UMFK News Releases

The University of Maine at Fort Kent hosted the Aroostook County Spelling Bee competition for middle school students on Tuesday, February 11th.

Maine School Administrative District #27 sponsored the 2025 competition under the supervision of Travis Lynn, 7th grade English teacher at the Valley River Middle School in Fort Kent.

Sixteen students who competed were winners and runner-ups from the first round of the spelling bee from the following Aroostook County schools: Ashland District School; Easton Junior/Senior High School; Fort Kent Elementary and Valley Rivers Middle School; Greater Houlton Christian Academy; Madawaska Elementary and Madawaska Middle High School; Mill Pond School and Hodgdon Middle High School; M.S.A.D #33; and Woodland Consolidated.

The county champion is Claire Thorsnes, a 7th grader who attends the VRMS. Her winning word was “centipede.”

The winner will continue on to the state of Maine competition to be held at Bowdoin College on Saturday, March 22nd.

The spelling bee was free, and open to the public.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Foundation will host its 18th annual UMFK Foundation Gala dinner and entertainment fundraiser on Saturday, April 5, 2025, on the UMFK campus. “The Shaken, Not Stirred: A 007 Inspired” event where guests are encouraged, but not required, to get in the spirit of the evening by dressing in James Bond 007-themed attire.

“We are honored to continue this cherished tradition, as the UMFK Spring Gala celebrates 18 years of bringing our community together in elegance and excitement.,” said event chairperson and Foundation vice president, Nichole Jandreau. “Creating unforgettable memories while supporting our students and the future of the university is heartfelt by us all.”

The event kicks off at the Sports Center with a social beginning at 6 p.m., serving signature drinks and light appetizers. A seven-course dinner will be served at 7 p.m. followed by an evening of dancing with music provided by Pulse Entertainment. A dessert station and cash bar will remain open during the evening.

“The UMFK Foundation Board is excited to announce the details of our annual fundraising Gala,” said Foundation president Stephanie Chick. “This is our favorite time of year, where we welcome our friends, community members, and neighbors to experience a night of superb food, entertainment, and company. We can’t wait to see you there!”

The UMFK Foundation financially supports academics, research, scholarships, facilities, and more that are not budgeted in the University’s annual operating budget. This important work assists the University in providing students access to opportunities to ensure they reach their full potential.

The Gala is the Foundation’s primary fundraising event of the year. The celebration brings together businesses and organizations; the UMFK community – including staff, faculty, students, and community friends. Attendees include supporters from the local area and beyond who recognize the important contributions of the UMFK Foundation.

If you are interested in attending this great event to support the UMFK Foundation, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze sponsorship levels are available.

Sponsor or purchase your tickets online at the UMFK Foundation Giving website.

The deadline to sponsor a table or purchase tickets is Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

To reserve your spot or for more information, please contact the UMFK Development Office by calling 207-834-7800.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Board of Visitors invites the public to attend its annual Business Breakfast Series that will take place on Friday, March 21st, at 7:30 a.m. in the Nadeau Hall conference room on the UMFK campus.

The presenters will include Deborah Hedeen, UMFK President and Provost; Pamela Ashby, UMFK Chief Business Officer; and Heidi Carter, UMFK Executive Director of Marketing and Brand Management.

The topic of discussion is “University Updates and Future Initiatives.”

The presenters will share key highlights from the past year, including advancements in academic programs, campus initiatives, and enrollment management.

Join us for an in-depth discussion on the future direction of our institution and how we are preparing for the opportunities and challenges in supporting student success and meeting workforce needs.

Tickets for the breakfast are $15 and can be purchased online.

Deadline for registration is Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Please contact Lisa Roy at (207) 834-7504 or email at roylisa@maine.edu for more information.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is proud to announce the Dean’s List for the fall 2024 semester. This list includes full-time and part-time students.

“Congratulations to the students who have made the UMFK Dean’s & Academic Recognition Lists,” said UMFK’s President Deb Hedeen. “The Dean’s List includes full-time students and the Academic Recognition List acknowledges our part-time students. Their accomplishments are to be acknowledged and celebrated. We are incredibly proud to have these talented students as members of the UMFK community.”

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is the northernmost campus of the University of Maine System. It is the academic center for Acadian and Franco-American culture for the greater Fort Kent area and beyond. In addition, the diverse campus offers students a close-knit community experience with an international perspective.

