UMFK News Releases

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Blake Library Gallery is currently 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 March.

The course introduces students to the basic concepts of drawing. The class also encourages students to think about and come to understand two major things; first, there are so many different drawing styles when you consider the thousands of famous artists who created drawings that there has to be at least one style that you could successfully use, and second, that drawing is a form of creating, expressing, and communicating where form follows function; what are you trying to do when you draw? Are you trying to capture visually something that interests you? Are you making a plan for a more elaborate artwork? Are you trying to create a finished, stand-alone work of art using some drawing medium?

With those ideas in place, the class work consisted of learning something about a specific artist or group of artists and how, what, and why they drew, exploring different drawing mediums and their strengths and weaknesses.

“Students that chose to take the course were reminded that, as an intro course, no prior skill at drawing was necessary and that success would depend on their individual growth, not on some perceived standard of drawing skill,” said Clapp. “When Sophia Birden approached me about an exhibition of student work in Blake Library, I enthusiastically agreed that it was a great idea. I planned for it to represent a sampling of work from all of them and from across the semester’s work.”

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’s Foundation will host its 17th annual UMFK Foundation Gala dinner and entertainment fundraiser on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the UMFK Sports Center. The Denim and Diamonds-themed event will feature a social hour with the talented Taylor Martin, a seven-course dinner, and club dancing until the stars fade. Guests are encouraged, but not required, to show off their finest denim and sparkling diamonds for a night of celebration.

“We at the UMFK Foundation Board are pleased to invite community members near and far to our annual Foundation Gala. Our theme this year is Denim and Diamonds, and we are excited to see everyone’s creative styles shine through! We are proud to share that the funds raised from this event stay right here in the valley and support scholarships for our very own UMFK students (Go Bengals!),” said Foundation president Stephanie Chick. “Whether you attend every year or this will be your first Gala, please join us at UMFK on April 6th for a night of spectacular food, local entertainment, and a special tribute to a beloved community member. We can’t wait to see you there!”

The event kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Sports Center with a social hour with light appetizers and a cash bar. At 7 p.m., a seven-course dinner that is sure to exceed your expectations to be catered by Sodexo, followed by an evening of dancing with music provided by Pulse Entertainment at the Club Denim and Diamonds. A dessert station and cash bar will remain open during the evening.

“I am looking forward to another amazing night with our local community to benefit our Bengal community,” said event chairperson and Foundation vice president, Nichole Jandreau. “This night is imperative to the success of our students, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone. Seeing our students forge relationships with people and businesses in a fun, unique way is special for everyone.”

The UMFK Foundation financially supports scholarships, special academic projects, 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, and 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 and supporting the UMFK Foundation, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze sponsorship levels are available. The deadline to sponsor a table is Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Individual tickets are also for sale.

Tickets are also available for purchase for $10 per person to attend only a night of dancing at the Club Denim and Diamonds, which begins at 9 p.m. at the Sports Center.

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

The University of Maine at Fort Kent men’s and women’s basketball teams have qualified to compete in the USCAA National Tournament for the first time since the 2019-2020 season. The tournament will take place March 10th-14th in Richmond, VA, and is hosted by Richard Bland College and Virginia State University.

The women’s team qualifies as the #3 seed in the tournament with a 12-9 overall record. The Bengals improved by 11 wins this season under first-year head coach Michael Mader and are led on the court by senior captains Coreeahn Yharbrough and Hannah Jones. The UMFK women will play #6 seed Salem University (WV) in the first round on Sunday, March 10th, at 3:00 p.m. at Richard Bland College.

The UMFK men will compete as the #8 seed with an 11-13 record. Head Coach Carly Flowers oversaw a nine-game improvement in her second season. Sophomore Aiden Grady (16.8 ppg) and junior Jordan Guerrero (12.2 ppg) lead the Bengals in scoring. They will play #1 seed The Apprentice School (Newport News, VA) in the first round on Sunday, March 10th at 5:00 pm at Virginia State University.

More information on the tournament, including game schedules and ticketing, can be found on the USCAA website.

Each year, the University of Maine at Fort Kent Alumni Association recognizes a UMFK alumnus or alumna for their outstanding character, professional achievement, distinguished leadership, service to UMFK, and service to the community. Without your input, we are unable to present a deserving individual with the appropriate recognition.

The Alumni Association Board appreciates all of the nominations that are received. If you know someone who has demonstrated success in their career and/or personal life, please take the time to nominate them online through the UMFK website’s Alumni and Giving section.

The deadline for submission is Friday, March 29, 2024. The recipient of the award will be honored during the University’s annual Homecoming weekend, which will be held in September.

If you would like to request a hard copy of the nomination form or for more information, please contact Susan Tardie at susan.tardie@maine.edu or by phone at (207) 834-7557.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent has recently launched the Bengal Executives initiative, designed to help students direct their futures through experiential learning opportunities such as micro internships with employer partners, pre-professional trainings, career exposure, student support and leadership, and network development.

The program is funded through the University of Maine System TRANSFORMS Student Success and Retention Initiative — Pathways to Careers and the Maine Recovery & Jobs Plan.

According to Tammy Delisle, the Career Services Coordinator at UMFK, “Building this program has been so much fun, and I am very passionate about it. These students are amazing and one hundred percent invested.”

Participating in the Bengal Executives program is a competitive process. The first four Bengal Executives — Daniel Franz, Anna Mclaughlin, Georgia Burton, and Alexis Violette — were selected from a group who applied and interviewed for their positions.

Alexis Violette is a Behavioral Science major with a minor in Criminal Justice and is slated to graduate in 2025. She has been able to participate in and be a part of the Momentum Aroostook conference, which allowed her to network with many business owners and company organizations across the county. She was also able to work with Fish River Rural Health on a survey of the local community.

