UMFK News Releases

The University of Maine at Fort Kent’s Foundation is pleased to announce the return of their annual dinner/performance fundraising event, featuring the jazz duo of Stephen Boody and Kori Lovejoy. The Roaring 20’s-themed event will take place on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

“This is an excellent opportunity to support the UMFK Foundation and celebrate the easing of COVID restrictions,” said event chairperson, Nichole Jandreau. “It has been far too long since we have been able to bring the community on campus, so we’re really excited for this event!”

The annual dinner/performance is the Foundation’s primary fundraising event of the year. The celebration brings together businesses, friends, and family from the UMFK community, including staff, faculty, students, and community friends, who recognize the important contributions the UMFK Foundation brings to both the St. John Valley region and the state. The people who attend, from the local area as well as from away, help to support endowed scholarships and other campus investments that the University needs to continue its important work.

The annual event includes a social hour at 5 p.m. and a seven-course gourmet dinner to begin at 6 p.m., both in the UMFK Sports Center. The musicians will perform during the dessert social.

“This is a well-loved event that we’re happy to bring back,” said UMFK Development Officer, Shannon Lugdon. “The money raised during this event supports the university in so many valuable ways.”

All proceeds from this event are managed by the UMFK Foundation in order to support endowed scholarships and other funds, student research projects, faculty research awards, cultural events, library collections, other campus investments and special projects not budgeted for in the University’s annual operating budget.

Individual tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the dinner/performance fundraising event are available through the UMFK Development Office by calling 834-7800. Face coverings are optional for this event.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host several, in-person Bengal Bound Days in the next six weeks to bring prospective students to campus. This new take on an open house gives far more flexibility to the prospective students and families who wish to attend.

Prospective students and their families will tour campus, participate in lab experiments, meet UMFK students and faculty, as well as staff from various offices who will be available to answer questions on topics ranging from residential life, career planning and placement, to financial aid.

“As pandemic restrictions are beginning to ease, we knew we had to get back to bringing prospective students to campus,” said interim Dean of Enrollment, Dr. David Tracy. “We know that visiting a college helps a student determine if it has the right fit and feel for them. The pandemic made this difficult for everyone so we’re pushing hard to ramp up student visits to UMFK.”

The day will begin with breakfast and welcomes and then move to academic program sessions. Prospective students will have the option to attend portions of a class or lab so they can experience a snippet of college academics. After lunch they will tour the campus and meet more UMFK students.

Prospective students have the option to bring supporting documents with them for a same-day admissions decision. They will also be able to meet with financial aid representatives and learn about scholarships or simply ask questions. All prospective students will have the opportunity to ask any additional questions about the campus in a wrap-up session at 1:00 p.m.

Bengal Bound Days will take place on: March 25, April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22, and April 27. For more information, please contact UMFK’s Admissions office at 207-834-7600 or toll-free at 1-888-879-8635. They can also be reached via email at umfklife@maine.edu.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent’s eleventh annual Scholars’ Symposium will take place on Tuesday, April 26th and Wednesday, April 27th on the UMFK campus. The theme of this year’s event is, “Perspectives: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.”

“Our committee composed of faculty, students, and staff felt Perspectives was an important theme in recognition of the complexity of the diversity of perspectives and outlooks on our campus and globally,” said Dr. Kaisa Holloway Cripps, co-chair of the committee along with colleagues Dr. Michael Curran and Dr. Leo Trudel. “The theme provides a way for us to share our opinions and engage in collegial conversation to continue to build our positive campus and Fort Kent community.”

The two-day showcase of students’ academic achievements kicks-off on Tuesday evening with a talk by Acadian Archives/Archives Acadienne Director, Dr. Patrick Lacroix who will share perspectives on the Acadian and Franco communities of St. John Valley and beyond. The presentation will be held at 5:00 p.m. in Nadeau Hall.

