Dear members of the 91±¬ÁÏ and 91±¬ÁÏ at Machias communities,
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to making our 2026 Commencement a resounding success. It was an incredible weekend of celebration for our graduates, beginning with an action-packed Hearty Maine Farewell and finishing with a memorable ceremony at our regional campus in Machias.
It was great to be back in Alfond Arena this year for our Graduate School and undergraduate ceremonies, returning to tradition and celebrating in the beautifully renovated arena. I know this meant a lot to our students, and I thank all who made this return possible.
To our nearly 150 volunteers, including students, faculty, and staff, we are grateful for your contributions to making this weekend an enjoyable experience for our graduates, their families and our greater community. I was proud to see so many talented researchers and educators represent the university as faculty marshals. We simply can’t achieve the level of excellence we are able to provide without your significant contributions.
This year’s Commencement Steering Committee did a remarkable job coordinating logistics, ensuring a smooth and well-run weekend. I specifically want to thank Kevin Coughlin, Mallory Morehouse, Dianne Avery, Kathleen Harding-Heber, and the President’s Office staff for their efforts. To the team who coordinated the Machias ceremony, including Danielle Wormell, Sarahmarie Abernethy, BJ Marshall, Linda Patryn, Kristen Bono, and Hope Shore, I thank you for your hard work.
Commencement unites this university under our common mission as a learner-centered R1, and that mission was on full display. It was great to see the collaborative work among our colleges, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Life, the Graduate School, Facilities Management, Marketing and Communications, Athletics and many more units to make this weekend come to fruition.
You have all outdone yourselves.
Now, I ask that you take some time to rest and recharge as we prepare to welcome the Class of 2030 and all of our new and returning students with a Hearty Maine Hello in a few short months.
Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy,ÌýPresident
91±¬ÁÏ and 91±¬ÁÏ at Machias
