She was diving across a basketball court.

Atherley had traveled to the Cumberland County Civic Center during LaBonteā€™s senior year at York High School to evaluate the future Black Bear athlete. What stood out wasnā€™t her speed or finesse. It was the grit.

ā€œShe was always in the middle of a play,ā€ Atherley recalled. ā€œShe was willing to do the dirty work ā€” diving on the floor, fighting for rebounds, doing whatever it took for her team to win. You could see her competitiveness and leadership immediately.ā€

That same mentality would later define LaBonteā€™s career far beyond the soccer field.

Today, the 2016 91±¬ĮĻ graduate is the founder of Sweet Addisonā€™s, a fast-growing gourmet dessert company specializing in gourmet gluten-free and dairy-free baked goods shipped nationwide. The companyā€™s cookies and desserts have quickly gained traction online and through wholesale partnerships, fueled by LaBonteā€™s mission to create treats that feel indulgent while still being made with ingredients she feels good about eating. 

What began as recipe testing in a 700-square-foot Dallas apartment has become a multi-seven-figure business with six employees and products sold in dozens of coffee shops, hotels and specialty stores across the country.

But long before LaBonte was scaling a national food brand, she was a shy freshman walk-on from York trying to prove she belonged at 91±¬ĮĻ.

ā€œI had just turned 18. I was homesick. I was timid. I felt so far outside my comfort zone,ā€ LaBonte said. ā€œFast forward four years, and I was so much more confident and outgoing. The 91±¬ĮĻ transformed me.ā€

LaBonte grew up in a family deeply connected to 91±¬ĮĻ. Her father, Richard LaBonte, played football for the Black Bears in the early 1980s. Her mother, Robin, also attended 91±¬ĮĻ, where the two met as students. Her younger sister, Delaney, later played soccer for the Black Bears, and her brother, Trevor, played baseball at Maine during a postgraduate season after transferring from the University of Maryland. 

ā€œWe are obsessed with the 91±¬ĮĻ,ā€ LaBonte said with a laugh.

At 91±¬ĮĻ, LaBonte majored in mathematics, minored in business administration and earned an Honors College degree. All while competing for the womenā€™s soccer team. 

But her path onto the field was anything but guaranteed.

Atherley recruited LaBonte as a walk-on after seeing her athleticism and determination translate from basketball to soccer. He remembered her as disciplined, analytical and intensely competitive from the start.

ā€œShe was very clear about who she was,ā€ Atherley said. ā€œShe was regimented, organized and always looking to solve problems. You could already see the traits that would later make her successful in business.ā€

During her first two seasons, LaBonte fought for playing time on a highly successful Black Bear team. Then came a turning point.

Early in one season, 91±¬ĮĻ scheduled an exhibition against Harvard, giving Atherley an opportunity to play athletes who had not seen much game action.

ā€œWe started her against Harvard and she was arguably the best player on the field,ā€ he said. ā€œFrom that moment forward, she never looked back.ā€

LaBonte eventually earned a scholarship and became a mainstay in Maineā€™s lineup, starting 16 games in 2013 and all 18 games in 2014 while helping anchor one of the America East Conferenceā€™s top defenses.

ā€œShe wasnā€™t the fastest player on the field,ā€ Atherley said. ā€œBut if you rolled a ball between her and someone else and said, ā€˜Go win it,ā€™ sheā€™d win the race every time.ā€

That relentless mentality followed LaBonte after graduation.

After earning her degree in 2016, she returned home to York and began working in finance and data analysis, believing she would build a traditional career in business. But the work left her unfulfilled.

At the same time, she began dealing with health issues and eventually adopted a gluten-free lifestyle.

ā€œI couldnā€™t find desserts that tasted indulgent but were still made with quality ingredients,ā€ LaBonte said. ā€œIt always felt like you had to choose between healthy and delicious.ā€

She began experimenting in the kitchen, drawing on years spent baking with her mother and grandmother. Around the same time, she launched an Instagram account called Organically Addison, where she shared gluten-free recipes, wellness content and training updates from her growing passion for distance running.

The audience exploded.

Today, LaBonte has more than 300,000 followers across her online platforms, operates multiple food and wellness websites and hosts the Organically Addison podcast, where she interviews entrepreneurs and health and wellness experts. Before launching Sweet Addisonā€™s, she built a full-time career as a content creator focused on gluten-free recipes, wellness and healthy living.

Still, she wanted something more tangible.

In 2021, LaBonte made another leap, moving alone from Maine to Dallas.

ā€œI didnā€™t know a single person in Texas,ā€ she said. ā€œMy dad drove me out there, and I just decided to take a chance on myself.ā€

While working remotely and continuing to grow her online audience, followers began asking whether they could purchase the desserts she baked at home.

That demand became the foundation for Sweet Addisonā€™s.

LaBonte launched the company in early 2024 with a single product: chocolate chip cookies. She tested the recipe 26 different times before landing on the final version.

ā€œI remember thinking, ā€˜If these cookies can survive shipping from Texas to Maine, then maybe I have a real business,ā€™ā€ she said.

The company quickly took off.

Sweet Addisonā€™s now ships nationwide and has been featured by TODAY.com, OK! Magazineā€™s ā€œThe Morning Honey,ā€ NBC Dallas-Fort Worth and multiple podcasts and digital publications. The brand has resonated with customers looking for desserts that are both gluten-free and dairy-free without sacrificing the rich, indulgent flavors of traditional baked goods.

The rapid growth has been exhilarating. And exhausting.

ā€œWhat we do in a daily average now is what we did in an entire month during the first year,ā€ LaBonte said. ā€œSome days it feels like Iā€™m building the plane while flying it.ā€

Her operation has expanded from apartment baking to a commercial kitchen and fulfillment facility in Dallas. The business now employs six people and continues growing its wholesale footprint.

One of LaBonteā€™s major goals for the coming year is expanding into more retailers in Maine.

ā€œMaine will always feel like home to me,ā€ she said.

Even as her business has grown, LaBonte said the lessons she learned as a Division I athlete remain central to her success.

ā€œThe biggest thing soccer taught me was discipline,ā€ she said. ā€œBeing a Division I athlete teaches you delayed gratification. You work for months and months hoping it pays off later, and there are no guarantees.ā€

That mindset now shapes everything from her business operations to her personal life.

LaBonte runs marathons and completed her first ultramarathon ā€” a 50-kilometer race in Dallas ā€” last year. She hopes to tackle a 50-mile race next.

ā€œI like to push myself to the extreme and then figure it out,ā€ she said.

Her daily schedule remains meticulously organized, often planned hour by hour.

ā€œI donā€™t watch TV and I donā€™t drink alcohol,ā€ she said. ā€œI just genuinely love what I do.ā€

Atherley sees clear parallels between the determined walk-on he coached in Orono and the entrepreneur leading a rapidly growing company today.

ā€œShe took her opportunity and ran with it and never looked back,ā€ he said. ā€œSheā€™s one of the most determined people Iā€™ve ever coached.ā€

He also remembers the early version of LaBonte before the gluten-free recipes, ultramarathons and food brand.

ā€œWhen she first got here, she loved hamburgers, bacon and ketchup,ā€ Atherley said, laughing. ā€œNow sheā€™s transformed her lifestyle completely. But the one thing that never changed is how driven she is.ā€

For LaBonte, 91±¬ĮĻ remains at the center of that story.