Dr. Lacroix earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in history at institutions throughout Canada and New England. Dr. Lacroix has published several pieces in publications. He recently published in the American Review of Canadian Studies, Prelude to the “Great Hemorrhage”: French Canadians in the United States, 1775-1840.

Beginning at 7 p.m. in the Bengal’s Lair, the Student Activities department will host its annual Bengal Life Awards. The awards are presented each year to recognize individual students, faculty, and staff who demonstrate outstanding service and who make significant contributions to UMFK and to the Fort Kent community.

On Wednesday, the symposium will begin with a welcome from UMFK President Dr. Deb Hedeen at 8:30 a.m. in Fox Auditorium. She will be followed by the keynote speaker Honorable Troy Jackson, Maine State Senate president and UMFK alumnus from the class of 2001, who will speak to the UMFK campus community at 8:40 a.m.

Troy Jackson is a fifth-generation logger from Allagash, Maine. Jackson serves in the Maine Senate from District 1, representing northern Aroostook County. In 2018, he was unanimously elected president of the Maine Senate and in 2020, Jackson was re-elected to that position.

According to his webpage, “In Augusta, Troy has emerged as a health care champion, spearheading legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, increase access to care and fund rural hospitals. He has fought for property tax relief so hardworking Mainers can afford to stay in their homes and communities. He has led the charge to protect workers’ rights and worked to promote good-paying jobs in rural Maine.”

At 9:10 a.m. in Fox Auditorium, undergraduate awards will be presented by Dr. Hedeen.

“Lightning Talks,” which are five-minute presentations that will focus on a single topic, example, idea, project, or technique will be presented by UMFK faculty and community members beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the auditorium.

The symposium will include a panel discussion by Dr. Paul Mayeswski and Dr. Alice (Pips) Veazey on “Maine and the Arctic: Perspectives on the Connections and Solutions.”

Dr. Mayewski is director and professor of the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine and Distinguished Professor in the Schools of Earth and Climate Sciences, Marine Sciences, Policy and International Affairs, and the Business School, and Law School. He is an internationally acclaimed glaciologist, climate scientist and polar explorer, leader of many expeditions.

Dr. Veazey is director of the UMaine Portland Gateway. She has led numerous teams of students, educators, scientists, decision makers and community partners to increase research competitiveness, promote economic development efforts and expand statewide workforce programs.

Question and answer sessions will follow presentations held in the auditorium and will be monitored by the UMFK Scholar Symposium committee chairs.

The afternoon will highlight students’ research with poster sessions, presentations, and demonstrations, and the students will answer questions about their methodologies and findings. These will be held simultaneously from 1:30 pm to 3:30 p.m. around the campus.

Students can earn an Undergraduate Research Scholar micro-credential through their research and are eligible to earn awards and certificates.

The symposium is free, and the public is welcome. Please check umfk.edu for requirements related to Covid-19.

UMFK Scholars’ Symposium fosters a community of engaged educators, researchers, and life-long learners who value academic excellence, scholarship, and intellectual curiosity. Two days of stimulating presentations and discourse focuses on issues relevant to the region and to the institution’s mission, which commits to experiential learning, responsible citizenship, and environmental stewardship in its Franco-American, rural setting.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations of individual student-athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators for induction into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 18, 2022. The induction ceremony will be held during UMFK’s Homecoming weekend in September.

The UMFK Athletic Hall of Fame was established to recognize the men and women who have distinguished themselves in the field of athletics by their performance on UMFK athletic teams, through their achievements after graduation from the University, or by their efforts on behalf of UMFK Athletics.

Nominations will be accepted in the following categories: athlete, team, coach/administrator, and special inductee.

Any alumni or friend of UMFK may submit a nomination for consideration by a 15-member selection committee, which consists of students, athletes, coaches, faculty, administrators and alumni of the University. Nominees must receive at least 70 percent of the vote of the selection committee to be eligible for induction into the UMFK Athletic Hall of Fame.

