UMFK News Releases

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Acadian Archives/Archives acadiennes will welcome author Joseph Ralph Theriault for the launch of both volumes of Moulins du Madawaska/Mills of Madawaska on Sunday, September 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Powell Hall, room 123 (Acadian Archives entrance) on the UMFK campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The book is the culmination of years of research on an essential aspect of Valley history. From the dawn of the Acadian era in the Madawaska territory, the flour mills, sawmills, and wool carding mills produced the food, shelter, and clothing necessary to sustain the local community. The first volume focuses on the culture and history of twelve of the early mills in the St. John Valley, while the second volume is a historical register of the 250 mills that existed in the Valley from 1785 to 1985.

The son of Théodule and Elsie Dubé Theriault, Joseph Ralph Theriault grew up in Upper Frenchville, Maine. He is an electrical engineer by profession and is a retired officer of the United States Air Force. He worked for the Raytheon Company in Lexington, Massachusetts, for many years. Mr. Theriault founded the Terriot Acadian Family Society in 1999, which boasts about 125 members.

“These two volumes represent a colossal undertaking,” said Patrick Lacroix, the director of the Acadian Archives. “Mr. Theriault’s work helps us understand countless facets of Valley history. It is a privilege to be able to welcome him to campus and to share his work with the community.”

The event is organized by the Acadian Archives with the support of the Terriot Acadian Family Society, the publisher of Moulins du Madawaska/Mills of Madawaska.

The author will offer remarks and answer questions. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing. Copies will be available for sale on-site. Softcover editions of volume one and volume two are priced at $15 and $25, respectively; hardcover copies are $25 and $35.

For more information on the book launch, please contact Patrick Lacroix at (207) 834-7535.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host its fourteenth annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Ceremony on Saturday, September 23rd, in the University’s Sports Center during the University’s Homecoming weekend.

Following very successful classes before whose achievements and contributions exemplify the ideals of good citizenship, these three inductees of the UMFK Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023 are a distinguished group in their own right. Odean Irons graduated from UMFK with a bachelor of science degree in social science in 2018; Samantha Carapelluci graduated at UMFK earning a bachelor of science degree in behavioral science in 2017; and Brianna Krystek earned her bachelor of science degree in biology at UMFK in 2017.

Each of these individuals to be inducted had a big impact on Bengal athletics as an athlete and has contributed to their communities since.

In addition to the induction ceremony, Derrick Cooper, who graduated at UMFK in 2008 earning a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, will be honored as the recipient of the Floyd “Red” Powell Award.

The Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony begins at 5 p.m. with a social followed by a banquet and awards ceremony. The public is encouraged to attend.

Tickets for the banquet are $40 per person and may be purchased online using the Homecoming event registration form or through the Athletic Department, located at the Sports Center.

The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, September 4, 2023.

For more information on the induction ceremony or tickets, please contact Susan Tardie at 207-834-7557 or by email at: susan.tardie@maine.edu.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent’s Blake Library, in collaboration with the St. John Valley Senior College, will host American Pop Artist and Author Michael Albert’s famous art program and discussion on Wednesday, August 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Blake Library.

The program is designed for ages 17 and up, and there will be limited seating. Please contact Sofia Birden, Blake Library Director, at 207-834-7527 or sbirden@maine.edu to sign up or for more information.

The “Modern Pop Art Experience” generally includes an artist appearance (Meet the artist!) and an artist talk and presentation, where Mr. Albert introduces himself to the group and shows examples of his works. Then he will hold a hands-on collage workshop, where participants will get to create their own collages using the same materials he uses to create his serious works of art.

At the end of the program, each participant will leave with a free poster. Mr. Albert will have on-site about 20 different prints, which he has self-published in limited quantities, to choose from as a special gift for coming to the event.

In addition, that evening, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Fort Kent Public Library will host Mr. Albert’s Pop Art program for families and their children.

Again, there will be limited seating, so please contact Director Andrew Birden at 207-834-3048 or by fortkentpubliclibrary1@gmail.com to sign-up and for further details.

Michael Albert will bring his nationally renowned “Modern Pop Art Experience” art programs to more than 85 cities in 11 states this summer and to many in Maine and Canada for the first time. He has run this program for over a decade and has brought it to more than 1,000 libraries, museums, arts events, and schools in 43 states. Michael Albert is in Maine from July 29th through August 12th and will run his programs throughout the state of Maine.

