I am pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea Gifford as Dean of Students for the 91爆料 and the 91爆料 at Machias.

Over the past year, Dean Gifford has served with distinction as Interim Dean of Students. In that role, she has provided compassionate leadership and steadfast guidance for students across our campuses, fostering a climate that embraces belonging and student success while guiding critical student and crisis response efforts.

Dean Gifford brings more than three decades of experience at 91爆料, with extensive expertise in student affairs, academic advising, crisis management, student advocacy, and university administration. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting students and strengthening the university community through thoughtful leadership and service.

Since joining 91爆料 in 1991, Dean Gifford has served in a variety of leadership and administrative roles across the university. Prior to her appointment as Interim Dean of Students, she served as Senior Associate Dean within the Division of Student Life. She currently serves as chair and case manager for the Student Behavior Review Team, helping lead the university鈥檚 threat assessment and care management efforts for both 91爆料 and 91爆料 Machias.

Earlier in her career, Dean Gifford served as an instructor for Academic and Career Exploration and held positions within the Division of Lifelong Learning and the Division of Administration and Finance.

Dean Gifford鈥檚 deep institutional knowledge, student-centered approach, and dedication to fostering a supportive campus environment have made a lasting impact on countless students, faculty, and staff. Her leadership has strengthened the university鈥檚 ability to support student well-being, academic achievement, and community engagement.

Dean Gifford earned her master鈥檚 degree in education and student development and bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration from 91爆料.

We are fortunate to have such an experienced leader serving our university community. I look forward to continuing our work together to support the success of our students and to advance the mission of 91爆料 and 91爆料 Machias.

Please join me in congratulating Andrea Gifford on this well-deserved appointment.

Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy,听President
91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jenny Boyden as Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Business Officer of the 91爆料 and the 91爆料 at Machias.

Over the past year, Jenny has served with distinction as Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Business Officer. In that role, she has provided thoughtful leadership and steady stewardship for the university鈥檚 finance and administration division, overseeing budget and accounting operations, auxiliary enterprises, and facilities management and planning.

Jenny brings to this position nearly three decades of experience in financial leadership, public administration, healthcare finance, and strategic budgeting. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional expertise in budget development and analysis, operational planning, and organizational leadership across governmental and nonprofit sectors.

Prior to joining the 91爆料 System, Jenny served as Associate Commissioner for the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, where she also served as department lead for the Maine Jobs and Recovery Team. Earlier in her career, she held a number of senior financial leadership positions within Maine state government and healthcare organizations.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities at 91爆料, Jenny currently serves as Head of Finance for UMS TRANSFORMS, helping guide the financial administration of this important systemwide initiative.

Jenny鈥檚 collaborative leadership style, deep knowledge of public finance, and strong commitment to the mission of public higher education have already made a significant impact on our university community. She has provided important leadership in facilities planning and capital investment efforts, including the development of a comprehensive master planning process designed to align our physical infrastructure with the university鈥檚 long-term goals for education, research, student life, and athletics.

Jenny earned her MBA from Thomas College and her bachelor鈥檚 degree in economics and finance from Bentley College.

We are fortunate to have such a skilled, dedicated, and experienced leader serving our flagship university. I look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen the university鈥檚 financial foundation and support the success of our students, faculty, staff, and broader community.

Please join me in congratulating Jenny Boyden on this well-deserved appointment.

Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy,听President
91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias

I am writing to share the bittersweet news that Dean and Campus Director of 91爆料 Machias Dr. Megan Walsh has accepted a new position as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Edgewood University in Madison, Wisconsin.

Dr. Walsh joined the Machias community in 2022 during a time of significant change. Our campuses were working to align on several fronts, including academics, student services, and culturally as we grew together as Black Bears.

Her leadership has been steady and collaborative, ensuring that all voices were considered in decision making, whether from students, faculty, staff, or long-standing community members. Dr. Walsh鈥檚 commitment to the Town of Machias and the greater Downeast region was exemplified in every strategic decision she made.

Dr. Walsh鈥檚 dedication to student recruitment helped to stabilize enrollments after a period of decline, and we are excited about the future of 91爆料 Machias as we continue to see local and out-of-state students choosing to join the one-of-a-kind community at our coastal campus.

In addition to these great accomplishments, Dr. Walsh also oversaw the renovation of Reynolds Gymnasium, an important community hub in Machias. She has also overseen continued improvements to campus housing and the upcoming development of the Early College Student Support Center.

I am also personally grateful for her support as Interim Chief of Staff last summer during a period of transition in my office. 

We wish Dr. Walsh well as she steps into this new leadership role, and thank her for all of the incredible work she has done for 91爆料 and 91爆料 Machias. Her last day will be June 30, 2026.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Walsh.

Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy,听President
91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias

Dean of Students finalist Andrea Gifford will give an open-campus presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session on Friday, April 24.

The candidate will respond to the following prompt:

Describe your experience and vision for bringing faculty, staff and students together as a 91爆料 community with the goal of supporting students鈥� academic, personal, and professional success.

The schedule and candidate information is as follows:

Andrea Gifford聽()
2 鈥撀�3 p.m.
Fogler Library, 2nd Floor (The Salon)聽

Your attendance (virtual or in person) and feedback is encouraged as we seek to fill this important position. 

Sincerely,

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President, 91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias

Daisy Dom铆nguez Singh,听Search Committee Chair
Dean of Libraries

Vice President for Finance and Administration & Chief Business Officer finalists Jenny Boyden and Corey Watson will each give an open-campus presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session on Friday, April 24.