UMFK offers multiple degree paths, which lead to associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees. For a complete program listing and more information, please visit the UMFK website.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Blake Library Gallery is featuring the works of students in Doug Clapp’s ART 200 Fundamentals of Art – Drawing class. The exhibit will be on display during the month of February.

The course introduces students to the basic concepts of drawing. Assignments ranged from nature abstractions, imaginative charcoal works, artworks in a series, and pen and inks of downtown Fort Kent.

The class work represents diverse forays into drawing by students who for the most part, have never drawn very much. The class tries to steer them away from safe areas, things they have already drawn perhaps, and into some of the categories common to artist, landscape, and still life.

“The students were free to choose their subject for their final works. After so many years as an art teacher it is no surprise that most students are amazed at what they accomplish, after starting the course telling me, ‘Professor, I really can’t draw,’” said Doug Clapp.

The exhibition can be viewed during library hours. For further information, please contact Gallery Curator Sofia Birden at (207) 834-7527.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host a performance by The Mallett Brothers Band on Saturday, January 25th from 6 to 9 p.m. in Fox Auditorium.

The Mallett Brothers Band is an independent rock and roll Americana country band from Maine. Their busy tour schedule since forming in 2009 has helped them to build a dedicated fan base across the U.S. and beyond while still calling the state of Maine their home. With a style that ranges from alt-country to Americana, country, jam and roots rock, theirs is a musical melting pot that’s influenced equally by the singer/songwriter tradition as by harder rock, classic country and psychedelic sounds.

The performance is open to the general public. Tickets are on sale for $25 per person. UMFK students may attend for free.

To purchase your tickets or for more information, please contact Stacey Martin, UMFK Student Life Coordinator, at stacy.martin@maine.edu or 834-7540.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host the second annual Indoor Biathlon Competition on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the UMFK Sports Center. The event is free and open to the public.

The competition is for ages 12 and up. Have fun and discover what the sport of biathlon is like. A typical biathlon is Nordic skiing and shooting; the indoor biathlon will be running and shooting.

Practice begins at 1:00 p.m., and the event will begin at 2 p.m. Participants need to bring sneakers.

Prizes will be awarded.

Sign-up online at https://www.umfk.edu/umfk-indoor-biathlon-competition/.

For more information, please contact Shannon Lugdon at 207-834-7665.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent TRIO/ Student Support Services held its First-Generation Celebration Week from Monday, November 4th through Friday, November 8th.

Being a first-gen student means that your parent (s) did not complete a four-year college. Being a first-generation student often comes with unique challenges, such as navigating the complexities of higher education, including financial aid, academic expectations, and campus resources, without having parents who have gone through the process. UMFK supports programs like TRIO, providing resources to help first-generation students achieve academic and personal success.

In a letter to campus, UMFK President Deb Hedeen said, “I am proud to be a first-generation student. I have so much gratitude that I have had the opportunity to advance my education which has led to a very rich and meaningful career in higher education. Congratulations to the first-generation students who are students, faculty, and staff on our campus.”

UMFK celebrated the success of first-generation college students by hosting various events during the week. Nikki Vachon, a college access counselor at the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), was on campus to assist students with their FAFSA and all the FAFSA changes. There was a panel of First-Gen staff, alumni, and students who shared their college experiences from challenges and triumphs with current first-gen students.

“TRIO directed a First-Gen Week initiative to deepen the understanding among UMFK staff, faculty, and students. This included a series of engaging activities, along with a personal letter from UMFK President Deb Hedeen, sharing insights on what it means to be a first-generation student,” said Susan Dubay, director of Student Support Services and TRIO. “These activities involved informational sessions, financial literacy, and all the resources that TRIO has for these students at UMFK in order to thrive, succeed, and eventually graduate with a degree. Being a college student in a four-year institution is something to celebrate as they transition from being in a first-generation home to their own home with a college degree.”

Current first-gen students gathered at the Student Support Center for a session that provided tips for developing good study habits and note-taking skills. Later that day, there was a First-Gen informational table to promote the TRIO program, and UMFK first-gen pins were given out to wear with pride.

The University Credit Union’s branch manager on the UMPI campus, Jen Deschaine, was invited to discuss First-Gen scams and how to avoid them. The week-long festivities ended with free coffee, donuts, and a photo booth.

For more information on the TRIO Program at UMFK, please contact Susan Dubay, director of Student Support Services, at susan.dubay@maine.edu or by calling 207-834-7869.