Mr. Albert was born and raised on Long Island in New York and currently lives and works in White Plains, New York. Albert is the author of an artist autobiography titled “An Artist’s America” (Henry Holt, 2008), and he is nationally known for making collage artworks from cereal boxes and other printed cardboard consumer brand packages. His work has been described as a cross between pop art, cubism, and recycling.

Albert’s pop art is often referred to as “modern” since he has been creating it for the past 25 years and continues to create new works on a regular basis, whereas the Pop Art movement began almost 70 years ago with the ‘old masters’ such as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and others who started creating art themed about everyday things (products and objects) and subjects (current events, etc.).

Albert’s official beginning as a Modern Pop artist back in 1996 was his Frosted Flakes box collage. He calls this collage “Portrait of An American Classic: The Birth of Cerealism.” Since that breakthrough creation, he has created over 700 collages from cereal boxes such as this, and thousands more with different themes, using the same everyday materials in all artworks.

He said his true goal in all his works and effort is to create a masterpiece worthy of hanging in a major museum like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

Please be sure to sign up for this interesting and fun art workshop held at UMFK’s Blake Library and the Fort Kent Public Library.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Blake Library Gallery will host an exhibition titled “The Mills of the Valley, 1785-2023: A Graphic Essay” by Al Craft. The exhibition will be on display from August 28th through September 28th on the University campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The exhibit explores ways geography affected – and was affected by – the nearly 350 saw and grist mills that historically operated in the Upper Saint John River Valley.

During and after a 2021 visit, three things triggered Al’s interest in the project: an act of kindness, something someone said, and something someone wrote. Daniel Tardif, owner-operator of Tardif Saw Mill in Fort Kent, kindly allowed Al to take photos of his mill in operation. An amateur digital photographer, Al jumped at the chance. Monica Tardif, Dan’s wife, was Al’s mill whisperer. She mentioned to him her impression that many young people in the community seem unaware of how mills feature in the community’s history, economic evolution, and cultural identity.

While Al wondered if there might be a way to use his photos to help spread the word, he had the good fortune to come across Joseph Theriault’s 2022 two-volume ground-breaking study, Moulins du Madawaska. “The importance of Mr. Theriault’s work cannot be overstated,” says Al, who trusted in it as a solid foundation upon which to build his project viewed through a geographer’s lens.

Al interviewed numerous farmers, woodsmen, businessmen, civic leaders, academicians, and millers of grain and wood in The Valley and beyond. He undertook seemingly unending cyber searches of libraries, repositories, and archives from London to Quebec, Fort Kent to Washington, D.C., and many more in between. He consulted hundreds of books, journal articles, and academic studies, as well as an equal or greater number of maps, paintings, tables, charts, and photos, some of which he has included in the installation.

The exhibit also covers American Indian use of Aroostook’s natural landscape; the Acadian, French Canadian, and Anglo arrivals and their respective use of mills; and how major historical inflection points – for example, the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, the days when lumber held powerful sway, the railroads’ fitful arrival, and region’s economic center of gravity shift from lumber to potatoes – affected Valley millers and mills.

Al leaned heavily on Sofia Birden, director of Library Services at the Blake Library, for expert research guidance and academic mentoring from Dr. Patrick Lacroix, director of the Acadian Archives. Judging that an intimate bridge to the community’s values and culture would leaven the project, he also reached out to Annette Grant and Don Raymond, life-long area residents, who helped steer and shape the project along the way as community advisors.

Of the 350 or so mills that operated in The Valley during the period of study, fewer than five remain open. Among those few, the longest continuously running mill in The Valley’s history remains open in Fort Kent: blades still whir at Tardif Saw Mill, a small but mighty family-owned heritage enterprise, now more than 100 years old. It serves not just as a mill but also contributes to community cohesion and the area’s unending attachment to its natural endowment.

Al believes that cohesion – a difficult-to-define but altogether precious quality – distinguishes The Valley from so many other localities he has come to know across the country. If Monica Tardif was right, Al thinks that the project will have succeeded even if just one young person sees it and comes away from it with a newly kindled sense of awe, knowing more about the centrality of mills in The Valley’s geography, history, economy, and culture.