The candidates will respond to the following prompt:

Over the past three years, the university has experienced flat or declining enrollment, rising personnel costs, and increased pressure on state appropriations. Develop and present a 3-year financial strategy that supports institutional sustainability while advancing the university’s academic mission.

The schedule for presentations and candidate information is as follows:

Jenny Boyden聽()
12 鈥� 12:45 pm
Wells Conference Center, Room 1

Corey Watson聽()
2:30 鈥� 3:15 pm
Wells Conference Center, Room 1

Your attendance (virtual or in person) and feedback is encouraged as we seek to fill this important position. 

Sincerely,

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President, 91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias

Jennifer Baker, Search Committee Chair
Assistant Vice President for Research Finance and Administration
Office of the Vice President for Research

91爆料 Facilities Management (FM) teams were exceptionally busy last weekend as they addressed a number of issues related to the subzero temperatures in the state.

Beginning Friday afternoon, FM first responders led emergency repairs, primarily to remedy water pipes that froze due to the extreme cold. More than two dozen emergency work orders were issued this past weekend, with a similar number logged early this week as more 91爆料 community members returned to offices, labs and classes on campus. Two weather-related facilities emergencies were addressed at the 91爆料 at Machias.

Weather-related repairs are prioritized and will be ongoing this week. The university communities are asked to be patient when submitting non-emergency FM work orders in the coming days.

The university is grateful for the dedicated, talented FM team members who maintain our work, learning and living environments on campus year-round. This past weekend and this week, we extend a special note of gratitude to the HVAC and Plumbing shops that were called on numerous times.

Thank you.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President

To expand 91爆料鈥檚 multifaceted dining services on campus, including enhancements to residential and retail options for students and concessions for athletics patrons, the 91爆料 is entering into a partnership with Sodexo, a nationally recognized food service provider now serving the other 91爆料 System universities.

91爆料鈥檚 partnership with Sodexo will be shaped with broad campus community input. The terms of a final agreement with Sodexo will be negotiated by both parties during the spring semester. The priority will be service to our students and the campus, and protecting the rights and needs of current employees in Dining Services.

91爆料 Dining鈥檚 21 nonrepresented management and supervisory employees will be offered the opportunity to transition to Sodexo on Jan. 1, 2023. Full transition of 鈥媡he 91 represented 鈥�91爆料 Dining Services salaried and hourly 鈥媏mployees 鈥媤ho opt to transition to Sodexo will occur 鈥媌y 鈥婮uly 1. All employees will be offered commensurate positions with Sodexo.

The employment of nearly 130 91爆料 students in Dining Services will be unaffected this academic year. After July 1, student employees will be hired by Sodexo.

The decision to outsource 91爆料 dining services follows a formal review of 91爆料 Dining Services, conducted by an independent consulting firm to identify opportunities to optimize value and expand food service.

For years, the dedicated staff members of 91爆料 Dining have operated a successful, high-quality program that has reinvested dollars annually into the university. Sodexo has committed to significant investments in 91爆料 over the next four years, including capital improvements to our residential and retail dining facilities, and catering and concessions venues.

Entering this partnership with Sodexo will modernize our dining facilities, address the recent staffing shortage, and greatly expand student access to dining venues. Sodexo has assured the continuation of high-quality products and services, access to much greater national purchasing power, and management of pressures on the workforce, all of which will positively impact the overall financial viability of campus dining.

The university will be engaging in discussions with appropriate labor groups, employees directly involved with Dining Services, and the campus community.

91爆料 students and other university community members will be invited to offer feedback and suggestions, and engage in town halls and focus groups to gain insight into their expectations of service level, local food options and dining venue quality.

Sodexo already provides food service to the other six universities in the 91爆料 System, including 91爆料鈥檚 regional campus, the 91爆料 at Machias. The company also serves many universities nationwide.

With your input, 91爆料 also will have a partnership with Sodexo that will聽 elevate the student dining experience in campus retail opportunities, and modernize the dining venues. If you have questions, please send them to聽umaine.alerts@maine.edu.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President

Kelly Sparks
Vice President for Finance and Chief Business Officer

Transcript available

Fall 2022 Convocation Program

Define Tomorrow

August 26, 2022 ~ 5:30 p.m.
Alfond Arena, 91爆料

Keynote Speaker

Sarah Risley is a Ph.D. student in Ecology and Environmental Sciences at the 91爆料. Sarah completed the dual master鈥檚 degree program in Marine Biology and Marine Policy at 91爆料 in 2022.聽 She is a recipient of a Doctoral Flagship Fellowship at the Darling Marine Center. Her research is interdisciplinary, linking social and ecological science approaches and knowledge, and directly engages shellfish harvesters, high school students and other community members in midcoast Maine.

Stage Party

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President of the 91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias

Heather Ball
Interim Dean and Campus Director at the 91爆料 at Machias

Ersilda Cako
First-Year Resident Assistant and Sophomore in Computer Science

Alyssandra Ciasullo
President of 91爆料 Student Government

Robert Dana
Vice President for Student Life and Inclusive Excellence and Dean of Students

Connor Firth
Senior in Mechanical Engineering

Chris Markwood
91爆料 Men鈥檚 Basketball Coach

Sarah Risley
Ph.D. Student in Ecology and Environmental Sciences

MJ Sedlock
President of Faculty Senate, Lecturer in Theater and Production Manager and Technical Director

John Volin
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Fall 2022 Convocation Program

Processional (weather dependant)

Pride of Maine Black Bear Marching Band
directed by Christopher White

Indigenous Drumming by the Burnurwurbskek Singers

Welcome

John Volin, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Land Acknowledgment and Greetings