She still talks regularly with former teammates, stays close with fellow alumni and hopes to return to Orono this fall for a soccer game.

What she remembers most is the sense of community.

ā€œThe 91±¬ĮĻ did such a great job of making a big campus feel small,ā€ she said. ā€œThe whole town revolves around the university and everyone supports each other. Thereā€™s just something special about that place.ā€

And when Atherley thinks back to that first basketball game years ago ā€” the one where a future entrepreneur kept throwing herself into loose balls and fighting for rebounds ā€” he sees the same person he sees today.

Competitive. Disciplined. Fearless.

A walk-on who built herself into something bigger.

And a Mainer who never stopped chasing the next challenge.

Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu

Hamidah Aldarwish

College of Education and Human Development

Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Relations

Hamidah Aldarwish of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is the Outstanding Graduating International Student for the College of Education and Human Development. Aldarwish arrived in Maine in 2019 with her family ā€” her husband, Jafar, and their three girls who are now ages 11 to 15. Aldarwish completed her capstone internship at 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Childrenā€™s Center with a focus on the application of observational and developmental principles in early childhood settings, particularly related to children with diverse developmental needs, including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. After graduation, Aldarwish plans to return to Saudi Arabia to work with families and children. 

A full profile of Aldarwish is online. 

Ella Boxall

Maine College of Engineering and Computing

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with Minors in Sustainability and Mathematics and a Concentration in Water Resources

Ella Boxall of Kennebunkport, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. She has completed internships with GEI Consultants and TRC Companies, conducted research using MATLAB to project sea level rise and king tides in Bar Harbor and served as a learning assistant and grader. Her capstone project focuses on redesigning a gravity-fed water system for a salmon rearing facility in Aroostook County, highlighting creative, low-energy engineering solutions. She plans to pursue graduate studies in marine science in the United Kingdom and build a career promoting coastal and environmental resilience.

A full profile of Boxall is available online. 

Dianne Brindisi

Division of Lifelong Learning

Bachelor of University Studies, Leadership Studies Track

Dianne Brindisi of Cape Neddick, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the Division of Lifelong Learning at the 91±¬ĮĻ. Service has always been central to Brindisiā€™s life. From supporting families in need and mentoring young leaders to contributing to professional associations that advance women and industry standards, Brindisi believes leadership is inseparable from service. Looking ahead, she is committed to educating the public about the university studies program and sharing her positive experience and welcomes the opportunity to serve as a program ambassador. 

A full profile of Brindisi is online. 

Kate Evans

College of Education and Human Development

Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a Second Major in Spanish

Kate Evans of Bangor, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student for the College of Education and Human Development. A single mom of four young children, whom she has homeschooled while working toward her degree, Evans earned a 4.00 GPA while pursuing double majors in secondary education and Spanish. She received the Roger Hill Humanities Scholarship and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Outstanding Junior Award. Evans is an active member of her church community, where she often volunteers her time for service and educational programs. After graduating she plans to stay in the Bangor region and teach Spanish at a local high school.

A full profile of Evans is online. 

Chantelle Flores

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Honors College

Bachelor of Arts in English with a Minor in Creative Writing

Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a Minor in Classical Studies

Chantelle Flores of Oakland, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She was a McGillicuddy Humanities Center (MHC) Undergraduate Fellow, as well as a Zillman Art Museum Research Curatorial Fellow through the center. Flores interned at the 91±¬ĮĻ Writing Center and served as co-editor-in-chief of Spire magazine. After graduation, she plans to pursue an internship related to literature or the arts and apply for graduate programs for art history, with the ultimate goal of acquiring a Ph.D. in contemporary art history and becoming a professor.

A full profile of Flores is online. 

Zoe Furber

College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Marine Science with a Second Major in Biology with a Concentration in Marine Biology

Zoe Furber of Vancouver, British Columbia, is the Outstanding Graduating International Student for the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. She has been a member of the 91±¬ĮĻ Field Hockey team since 2022 and was appointed captain in 2025. During her time at 91±¬ĮĻ, she completed a capstone project comparing ocean temperatures in the Gulf of Maine to heart rate metrics of blue mussels. These experiences prepared her for a career in environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability. Furber plans to complete a Master of Science in Global Strategy and Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh, where she will play field hockey for an additional year.

A full profile of Furber is online. 

Ruth Griffith

College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences | Honors College

Bachelor of Science in Economics with Minors in Mathematics and International Affairs

Ruth Griffith of Parkman, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student for the Honors College and the 2026 91±¬ĮĻ valedictorian. She is majoring in economics with minors in mathematics and international affairs. Through her honors thesis, Griffith developed a method to analyze sub-county economic trends using regional data, helping illuminate how policies impact local communities across Maine. Drawing on her background in regional economics, she adapted tools used for markets to understand disparities. Beyond academics, she has led service initiatives such as the Maine Day Meal Packout, coordinating efforts that provide tens of thousands of meals statewide. She will launch her career at TD Bank in New York City after graduation and plans to one day pursue a Master of Business Administration.

A full profile of Griffith is online.

Sarah Johnson

Maine Business School

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting with a Second Major in Business Information Systems and Security Management

Sarah Johnson of Clifton, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student for the Maine Business School. Johnson has completed multiple internships with both the Maine Business School and BerryDunn, an accounting and consulting services firm. She has also worked as an undergraduate assistant for 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. These roles strengthened her professional skill set, including effective communication, adaptability, critical thinking and the ability to apply feedback constructively. They also prepared her to approach problems analytically and to collaborate effectively in a professional setting. Following graduation, she will launch her career at BerryDunn as a tax specialist.  

A full profile of Johnson is online. 

Jasper Makowski

College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences | Honors College

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology

Jasper Makowski of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. He secured internships and part-time work with two medical facilities and 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Maginnis Lab. Working closely with associate professor of microbiology Melissa Maginnis, he researched signaling mechanisms in viruses and learned about a range of diseases. Makowski is a student organizer for the Maine Day Meal Packout. Outside of academics, he retreats to the Maine outdoors and enjoys a variety of activities, from backpacking to fly fishing. After he graduates, he is pursuing a medical degree with plans to return to rural Maine as a primary care provider. 

A full profile of Makowski is online. 

Andrii Obertas

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Physics

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Andrii Obertas of Lutsk, Ukraine, is the 2026 Outstanding Graduating International Student for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the 2026 91±¬ĮĻ co-salutatorian. Pursuing dual degrees in physics and mathematics, Obertas has distinguished himself through academic excellence and perseverance. He has conducted original research in both physics and mathematics, while also engaging in outreach efforts that bring science education to communities across Maine. His experience at 91±¬ĮĻ has been shaped by a strong sense of community and opportunity, which he credits with providing hope for his future. After graduation, Obertas plans to pursue a masterā€™s degree in mathematics through the accelerated 4+1 program.

A full profile of Obertas is online.

Samuel Tremblay

Maine Business School

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Management

Samuel Tremblay of Quebec City is the Outstanding Graduating International Student for the Maine Business School. Tremblay is a tutor, mentor, Maine Business School ambassador and president of the 91±¬ĮĻ chapter of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. He is also a kicker for the 91±¬ĮĻ Football Team, through which he became a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award, and a representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He served as a captain on Canada’s Junior National Team at the International Federation of American Footballā€™s World Junior Championship. After graduation, he plans to stay at 91±¬ĮĻ and pursue a master’s degree while continuing to play football.ĢżĢż

A full profile of Tremblay is online. 