A complete list of the eligibility requirements and selection process for inclusion in the Athletic Hall of Fame and an online official form located on UMFK website at https://athletics.umfk.edu/hof/

Nomination forms may be obtained on the UMFK campus at the Athletics Department (Sports Center).

For more information, please contact the Athletic Department at 207-834-8637.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is proud to announce its Dean’s List for the fall 2021 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. These students have demonstrated a level of resilience and academic excellence during the pandemic. Their accomplishments are to be acknowledged and celebrated. We are incredibly proud to have these talented students as members of the UMFK community.”

UMFK, situated at the center of Acadian history and culture in Maine, is a vital resource to the St. John Valley communities. The regional baccalaureate university within the University of Maine System serves more than 1,300 students.

The community of Fort Kent has a population of more than 4,000 and is situated in the St. John River Valley. The people of the valley are largely descended from the French-Acadians and French-Canadians.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent and the University of Maine School of Law (Maine Law) have announced a collaborative academic degree program, a 3+3 program, that facilitates the completion of a bachelor’s and J.D. degree in six years instead of seven.

“In this pathway program, UMFK’s business and environmental studies students can study at UMFK for three years and then, if accepted into Maine Law, they can finish their final year of UMFK at Maine Law while simultaneously working on their law degree,” said UMFK’s President, Dr. Deb Hedeen. “Maine has a need for attorneys in rural areas, so we’re hopeful this will help fill that need.”

This pathway program allows students to accelerate their studies, saving time and tuition. Students will still be required to take the LSAT exam and meet Maine Law’s admission standards. Maine Law will mentor and guide UMFK 3+3 students they move through the program.

“Our 3+3 program offers highly motivated students the opportunity to expand their academic horizons and jumpstart their careers,” Maine Law Dean Leigh Saufley said. “We are excited to welcome more UMFK students to Maine Law and with them their passions and diverse experiences.”

“An exciting pathway 3+3 students can take is to incorporate our new Arctic Studies minor into their degree plan,” said Dr. Kaisa Holloway Cripps, Assistant Professor of Business at UMFK. “Law is important to the dynamic Arctic landscape as governance adapts to environmental changes in the polar regions. Students will have the opportunity at Maine Law to apply, for example, for the Arctic Law Fellowship and travel to the Arctic to expand their learning and scholarship.”

For more information on this accelerated law degree opportunity, please contact UMFK’s Admissions office at 207-834-7600 or umfklife@maine.edu or Maine Law at 207-780-4341 or lawadmissions@maine.edu.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is pleased to announce that former interim UMFK President and Provost, Dr. Tex Boggs will be the keynote speaker for the 140^th commencement ceremony held on May 7, 2022.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Boggs speak at our celebration,” said UMFK President and Provost, Dr. Deb Hedeen. “His insight, as well as civic contributions, will be poignant for our students.”

Dr. Tex Boggs joined the University of Maine at Fort Kent on July 1, 2018, as an interim Provost. After the retirement of Dr. Short in 2019, Dr. Boggs was asked to stay on as the President & Provost of UMFK by the previous University of Maine System Chancellor, Dr. James Page, until July 2020.

Dr. Boggs has more than twenty-five years of presidential experience. He led Western Wyoming Community College for twenty years as well as five years at Antioch University in California. Prior to those roles he was a Wyoming State Senator for eight years.

“Dr. Boggs served UMFK with a tireless work ethic and a thoughtful approach to leadership which truly lead by example,” said UMFK’s Chief Business Officer, Pam Ashby, CPA. “He provided consistent and steady guidance throughout the planning stages of the Enrollment and Advancement Center.”

Since Dr. Boggs left UMFK, he has been enjoying time with family and the beautiful weather of California. He is currently undergoing the rigorous application process to become a member of the Orange County Civil Grand Jury.

“For his many contributions to campus in such a short amount of time, we are awarding Dr. Boggs an honorary degree from the University of Maine System,” said President Hedeen.

For more information about UMFK’s commencement, go to www.umfk.edu/commencement/ [link no longer active] or call 834-7500.