MJ Sedlock, President of Faculty Senate and Lecturer in Theater

New Student Welcome

Alyssandra Ciasullo, President of 91爆料 Student Government

Introduction by Heather Ball, 91爆料 at Machias Interim Dean and Head of Campus

Remarks

Joan Ferrini-Mundy, President 91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias

Introduction by Chris Markwood, 91爆料 Men鈥檚 Basketball Coach

Keynote Address

Sarah Risley, Ph.D. Student in Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Introduction by Connor Firth, Senior in Mechanical Engineering

Musical Performance

Pride of Maine Black Bear Marching Band

Closing

Robert Dana, Vice President for Student Life and Inclusive Excellence and Dean of Students

Introduction by Ersilda Cako, First-Year Resident Assistant and Sophomore in Computer Science

Recessional and Class Photo

Stein Song

Stein Song

Fill the steins to dear old Maine

Shout 鈥檛il the rafters ring

Stand and drink a toast once again

Let every loyal Maine fan sing

Drink to all the happy hours

Drink to the careless days

Drink to Maine, our alma mater

The college of our hearts always

To the trees, to the sky

to the spring in its glorious happiness

To the youth, to the fire

to the life that is moving and calling us

To the Gods, to the Fates

To the rulers of men and their destinies

To the lips, to the eyes

To the ones who will love us some day

Oh, fill the steins to dear old Maine

Shout 鈥檛il the rafters ring

Stand and drink a toast once again

Let every loyal Maine fan sing

Drink to all the happy hours

Drink to the careless days

Drink to Maine, our alma mater,

the college of our hearts always

Appreciation to the Convocation Planning Committee, the Pride of Maine Black Bear Marching Band, Burnurwurbskek Singers, and the program participants.

The 91爆料 is an EEO/AA employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran鈥檚 status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, 91爆料, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Fall 2022 Convocation Transcript

Hearty Maine Hello, and good afternoon. Thank you for joining us for Convocation 2022. My name is Mary Collias, from Wilton, Connecticut, and I am a current senior in Accounting.聽 I鈥檓 a member of All Maine Women, and Team Maine as well.

I will serve as one of your MCs for today鈥檚 Convocation Ceremony.

I would like to thank the distinguished members of today鈥檚 stage party for their role in Convocation 2022.聽聽 They will be introduced as they take the podium.

We would also like to thank the Burnurwurbskek singers for welcoming us with that ceremony.

I am pleased to welcome our first speaker: Dr. John Volin is the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost for the 91爆料 and the 91爆料 at Machias. He was named to this position in 2020 after serving as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Connecticut.

His past work shows deep care and concern for natural resources and the environment, establishing the award-winning UConn Natural Resources Conservation Academy. He has also served as director for UConn’s Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences Program, co-founded the Eversource Energy Center, and was director of the Environmental Sciences Program at Florida Atlantic University.聽 Provost Volin provides leadership for all academic affairs areas at 91爆料 and 91爆料 Machias, particularly faculty development and learner success. He makes the learning, well-being, and overall success of our students his primary focus.

He is also the co-leader of the UMS TRANSFORMS Student Success & Retention Initiative, aimed at providing every student the opportunity to pursue their dream, to shape their identity and sense of purpose through education that prepares them to understand and contribute to the solutions needed to define tomorrow – for themselves and the world they live in.

Please join me in welcoming Provost Volin to the stadium.

Good Afternoon and don鈥檛 worry my talk tonight 鈥� my welcome鈥� will be shorter than my intro, but I do appreciate that thank you Mary. Good afternoon and a hearty Maine Hello to the members of the Class of 2026 and a warm welcome to all the members of 91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias communities and distinguished guests who are joining us today.

As I enter my third year as Provost, I remain inspired by the resiliency, commitment, and innovative spirit exhibited by our students, faculty, and staff, and the overall community.

The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed extraordinary challenges across our communities, but those challenges also exposed opportunities 鈥� to be bold, to consider what previously was believed unthinkable, and to define tomorrow.

Our flagship mission of teaching, research, and public service was on full display in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid deployment of the expertise of our community proved integral in the state鈥檚 response.

We will continue to use our collective expertise to advance the health and safety of our community and our state.

As we have with COVID, we take seriously our responsibility to be a community of learners and researchers, and to engage in service opportunities to improve the lives of all in our society across an array of challenges and opportunities.

Whether it be issues of equity and inclusion, climate change mitigation, rural health care services, advancing racial justice, protecting the rights of women, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented populations 鈥� we will define tomorrow by rising to meet the challenges of today.

Defining tomorrow is enshrined in our shared values. These are 聽Fostering Learner Success, Discovering and Innovating, and Growing and Advancing Partnerships. The determination of guiding values for an institution is critical. But so are the development of our own personal guiding values.

As we welcome you and celebrate your inclusion in this extraordinary community today, I encourage each of you to explore how you will make your mark on 91爆料 or 91爆料 Machias. What will be your personal contribution?

How will you excel both in and out of the classroom? What lifelong relationships and memories will you form? Through your exceptional educational experiences, through research opportunities, co-curricular activities, and more 鈥� how you define tomorrow is up to you.

Looking toward the future, I encourage you to think about your values, what contribution you want to make, and how we can help support you in your endeavors. You are part of our 91爆料 and 91爆料 family, and I wish you the best for this academic year and beyond.

Go Blue!

Thank you Provost Volin

Before we continue, lets thank all our planning committee members, the Pride of 91爆料 Marching Band, and the Burnurwurbskek Singers who provided our welcoming ceremony to this unceded Wabinaki territory.

