FORT KENT, Maine – Traditions are important to college campuses. They help instill a sense of unity throughout the campus community and across the generations of classes as they pass through the doors. The University of Maine at Fort Kent community hopes to instill a new tradition for the campus through a project that was incorporated into this year’s Homecoming celebration.
The UMFK Gratitude Project is an effort to build community among students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, businesses and Fort Kent residents. The focal point of the project consists of hand-written sentiments of gratitude on colorful ribbons that now hang on the campus’ trees. The visual installation provides a reminder that gratitude creates a more vibrant space and life.
“Service learning is an important aspect of the Behavioral Science curriculum. When I brought the concept of the Gratitude Project to other members of campus, I also knew it would provide an excellent opportunity for students to bridge the connection with the Fort Kent community,” said Dr. Shawn Graham, UMFK associate professor of counseling, behavioral science unit chair and faculty assembly chair, “The response has been outstanding. It has been well received.”
Behavioral science students Ryan McAtee and Andrew Pierce have supported the project by connecting with interested community members prior to Homecoming weekend to have them participate by writing their statements on the ribbons and collecting them when they were completed.
”It is so important for a small college to be involved in the community,” Pierce said, “And I absolutely think it will look pretty awesome.”
McAtee added, “I wish we would have had this when I was a new student. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed when you first go to school. There’s a lot of changes to get used to. The Gratitude Project is a way of grounding, as a reminder of what is most important to you.”
Participants were able to choose the color of ribbon that they wrote their sentiment on and had the opportunity to do multiple ribbons. Children at MSAD #27 and business owners were some of the groups that were included in the project.
Visit umfk.edu for more information on the behavioral science program at UMFK.