A UMFK 1980 alumnus, Al resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. After leaving Fort Kent, he earned a master’s degree in geography at the University of Georgia. He retired from federal service more than a decade ago, however, and since then, he has returned to Fort Kent each fall.

The exhibit can be viewed during regular library hours. For more information, contact gallery curator Sofia Birden at (207) 834-7527.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is proud to announce the Dean’s List for the spring 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, which lead to associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees. For a complete program listing and more information, please visit umfk.edu.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is pleased to announce the publication of the ENG 100 and Rural U Writing Project Composition Series: LIFE Review, Volume Three.

In a Zoom event on June 7, 2023, hosted by English faculty members Dr. Joseph Becker and Professor Geraldine Cannon Becker, the third book of the series was unveiled.

These student interview essays went through a peer review process and were evaluated before being nominated for publication by their teachers. The selected essays were finally read by a panel of objective judges to select for the awards.

This year, the Old Sylvain House Press Awards were funded by Dr. Joseph E. Becker and Professor Geraldine Cannon Becker.

Winners of the awards are: first place, Norah Christensen (Durham, ME); second place, Aaliyah Samuels (Fort Kent); and third place, Isabelle Martin (Bangor, ME); as well as three honorable mentions: Anna McLaughlin (Chelsea, QC, Canada), Trinity Bordei (Newport, NH), and Crystal Forbes (Fort Fairfield, ME).

“English studies and publication opportunities are important in all fields. English and Communication courses give students tools and techniques for LIFE. An English minor would go deeper into how to more effectively apply skills of communication and creativity to their individual fields of study,” said Dr. Joseph E. Becker.

All money from book sales goes into the Old Sylvain House Press Award Fund. This Fund was put in place by Dr. Becker and Professor Cannon Becker to benefit the education of students at UMFK and honor their commitment to the importance of education for young people, specifically in the area of English Language Arts.

Professor Geraldine Cannon Becker said, “Students could select to earn a certificate by completing six courses or take a minor in Nature and Environmental Writing (NEW). Compatible with many majors, students could choose to minor in English at UMFK, and we would be happy to help them succeed. Come grow with us!”

On top of paying for the publication of essays written for the Composition Series: LIFE Review, depending upon funding, an annual scholarship may be awarded to a student who has had an essay published and is pursuing a degree in an area of study that is compatible with English at UMFK.

UMFK’s Development Officer, Shannon Lugdon, notes that anyone interested in donating toward the publication or scholarship award could give at UMFK.edu/give and designate Old Sylvain House Press Award Fund in the memo.

Copies of this volume and earlier volumes of the Composition Series: LIFE Review may be purchased through the Old Sylvain House Press website.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent’s Human Resources honored 22 members of its faculty and staff for their service to the University at a recent ceremony on campus. Special awards were given to employees who have been at the UMFK for five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, and thirty years of service.

President Dr. Deb Hedeen welcomed everyone at the 2023 UMFK employee recognition breakfast.

Lois Canzoni, Administrative Specialist CL3 for Student Affairs; Vanessa Degler, Administrative Specialist CL3 for Arts and Science and Professional Studies Division; Megan Desjardins, Financial Analyst for Administrative Services; Matthew Dyer, Admissions Counselor; Marilyn Epp, Assistant Professor of Public Safety Administration; Janna Gregory, Human Resources Project Assistant CL3; Russell Merriam, Facilities Maintenance Worker CL2 in Facilities Management; Kennedy Rubert-Nason, Assistant Professor of Chemistry; and Stacy Thibodeau, Assistant Professor of Nursing, were all recognized for five years of service.

Ten years of service honorees were Mark Kelly, Reading/Writing Specialist at the Student Success Center; Sandy Pelletier, Senior Lecturer of Nursing; and Denise Potvin, RN to BSN Professional Advisor.

Paul Guimond, Mechanical Specialist CL1 in Facilities Management; Brenda Pelletier, Library Specialist CL3 at Blake Library; and Tanya Sleeper, Professor of Adult Health Nursing, were all recognized for fifteen years of service.

Honorees for twenty years of service were Joseph Becker, Professor of English, and Stephen Hansen, Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies.

