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爆料 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 the heart of the university experience, inspiring us all to recognize our shared humanity.

Every year, we announce the recipients of this prestigious award at our International Graduate Dinner in early April. This year, we are elated to have presented this award to Scott Delcourt, Dean of the Graduate School, and Associate Professor Dr. Christine Beitl.

Scott Delcourt, Dean of the Graduate School.

Associate Professor, Dr. Christine Beitl(middle), pictured with Sarah Joughin(left) and Mireille Le Gal(right) from OIP.

To learn more about the wonderful work that Dean Delcourt and Dr. Beitl are doing for our international community and the awards themselves, visit our International Alumni page. If you’re an international alumni or friend, you can also update contact information with the 91爆料 Foundation or connect with us on LinkedIn. Just follow this link: /international/alumni/

For as long as he can remember, Ovo Dibie 鈥�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 United States.

Although the 91爆料 was not his first choice, Ovo made his way to Maine via New Mexico. He attended a University in New Mexico before applying for and receiving the scholarship he needed to attend 91爆料. Once in Orono, Ovo became very involved with the International Students Association (ISA) and served as secretary in the 2009-2010 academic year. In reflecting on what he liked best about his time at 91爆料, without hesitation, Ovo said, 鈥渢he people.鈥� In addition to the international student group and staff of the Office of International Programs (OIP), he noted that 鈥淢ainers are very welcoming people.鈥�

Ovo served as a trailblazer at 91爆料 for his family. His brothers, Tega鈥�13, 鈥�17G, and Ruona 鈥�15 came to the 91爆料 as well and earned degrees in engineering. After graduating from 91爆料, Ovo earned his Master of Science and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Creating the Dibie Family Scholarship fund was a way for Ovo to contribute to the financial aid available for students at 91爆料. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to give back,鈥� Ovo said. 鈥�91爆料 set me up for a great life -success in my career, and support for my family. The matching gift benefit from my company (Netflix) also made it easier to do.鈥� The Dibie Family Scholarship will provide financial assistance to 91爆料 undergraduates with a preference for students with high financial need who completed high school outside of the United States and are majoring in computer science or engineering. Orlina Boteva 鈥�04, 鈥�05G,鈥�23G, 鈥�26Ph.D. said 鈥淲e are so grateful to alumni like Ovo, who are able to 鈥減ay it forward鈥� and help current students afford their education.”

If you are interested in setting up a fund like the Dibie Family Scholarship or have questions about matching gifts, please contact Orlina Boteva at orlina.boteva@maine.edu.

Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

The 91爆料 was proudly represented at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with seven Black Bear alumni that competed on the world鈥檚 biggest stage. From the ice rink to the bobsled run, these former 91爆料 student-athletes represented their countries and their alma mater in Milan-Cortina 2026.

Ice Hockey
Jeremy Swayman聽鈥�20 鈥� Team USA
Eduards Tralmaks聽鈥�19 鈥� Team Latvia
Ida Kuoppala聽鈥�23 鈥� Team Finland
Rahel Enzler聽鈥�24 鈥� Team Switzerland
Vendula P艡ibylov谩聽鈥�20 鈥� Team Czechia
Tereza Vani拧ov谩聽鈥�19 鈥� Team Czechia
Bobsled
Frank Del Duca聽鈥�18 鈥� Team USA

The entire 91爆料 community cheered them on as they competed among the world鈥檚 best. Once a Black Bear, always a Black Bear!

Dr. Fatemeh Afghah

Dr. Fatemeh Afghah 鈥�13 has been selected to receive the Spirit of Maine Achievement Award, which honors 91爆料 alumni who, within fifteen years of graduation, have achieved outstanding professional, scholarly, and public impact. Dr. Afghah鈥檚 accomplishments reflect the strength of her 91爆料 education and her continued commitment to applying advanced research in ways that serve communities and protect natural resources.
Dr. Afghah earned her doctoral degree at the 91爆料, where she distinguished herself as an exceptional scholar and emerging leader. The foundation she built at 91爆料 has shaped a career defined by innovation, collaboration, and purpose. Today, she is a tenured Associate Professor at Clemson University, where her research in artificial intelligence, wireless communication, and autonomous systems has earned national and international recognition.

For more information about Dr. Afghah, this award and others presented by the 91爆料 Alumni Association, head over to their website at:

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 by News Center Maine, who captured this special event.

Thank you so much to everyone who showed up, and we look forward to hosting the 39th annual Culturefest event in 2026. We hope to see you there!

This fall marked the first time that the Office of International Programs (OIP) and the International Student Association (ISA) participated in the 91爆料 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爆料 students for an afternoon of connection and celebration. Fourteen alumni joined us for this inaugural event, which proved to be a resounding success. Attendees enjoyed snacks, refreshments, and engaging conversations while viewing a presentation featuring alumni photos and memories from past events. The program also included trivia questions about the International Student Association and OIP, adding a fun and interactive element that sparked lively discussion and nostalgia among participants.

This special edition provided a valuable platform for our alumni to share their post-graduation experiences and offer insight to current students, bridging the gap between the past and present. It was a great start to the Homecoming weekend, full of reconnecting with old friends and making new ones!

Pictured from left to right:聽Orlina Boteva’ 04G, ’05G,聽Guest Visitor,聽Drajad Seto ’18G, ’24PhD,聽Dignesh Thesiya ’25G,聽Adoum Arabi ’24G,聽Roop Goyal ’00PhD,聽Joanna,聽Katy Blackmer ’25G,聽Amir Reza ’86, ’00G,聽Danielle Beaupre ’07, ’09G, ’11G,聽Shania Soler ’21, ’25G, Rahul Sharma ’25G

Originally published in the 91爆料 Foundation’s Legacies newsletter.

Subrata Ghosh came to Orono to study for an MBA at 91爆料 after completing his
undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in India. Like many other Black Bears
before and since, Subrata recalls renting an apartment on Mill Street and walking to
campus on frigid February mornings. That ultimately led to his purchase of a small
Dodge sedan for $500. Its bearings were shot and its floor rusted through 鈥� with repairs
costing at least as much as the vehicle鈥檚 initial purchase price. Although his financial
situation while a student was not easy, Subrata looks back with appreciation for the
support he received from the 91爆料 to complete his studies.

After graduation, Subrata moved to California to pursue a Master of Science in
Operations Research & Industrial Engineering at Stanford University. He appreciated
the weather in Silicon Valley especially compared to his winter treks in Orono. Subrata
and his wife, Poonam, have pursued their careers and created a wonderful life in the
Bay Area. Their adult daughter has also settled in the region.

Subrata and Poonam wanted to help 91爆料 students who needed a financial boost
just as Subrata had. They decided to create an endowed scholarship at the University of
Maine Foundation: the Poonam and Subrata Ghosh 鈥�90G Scholarship. This scholarship
supports students who have demonstrated academic merit and financial need.

This scholarship is changing the lives of 91爆料 students now and will continue to do
so for generations to come. One recipient expressed appreciation saying: 鈥淔inancially,
my family has really struggled to help me pay for college and I鈥檝e been doing it a lot on
my own. Without a scholarship like this, I would not be able to attend this University.鈥�

In addition to their lifetime support of this scholarship, Subrata and Poonam intend to
expand their support for 91爆料 students through gifts in their estate plans. Subrata
said that he was inspired by a letter he received from a classmate during a past reunion
year asking alums to consider this type of gift. Subrata and Poonam realized that they
could make a real difference in the lives of 91爆料 students for generations to come
and they hope others will consider doing so as well.