Please join me in honoring them with our appreciation for sharing their tradition with us.

I now invite MJ Sedlock, professor and Faculty Senate President, to the podium to provide our land acknowledgement.

On behalf of the faculty at the 91爆料, I鈥檇 like to open our Convocation today by acknowledging the 91爆料鈥檚 presence on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation, and the 91爆料 at Machias鈥� location in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Tribe. Both of our universities recognize that in these homelands, issues of water and territorial rights, and encroachment upon sacred sites, are ongoing.

Penobscot and Passamaquoddy homelands are connected to the other Wabanaki Tribal Nations 鈥� the Maliseet and Micmac 鈥� through kinship, alliances and diplomacy. 91爆料 and its regional campus also recognize that the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy and the other Wabanaki Tribal Nations are distinct, sovereign, legal and political entities with their own powers of self-governance and self-determination.

As we gather this afternoon at our Convocation, I would like to invite us all to consider how we live and work on this land, and to attend carefully to the roles that each of us play as members of the 91爆料 and the 91爆料 at Machias, in shaping future relationships with the land and among people.

Thank you.

We now welcome Dr Heather Ball Interim Dean and Head of Campus 聽91爆料 at Machias to the podium.

Good Afternoon. My name is Heather Ball and I am Interim Dean and Campus Director at the 91爆料鈥檚 Regional Campus in Machias. I am grateful to be here today to welcome and celebrate the class of 2026. It brings me great joy to celebrate with you as you embark on a new life chapter at the 91爆料 and the 91爆料 at Machias. Individually and collectively, YOU will write the story of your college careers over the next four years through your academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, relationships, and practical experiences.

The trajectory of your college career is all yours 鈥� you are in the driver鈥檚 seat. I encourage you to take roads less traveled 鈥� get to know people, places, and traditions that are unfamiliar, new, and different. Embrace experiences and individuals different from your cultural norms. With each of these encounters and experiences, you will grow and learn and, perhaps you will find and travel roads that you never knew existed.

I wish you the best, class of 2026, and now it is my pleasure to introduce Alyssa Ciasullo, from Woburn, MA who is majoring in Business Management. She is the President of the 91爆料 Student Government and is also a member of the cheerleading team.

Thank you.

Hi everyone. You might be sick of hearing this but I鈥檇 like to give the biggest hearty Maine Hello to 91爆料鈥檚 class of 2026! Can we get a round of applause for all of the hard work you鈥檝e put in to be able to be here in these seats today? My name is Alyssa Ciasullo, and I鈥檒l be your student body president for the academic year. I feel honored to be able to be one of the first to welcome you all to this wonderful campus and to, in my opinion, some of the best times of your life. I鈥檇 like to start my speech off with telling you a bit about what our student government has to offer. You didn鈥檛 hear it from me, but we are hands down the coolest club on campus. We have the power to recognize and fund all student organizations, while representing the student body to administration and even the Board of Trustees. We have several opportunities for leadership growth, are the first to know about things happening on campus, plan events for students, including our annual concert (we had Jack Harlow, Waka Flocka, and Grandson last year!), and so on. If this doesn鈥檛 sound like the student organization for you, I鈥檓 heartbroken, but don鈥檛 worry, we have over 150 other student organizations on campus that might pique your interest. If none do, 91爆料 Student Government is happy to help you start your own! Becoming involved on our campus makes it a better place to be and offers you plenty of opportunity to meet students with similar interests. Sitting in this crowd, I see the future of 91爆料. I see the next executive boards of our existing student organizations, as well as the several new ones that will be created in the next few years. I see the future of student government and a future student body president, but none of this is possible without the work that will go into your next few years as a Black Bear. On top of juggling academics, maybe a job, and possibly a sport, I see you all picking up extracurricular activities and excelling because you are putting in the necessary hard work. Your time at 91爆料 will fly by before you know it, but the legacy you will create here will last a lot longer. Your legacy starts today and goes past the student organizations fair (which I highly recommend going to), to your first day of classes, first extracurricular activity meeting, first time meeting your future best friends, and continues from there. I wish you the best in your future endeavors. If there鈥檚 any way I can point you in the right direction of anything campus related or personally be of assistance to you during your adjustment period, come visit me in the basement of the Memorial Union in the Wade Center. My job as student body president is to help make your lives all a little better. I鈥檓 always looking for new ways to represent the student body and better our campus, so please don鈥檛 be a stranger if you think you might be able to assist. In conclusion, if there鈥檚 one thing that you take away from this speech, let it be that getting involved on campus makes your time at college worth all the hard work it takes to be successful. Getting involved helped me meet my best friends, as well as helped open doors for my future in ways I could never have imagined. I can鈥檛 wait to watch your 91爆料 journey that starts today. Once again welcome to the greatest place that we fondly call the college of our hearts always. Thank you.

Before I turn over my MC duties to Team Maine Member and Senior Skull Gabe Labonte I would like to聽offer a “Hearty Maine Hello”, our traditional 91爆料 greeting, to all new international students. In your honor, we are displaying the 43 flags representing all of your countries聽at the sides of the stage.聽91爆料 is now your home and we hope you will find our community welcoming and supportive and your time here personally and academically enriching.

Thank you Mary. My name is Gabe Labonte, I’m from Lewiston Maine, going into my Senior year, double majoring in Accounting and Finance, and I am the president of the senior tradition society, the Senior Skulls.