Karun Varghese

Maine College of Engineering and Computing | Honors College

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a Minor in Robotics

Karun Varghese of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is the Outstanding Graduating International Student in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing and the Honors College. Varghese assumed research roles in the Computer Vision and Autonomous Robotics Lab, the High Altitude Ballooning Lab and the Advanced Structures and Composites Center. Outside of academics, he participated in the Black Bear Robotics Club, the South Asian Association of Maine and Model United Nations. Through Model UN, he traveled internationally to Taiwan, the Philippines and Peru. After graduation, he will pursue graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon Universityā€™s Robotics Institute.

A full profile of Varghese is online. 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

Why did you choose to come to 91±¬ĮĻ?

I chose 91±¬ĮĻ because it felt like home. On my different visits, the coaches, staff, professors and employees were all so nice and caring; I wanted to be part of something like that.

Describe any research, internships or scholarly pursuits in which you have participated. How have they prepared you for future opportunities in your chosen field?

Last semester, I had the chance to be part of ā€œIntroduction to Topics in Managementā€ (MGT 290), a class where we worked with Aroma Joeā€™s. Three groups of six received different prompts, and we had to research to come up with three suggestions for real-life issues. It was rewarding to research and propose solutions for tangible business challenges.

Have there been other students who supported and inspired you or exposed you to something new?Ģż

In my time at 91±¬ĮĻ, I was fortunate enough to have two mentors. Anne Simon, a former basketball player, was my mentor in my first semester. We both came from different countries and had different first languages. She helped me adapt to college. Aidan Cadogan was my teammate in my first year. He helped me navigate my first year of college football and still helps me to this day. He also introduced me to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Their support inspired me to become a mentor myself, ensuring the next generation of students feels as welcome as I did.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91±¬ĮĻ better?

The entire 91±¬ĮĻ Athleticā€™s staff and business school faculty had a significant impact on my time at 91±¬ĮĻ. They always took the time to help and guide me in the right direction. Samantha Wheeler is one of the Athleticā€™s staff who helped me during my time here. She helped me adapt to college and made sure I stayed on the right track throughout my degree. I am grateful for her continuous support.

What has coming to 91±¬ĮĻ enabled you to explore beyond academics?

I am part of different clubs and organizations. These helped me make new friends, get out of my comfort zone and gain experience in different fields.

What experiences have you had at 91±¬ĮĻ that really highlight the ingenuity of Mainers?

In football, we have the chance to be followed by many people. Every chance I have to talk to a fan after a game or during a community service event, I am always amazed by the resilience and the kindness of Mainers. We are lucky to be supported by so many great people.

Did you have an experience at 91±¬ĮĻ that shaped or changed how you see the world?

The first time I stepped into an NCAA Division I football game, one of my dreams came true. It made me realize that if you really want something, you work hard, and you believe in yourself, anything is possible.

Describe 91±¬ĮĻ in one word and explain.Ģż

Meaningful.

My time at 91±¬ĮĻ has been shaped by many memories, lessons and life-changing events. All of these have made me who I am today. I am grateful for all these meaningful things that happened.

Whatā€™s on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?Ģż

I look forward to starting my masterā€™s next fall at 91±¬ĮĻ, where I hope to further my leadership and represent the Black Bear community on and off the field.

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

Ron Lisnet and Julie Arnold Lisnetā€™s now 43-year love affair with each other, and the 91±¬ĮĻ, did not begin with a thunderbolt from heaven back in 1982, when they met inside the Cyrus Pavilion Theatre. In fact, it started with a snide comment. 

ā€œI was sitting there with a friend, being a snotty senior,ā€ Julie said, remembering the day she first laid eyes on her future husband, ā€œand Ron walks in, and I said, ā€˜Who is that geek?ā€™ā€ 

They were both there auditioning for a play. Ron was also in the middle of a fraternity beard-growing contest. It wasnā€™t going well. 

ā€œYeah, I was not winning,ā€ Ron ā€™83 said. 

ā€œThere was a little patch here and a little patch there,ā€ Julie ā€™82, ā€™85G, said. 

But Julieā€™s original assessment changed after Ron shaved and applied his stage makeup for the show, in which he played a fishnet shirt-wearing brothel owner. 

ā€œI thought he had beautiful eyes,ā€ Julie said, ā€œI thought, ā€˜heā€™s actually a very handsome guy.ā€™ā€ 

A few months and dates later, they were inseparable. The two married July 14, 1984. 

ā€œI think weā€™re the only Bear Pair to have met inside the Cyrus Pavilion Theatre,ā€ Julie said. Bear Pairs are what 91±¬ĮĻ calls alumni couples, many of whom met as students on campus. 

And Ron and Julie are more than just a Bear Pair. Ron started working at the university 33 years ago, in 1993. Julie began teaching in the School for Performing Arts in 2002. Their daughter, Natalie Lisnet ā€™21, also works at 91±¬ĮĻ at the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. 

ā€œBetween us and our daughter, we have four [91±¬ĮĻ] degrees and a teaching certificate,ā€ Julie said. ā€œI don’t think we could get much more involved.ā€ 

The whole family reunited inside the Cyrus Pavilion Theatre in January when Natalie directed both her parents in a production of ā€œPride and Prejudiceā€ produced by the Ten Bucks Theatre Company, which Julie co-founded 25 years ago. 

Originally constructed in 1908, the Pavilion Theatre used to be a livestock judging arena. Julie said she remembers it housing sheep when she first lived on campus. At the end of the 1970s, it was converted into a theater. 

ā€œWhen the theater department acquired it, I spent some time ripping out sheep mangers and shoveling lots of sheep poop,ā€ Julie said. Now, both she and Ron are getting involved in the fundraising effort for another refurbishment. 

Growing up in Milbridge, Maine, Julie always knew she wanted to study theater. She applied to both the 91±¬ĮĻ and the University of Southern Maine and chose the one closest to home. After earning her bachelorā€™s degree in Orono in 1982, she continued on and earned a Master of Arts in Theatre in 1985. She now teaches in the same department. 

ā€œI teach fundamentals of acting,ā€ Julie said. ā€œOccasionally, I teach a survey of dramatic literature, which means we read a lot of plays and talk about them. This year, for the first time, I’m also teaching in the Honors College. Iā€™ve basically taken my acting class and turned it into a class focused on acting for Shakespeare.ā€ 

Over the years, in addition to working at 91±¬ĮĻ, Julie has put her acting and directing talents to work at the Penobscot Theatre, Maine Theatre, Theatre of the Enchanted Forest, The Assembled Players, Marsh Island Stage, Maine Shakespeare Festival, Northern Lights Theatre, The Grand in Ellsworth and True North Theatre. 

In fall 2023 Julie directed ā€œCrimes of the Heartā€ for Penobscot Theatreā€™s 50th season opener. In 2025, she directed ā€œMatinicus: A Lighthouse Playā€ for the same company. The play told the story of real-life Mainer Abigail Burgessā€™ heroic exploits keeping her fatherā€™s lighthouse burning on a desolate rock, miles out to sea. 

