Graduates told ‘you can make a difference’

14 years ago

By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer

PRESQUE ISLE — Two hundred and thirty-four students graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Saturday, May 14, during the 2011 commencement exercises — the University’s 102nd commencement ceremony. President Donald Zillman conferred degrees for the 2010-11 academic year upon 136 students who participated in the event held in Wieden Gymnasium.

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Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Annie Charles sings the National Anthem as UMPI faculty and visiting dignitaries look to the flag mounted high in Wieden Gymnasium. Pictured from left: Charles; Michael Sonntag, vice president of academic affairs; Stephen Richard, chair, Board of Visitors; UMPI Pres. Don Zillman; Anthony D. Cortese, guest speaker, president of Second Nature; Samuel Collins, member, Board of Trustees, University of Maine System; Christine Corsello, dean of students; and Rep. Joyce Fitzpatrick.

Taking part in the festivities this year were a mix of students — past, present and future. Among those in attendance was Edward F. Holden, a World War II veteran and member of the Class of 1943, who was presented with his certificate of graduation.

“We have the special pleasure of honoring Edward Holden, a member of the Class of 1943, who would have marched at graduation in 1943 but World War II intervened and he wasn’t able to do so,” said Zillman, noting Holden had completed the required courses to graduate but never received the formal documentation.

Holden, who served in the Army working with the airway communication system, attended the Normal School, majoring in elementary education prior to serving his country in locations including the South Pacific.

“I helped locate aircraft that were lost while flying. Radar took our place but not while I was in the service,” he said.

He said he was surprised when UMPI officials contacted him and asked him to attend commencement activities.

“Because of the war, I didn’t get my diploma. University officials invited me back to receive it,” said Holden.

After the war, Holden obtained his bachelor in education degree from Boston University in 1947, followed by his master’s in education from the University of Maine in 1953.

“I taught for 40 years, including in Presque Isle from 1947-51. I was raised in New Hampshire — lived there about seven years; lived one year in Limestone; one year in Fort Fairfield; another three in New Jersey. My stepfather was a customs officer. In 1951 I began teaching in Grenwich, Conn. I taught grades 9-12 — taught 40 years,” Holden said. “I also taught in New Hampshire and Virginia.”

After retiring from teaching, Holden pursued a second career in what began as a hobby many years ago.

“I started doing genealogy in the 1950s, been doing it ever since. I now work as the genealogist for the state of New Hampshire,” said Holden.

Zillman said this was another good year for the University, with a number of positive things taking place on campus.

“It has been another remarkable year at the University of Maine at Presque Isle,” said Zillman. “The University has achieved much over the past year, including: a national award for institutional excellence in climate leadership; a $750,000 grant received for the Pullen Hall renovation project; capacity audiences at Wieden Auditorium for the UMPI production of John Cariani’s ‘Almost, Maine;’ qualification of its first skier, freshman Welly Ramsey, for the NCAA National Men’s Skiing Championship; and the announcement that Keren Morin, a 2011 graduate, was selected by the Maine Community Foundation as a member of the Maine Policy Scholars 2010-11 class.”

“We are very pleased about the successes we have enjoyed this academic year,” continued Zillman, “and excited for our graduates as they build on their successes here and prepare to follow the thousands of UMPI students before them in making their own unique mark on the world.”

Zillman noted that among the graduates this year were several from countries around the world, including Nepal, France, China and England.

Dr. Anthony D. Cortese addressed the graduates as this year’s commencement speaker. During the event, an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree was presented to Cortese as well.

One of the pioneers in the effort to integrate sustainability principles and programs into higher education in the United States, Cortese is the president of Second Nature, a non-profit organization he co-founded in 1993 with Sen. John Kerry and Teresa Heinz with a mission “to develop the national capacity to make healthy, just and sustainable action a foundation of all learning and practice in higher education.”

Cortese is co-organizer of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), which was launched in 2007 to engage college and university leadership in addressing climate issues.

“More people today experience a better quality of life than ever before,” Cortese said. “You (graduates) are at a crossroads.”

Cortese encouraged graduates to “pursue meaningful work” and that “quality of life can be balanced with consumption.”

“We can work together to live more efficiently. We can translate complex ideas into a new vision. After all, necessity is the mother of invention,” Cortese said.

During Cortese’s speech, he paused briefly as a young girl from the audience wandered near the stage. He asked if she’d like to come up and she did. Cortese picked the girl up, continuing his speech as he held her, referring to her as a member of “the Class of 2026.”

Cortese congratulated the University for efforts made to help reduce dependence on fossil fuel.

“You’re doing it at UMPI. It’s important to reduce greenhouse gasses through such methods as wind and solar,” said Cortese. “It’s about making the seemingly impossible possible. Scientists and engineers said space flight couldn’t be done. President Kennedy believed it could and was done in 10 years.”

Cortese told the graduates “you have the power to do this.”

“Markets don’t create themselves, people do. Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. You have to act and create it,” said Cortese, closing by telling the audience, “My father said ‘If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you’ve never been alone in a tent with a mosquito.’”

The ceremony was marked by a youthful presence, as children periodically garnered attention for their innocent actions. Zillman laughed as he commented he looked forward to seeing the unidentified little girl as a future student at UMPI. During the ceremony an unidentified boy about 3 years old waved a piece of paper as he hollered to his mother — who was returning to her seat after receiving her degree — telling her, “I made you something mommy.” A third girl, identified as 2-year-old Ivy Henne, made her way to the front row of graduates, where she was scooped up by her mother, Candace Henne, who’d received her bachelor of science in elementary education earlier in the ceremony. Zillman said it was a pleasure to see so many families and friends turn out to mark the occasion.

During UMPI’s commencement exercises, Samuel W. Collins brought greetings form the University of Maine System and its Board of Trustees. Stephen D. Richard, UMPI Board of Visitors chair, and Keith Madore, UMPI director of alumni relations, offered remarks on behalf of each organization, respectively. Annie Charles performed the National Anthem, while David Ferrell sang the Canadian National Anthem.

Several members of the University’s Class of 1961 were present and recognized on their 50-year milestone.

A reception for graduates, family and friends was help in the Campus Center immediately following the ceremony.