Melvin Belanger, Structure Specialist Carpenter CL3 in Facilities Management, was recognized for twenty-five years of service.

Robert Weyeneth, Mechanical Manager in Facilities Management, was honored with thirty years of service.

In addition to honoring employees, a special thank was given to retiring employees: Jeffrey Plourde, Building and Grounds Maintenance Worker Manager in Facilities Management for 47 years; Debra Durkin, 17 years as Library Specialist CL3 at Blake Library; and Cheryl Roberts, twelve years as an Instructor of Nursing.

On May 10th, four faculty members from The University of Maine at Fort Kent presented at the Faculty Institute Conference in Augusta. The Faculty Institute is exclusive to members of the University of Maine System and offers attendees professional development opportunities for distance educators.

Lisa Lavoie presented Multi-Campus, Interdisciplinary Faculty Interest Groups As A Vehicle For Improving University-Level Online Teaching And Learning. Lisa is an Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science at UMFK and also teaches at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of Southern Maine. She earned her Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) – Maine Studies from the University of Maine and her Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (CLRC) from the University of Southern Maine. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor as well as a certified rehabilitation counselor. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of the Cumberlands.

Dr. Kennedy “Ned” Rubert-Nason is the Assistant Professor of Chemistry at UMFK. He presented Reflecting on Plants, Soils & People: A Transdisciplinary Intercampus Undergraduate Research Experience with Two-Eyed Learning. He is a chemical ecologist with a Ph.D. in Molecular and Environmental Toxicology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2008) and a B.S. in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Virginia (2002). He co-founded the Inclusion section of the Ecological Society of America, served as a Howard Hughes Teaching Fellow, is a consistently published author, and loves doing all things outdoors. He uses a critical pedagogical approach to empower future healthcare workers, Earth stewards, leaders, and makers through collaborative, hands-on learning experiences.

Dr. Kelly White is the Assistant Professor of Computer Science at UMFK. He presented What ChatGPT and AI Mean to Higher Education. He earned his Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of New England, his educational specialist degree in Educational Technology from Nova Southeastern University, and his Master of Education in Educational Technology from the University of Phoenix. He has been a community college distance education administrator since 2001, first at the Community College of Vermont and then at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. During that time, Kelly also taught 3-8 credits per semester in the computer science department. For the last three years, he has taught computer science, physical science, and physics for MSAD 1 in Presque Isle. In addition, he has presented at conferences at the local, state, national and international levels on topics about distance education best practices and human-computer interaction.

Dr. Michael Curran is an Assistant Professor of Business at the UMFK and holds a doctorate in Information Systems. He presented four topics: Thor (Tourism, Hospitality, And Outdoor Recreation) – A Study In Inter-University Collaboration, What ChatGPT and AI Mean to Higher Education, University of Maine System Student Research Network (UMS-SRN), and Lessons From Prometheus And Frankenstein: AI And ChatGPT’s Impact On Education and Beyond. Dr. Curran has been a college professor for over 30 years and has taught in multiple disciplines, ranging from the Humanities to Information Technology. He has done research into the use of Artificial Intelligence and published on the use of AI in grading assignments. Additionally, he is currently working on research assessing the relationship between English language proficiency and the likelihood of using AI to generate written work by students. Dr. Curran earned his bachelor’s degree in History from Slippery Rock University, his MBA in Business from Chatham University, and his doctorate in Information Systems and Communication from Robert Morris University.

Although it has evolved and changed through time, The Faculty Institute has existed for thirty years to help serve the UMS faculty.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent graduating seniors received their degrees at the 141st commencement exercises held at the UMFK’s Sports Center on May 6th. University President Dr. Deborah Hedeen presided over the ceremony.

UMFK President Dr. Hedeen presented Don Voisine with an honorary degree.

Peter Sirois of Eagle Lake was honored with the University’s Distinguished Service Award for his many years of service to UMFK, the St. John Valley, and the state of Maine.

University of Maine System Board of Trustee Kelly Martin addressed the graduating class.

Rachel Leigh Johnson addressed her fellow graduates. Johnson is from Brunswick, Maine, and graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in Conservation Law Enforcement and Rural Public Safety Administration.

(Graduates listed by their hometowns.)