In 1995, Julie appeared in a two-part network television miniseries based on a Stephen King short story called ā€œThe Langoliers.ā€ She played the part of Aunt Vicki, who gets erased by a mysterious force. 

ā€œOnly her fillings and her glasses were found on the airplane when everybody that fell asleep disappeared, I think.ā€ Julie said, struggling to remember the details. ā€œMy mother was very excited about it. I had 17 speaking lines, though that was cut down to just two in the final edit. My mother was very upset.ā€ 

Ron was also in the film, sort of. ā€œThey had me put on this airline captainā€™s hat and drive around in the background,ā€ he said. ā€œWe get a residual check for it every once in a while, for DVD rentals in Thailand, or something.ā€ 

After growing up in Connecticut, Ron arrived at 91±¬ĮĻ to study forestry. He only auditioned for the play where he met Julie because a professor invited him. After graduating in 1983, Ron went to work for Bangorā€™s ABC television affiliate, WVII, where he eventually became sports director. After nine years, Ron brought his media production skills to the university. Heā€™s now manager of visual media, overseeing all aspects of visual media for 91±¬ĮĻ, including photography and video production, as well as the universityā€™s photo and video database and archives.

Ron has also been the play-by-play voice of 91±¬ĮĻ Menā€™s Basketball broadcasts for more than 30 years. He hosts the universityā€™s ā€œThe Maine Questionā€ podcasts, which he created in 2019, as well. The podcast explores how 91±¬ĮĻ students and researchers make sense of, and learn about, the world around them. Recent topics include ā€œCan Zebrafish improve human health?ā€ and ā€œWhat is the future for manufacturing in Maine?ā€ 

In 2025, the podcast won the Council for Advancement and Support of Educationā€™s Circle of Excellence bronze level award, with judges saying, ā€œWith its punchy, distinctive title, this zero-budget podcast has impressive engagement metrics and demonstrates how thoughtful, location-based audio storytelling can translate complex academic work into accessible content that connects with local and national audiences alike.ā€ 

In addition to all their work at 91±¬ĮĻ, Ron and Julie have always found time to perform in plays together. 

ā€œWeā€™ve probably played husband and wife 15 or 20 times,ā€ Ron said. ā€œIā€™ve lost count of how many times weā€™ve been in shows together.ā€ 

Though they canā€™t remember the exact number, each agrees it’s in the dozens. For the past quarter century, the pair has appeared in an outdoor Shakespeare show put on by the Ten Bucks Theatre Company at Indian Trail Park in Brewer every summer. In 2010 Ten Bucks added Fort Knox in Prospect as a second regular Shakespeare venue. 

ā€œJust about every anniversary we’ve had has usually been standing out in the field, getting bitten by bugs, rehearsing a show,ā€ Ron said. 

One of their favorite shows theyā€™ve performed together was the bickering couple in ā€œWhoā€™s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.ā€ They said it was fun because theyā€™d never speak that way to each other in real life. 

ā€œI got to say, ā€˜You make me puke,ā€™ā€ Julie said. 

ā€œThat was a good one,ā€ Ron said. 

Now, more than 40 years have passed since the couple first met at the Cyrus Pavilion Theatre. Julie no longer thinks Ron is a geek and his now-gray beard has come in nicely ā€” and they have no plans to leave the theater life behind. 

ā€œItā€™s enervating,ā€ she said. ā€œTheater is energizing. It goes through a cycle. You get to the week before opening ā€” we call it hell week ā€” and you don’t think you’re going to get through it. Then you get to the play, and it’s just magic. Itā€™s like getting high without drugs.ā€ 

Ron sometimes thinks about it in sports terms. 

ā€œThe similarities are quite striking. There’s a team chemistry kind of thing in both endeavors,ā€ he said. ā€œThere’s nothing quite as cool as when you’re telling a good story, and it’s being told well, and either the place bursts into laughter or you can hear a pin drop. Itā€™s a very inviting, alluring, intoxicating kind of feeling.ā€ 

Julie said she canā€™t even imagine her life without Ron or theater, both at 91±¬ĮĻ and off campus. 

ā€œIā€™ve never made a ton of money but it’s made me outrageously happy,ā€ she said. 

Story by Troy R. Bennett 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

But when the junior mechanical engineering major from Winslow, Maine, sat down with a potential employer, the conversation quickly turned to a line on his resume: Naked Five.

ā€œThey recognized me,ā€ Newgard said. ā€œThey asked about it.ā€

What might have been a passing detail instead became a conversation about leadership and follow-through, qualities that extend beyond the arena.

At the 91±¬ĮĻ, the Naked Five are a shirtless, painted fixture of Alfond Arena and one of the universityā€™s most recognizable game-day rituals. Beyond the spectacle, the students behind it are high-achievers, balancing demanding coursework with career ambitions in fields like engineering, health care and environmental science.

Newgard, this yearā€™s alternate captain and the only non-senior in the group, helps carry the tradition forward, representing both the energy of Black Bear hockey and expected academic discipline.

His experience isnā€™t unique.

Caleb Canders of Brewer, Maine, the groupā€™s captain, is a senior studying zoology with minors in psychology and neuroscience who will attend dental school after graduation. The Naked Five also came up during his application process.

ā€œItā€™s something that shows leadership and involvement,ā€ Canders said.

Jacob Bentley of Vassalboro, Maine, is a senior electrical engineering major who plans a career in substation design.

Jason Wickett of Hermon, Maine, is a senior nursing major who plans to become a cardiothoracic surgery nurse practitioner.

Grady Gobeil of Bourne, Massachusetts, is a senior marine biology major who aims to work as a fisheries biologist.

By day, they move between labs, clinicals and coursework. By night, they step into one of the most visible roles at 91±¬ĮĻ hockey games.

ā€œItā€™s about representing the university in every way,ā€ Canders said. ā€œIn the classroom and in the stands.ā€

The group traces its roots to the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. For more than 30 years, membership has been passed down to students who demonstrate commitment, enthusiasm and school spirit.

A typical gameday

Inside the Alfond, their presence is immediate and unmistakable.

The horn sounds. The crowd roars. Within seconds, the five students are on their feet, painted bright under the arena lights, moving along the concourse as fans reach out for high-fives.

They follow a set routine, lining up and spelling out ā€œM-A-I-N-Eā€ as the crowd joins in, repeating the pattern each time Maine scores.

ā€œMā€ carries the cowbell. 

ā€œAā€ wears orange headgear. 

ā€œIā€ carries a bag with their phones. 

ā€œNā€ wears an old Maine hockey hat. 

ā€œEā€ has no signature item (by design, they joke).

ā€œItā€™s a really cool feeling,ā€ Canders said. ā€œTo have that kind of support from the community.ā€

Outside the arena, their schedules leave little downtime.

ā€œIt takes commitment,ā€ Newgard said. ā€œYou have to manage everything and still show up.ā€

They also connect with the community beyond game day, volunteering at events around Orono and interacting with fans outside the stands.

After one game, as the arena emptied, a woman approached the group and asked for a photo. Afterward, she hugged one of the members and told them it had made her day.

ā€œItā€™s moments like that you remember,ā€ Canders said.

For the students, those interactions are what make the experience meaningful, creating a connection that extends beyond the game itself.

As this yearā€™s group prepares to graduate, a new group will step in, continuing a practice that has lasted more than three decades.