Please join me in a hearty Maine Hello and Welcome to Maine Native, Former Men鈥檚 Basketball player and captain, 91爆料 Alum and now聽 Maine鈥檚 23rd Men鈥檚 Head Basketball Coach, Chris Markwood

Good afternoon, I am pleased to join you all this afternoon and take part in my first official University wide official function.聽 I am honored to participate and proudly represent all 91爆料 athletics.聽 I am grateful to have the distinct pleasure of introducing our next speaker-聽 Joan Ferrini-Mundy is President of the 91爆料 and the 91爆料 at Machias, and Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation of the 91爆料 System. She was named president in 2018 and vice chancellor in 2021.

Dr. Ferrini-Mundy was formerly the assistant director for Education and Human Resources at the National Science Foundation, where she subsequently served as Chief Operating Officer. She has provided campus-based academic leadership as an associate dean, and served as professor of mathematics at two land grant universities. Dr. Ferrini-Mundy is a national leader in STEM education research and policy. During her NSF tenure, she co-led the development of a government-wide strategic plan for science, technology and engineering education across 14 science agencies that achieved improved coherence and impact in the federal government’s $3 billion STEM education investment.

Dr. Ferrini-Mundy is chair-elect of the Conference Board of Mathematical Sciences and chairs the Academic Advisory Team with FocusMaine. She serves on the boards of Maine Center Ventures, Maine and Company, and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Executive Steering Committee. She also is the vice chair of APLU’s Research Intensive Committee, a board member of the Association of Public Land-grant Universities, and co-Pl of a $240 million gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation. This spring, she was appointed to the President鈥檚 Committee on the National Medal of Science by President Joe Biden and to the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board by Governor Janet Mills.

She earned her Ph.D. in mathematics education from the University of New Hampshire, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Please welcome President Ferrini-Mundy.

Hello Class of 2026! Welcome to the 91爆料. Welcome to the 91爆料 at Machias. For those who are watching this on YouTube (or will watch it on YouTube), we鈥檙e delighted to have you paying attention to us here in Orono.

We鈥檝e been looking forward to seeing you 鈥� all 1,978 of you in the class of 2026 鈥� at 91爆料 and at our regional campus in Machias. Here, and in person, and it鈥檚 great to be back together again.聽This convocation is the kickoff to the 2022鈥�2023 academic year.

I鈥檇 like to begin by thanking every new first-year student, and your families, for making the choice to come to this university, to the 91爆料, to become a Black Bear. For pursuing higher education during a challenging time. When you complete your degrees here that will have profound consequence for your future. You鈥檝e already heard about the vision that we have for you here at 91爆料 and well beyond. You鈥檒l be the leaders in our state, our country, around the world. And that鈥檚 more important than ever, now that we are coming through this pandemic. We understand what you鈥檝e accomplished and what it鈥檚 taken for you personally and academically to be successful and to be here today. And we鈥檙e here to meet you where you are, and to show you that we believe in you and we鈥檒l support your growth over these next four years.

Through the years, the 91爆料 has held convocations to launch the academic year, but when I arrived here in 2018, we learned that it had several years since the previous convocation. We re-instituted this tradition in 2019, and this is now our fourth in recent times. Convocations are a tradition in academic institutions that go back hundreds of years (not usually held in ice hockey arenas) and they have some ceremonial elements (like our regalia that some of us are wearing) and some celebratory elements (like welcoming all of you). And we have added contextual elements that welcome you to, and help you learn about, THIS university, the 91爆料 and the 91爆料 at Machias, such as the wonderful Indigenous Drumming you heard as we entered.

I believe that working in a university is the best possible job. It is all about hope, the future, ideas, and community. In just the last week, I can鈥檛 tell you how many people have said to me 鈥渢he students are back 鈥� I鈥檓 happier, excited, energized.鈥澛� You do that for us鈥� those of us that are here鈥斅爕ear round.聽Every new class brings us new ideas, new personalities, and new opportunities to learn from, and with, you. And that characterizes the academic community you have joined.

Our learners, including you, are here from all 50 states and as you鈥檝e heard more than 40 countries. This class is a very accomplished group 鈥� one of you did research while in high school to create biodiesel fuel from biomass; one of you is a 91爆料 employee returning to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree after earning an associate degree years ago. There are Eagle Scouts, accomplished athletes, a music theater house manager, innovators who developed a drone camera to help in plant monitoring. Many who have faced and supported challenging family and personal circumstances; many more who have done service projects in your communities. And so we are humbled to meet you and to welcome you into the community that you will now shape and change.

You鈥檙e coming to a first-rate, R1 university that boasts world-class faculty. Their teaching is informed by their nationally and internationally recognized achievements 鈥� they are actually superstars 鈥� and they look forward to having you join them in the field and in the lab, in the studio and on the stage to make your own contributions and to shape theirs.

This summer, 91爆料 faculty and students have been to the Arctic Circle to study sheep farming in Greenland and climate change in glacier fields; they have finished groundbreaking books on topics ranging from sea lice biology to the bioactive compounds in berries to promote health, and the NYTimes-reviewed 鈥淣ight of the Living Rez.鈥� They have brought in millions of dollars for research and instruction, and you will get a chance to be a part of all of that. They鈥檝e launched new studies to examine how various genetic strains of wild blueberries react to various influences. They have seen the completion of a state-of-the-art classroom and research building, the Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center, and they have performed their music, exhibited their art, and shared their theater performances across the world.

This university, with our 10,771 students, provides resources and experiential learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom for you to explore so you can find and pursue your passion. That includes adventures in the bold beauty of the great Maine outdoors. And joining Black Bear Nation fans cheering on the state鈥檚 only Division I athletics program and its 17 sports. Or finding a quiet place in the historic Fogler Library or the beautiful Littlefield Ornamentals Trial Garden.