“The Bengal Executives program has enhanced my knowledge in professionalism while stepping outside of my comfort zone and has allowed me to meet new people,” said Violette, “Since starting with the Bengal Executives program, I have both grown my resume and expanded my skills.”

Daniel Franz, an international student from Germany, has enjoyed the additional exposure to marketing professionals that the program has provided. He has worked with the Fort Kent Outdoor Center and the United States Biathlon Association to develop a promotional video to promote U.S. Biathlon National Championships and the inaugural U.S. Biathlon Collegiate National Championships that will take place in Fort Kent March 21-24.

“I would say the biggest enhancement to my education that the Bengal Executives program has given me is exposure to leadership and teamwork,” said Franz, “In working closely with the U.S. Biathlon Association marketing team, I have had a deeper look into the world of marketing and how things are being approached. This is huge, and I’m so proud to be part of it.”

As to the future of the program, funding has been secured for three years, but organizers are hopeful.

“I have been working with a UMS steering committee and we will be working on gathering assessment data to highlight the impact of the project,” Delisle said.

Currently, the four current Bengal Executives have planned and are conducting a Career Boot Camp for eight participating students. From this group, four more executives will be selected.

“This program helped me understand how the world works after college,” said Franz, “It’s like a preview for the work ahead.”

For more information about the University of Maine at Fort Kent, please visit the UMFK website.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host its annual “Sucrerie” on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Nowland Hall.

The “maple sugar recreation” has drawn more than 200 community members to campus in years past. The event features a traditional maple taffy pull on the snow, an Acadian meal, and live entertainment.

The on-site maple taffy pull and taste testing, served over the snow for community members to enjoy, are free to the public. The public is encouraged to attend the “Sucrerie.”

All ployes will be served by UMFK employees wearing Acadian attire.

A nominal fee of $15 per plate will be charged for the Acadian meal and entertainment. The committee has worked with Sodexo dining services to create the perfect menu for the event.

Specific areas will be designated parking for community members.

UMFK continues to preserve and foster an appreciation of the Acadian and Franco-American heritage and culture by hosting annual events such as the “Sucrerie.”

For more information, contact the University Relations office at 834-7557 or by e-mail at susan.tardie@maine.edu.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is proud to announce the Dean’s List for the Fall 2023 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 who have earned a 3.2 grade point average, while the Academic Recognition List acknowledges our part-time students who have also earned a 3.2 GPA. 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 that lead to associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. For a complete program listing and more information, please visit umfk.edu.

On December first, the University of Maine at Fort Kent nursing department hosted a Pediatric Health Fair at the UMFK Sports Center. Over four hundred and fifty children from surrounding communities, kindergarten to grade six, attended the event, which showcased thirty-six booths of varying health and wellness topics appropriate for children.

The booths were led and developed by nursing students and community organizations. Each student worked with a field expert to guide them in the right direction for the latest and most up-to-date information for that particular discipline. These collaborators helped students engage in professional communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, and networking.

Many of the booths were interactive, providing a quick learning activity run by nursing students to engage the children, with the added bonus of allowing elementary teachers a well-deserved break. With two tracks and students rotating through each booth every 4.5 minutes, booth facilitators were able to capture and maintain the children’s attention on each topic to provide meaningful health education for the students of the St. John Valley.

“Our nursing students put a lot of time, effort, and energy not only into their projects but also in meeting with their professional collaborators to present evidenced-based materials that met Maine State Learning requirements for our elementary school educators as well,” said Stephanie Nadeau, UMFK Clinical Placement & Testing Coordinator, adjunct faculty, and organizer of the event.

This was the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the university hosted the event.

“It was so nice to have people back on the UMFK campus and to watch the nursing students interacting with the pediatric population,” said Nadeau, “The smiles were endless!”

The event provided meaningful contact hours for UMFK Nursing students and addressed professional collaboration, health education, and interaction with the pediatric population. It allowed students to explore the importance of being nurse educators for patients, whether it is for the community, a single patient, or a larger entity like the school-aged population. It also provided area children a fun and interactive way to learn important health information. There was even a surprise visit from Benny the Bengal.

”The event was a great success and had a huge impact on the students and the pediatric population,” said Nadeau.

To learn more about UMFK’s Nursing programs, visit the Nursing program page.

The trustees of the Maine Higher Education Assistance Foundation (MeHEAF) are pleased to announce the awarding of a scholarship for $1,200 to Maddix Corriveau of Madawaska. Maddix is a junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, where he maintains a high grade-point average.

Josh Steirman, director of government relations of the Maine Bankers Association, made the presentation to Corriveau on Wednesday, November 8th, on the UMFK campus, with members of UMFK faculty and staff and a local bank representative.

Maddix is a 2021 graduate of Madawaska Middle/High School and currently works as a member sales associate at Norstate Federal Credit Union in Madawaska. He previously worked as an associate and assistant department manager at Paradis Shop ‘N Save in Madawaska for four years and as a UMFK work-study student in the Humanities Division.

The Higher Education Assistance Foundation (HEAF) was founded in the 1950s by a group of banks, businesses, community organizations, and individuals. Now administered by the Maine Bankers Association, the Foundation annually awards scholarships to students with a business-related major at select Maine colleges to Maine high school graduates. It has awarded more than $440,000 since 1990. This year, to reflect the increased cost of education, the scholarship has been increased from $1,000 to $1,200 per award. The students receiving scholarships were selected by their departments on the basis of their academic excellence.

MeHEAF has given thirty-four scholarships to UMFK students to date. UMFK also has a plaque with each student’s name and year awarded, which the University displays in the Grindle conference room located in Cyr Hall.