For Canders, the goal is simple:

ā€œWeā€™re just trying to keep it going,ā€ he said.

Contact: David Nordman at david.nordman@maine.edu

Biomedical engineering major Isabelle Irani of Spring, Texas, and physics and mathematics double major Andrii Obertas of Lutsk, Ukraine, are the 2026 co-salutatorians.

The three will graduate on May 9 during the universityā€™s undergraduate commencement ceremonies at Alfond Arena.

ā€œRuth, Isabelle and Andrii have distinguished themselves through their curiosity, discipline and commitment to others,ā€ said 91±¬ĮĻ President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. ā€œRuth has taken a thoughtful, data-driven approach to understanding economic disparities in Maine. Isabelle has shown remarkable leadership in advancing mental health support for student-athletes while balancing the demands of Division I athletics and biomedical engineering research. Andrii has achieved exceptional success in both physics and mathematics while demonstrating resilience and a deep commitment to learning. Together, they represent the very best of this graduating class.ā€

Ruth Griffith

Through her honors thesis, Griffith developed a method to analyze sub-county economic trends using regional data, helping illuminate how policies impact local communities across Maine. Drawing on her background in regional economics, she adapted tools used for markets to understand disparities. Beyond academics, she has led service initiatives such as the Maine Day Meal Packout, coordinating efforts that provide tens of thousands of meals statewide.

A full profile of Griffith is online.

Isabelle Irani

Irani is a varsity swimmer whose leadership has transformed mental health support for 91±¬ĮĻ student-athletes. She founded the universityā€™s chapter of The Hidden Opponent and successfully advocated for expanded mental health resources, including an in-house therapist for student-athletes. Alongside her advocacy, she has conducted research on sustainable biomaterials and balanced the demands of engineering coursework and Division I athletics.

A full profile of Irani is online.

Andrii Obertas

Obertas came to 91±¬ĮĻ from Ukraine and has distinguished himself through academic excellence and perseverance. He has conducted original research in both physics and mathematics, while also engaging in outreach efforts that bring science education to communities across Maine. His experience at 91±¬ĮĻ has been shaped by a strong sense of community and opportunity, which he credits with providing hope for his future.

A full profile of Obertas is online.

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.eduĢż

A member of the Womenā€™s Swimming and Diving Team who competed in the butterfly and individual medley, Irani founded the 91±¬ĮĻ chapter of The Hidden Opponent, a national nonprofit dedicated to athlete mental health advocacy. Seeking to make a tangible difference for student-athletes, she sought additional mental health services from the university. 

Driven by a passion to help her peers, she found the confidence she admittedly lacked at the start of her collegiate career to not only earn the support from 91±¬ĮĻ Athletics that would eventually lead to the university hiring an in-office therapist specifically for student-athletes. 

ā€œI faked it ā€˜til I made it,ā€ Irani said. ā€œThe Hidden Opponent was the first instance where I just showed up with a lot of confidence as I asked administration and 91±¬ĮĻ Athletics for what I needed, and they just gave it to me.ā€

Success in improving student athlete mental health is one of several personal, athletic and academic accolades that earned Irani, a biomedical engineering major, the title of co-salutatorian for 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Class of 2026. Her recognition as co-salutatorian reflects not just her academic achievement, but the personal growth she has cultivated throughout her time at 91±¬ĮĻ.

Between early morning swim practice and rigorous engineering coursework, Irani built a college career defined by discipline, determination and a deep network of support. Alongside excelling in engineering and competing as a Division I level swimmer, Irani navigated new challenges and built the confidence to take ownership of her college experience. 

ā€œI went in thinking that my major would define me,ā€ she said. ā€œI switched majors four times before I even got to school. I thought this was going to be a make-or-break moment for my career.ā€

Several research and leadership opportunities that shaped Iraniā€™s collegiate experience were ones she sought herself. For example, when she contacted chemical engineering professor David Neivandt for lab experience, he invited her to join the Neivandt Lab, where she helped develop sustainable lobster-shell biomaterials. 

The material, stronger than both concrete and wood, dissolves in water within two weeks and fully biodegrades in soil in about a month. The work not only allowed her to develop her skills and enhance her resume, but also participate in a project that has a tangible societal impact.

ā€œMy goal has always been to contribute meaningfully,ā€ Irani said. ā€œI think my mindset changed when I started thinking that way ā€” thinking, how can this be meaningful? How can I show up?ā€

Irani relied on a structured routine to balance her commitments. Early morning, disciplined schedules, and careful time management enabled her to excel in athletics, coursework, research and leadership roles without compromising her health or well-being.

Irani credits her growth to the support of mentors, advisors and peers. David J. Neivandt guided her research endeavors, while her athletic and academic advisor Julie Cheville helped her to navigate the complex demands of Division I athletics and engineering coursework. Her teammates and roommate, Ashley LeClaire, provided daily motivation and camaraderie, and her girlfriend, Sarah, offered emotional support throughout the rigorous college experience.

ā€œIā€™ve had one roommate for the last three years, Ashley, and sheā€™s been insanely supportive, helping me find balance during long days and making sure I take time to step away and relax,ā€ Irani said. ā€œAnd my girlfriend, Sarah, has been a big part of my success here over the last two years ā€” encouraging me, questioning me when I doubt myself, and helping me feel confident in pursuing research, conferences, and other opportunities.ā€

Her family also played a formative role. Her aunt, Jean MacRae, a civil & environmental engineering professor here at 91±¬ĮĻ, and her uncle, Farahad Dastoor, a biology lecturer and undergraduate coordinator at 91±¬ĮĻ, encouraged her curiosity from the start. Their guidance helped Irani see the opportunities at 91±¬ĮĻ and made the university feel like a place she could call home very early on.

Looking forward, Irani plans to continue her research through a 4+1 masterā€™s program in biomedical engineering at 91±¬ĮĻ, working to develop sustainable and effective medical devices that combine innovation with societal impact. She hopes prospective students and families understand the supportive culture at 91±¬ĮĻ and the opportunities available for those willing to take initiative and explore beyond their comfort zones.

From Texas to Maine, Iraniā€™s journey illustrates how discipline, community and proactive engagement can shape a transformative college experience. Her selection as co-salutortian honors not only her academic success, but also the leadership, curiosity and resilience that have defined her four years at 91±¬ĮĻ.

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.eduĢż

For the students behind the scenes of 91±¬ĮĻ hockey broadcasts, there is no pause button.

At 91±¬ĮĻ, those moments are not captured by professionals alone. Students run the cameras, manage audio, cue replays and help shape a live broadcast seen far beyond Orono. The production doubles as a training ground, placing students in real-time roles that mirror the demands of professional sports media.

Most 91±¬ĮĻ hockey games are broadcast on ESPN+, giving students experience producing content for a national audience and reinforcing the universityā€™s commitment to learner-centered education.

ā€œWhen Iā€™m on camera, I get really into the game because youā€™re following the shot, so you have to be,ā€ says Emma Beauregard, a student camera operator from Bath, Maine. ā€œYou might notice on my camera shots theyā€™re often shaking after a goal because Iā€™m so excited.ā€

For Beauregard and others, the role blends instinct and emotion with technical precision. Operators track the puck, anticipate where the play is headed and quickly find the player who scored ā€” all in real time.

That intensity is part of what draws students in.

