Umpi Students Receive Awards,
Give Back To Community
by University of Maine at Presque Isle
Students and members of the campus community at the
University of Maine at Presque Isle have had one busy
semester, filled with service projects and research that have
led to statewide recognition as well as local collaborations
that provide unique, personalized learning opportunities
for everyone involved.
On Feb. 10, UMPI Education students had the opportunity
to share their technology expertise with area teachers when
they helped facilitate the “Educational Technology to
Support Teaching and Learning” workshop in conjunction
with the Central Aroostook Council on Education (CACE).
This was the first time that UMPI students played a role in
a CACE workshop. Alana Margeson, UMPI Instructional
Designer, and Leigh Belair, UMPI faculty member, brought
the idea to CACE Executive Director Terry Wood after co-
teaching the class EDU: 261: Educational Technology in the
Classroom in Fall 2016. As part of that course, Margeson
and Belair had their 10 students develop digital portfolios,
constructed as Weebly sites, and present them to a panel of
“authentic audience members”—area school administrators.
Margeson and Belair worked with four UMPI students—
Chelsey Briggs, Lauren Chapman, Lacey McQuarrie and
Katherine McKenna—to plan and carry out the workshop.
Sessions included: Digital Tools for Communication,
Creating and Using Visuals for the Classroom, Interactive
Video and Image Tools, Tools for Digital Lessons and Using
Google Hangout for Communication and Collaborations.
leaders and YPI graduates.
In keeping with the theme of collaboration, UMPI and
University Credit Union came together to offer several
new improvements to the campus. With UCU’s support,
the University was able to install a brand new scoreboard
in Wieden Gymnasium
this basketball season. The
LED scoreboard features
“intelligent
captions,”
which allows team names to
appear on the board, as well
as panels for the home and
visiting teams that let fans
keep track of individual players’ points and fouls. Significant
support from UCU also allowed for the installation of two
new entryway signs on campus—at the south entrance
and at the entrance to Preble Hall—as well as an update
to the lighted marquee at the north entrance to campus to
ensure that the three signs incorporated the same design.
In addition, UCU officials and UMPI’s Student Financial
Services continue to work together on efforts to improve
students’ financial literacy.
UMPI’s Art Program, with the assistance of students and
local ceramicists, hosted the region’s fourth annual Empty
Bowls fundraiser, which took place on Thursday, April 27
at the Sargent Family Community Center (Presque Isle
Recreation Center). Organized by UMPI Assistant Professor
of Art Hyrum Benson’s Ceramics I, II and III classes, this
unique event gave participants the chance to purchase
bowls and enjoy cups of homemade soup. Empty Bowls is
the only fundraiser of its kind in Northern Maine. Hand-
crafted bowls were made and donated by a wide range of
individuals, from artists in the County to UMPI students
and alumni to Presque Isle High School students. All
proceeds went to Martha and Mary’s Soup Kitchen, located
on 21 Parsons Rd. in Presque Isle and open on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays from 2-5 p.m.
The community collaborations continued with the Young
Professionals Institute, a partnership between UMPI and
MMG Insur ance, which reached its 10 year milestone
this spring. YPI provides Aroostook County’s young
professionals with a one-of-a-kind professional development
opportunity—a seven-week course designed for emerging
leaders looking to refine the skills that will bring them long-
term career success. The 2017 YPI took place from March
1 to April 12 and the theme was CONNECTING, which
focused on 10 skills that the most successful people excel at:
Communication, Optimization, Networking, Nimbleness,
Engagement, Customer Service, Teambuilding, Influence, UMPI students have also been recognized for their academic
Navigating and Goal Setting. The Institute culminated in a and service work in a big way. Idella Thompson, a recent
showcase presentations before area business and community graduate of UMPI’s Criminal Justice program, served as
SUMMER 2017
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