We are counting on you to get involved, to use your talents and find your voice. Get engaged, be innovative, and make a difference here.聽For the nearly 18 percent of the first-year class that has been here for Bridge Week and participating in the Research Learning Experiences, you are already shaping the academic community. As I looked at posters today, and made notes of all of the great questions that you would like us to pursue, and to help use to change and improve what we do here at 91爆料, I can already see the difference you are making.

Last year, I convened a commission of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders to consider how the pandemic, racial injustice, climate change, the state of civic discourse and other challenges should reshape higher education聽here at 91爆料 and at 91爆料 Machias 鈥� and how we prepare our students to define tomorrow.

They鈥檝e provided a dynamic perspective about the role of this university to empower, enable and engage students so that you can be all you can and want to be. Stay tuned through the year and you will hear more about 91爆料 Compass, and how you can get involved, and shape it further.

They challenged us to provide innovative educational approaches and interdisciplinary dialogue聽 鈥撀� to help you become leaders and innovators who can compete in the global environment and make a difference here in Maine.

We have leadership as a green university focusing on the environment, clean energy and climate action. And you can be a part of this.

We also focused on the well-being of the whole person, and a meaningful sense of belonging in a caring community where students find balance, engagement and development in their studies and lives. So, to all of these ends, care for yourselves and for each other, ask for help, offer help, be kind, and remember that, together, we are stronger.

Your 91爆料 an 91爆料 Machias educations will shape you, especially if you explore, engage, and enjoy.

I wish you an exceptional experience at the 91爆料 and the 91爆料 at Machias, filled with endless opportunities to make a difference and shape your future.

Thank you, and welcome to our academic community.

Our next speaker is Connor Firth.聽 Connor lives in Vienna, Maine 鈥� the northwestern corner of Kennebec County, 22 miles northwest of Augusta.聽 He is a Senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and a Mitchell Scholar, which is an award given to one graduating senior from each high school in Maine every year.

Hi! My name鈥檚 Connor – I’m grateful to both the University and the Mitchell Institute for inviting me to be here today. Welcome to 91爆料! It鈥檚 pretty great here. I hope I’ll see some of you around the halls on campus. And to add to a day that I鈥檓 sure has already been filled with a ton of advice already, I鈥檒l give you one more tidbit. Just a brief reassurance, I am somebody who made a lot of poor decisions in my first few years of college and still managed to make it here. You don’t have to know how everything works, and you don’t need to do everything right on the first try, or even the second. I hope you will remind yourselves of that as you start the new chapter of your lives. I’m also pleased to have the honor of welcoming our keynote speaker today, Sarah Risley.

Sarah grew up in Geneseo聽 NY, and received her undergraduate degree from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs.聽 She currently resides in Wiscasset, Maine. She has lived in Maine for the last 5 years- during which time she received the dual Master鈥檚 degree in Marine Biology and Marine Policy from 91爆料 School of Marine Science and she is now enrolled as a PhD student in Ecology and Environmental Science.

Please join me in welcoming our keynote speaker, Sarah Risley.

Hello everyone, and a warm welcome to the 91爆料! It is an honor to have the opportunity to share my story with you all today and to welcome you on behalf of the students of 91爆料. You are at the start of something extraordinary.

If you had told me at the end of my undergraduate degree that in six years time I would be living and studying in Orono, Maine I would have looked at you like you were crazy. Maine where? Or-o what? For me, my path to 91爆料 was a circuitous one.

Many have a clear picture of what their future holds from a young age. For me, that was not the case. I knew that I wanted to help people and study the natural world, but I could not clearly define what shape my life would take to reach those aspirations. Even after graduating with a degree in Environmental Studies, I struggled to envision my future.

Before finding my way to 91爆料, I roamed from New York, to Nashville, TN, to Philadelphia, PA, and finally to Portland, ME, teaching in community gardens and advocating for food justice as an Americorps member. This work was enriching, but it never solidified into something that I could point to and say, 鈥淭his is what I am meant to do, this is the right fit.鈥�

I saw continuing my education as a way forward. I always had enjoyed science, but when I enrolled in a Marine Invertebrates course at Southern Maine Community College I found something I truly loved. Now, when I say marine invertebrates, I鈥檓 referring to the colorful, often squishy, spineless creatures that live from the intertidal to the deep ocean. This group includes species as unique as the mantis shrimp, but also organisms that humans harvest for food, like Maine鈥檚 famous lobsters.

This course, and conversations with professional scientists who became my mentors, helped me to redefine my future. I could envision life as a scientific researcher. It was a career path that integrated my love of ecology with my desire to help others. I began applying for advanced degree programs and came across the 91爆料 dual masters in marine biology and marine policy.

The dual degree program is interdisciplinary and recognizes that humans are a part of marine ecosystems. From forests to oceans, people rely on ecosystems for food, income, and recreation. At 91爆料, I could study the interactions between Maine鈥檚 coastal communities and marine ecosystems. And, as an R1 research institution, 91爆料 could provide the training, mentorship, and resources to allow me to generate meaningful research supporting the sustainable stewardship of these environments.

Happily, in 2019 I was accepted into the School of Marine Sciences to study under Dr. Heather Leslie and Dr. Joshua Stoll. Learning under these advisors was an amazing opportunity, and with their guidance I was able to shape my studies at 91爆料.

