate of arts of business; and Morgan K. Wilson, bachelor of science in behavioral science;
• Mars Hill: Deidre L. Cushman, bachelor of science in nursing; and Arlie J. Wiggins, bachelor of science in biology and secondary life science; and
• Presque Isle: Johan Dufresne Langley, bachelor of science in nursing.