ā€œItā€™s probably one of the most fun jobs Iā€™ve ever had,ā€ says Thomas Bubniak, also a student camera operator from Jefferson, New Jersey. ā€œItā€™s just been a blast. Every year I get to do a lot of really cool stuff.ā€

What looks effortless on screen is anything but.

Behind each broadcast is a coordinated production involving camera operators, replay, audio and commentators ā€” many of them students ā€” working together under constant time pressure.

ā€œThereā€™s just so much more than just the video,ā€ says Marissa Tripp, 91±¬ĮĻā€™s broadcast and video production assistant. ā€œThereā€™s audio, there are commentators. There are so many people involved.ā€

Tripp says many students do not realize the scale of the operation until they are part of it. The experience goes beyond learning equipment; it requires thinking like a member of the production team and making decisions in real time.

ā€œItā€™s a live show, so anything can happen,ā€ she says.

That responsibility is part of what makes the work meaningful. Students are not just filming plays, they are shaping how fans experience 91±¬ĮĻ hockey, especially those watching from home.

ā€œItā€™s nice to think that the shot Iā€™m seeing, that Iā€™m so excited about, is also making other people excited, too,ā€ Beauregard says.

For Bubniak, the atmosphere inside Alfond Arena ā€” particularly in the student section ā€” adds another layer to the experience.

ā€œThereā€™s really nothing quite like doing that,ā€ he says. ā€œItā€™s loud. The energy up there is great.ā€

Capturing that energy and translating it for viewers is at the heart of the broadcast.

Ryan Loeffler, assistant athletic director for broadcast and video production, says that focus is intentional. Students are expected to produce work that meets professional standards while gaining real-world experience.

ā€œI do my best to teach my students the standards that I was taught with,ā€ Loeffler says. ā€œI really love inspiring the next group of sports producers and directors.ā€

He says the goal is not just to document the game, but to recreate the experience for those watching at home.

ā€œI do my best to bring that experience to their living rooms,ā€ he says.

For those behind the camera, the reward is not just the experience ā€” it is knowing their work shapes how the game is seen, felt and remembered.

ā€œA lot of times fans are created when they come to the game,ā€ Tripp says. ā€œBut to stay a fan, the broadcast helps keep that going.ā€

Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu

The festival, presented by Waterfront Concerts to benefit the Bear Down Collective, runs from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the new plaza outside the main entrance of Alfond Arena. The event is supported by Aroma Joeā€™s, Renewal by Andersen and Hannaford, and precedes the 7 p.m. hockey game.

Admission to the festival is free and does not require a ticket to the Maine-Providence menā€™s hockey game.

Fans can enjoy a stage show featuring DJ Jeff Buffington, appearances by The Screaminā€™ Black Bears pep band, menā€™s hockey head coach Ben Barr, Bananas and additional special guests. The event also includes a Hannaford Kids Zone, a bonfire pit and other activities.

Food and beverage options include local food trucks, free sā€™mores provided by Renewal by Andersen, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage sales.

Alcohol purchases are limited to a maximum of two drinks per person at a time. All serving staff are TIPS-certified (Training for Intervention Procedures) and will work with security staff to verify valid identification. Once verified, patrons will receive a wristband at each alcohol-purchasing location.

Schedule

• 4 p.m. : Festival begins
• 4-5:15 p.m.: DJ Jeff Buffington
• 5:15-5:45 p.m.: Game preview with head coach Ben Barr, performance by The Screaminā€™ Black Bears pep band and an onstage birthday celebration for Bananas.
• 6 p.m.: Doors open at Alfond Arena.
• 7 p.m.: Maine menā€™s hockey vs. Providence College.

reported that Violaris, CEO of Grizzly Entertainment, earned both his bachelorā€™s degree and MBA from 91±¬ĮĻ, and donated the light performance as a gift to the school. Each show featured 400 drones, creating elaborate aerial displays over the University Mall and the Alfond Arena.

ā€œItā€™s beautiful to return home,ā€ Violaris told BDN, ā€œNew England and especially Maine has treated me very nicely during my time when I was here. I always wanted to come back.ā€

He added that Maine ā€œhas a personal touch for me, itā€™s part of my heart. I will never say no when Maine calls.ā€

The first performance had a hockey theme centered around the Black Bear matchup against Colgate. reported it gave homecoming an event a spectacular quality. The second show celebrated the wider 91±¬ĮĻ community. 

Violaris told , his goal was to dazzle the crowd and show his appreciation for the university that helped launch his career.

According to , each show cost roughly $50,000 to produce, and this expense was covered by Violaris personally as a way to give back. These performances were part of a five-campus tour but Violaris wanted to make sure 91±¬ĮĻ was at the top of the list because ā€œthis is where his story began.ā€

The three-day gathering features three sporting events ā€” football, ice and field hockey games ā€” as well as tailgating, class reunions, a concert, tours and lectures. Several events require registration. Pre-registration, a full schedule of events and more information is available at.

A weekend packed with Black Bear spirit

Black Bear pride will be on display on Friday with a ā€œWelcome Homeā€ reception for alumni and their guests at 4:30 p.m. at the Buchanan Alumni House and a drone light show above the Mall at 5:50 p.m.

Friday highlights include:

• Womenā€™s field hockey vs. UMass Lowell at 3 p.m. in the Field Hockey Complex.
• Menā€™s hockey vs. Colgate at 7 p.m. in the Alfond Arena.
• ā€œThe Courage to Right a Womanā€™s Wrongsā€ at 7:30 p.m. in the Hauck Auditorium.

Explore campus through exclusive tours

Tours of the following facilities will be available to those who register:

• 91±¬ĮĻ athletic facilities.
• Advanced Structures and Composites Center.
• Hudson Museum.
• Fogler Library Special Collections.
• VEMI Lab. 
• Ferland Engineering and Education Design Center.
• Simulation Lab in the Wes Jordan Athletic Training Education Complex.

Saturday tailgates and big game vs. Elon

On Saturday, a full day of activities starts with multiple receptions and class gatherings across campus.

Saturday highlights include:

• Pregame tailgating, which opens at 9 a.m. in the parking lots near Alfond Stadium.
• 91±¬ĮĻ vs. Elon University football game, which kicks off at 1 p.m.
• Reunion Row, a large catered pregame party for alumni and guests that runs from 9 a.m.ā€“1 p.m. in the Corbett lot.
• Several alumni classesā€™ tailgating tents hosted in conjunction with the 91±¬ĮĻ Alumni Associationā€™s reunion programming.

Evening celebrations and encore performances

Saturday night brings even more energy and school spirit with:

• A drone light show at 5:50 p.m., visible above the football grandstands and Morse Field.
• Menā€™s hockey vs. Colgate at 7 p.m., Alfond Arena.
• ā€œThe Courage to Right a Womanā€™s Wrongsā€ encore performance at 7:30 p.m., Hauck Auditorium.

The event kicks off at 2 p.m. when the women’s hockey team faces off against Saint Anselm and ends with the menā€™s hockey game against Holy Cross at 7 p.m. Both games will be played in the renovated Alfond Arena. 