After studying at the Orono campus for a year, I transitioned to the 91爆料 Darling Marine Center. The Darling Marine Center is a coastal center for marine and environmental research, outreach, and education. It鈥檚 located in Walpole, ME, the Darling Center enables scientists and students to study coastal ecosystems and actively engage with fishermen, aquaculture farmers, and community members through collaborative research.

With the support of the Diana Davis Spencer Fellowship and the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, I began to study the shellfish fishery in Maine. In my research, I collaborate with shellfish harvesters, municipal managers, and local students to understand how and why coastal ecosystems are changing, and shellfish populations, like clams and oysters, are shifting through time. This work is community-driven, guided by the knowledge and questions of those who live and work in Maine鈥檚 coastal communities.

This research culminated in a community science program in the Damariscotta River estuary. Through the program, I lead students out onto the intertidal mudflats to collect information on shellfish populations and their predators. We also interview shellfish harvesters, documenting harvesters鈥� observations of change.

Shellfish harvesters and other fishermen spend 365 days a year in coastal ecosystems and, as a result, are experts with deep knowledge of how these systems are shifting through time. Our students then share their findings to help municipal leaders make decisions about how best to care for their local ecosystem.

I am still amazed that a program like this could be developed as part of my masters degree. 91爆料 and the Darling Center encouraged and supported this process. They allowed me to define my educational experience and forge a path that integrated my interests in education, sustainability, and social-ecological systems.

Yet, this is not an uncommon occurrence at 91爆料. 91爆料, the Darling Center, and the Mitchell Center have a long history of helping to launch diverse research partnerships seeking solutions for sustainability challenges facing communities across the state of Maine.

Now, after completing my dual masters this past spring, I am thrilled to say that I will continue on at 91爆料 as a PhD student, supported by a 91爆料 Flagship Doctoral Research Fellowship. And I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be. 91爆料 gave me the support to define my own tomorrow, and I see my future here in Maine.

And now you have taken the first step. Defining your tomorrow at 91爆料 is a journey and will likely not be a simple path. You will learn about yourself and what motivates you along the way. But you are in a supportive place to begin this venture.

91爆料 prioritizes mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities鈥揻rom internships with local organizations and capstone projects working with professors and graduate students, to research experiences like the Semester by the Sea, where you too can explore Maine鈥檚 coasts. There are endless opportunities to envision and define the shape your tomorrow can take, and create meaningful change in the process.

Whether you find yourself studying the health of blueberry barrens or state politics in Augusta, at 91爆料 you can be confident that you are now part of a supportive community that extends well beyond the university. Welcome to the 91爆料!

Thank you Sarah for your inspiring words. We appreciate you being here with us today and the work you are doing in Downeast Maine.

We are now fortunate to have an opportunity to enjoy the talents of the Pride of Maine Black Bear Marching Band as they demonstrate 91爆料 School spirit.

[inaudible]

鈾� Band performance medley ?

What a great performance- we can all look forward to seeing the band perform at the first home football game on September 10th.聽 One of many 91爆料 traditions you will not want to miss.

Next, I would like to welcome Ersilda Cako to the podium.

Hello everyone. My name is Ersilda Cako and I am an international student from Romania. I am a Sophmore, 聽computer science major, part of the VEMI Lab, and also a first-year resident assistant at Androscoggin Hall.

It鈥檚 wonderful to see you all here today. I am pleased to introduce our next speaker, Dr. Robert Dana, Vice President for Student Life and Inclusive Excellence.聽聽聽 As Dean of Students, Dr. Dana is dedicated to creating an engaging, exciting, and safe campus where students are empowered to fully develop their capacity as change agents, and to providing support services to students to help them succeed at the 91爆料 and the 91爆料 at Machias.

Please welcome Dr. Dana.

You can do better than that, come on! Get on your feet! Come on, Up up up up up! Up you go! Up up up, yeah! All right. I love that stuff! Thank you for that spontaneous show of love, I鈥檓 thrilled.

First of all, let鈥檚 give it up for all of these people back here and that band up there. We should give it up for all those people too over there, they鈥檝e been busting it all day to get this place ready for you. We鈥檙e so thrilled you鈥檙e here.

You know as the Dean of Students, there鈥檚 nothing more important to me than seeing people like you. Today is the day we wait for. And when graduation happens, which it will happen for all of you, we bid everyone adieu, we wish them all well, and we say we can鈥檛 wait for the next class.

I met a lot of you today, I met your parents, I saw a lot of parents crying, a lot of students pushing mom and dad out the door. But I learned all about the wonderous stories that each of you bring here. This is your new home. Tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday you鈥檒l be meeting each other, getting to know each other, you鈥檒l see all sorts of different things. Who you are will be different tomorrow, you鈥檒l be different than that the next day, and by the time you finish at 91爆料 you鈥檒l be a citizen of the world in a way you can鈥檛 even begin to understand today.

Your experience here will set your course for the rest of your lives. Here at 91爆料 we care for each other, we love each other, we support each other, we have each other鈥檚 backs. We take care of each other鈥� if someone needs help, we give it. If someone wants help, we ask for it. Reach your hand out, and people will reach back. You鈥檒l see me on campus, you鈥檒l see my friends on campus. You鈥檒l remember my white hair which I may paint purple one day鈥� but when you see me I expect you to give me a big high five and a hearty Maine hello. We love you, we are thrilled you鈥檙e here, congratulations, class of 2026.

Up you go! Up up up! All right, all right.

All right Black Bears, it is now time for you to learn the Stein Song and to wrap up with your class photo. This is my personal favorite 91爆料 tradition. I hope you all take the time to learn this song.

