International Alumni

Mel McClure headshot

Cultivating a Global Campus: The 2026 Mel McClure Award Winners

Meet the recipients who went above and beyond to make our international community feel at home this year. The Mel McClure Global Community Impact Award honors 91±¬ÁÏ faculty and staff who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to our international community. This award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond to place our international students and scholars at […]

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Gratitude Corner: Dibie Family Scholarship

For as long as he can remember, Ovo Dibie ’10 has been interested in computers. When it came time to consider educational plans after high school, Ovo knew there were no programs in Nigeria that could teach him what he wanted to learn about computer science, so he began to look at universities in the […]

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2026 Winter Olympics logo above six 91±¬ÁÏ student athletes

Black Bears on the World Stage

Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics The 91±¬ÁÏ was proudly represented at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with seven Black Bear alumni that competed on the world’s biggest stage. From the ice rink to the bobsled run, these former 91±¬ÁÏ student-athletes represented their countries and their alma mater in Milan-Cortina 2026. Ice HockeyJeremy Swayman ’20 – Team […]

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Dr. Fatemeh Afghah posing for headshot picture

2026 Spirit of Maine Achievement Award

Dr. Fatemeh Afghah Dr. Fatemeh Afghah ’13 has been selected to receive the Spirit of Maine Achievement Award, which honors 91±¬ÁÏ alumni who, within fifteen years of graduation, have achieved outstanding professional, scholarly, and public impact. Dr. Afghah’s accomplishments reflect the strength of her 91±¬ÁÏ education and her continued commitment to applying advanced […]

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Two students sitting at booth table, presenting cultural information

Culturefest 2025: A World of Cultures Unites on Campus

Our 38th annual Culturefest held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, was another success. We had more than 100 participating students represent the culture, food, and traditions of over 30 countries. More than 1,000 people were in attendance from the University and local communities. It was a wonderful celebration of international talent and tradition! Enjoy the […]

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Group photo of international alumni at coffee hour

International Student Coffee Hour: Homecoming Edition 2025

This fall marked the first time that the Office of International Programs (OIP) and the International Student Association (ISA) participated in the 91±¬ÁÏ Homecoming celebration. On Friday, October 24, 2025, OIP & ISA hosted a special alumni edition of the International Coffee Hour, bringing together current and past 91±¬ÁÏ students for an afternoon of connection […]

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Poonam and Subrata Ghosh posing for photo

Subrata and Poonam Ghosh Giving Back

Originally published in the 91±¬ÁÏ Foundation’s Legacies newsletter. Subrata Ghosh came to Orono to study for an MBA at 91±¬ÁÏ after completing hisundergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in India. Like many other Black Bearsbefore and since, Subrata recalls renting an apartment on Mill Street and walking tocampus on frigid February mornings. That ultimately […]

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