The voices of the Black Bears, Jeff Mannix and Jon Shields, and Barstool Sportsā€™ Chiclets University will deliver previews of Maine hockey, with the latter featuring menā€™s Head Coach Ben Barr. At 5 p.m., Portland, Maine natives and Nashville based band 12/OC will take the stage at Alfond Stadium for a free concert. There will also be food trucks, drinks, lawn games and more to welcome Black Bears back to the ice. The event is hosted by 91±¬ĮĻ Athletics in partnership with Waterfront Concerts Read the full announcement on

The online resource also offers information on tickets, the shuttle service and other related topics.

ā€œThe New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex and newly renovated Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Alfond Arena reflect transformational investments in our students, our university and the state,ā€ said 91±¬ĮĻ President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. ā€œWith support from the Harold Alfond Foundation, New Balance, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and countless supporters, these modernized facilities will elevate the stateā€™s only NCAA Division I athletic program while creating new opportunities for the people of Maine, especially youth.ā€

The Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Harold Alfond Sports Arena have undergone $48 million in enhancements, including 31,000 square feet of renovations and 21,000 square feet of additions. A $27.3 million project, the New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex features a combined 300,000 square feet of new athletics infrastructure to go along with a new access road and parking lot. 

The Black Bears will host their first official game at the New Balance Soccer Complex on Oct. 2 when the women’s soccer team takes on Bryant University. The New Balance Track & Field Complex will complete its construction in late October and host its first events during the spring 2026 outdoor track & field season. The first 91±¬ĮĻ varsity events inside the newly renovated Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Alfond Arena will take place on Oct. 10 when the women’s ice hockey team hosts St. Anselm College prior to the men’s team hosting the College of the Holy Cross.

The projects were made possible by the Harold Alfond Foundationā€™s transformational $320 million commitment to the 91±¬ĮĻ System, known as UMS TRANSFORMS, including a $170 million investment in 91±¬ĮĻ Athletics to fund the Athletics Facilities Master Plan.

New Balance and individual 91±¬ĮĻ supporters have already joined together to raise an additional $32 million toward the $38 million required match. With the Harold Alfond Foundation lead gift, and additional support, 91±¬ĮĻ Athletics has raised $202 million of its $208 million overall campaign goal towards the athletics facilities master plan.

ā€œOfficially opening the New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex and revealing the renovated Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Alfond Arena is the next step in our vision of becoming one of the top five Division 1 programs in greater New England,ā€ says Director of Athletics Jude Killy. ā€œAs Maineā€™s only Division 1 institution, we feel these new and improved facilities will continue our efforts towards becoming the premier destination for athletics in our region. On behalf of our department, Iā€™d like to thank the Harold Alfond Foundation, New Balance and all others who have provided transformational support to make these facilities a reality for our student-athletes and the state of Maine.ā€

For a detailed description of the new center and renovations, read the full story on the

Contact: Tyson McHatten, tyson.mchatten@maine.eduĢż

Now through Sept. 30, all fans of 91±¬ĮĻ D1 athletics are encouraged to share their stories and become a part of team Super Fans. In return, Super Fans will receive access to special discounts, gear and the pride of representing 91±¬ĮĻ in media coverage. 

Black Bear Super Fans can start the process of sharing their stories by .

91±¬ĮĻ students will no longer have to line up hours before ticketed athletic events. Maine Athletics has  that allows students to reserve free tickets online instead of waiting outside in long lines.

The  gives undergraduate and graduate students the ability to claim one ticket per game for football, menā€™s and womenā€™s ice hockey, and menā€™s and womenā€™s basketball. 

Reservations open every Sunday at noon for games scheduled within the upcoming nine-day window and close 48 hours before tipoff or puck drop, or when tickets run out.

The system went live at noon on Sunday, Sept. 7, which means students can begin reserving tickets for the Black Bears’ first home football game against Stonehill on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Tickets are delivered by email or text and can be stored in Apple or Google Wallets for quick entry. Students who cannot attend may return their ticket up to 24 hours before the game, while any remaining tickets will be distributed at the gate on game day to MaineCard holders.

Siddhartha Bajracharya

Maine College of Engineering and Computing
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Siddhartha Bajracharya of Kathmandu, Nepal, is the Outstanding Graduating International Student in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. A computer engineering major, Bajracharya discovered his passion for embedded systems, a specialized computer system combining hardware and software, through high-altitude ballooning workshops at the 91±¬ĮĻ and Montana State University. He collaborated with students and faculty from institutions across the country to design sensors and launch high-altitude balloons. These experiences expanded his technical skills and helped him build a nationwide network of peers and mentors. He plans to continue his academic journey by pursuing a masterā€™s degree in computer engineering at 91±¬ĮĻ.

A full Q&A with Bajracharya is available online.

Morgan Bisecco

Maine Business School
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance with a Second Major in Management and a Minor in Economics

Morgan Bisecco from North Haven, Connecticut, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the Maine Business School (MBS). She is majoring in business administration in finance with a second major in management and a minor in economics. She has been active in Beta Gamma Sigma and worked as an MBS ambassador and peer leader, as well as an undergraduate research assistant for the 91±¬ĮĻ Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC), all while participating in clubs including celtic dance and figure skating. A summer internship at Aetna Healthcare leading into her senior year exposed her to soft business skills such as professional etiquette, teamwork and networking. In fall 2024, she further developed her skills in time management, communication and leadership by working as a teaching assistant in a 300-level management course. She plans to continue her education in the Graduate School of Business while also working at the ASCC.

A full Q&A with Bisecco is available online.

Elizabeth Brennan 

College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences | Honors College 
Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology

Elizabeth Brennan of West Chester, Pennsylvania, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. She is a wildlife ecology major and member of the Honors College, through which she wrote a thesis titled ā€œPhenological changes in Arctic and Common Terns across Maineā€™s coastal islands.ā€ While attending the 91±¬ĮĻ, Brennan monitored and collected data on island seabirds for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and performed abroad as a member of University Singers. After graduating, she plans to work as a shorebird steward in Massachusetts before pursuing her masterā€™s in a wildlife-related field.

A full Q&A with Brennan is available online.

Daniela Chavez de Paz Solis

College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences | Honors College
Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Concentration in Pre-Medical Sciences

Daniela Chavez de Paz Solis of Lima, Peru, is the Outstanding Graduating International Student in the Honors College. She is majoring in biology with a concentration in pre-medical sciences. Chavezā€™s experiences have connected her passions for science and service, beginning with her efforts to establish a chapter of the Maine Red Cross on the 91±¬ĮĻā€™s campus. Her call to become a physician-scientist was further informed by her research collaboration with the University of Miami that has demonstrated the inequities in patient outcomes. Her honors thesis titled, ā€œThe Role of Inflammatory Mechanisms in Muscle Fiber Regeneration of Zebrafish Affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,ā€ combined her knowledge of muscular development and immunology. Having strived to surround herself with people who motivate and challenge her ā€” in and outside of the laboratory ā€” Chavez competed and traveled with the Womenā€™s Club Volleyball team. After graduating in May, she plans to use gap years to strengthen her skills and prepare for medical school. 

A full Q&A with Chavez is available online.

Thomas Freel

Maine Business School
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance

Thomas Freel from Aberdeen, Scotland, is the Outstanding Graduating International Student for the Maine Business School. He is majoring in business administration in finance and is a member of the Menā€™s Ice Hockey team. His experience connected him with a group of fellow student athletes who motivated him and helped him grow as a teammate and person, as well as exposed him to situations that developed his skills in time management, group work and situational pressure. Through the university, he was also introduced to people and culture from all over the U.S. and experienced the unwavering commitment of 91±¬ĮĻ hockey fans as his team claimed the Hockey East championship title in TD Garden in spring 2025 for the first time since 2004. Freel plans to continue playing hockey at 91±¬ĮĻ while continuing his education at the Graduate School of Business. 