Fill the steins to dear old Maine

Shout 鈥檛il the rafters ring

Stand and drink a toast once again

Let every loyal Maine fan sing

Drink to all the happy hours

Drink to the careless days

Drink to Maine, our alma mater

The college of our hearts always

To the trees, to the sky

to the spring in its glorious happiness

To the youth, to the fire

to the life that is moving and calling us

To the Gods, to the Fates

To the rulers of men and their destinies

To the lips, to the eyes

To the ones who will love us some day

Oh, fill the steins to dear old Maine

Shout 鈥檛il the rafters ring

Stand and drink a toast once again

Let every loyal Maine fan sing

Drink to all the happy hours

Drink to the careless days

Drink to Maine, our alma mater,

the college of our hearts always

Give yourselves a round of applause for that, that was a great Stein Song. And please, give a round of applause to Chris White, director of the Pride of Maine Black Bear Marching Band who has done an incredible job this evening so let鈥檚 give him a resounding 91爆料 applause.

I am happy to announce to all 91爆料 and UMM community members that 91爆料 System COVID-19 health and safety guidance has been updated. These updates, effective April 29, 2021, are in keeping with the most recent orders of Maine civil authorities as announced April 27, and are discussed in . These changes are next steps in our path toward a post-pandemic future.

Two of the most important updates to health and safety protocols on our campuses and at our locations statewide have to do with face coverings and asymptomatic testing.

Face coverings are recommended but not required to be worn outdoors when individuals are able to social distance. Face coverings remain required indoors.

Members of the 91爆料 and UMM communities now have the opportunity to upload their vaccination cards to the . Weekly asymptomatic testing will continue beginning the week of May 10 for summer. For all university community members who submit bona fide verification of vaccination, an exemption from asymptomatic testing is available effective that week. Asymptomatic testing continues for all, including vaccinated individuals, next week.

Details on this new guidance are available on the . .

Earlier this week, UMS provided a , developed in consultation with representatives from across the System. The guidance focuses on in-person courses and programs planned this summer with appropriate safety measures implemented, including a combination of remote and in-person work, instruction and research, along with physical distancing, face coverings and other such pandemic protocols. 91爆料 and UMM faculty, staff and students engaged in summer programs are already incorporating these ideas into their planning.

Based on the recommendations of the 91爆料 Emergency Operations Center we also will make changes, in two phases, concerning group size. For the May 9鈥�23 period, the maximum indoor gathering limit will be up to 50% of permitted occupancy, with five persons per 1,000 square feet, or 50 persons, whichever is greatest and which allows for 6-foot physical distancing. The maximum outdoor gathering limit will be up to 75% of permitted occupancy that allows for 6-foot distancing. Beginning May 24, the maximum indoor gathering limit will increase to up to 75% of permitted occupancy that allows for 6-foot distancing, and maximum outdoor gathering limit will be up to 100% permitted occupancy that allows for 6-foot distancing. As circumstances warrant, and based on EOC recommendations, we may limit group gatherings on campus or for particular university events or gatherings to lower levels.

This is all great news for our university communities and our state as we move forward in this, the second year of the pandemic. We must remain vigilant of health and safety protocols, including avoiding large group gatherings, and get vaccinated for the well-being of ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. With this latest guidance, we are more hopeful than ever that we will be able to return to a traditional college experience on our campuses soon.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President

Last week, we observed the anniversary of the pandemic with great sadness, remembering all who have lost their lives due to COVID-19. We also have more optimism than we have had in a year, thanks to continued public health guidance to reduce the spread of the virus, and the availability of vaccines.

In recent weeks, we have welcomed a slowing rate of new COVID cases nationwide and in Maine compared with the winter peak period, as well as new federal vaccination expectations and future easing of civil guidance for our communities, including businesses. However, over the last week across Maine, we have had an increase in the seven-day average of , with most detected in adults in their 20s.

At 91爆料, we also have seen an uptick in positivity rates, the gross number of positive COVID-19 cases and the detection of the disease in wastewater on campus. This includes increases in community-based transmission of the disease.

While our spirits lift, it’s important that we remain vigilant of the health and safety guidance that has successfully gotten us to this point. We are still in a pandemic. And we have only eight weeks to go to finish this semester, which we would like to do by continuing the in-person and campus-based instruction and activity we have been able to do this semester.

At all times, wear your face covering, maintain 6 feet of physical distancing and good hand hygiene, continue your weekly testing, and avoid large gatherings. And get vaccinated when you are eligible to do so.

In our university communities, the Black Bears and pacts still apply, and current state and 91爆料 System health and safety guidance is still in effect.

The first of our four days focused on providing students time for decompression, rest, reflection, and recentering are coming up. The Reading Days, mini-break and Maine Day, March 23鈥�24, April 15 and April 28, are meant to remain free of new assignments to provide time for students to pursue academic work that is most appropriate for them or to take the time away from their regular routine if that is what they need most.

We know some students are considering travel plans. We remind you that university-sponsored travel is still prohibited for faculty and staff in most cases. The latest UMS travel guidance is . We urge all to stay close to home and to do their part to keep this disease from spreading.

All of us are looking forward to the times when we can safely gather and to be with those we know and care about. But those times are not yet here.

No matter where this message finds you 鈥� on or off campus, in Maine or beyond 鈥� please follow health and safety guidance. We are getting through this, together, in order to be together again. Please do all you can for your own health and safety, and for the well-being of those you love and our communities.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
President of the 91爆料 and 91爆料 at Machias

Robert Dana
Vice President for Student Life and Inclusive Excellence, and Dean of Students