A full Q&A with Freel is available online.

Zachary J. Hopp

Maine College of Engineering and Computing
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Mathematics

Zachary Hopp of Maple Grove, Minnesota, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing and the inaugural Chandrasekar Scholar. A mechanical engineering major with a minor in mathematics, Hopp is also a member of the Menā€™s Swimming and Diving team. He has gained valuable experience in materials science by completing three internships in commercial HVAC, architectural glass and industrial abrasive systems manufacturing, as well as by conducting research on sustainable superhydrophobic coatings for food packaging. In addition to his degree, he earned a Composite Materials and Structures Certificate as an undergraduate. His time at 91±¬ĮĻ has been shaped by interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship, inspiring him to pursue a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Carnegie Mellon University to advance research in composite materials and polymers.

A full Q&A with Hopp is available online.

Amanda Ahava Karomba

Division of Lifelong Learning
Bachelor of University Studies with Minors in Interdisciplinary Disability Studies and Leadership Studies

Amanda Ahava Karomba of Lewiston, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the Division of Lifelong Learning. She is majoring in university studies with minors in interdisciplinary disability studies and leadership studies. Karomba pursued her degree online while raising two boys and working as CEO of Happy Haven, an agency that provides direct support to adults with intellectual disabilities. 91±¬ĮĻ offered Karomba, who is originally from Rwanda but raised in Maine, the flexibility to obtain a degree and allowed her to incorporate life and work experiences into her learning. After graduating, she plans to expand Happy Haven’s reach by offering a variety of services to underserved parts of the state, while mentoring and creating development opportunities for professionals like herself.

A full Q&A with Karomba is available online.

Lara Kirkby

College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences 
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Lara Kirkby of Adelaide, South Australia, is the Outstanding Graduating International Student in the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. A December 2024 graduate, Kirkby majored in biochemistry, researched in the Maginnis Lab and participated on the 91±¬ĮĻ Womenā€™s Soccer Team, through which she competed in and won two championships. After earning her bachelorā€™s degree a semester early, she joined the Adelaide United professional soccer team and is studying for medical school entrance exams.

A full Q&A with Kirkby is available online.

Alexandria Banou Morgan

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Honors College
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Minors in Neuroscience and Philosophy

Alexandria Banou Morgan of Perry, Maine, is a 2025 co-salutatorian and the outstanding graduating student in the Honors College and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She is majoring in psychology with minors in neuroscience and philosophy. Her journey at 91±¬ĮĻ has been one of self discovery through scholarly pursuits and service. Morgan applied her research on identity, religion and prejudice to help others find where they belong and secured approximately $63,000 in funding for her undergraduate research.

A full Q&A with Morgan is available online.

Zachary Wentworth

College of Education and Human Development 
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education

Zachary Wentworth of Calais, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD). He is a secondary education major with a concentration in social studies and a minor in history. A Maine Top Scholar, a Maine Seacoast Mission scholar and a Galen Cole Family Foundation scholar, Wentworth served as president of the 91±¬ĮĻ chapter of the Student Maine Education Association for the past two years. He was also an undergraduate resident assistant with Residence Life, working with the communities in Hart Hall in the 2023-24 academic year and in Hancock Hall this year. Wentworth completed his student teaching placement at Orono High School with mentor teacher Shana Goodall, a two-time alumna of COEHD and the 2019 Maine History Teacher of the Year. After graduating, Wentworth plans to pursue a masterā€™s in student development in higher education at 91±¬ĮĻ, while working as a graduate assistant in COEHDā€™s Advising Center.

A full Q&A with Wentworth is available online.

Contact: Ashley Yates; ashley.depew@maine.edu

Why did you choose to come to 91±¬ĮĻ?

I was initially attracted to 91±¬ĮĻ because of its natural beauty and its proximity to both the wilderness and the coast. However, it was a combination of rave reviews of the wildlife department and the Universityā€™s R1 status that really sold me in the end.

Describe any research, internships or scholarly pursuits in which you have participated. How have they prepared you for future opportunities in your chosen field?

The summer before my senior year, I lived and worked on Metinic Island for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where I was responsible for monitoring a seabird colony and collecting reproductive data on terns, guillemots, eiders and storm-petrels. Not only did this opportunity give me early experience working with a federal agency ā€” which is my long-term career goal, it also provided me with the data that I used for my honors thesis.

Have there been other students who supported and inspired you or exposed you to something new?

I have been friends with the same group of people since my very first semester of college, and they too are studying in environmental fields. To this day, they continue to inspire me with their knowledge and unwavering curiosity of the natural world, and they have never failed to support me through all of my hardships and achievements. I am incredibly grateful and honored to call them my friends.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91±¬ĮĻ better, and if so, how?

I would be nothing without the mentorship and encouragement of principal lecturer Lindsay Seward. She saw my potential and fostered it by allowing me to serve as her teaching assistant, acting as an excellent reference for jobs that she has encouraged me to apply for and by providing me with some much-needed life advice. My thesis advisor, Brian Olsen, has also deeply influenced me as a researcher by challenging me on a regular basis, keeping me sane through unexpected roadblocks and by inspiring me daily with his dedication and love for ornithology.

What has coming to 91±¬ĮĻ enabled you to explore beyond academics?

Coming to 91±¬ĮĻ has allowed me to continue my passion for vocal performance. I am a proud member of University Singers, the universityā€™s premier choir, which I have been a part of for the past four years. Joining singers has not only made me a better performer, it has taken me to heights I never imagined I could reach, like singing at masses in the Vatican and Venice during our 2023 concert tour of Italy.

What experiences have you had at 91±¬ĮĻ that really highlight the ingenuity of Mainers?

The wildlife department at 91±¬ĮĻ has opened my eyes to the world of wetland conservation. They have involved students in projects like the Orono Bog Boardwalk, the restoration of Taylor Bait Farm, and Maine Big Night, which are all perfect examples of the cleverness and dedication of Mainers working to achieve a common conservation goal.

Did you have an experience at 91±¬ĮĻ that shaped or changed how you see the world?

Recent political developments have particularly emphasized to me the importance of community. Our department has been making an active effort to help students navigate them. These small acts of kindness have helped me realize that although my field can be competitive, weā€™re really all in this together, and must continue to uplift each other.

Describe 91±¬ĮĻ in one word and explain.

Limitless. 

91±¬ĮĻ has granted me opportunities that I never envisioned for myself as a high school senior. Between all the organizations, clubs, and committees, the possibilities for campus involvement are endless, and you can truly never predict where they might lead you! I like to think of 91±¬ĮĻ as a parental figure who always emphasizes that you can be whatever you want to be! All you have to do to make it come true is believe it.

Whatā€™s on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?

After I graduate, I will be working on Tuckernuck Island in Massachusetts as a shorebird steward, where I will be responsible for monitoring nesting populations of least terns, American oystercatchers, and endangered piping plovers. In the coming years, I anticipate moving out west to earn my masterā€™s degree in a wildlife-related field.

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu