- SPECIAL UNIVERSITY DAY EDITION -
University of Maine at Presque Isle Volume 38 Issue 14
Alyson Robitaille STAFF WRITER
Journalism for Northern Maine
Visit us at utimes.umpi.edu
MAY 7, 2010
Talented Students Give Back
Imagine yourself driving around with your brother, daughter, niece or nephew. Imagine that they are sucking on a hard candy, chitchatting with you about their day and all of a sudden they stop talking and start choking. Or how about thinking about the effects of candy on that child’s nutrition and weight? Johannah Bubar, a student at UMPI, decided she would give back by showing the world
the importance of CPR. Bubar designed a poster and a logo for CPR and hopes to display it throughout parts of Aroostook county. Bubar’s title for her poster asked a question instead of a command. It boldly read, “ Would you know what to do?” Then it displayed two heart-wrenching pictures, a number to contact someone to become CPR certified and “ Save your child’s life.” Her CPR logo, on the other hand, was a world shaped as a heart and two hands in CPR position, with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation around it. Bubar stated that her CPR logo, “ re presented everyone c o m i n g together as a team or unit.” Tonya Corriveau, also a student at UMPI, displayed giving back by making a h e a l t h y weight-cautious game for children, with a target age of 2-5 years old.
Johanna Bubarʼs CPR Poster.
Johannah Bubar
Corriveau began the process thinking about creating a coloring book or activity book. Corriveau then questioned herself. “ If I do an activity book, they’ll only use it once.” Corriveau then decided to make a “ Help Me Grow” game. The children had to place the playing cards so the picture displayed was facing up and the text was facing down. They then tossed a bean bag or, in Corriveau’s case, a pair of socks rolled into a ball. Whichever card the ball or bag landed on, the children had to pick up. They then discussed the card and completed the activity on the back of the card. Corriveau made it so everyone in her targeted audience could play
her game. Corriveau made it process and felt great about so the game was accessible their end results. with activities on every card Lowman, on the other that someone with a disabili- h a n d s a i d , “A s f o r m e, I ty could do. Once children f e e l l i k e a p ro u d p a r e n t . ” completed the activity, they gained a point and could slide their character up the board. As they slid the characters up the board, they grew longer legs. Both Bubar and Corriveau completed this project for their English 215 class that they took with Jacquelyn Lowman. When asked, Bubar said that her largest obstacle was “ Finding the pictures I wanted and the positioning of text and color.” Corriveau said that her biggest problem was, “ getting my little characters to grow.” They both enjoyed the fact that they had deadlines, because like Corriveau said, “You’re going to have deadlines all the time.” Tonya Corriveauʼs They also said Help Me Grow Game. that they enjoyed the
University Times
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Campus
May 7, 2010
Dear Readers,
The University Times Staff Editor Lanette Virtanen Assistant Editors Ben Pinette Sarah Graettinger Staff Writers Kayla Ames Rachel Churchill Stephanie Corriveau Alicia Fournier Sarah Graettinger Angel Hammond Daniel Jackson Stephanie Jellett Mika Ouellette Justin Pelkey Ben Pinette Alyson Robitaille Steve Straight Rene Steele Lanette Virtanen
It is hard to believe that the semester is finally over. Overall, the University Times has had a successful year. With the changing of the guard with our previous editor, some were skeptical about the future of the paper. Itʼs obvious now that we have definitely persevered and have continued to be the dominant force as UMPIʼs student voice. WUPI 92.1 has also had a successful year. We have added a new format, new shows, new location and have broadcast live many times during campus-wide events. Coming into the position of station manager, I was skeptical if we could actually broadcast live from campus events so soon. But thanks to the power of technology, we have managed to do that, as well as secure a loyal listener base in the Presque Isle area. The future looks even brighter for both WUPI 92.1 and the University Times. I hope that weʼll gain more members in the fall so that we can further expand. But in the meantime, have a great summer. And keep an eye out for the University Times next semester. We never stop reporting the truth here at UMPI. -Ben
Dear Readers, Itʼs hard to believe that itʼs the end of the semester. Iʼve had a great time doing the newspaper this year, and I plan to be back next year. I hope that everyone has a great summer, and hope that you keep a look out for our welcome back issue in the fall. Sarah
Contributors Bhava Albert Naima DeFlorio Bert Goldman Christine Corsello Paige Huston Laura Hunter Erika Salisbury Hannah Shepard Don Zillman Adviser Dr. J The U Times welcomes submissions from the campus campus. Send digital versions of articles, photos, etc., to utimes@maine.edu and jacquelyn.lowman@umpi.edu
Dear Readers, This semester has flown by and summer is around the corner. After classes are done and finals are over, Iʼll be off to Italy for 13 days. Of course, Iʼll have tons of photos by the time I get home. Iʼm looking forward to new classes in the fall and new stories to cover. Weʼll be putting together a welcome back issue, so make sure to look for it when you come back in the fall. Have a great time this summer and see you this fall. Lanette
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
On June 8, Maine voters will consider Question 2 (Bond Issue) on the election ballot. Question 2 reads, “Do you favor a $26,500,000 bond issue that will create jobs through investment in an off-shore wind energy demonstration site and related manufacturing to advance Maine’s energy independence from imported foreign oil, that will leverage $24,500,000 in federal and other funds and for energy improvements at campuses of
From Don’s Desk We Need Your Vote
the University of Maine Maine Campus System, College System and Maine Maritime Academy in order to make facilities more efficient and less costly to operate?” A YES vote supports the $26,500,000 Bond. A NO vote opposes it. This proposition is of interest to the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The first portion (the off-shore wind demonstration site) supports renewable energy research and devel-
opment sponsored by the University of Maine. The second portion (energy improve-
ments at the campuses) will provide $475,000 for UMPI. We plan to replace a 43- yearold oil burning boiler in Pullen Hall with a modern, energy efficient replacement. This will continue UMPI’s renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts that have been ongoing for the last five years. Late spring elections often draw few voters to the polls. Whatever your view on Question 2 and other propositions, it would be a shame to
have these questions decided by a small percentage of Maine voters. You may vote on June 8. You may also vote by absentee ballot in your town of residence. You do NOT need to offer proof of absence from your town on June 8. Whichever voting time works for you, I urge you to get to the polls. Have your voice count on some very important matters. Don
It Really Is a Small World After All Stephanie Corriveau STAFF WRITER
Contrary to popular belief, the presenters of “It’s a Small World: Molecular Biology Research” didn’t sing the catchy tune. But on University Day, they did talk about a small world —a world so tiny it can’t be seen with the naked eye. Amanda Buzzell, Dan Sheffield and Stephanie Corriveau spoke to the audience about their work with DNA. Because DNA is of a molecular size, special techniques must be used to study it. In the fall of 2009, the three students were taking Dr. Bonnie Wood’s genetics course. Over October break, they got the chance to apply the information they had learned in class. Wood offered them the opportunity to work on molecular research either with Dr. Kim Borges at the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) or Dr. Randy Dahn at Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL). Buzzell picked UMFK. Sheffield and Corriveau decided to travel to
MDIBL. Their University Day session highlighted the work that they did at each spot. The students really enjoyed their projects. With Borges, Buzzell studied environmental samples. Collecting water from Fish River Falls near U M F K , Buzzell tried to determine what types of specimen lived in the w a t e r . Analyzing the DNA that was p r e s e n t , Buzzell concluded that a type of bacteria named “Verrucomicrobia” was in the water sample. Meanwhile, at MDIBL, Sheffield and Corriveau worked with homeobox (hox) genes. Dahn studies these genes, which control limb growth. Sheffield and Corriveau worked with chicken and skate (looks like sting rays) embryos. Using a special technique called in-situ hybridization, they were able to determine the hox genes’ locations in the embryos. This was because certain parts of the embryo were dyed purple at the spots where the genes were at work. Sheffield and
Corriveau also mentioned a broadcast from the Maine Public Broadcasting Network about MDIBL. According to MPBN, MDIBL is receiving a grant. MPBN mentioned that the Department of Defense is interested in the study of hox genes and the possibility for limb regeneration. “I enjoy going down to MDIBL any chance I get. It’s a great experience to be able to go and work with professionals in their field of biology and see how the pros do it,” Sheffield said. All three students discussed techniques they used, such as gel electrophoresis and poly-
merase chain reaction. Electrophoresis can be used to separate different sizes of DNA in a sample. PCR can help make multiple copies of DNA. Wood, who went to MDIBL with Sheffield and Corriveau, liked that the work blended nicely with her genetics class. “I was delighted to see how much it related to what we had learned about in class,” Wood said. Wood worked closely with her students to give them feedback on their University Day presentation. “In addition to Steph and Dan working with me, having
Dr. Wood do two practice sessions with us and be our mentor was very helpful,” Buzzell said. Overall, the session went well. It seemed that the audience liked the presentation. The presenters also thought it was a great opportunity to share their knowledge. “It is truly amazing what is being done in the world of biological research,” one audience member said. So, the next time you hear the term “DNA,” you’ll probably think of that catchy “It’s a Small World” song. But that’s OK—you won’t be far from the truth.
Amanda Buzzell, daughter Faith, Stephanie Corriveau and Dan Sheffield.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Chris’ Corner
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As graduation day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.
Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book. Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make
arrangements, he received a telegram telling him that his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his h e a r t . He began to search his father’s important papers and saw the
still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped inside the Bible’s cover. It had a tag with the dealer’s name: the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL. How many times do we miss life’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected? As we near the end of this academic year, I hope we all
take some time to reflect on the past year. It is a time to cherish the friendships formed, the memories made, the challenges that made us stronger, the battles fought and won, those not fought and, most of all, the blessings in front of us and those still to come as long as we look past the packaging! My congratulations and best wishes to our graduates! For those returning to us – have a great summer and see you in the fall!
Alicia Fournier
Google Maps. Then they clarified that the cemetery also had a local name: Harvey Hill Cemetery. All the people in the class were assigned a row of tombstones in the cemetery. They had to catalog each person buried in that row, photographing each one and eventually mapping it out. Kimberly Sebold, the professor of the class, opened the presentation and said, “I teach my students to recreate
entation late Wednesday afternoon, excluding the four presenters. The three student presenters were: Megan Pryor, a history major; Samuel Picard, a secondary education history major; and Gary Sirois, who has a Bachelor of Applied Science in local history. After professor Sebold gave a brief description of the class she introduced Pryor. Pryor shared a fantastic example of what they did for the class. She had a PowerPoint that she went along with. She explained how all the people in the class chose one person buried in their row that stood out to them and they researched them and their families in great depth. She enlightened the group on how she tracked the Palmer family buried in her row. She said they worked a lot with the census because it’s a record of people’s location, age, occupation and the people they resided with at the time. Some
other sources they used were the County Courthouse in Houlton, reality records (because at the time people were buying and selling land like crazy), the person’s will and, most importantly, the Fort Fairfield Library, which holds things such as old newspapers from the town and important documents. When Pryor finished, she handed it off to Gary Sirois. Sirois briefly described the family he chose: the Powers. He dispersed a handout that was a summary of the family and what he had found about them just using the sources Pryor had described earlier. He told the group that by researching what was happening in the area at the time the family lived there, he was able to understand them more.
Last, Samuel Picard shared what he thought. In his presentation, he took a different approach. He talked about how he felt about the class. Picard said, “At first I didn’t think I was going to find much information on the family I chose because they had passed away so long ago. But after doing this project for this class, I realized I was able to get a lot more than I thought I could.” The bottom line of the presentation was that when you think the history of people or a family is gone just because they’ve been buried a long time, you should look into it. If you look past the tombstones and do some research, there’s usually enough record of the people to be able to reconstruct their lives. Never forget the lost. They never forget you.
STAFF WRITER
Have you ever driven by a cemetery and thought about the actual people who have been laid to rest there? Maybe you’re just fascinated by all of the different tombstones or maybe you pay no attention to it at all. But for one particular special topics class on local history, digging deeper to find information about them is exactly what they’re all about. On Wednesday, April 14th, one professor and three students held a very informative presentation in Pullen Hall, room number 212, titled “What You Can Learn from a Cemetery.” As a class, they helped the Fort Fairfield Historical Society gather information about the people buried in the Union Cemetery off Route 1, otherwise known as the Presque Isle Road. To start off their presentation, they showed the image of the Union Cemetery on
Please Remember Me
Megan Pryor the history of the people in the cemetery.” There were close to 25 people who appeared at the pres-
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
The Criminal Justice Club Reflects and Remembers Kayla Ames STAFF WRITER
The UMPI Criminal Justice Club returned from its trip to New York City with a better understanding of more than just law enforcement. Students Josh Mitchell, Janice Willard, Cooper Plaisted, Andrew Levesque, Sam Johnson, Dana Austin, Josh Esty and Ryan Kilcollins went with adviser Lisa Leduc to NYC, where they visited numerous sites and made countless memories. They reflected on their experiences and the lessons they’d learned during a University Day session that lasted from 10:50 to 11:50 a.m. After giving a summary of club fundraisers and the reasons they picked New York, group members began elaborating on those reflections. One of the many places they went was the 9/11 memorial. There they looked at a collage of people killed or injured in previous terrorist attacks, viewed hundreds of posters used by family members and friends in their search for missing loved ones, watched a video discussing the aftermath of September 11 and felt the effects of a display showing the
Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER
Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to live in the days of old when the knights were bold? Well, for the past year, the Presque Isle Middle School History Club, UMPI history professor Kim Sebold and volunteers, including both students and staff, have been living medieval history. This past March, these medieval historians put on a medieval
many items recovered in the debris of the towers. “What really hit home was this plane window,” Johnson said. Besides coins, documents, keys and a teddy bear, an entire plane window had
Ellis Island been salvaged and preserved for exhibition. The club members also mentioned a group known as the Band of Dads. Four men searched for the bodies of their missing sons, inspiring firefighters and volunteers along the way. Despite their efforts, only one man succeeded in his mission. They heard various firsthand accounts from those involved in the recovery effort, as well as former employees of the towers. Though they didn’t get to go inside the Statue of Liberty, the students did see it. “We got to go in the museum, and that was still pretty
sweet,” Austin said. Another stop was Ellis Island. It was there they learned about the approximately 12 million immigrants who stopped there in the hopes of entering the United States. At the United Nations building, they heard interpreters and saw the tables belonging to different nations as well as received information on the eight millennium development goals. These goals are ending extreme poverty and hunger, bringing about universal education, gender equality, child health, maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, ensuring environmental sustainability and making global partnerships. Some are coming along much better than others. The activity that tied in most directly to their club was ridealongs with the New York City P o l i c e Department. Three of the students weren’t able to go because of an
understaffed precinct, but the rest went in pairs. “We had to ride in back,” Esty said. They were also supposed to wear bulletproof vests. One student described the experience as unorganized. A pair of police officers drove around looking for taxis to pull over for a majority of their shift. Austin and Willard accompanied their assigned officers to a building only to be told to stand by the car because citizens are known to throw things off roofs in an attempt to hit them. Kilcollins and Plaisted had one officer who was very by-the-book and another who spent most of the time on his Blackberry. They also had a grading system for women passersby. All in all, they were rather unpleasantly
had done at the faire. There were even artifacts,
clothing and other items from the faire on display for attendees to view. The volunteers involved in the presentation were the Presque Isle Middle School History Club members, UMPI English professor Mike Amey and UMPI students: Sarah Graettinger, Mika Ouellette, Megan Pryor,
Lisa Leduc and the Crimimal Justice Club.
Life in Medieval Times
faire for area middle school students. The event had great attendance with more than 450 students from around Aroostook County visiting. The event was so successful that it called for an encore of sorts at University Day. At the presentation, Sebold and her group explained some of what they
Megan Pryor and Kim Sebold.
surprised by the differences between local and New York City law enforcement. Other points of interest were the Brooklyn Bridge, a sketchy limo ride with what turned out to be a potential scam artist from Chinatown, Broadway musicals “Mary Poppins” and “American Idiot” for Leduc (with an actual appearance by Greenday), Times Square and Hooters, where they discovered a waitress from Gilford, Maine. The Criminal Justice Club hopes to visit San Diego soon in order to compare its policies and procedures against those of New York City. If they succeed, as is likely, they will undoubtedly return with even more insight and many more memories.
Harly Putnam and Barbara Tripp. Sebold is very proud of the volunteer students from both UMPI and the middle school. “I have no pull over these students. They’re all volunteers,” Sebold beamed as she introduced the students in the presentation. Because of both the faire and its presentation’s success, Sebold plans to make the faire an annual event so that generations to come can still appreciate life in medieval times.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Youʼve Been Rescued from the Elements, Now Pay Up
audience about the similar research she’d done to help her Anja Whittington, associate come up with her new Maine professor of the recreation and State Policy Memorandum. leisure services department, She suggests a rescue card with welcomed the people who came all proceeds going to a rescue out bright and early for the fund. It F i s c a l would be an Responsibility annual purfor Backcountry chase for outEvacuations door enthusipresentation. asts, visitors to Whittington is Maine or anyan adviser to one participresenter Leah pating in outFinnemore, who door activities is a recreation who would major at UMPI. like the extra Whittington reassurance to gave a brief be fiscally background on protected in Finnemore’s the event they recent success as Leah Finnemore need any unexa 2010 Maine pected medical assistance. Policy Scholar. The audience seemed very “It’s a very competitive welcoming to Finnemore’s idea and application process,” several urged her to see it through. Whittington said as she It was clear Finnemore had done a described the steps in which lot of research on the topic and was Finnemore took part for the very passionate about her idea. program. This year, the scholWhen asked about how she ars all had to research the was handling the fame from her same topic of Fiscal recent nomination as a Maine Responsibility for Backcountry Policy Scholar and creation of a Evacuations. In other words, if new policy memorandum, you’re participating in outdoor Finnemore said, “Well, I did recreation activities such as have to create a new folder in hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, my email for it!” etc., and you become injured Her audience chuckled, but and need medical evacuation could see the proud look on her or assistance, should you be face as she answered questions, responsible for the costs associ- both positive and negative, ated with your rescue? about this topic. Finnemore presented the “I’ve always loved back very controversial question to country trips and since I’m a her listeners and asked how rec. major, I was really interthey would answer. It’s a topic ested in doing this,” that Finnemore has become Finnemore said. very familiar with. She chalShe’s not sure if she’ll end lenged the participants of her up seeing the memorandum presentation to break into through, as it would need a lot groups to discuss. After the more time and research. Both groups had discussed, the Finnemore and Whittington responses varied. are very happy with her work Finnemore then told her in the project thus far. Rene Steele
STAFF WRITER
Beyond Reading
Angel Hammond STAFF WRITER
T h e wo rd “ re a d i n g ” i s not enough to describe what the students in the E n g l i s h 3 1 1 c l a s s s h ow c a s e d t o a f u l l ro o m . A perfor mance would better describe what took p a c e a s t h ey r e a d o r i g i n a l wo rk s o f p o e t r y t h ey had written throughout t h e ye a r. R i ch a rd Z u r a s, t h e p ro f e s s o r o f t h e i r c l a s s, opened the reading by p r a i s i n g t h e s t u d e n t s. “ E ve r y we e k t h ey were asked to write a n e w p o e m . S o m e we e k s I g ave t h e m a n a s s i g n m e n t a n d s o m e w e re n o t e a s y. B u t t h ey ro s e t o t h e ch a l -
Kimberly Pratt lenge and exceeded e x p e c t a t i o n s. ” N at a l i e S t . P i e r r e w a s t h e f i r s t r e a d e r. H e r poems were down to earth and comforta bl e. T h ey h a d a r e l a t a bl e q u a l i t y and were not afraid to touch u p o n a ny a re a . Je s s i c a M ay n e s t a r t e d h e r re a d ing with an “ O d e t o Fro s t . ” She used i m a g e r y s u ch a s “paper thin dreams” to paint
the audience clear pictures. Her p o e m “Hera”, a dedication t o t h e G re e k g o d d e s s, h a d the ability to take you back to the time period s h e described. Candice Rivera, the n ex t p o e t t o Natalie St. Pierre read, from u n i q u e v i e w. W h e t h e r the beginning commandit was his first poem ed attention with her d e d i c a t e d to the f l u i d vo i c e a n d h e r p o e m P r e s q u e Isle Po l i c e “Organized” brought D e p a r t m e n t , or his many laughs from the p o e m “ T h i s i s y o u r a u d i e n c e. Paradise,” which was K i m b e r l y a b o u t w a r, h e d i s P r at t p l u c k e d played his clear talent. at heartstrings L i n d s e y Pe r r y, w i t h h e r p o e m t h o u g h p e t i t e, a p p e a r e d “ G o l d e n , ” larger than life as she written about h e r d a u g h t e r, re a d h e r p i e c e s. W h e t h e r whom s h e it was about her homeof “Ogunquit, g l a d l y p o i n t e d town M a i n e ” o r “ T he Sadness out to the whole crowd. o f We d d i n g s ” h e r s p i r i t A n d r e w w a s i n f e c t i o u s. Bellamy proA n t h o ny S c o t t v i d e d t h e f i r s t c l o s e d o u t t h e s h o w c a s e. male voice of the s e s s i o n His poem “Standing in a w i t h h i s r e a d - Barrio Bakery” had peoings. He captured emo- ple salivating as his t i o n v e r y w e l l . H i s descriptions of the food, works each took a s i g h t s a n d s m e l l s b ro u g h t t h e m r i g h t t h e r e. T h e r e ’s n o t h i n g b a d yo u c o u l d s a y about the talent and emotion these students brought t o t h e r e a d i n g. I f t h i s i s a ny i n d i c a tion of future classes then we should only be so lucky as to have the chance to hear m o r e. Lindsey Perry
University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Students Plunge into the Melting Pot
Rene Steele STAFF WRITER
Twelve social work majors had the opportunity to reflect on their recent visit to New York City at University Day on April 14. They all shared experiences with immigration and culture, both on a national scale and also compared to how things are in the County. After months of pie sales, afghan raffles and fundraisers to finance the trip, these social work majors came home with more than just photos from a fun trip to NYC. They all came home truly touched, one way or another, by
Stephanie Jellett STAFF WRITER
The Wieden auditorium was dark on Wednesday, April 14, at 3:30 p.m. John DeFeliceUMPI history professor- was up on stage talking about the dramatic reading that was going to happen in a couple of minutes and gave the moral of the story. “Our whole budget was four pizzas and some vegetarian thing that wasn’t pizza,” DeFelice said. “Antigone” by Sophocles. DeFelice’s History 491 class did a dramatic reading, Bradd Gustafson was King Creon, Samantha Boyce was Antigone, Rachel Boyce was Ismene, Beau Myrick was the watchman, Cristofer LeClair was Haemon, Dale Twigg was Tiresias, Adam Fantasia was the boy, Nicole Mazzola was the messenger, Harly Putnam was Eurydice. There were many others included in the play such as: Kattie Petley, Michael LeClair, Elizabeth Flagg. During an interlude, Donna Cloukey talked about “The Greek Tragedy,” Carlos daCruz spoke about “Women
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their experiences together. that really touched me” she through me,” Rebecca Elgee “I was really touched by said. said as she described seeing Ellis Island,” Glenda “It kind of sent chills the Statue of Liberty for the Wy s o t e first time. “To see it in Labillois movies is one thing, but said as she to see it in real life was recapped intense” she said. h e r As the students moments recapped their favorite t h e r e . experiences, they used “ T h e r e words such as intense, were these breathtaking and amazbenches all ing a lot. a r o u n d Jessica Plant with people described the “potato crying and pin giving” portion of weeping their trip. All students about what were encouraged to give the people someone they met along had gone their trip a State of Glenda Wysote-Labillois presenting. through and Maine potato pin. They
were supposed to give it to someone who helped them along their journey. As you might imagine, some of the New Yorkers took to their generosity well, while some did not. “You just learn so much about yourself and the people you go to class with every day,” Plant said as she encouraged students to participate in school trips. All in all, the students got more than they expected out of this school trip. All twelve walked away with stories and experiences and did a great job expressing them to the packed crowd in FOLS 204 for University Day 2010.
Creon’s throne room with his council of elders, where they were discussing the recent attack on Thebes. Suddenly, a lone watchman burst into the chamber declaring that the body Creon had them guarding had been buried. Enraged, Creon ordered that the one who buried the body
room without a word. Creon shortly returned to his throne room with his dead son, Haemon, in his arms, mourning the loss. He then got the news that his wife had ended her life after declaring him responsible. Her body is brought out, as well, along with Antigones. They all lie in front of Creon. He sat on his throne, weeping and professing his sins as the curtain closes on the tragic figure of the performance. Bradd Gustafson, who was King Creon, said, “It went extremely well seeing as we had no budget. Some people weren’t present for every practice and most of us had no theater experience.” With that said, the cast came out on stage and bowed. The audience applauded at their great performance. “It was very well done,” Julia Lunn, who was in the audience, said “They did a really good job.” And they did. The props were put away, the lights were shut off and everyone left the auditorium satisfied with the reading.
Donʼt Tempt the Gods
in Greek Theatre” and Holly Handren talked about “The Real Life of Athenian Women.” Lucas Belanger and Catherine Kelly did the lights, Sarah Wright and daCruz did the props and Claudia Currier was the stage manager. The play opened with Antigone and her sister,
Cast of Antigone.
Ismene, talking about King Creon declaring that the body of Polynices, their brother, should not be buried because of his crimes against Thebes, while Eteocles, who defended the city, would be given full burial rights. Antigone said that she would bury the body in direct defiance of Creon’s orders-because it was the will of the gods. The setting changed to
be found. Soon, the watchman returned to Creon with Antigone at his side, stating he caught her in the act of giving the body funeral rites. Creon sentenced her to death - by being buried alive. Creon’s son, Haemon entered the chamber pleading with his father to spare the life of Antigones- his fiancee. Creon refused and told Haemon to respect his deci-
sion, which leds Haemon to storm off in a rage. Later in this scene, a blind prophet named Tiresias entered, warning Creon of his actions. As Creon began to trade insults with him and question his prophecies, Tiresias unleashed his fury and warned Creon that his decision would leave him all alone with those he loved surrounding him in death. As Tiresias left, Creon began to doubt his chosen path and question if it was truly the right one. He declared that he would bury the body of Polynices, free Antigone and make amends for what he had done. The scene change shows a messenger informing the elders of the events that took place as the King went to correct his errors. Antigone had hanged herself. Haemon had also committed suicide after attempting to take the life of his father. Creons wife, Eurydice heard the news and left the throne
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Laura Hunter CONTRIBUTOR
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of catching a game with the UMPI Owls, you know they look good on the field. They also clean up pretty well. On Tuesday night, May 4, 2010, the 2009-2010 Athletic Awards Ceremony took place, celebrating another fantastic UMPI
Owls Soar at Night
season. The Campus Center was festive with balloons of UMPI’s colors of blue and gold. And the athletes dressed the way they play – to kill. Bill Casavant, UMPI athletic director, announced the 2010 Male and Female Athletes of the year: Meg Korhonen and Corey Harding both received standing ovations as their team-
mates, family and friends celebrated their honor. Both Korhonen and Harding already had a pile of awards from earlier in the ceremony, but that didn’t diminish their enthusiasm for receiving the final award of the night. “I’m really honored – it’s a complete shock,” Korhonen said. “I’m pretty excited,”
Harding said. “I didn’t realize I was going to get it.” Korhonen and Harding both admit they love playing for UMPI. “I really enjoy being able to compete . . . the teams I’m on have become a family,” Korhonen said. Casavant reminded the audience that it’s, “Student – Athlete, not Athlete – Student.” In her closing remarks of the
ceremony, Dean Chris Corsello followed that same theme, commenting, “Division III is all about excellence on the field and in the classroom.” After the ceremony, family and friends gathered together to take photos and laugh. A couple of the athletes even ran out to play some ball while the weather was good.
Emily Moore
Katie Christoffel Corey Harding and Megan Korhonen.
Patrick Manifold
Nicole Russel and Kathleen Higgins
Craig Maffei against MMA
Danielle Humphrey
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Corey Harding
Tyler Delaney UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT PRESQUE ISLE HOLDS 2010 ATHLETIC AWARDS EVENING
Megan Korhonen
Chelsea Boudreau vs. MMA Men’s Golf, Christopher Landry (Truro, NS) Men’s Soccer, Joshua Peaslee (Woolwich, ME) Women’s Soccer, Makayla Gahagan (Caribou, ME) Women’s Volleyball, Megan Korhonen (Littleton, ME)
Justin Fereshetian
Jacob Fillebrown
Women’s Nordic Skiing, Kathleen Christoffel (Clifton Park, NY) Men’s Baseball, Jacob Fillebrown (Stoneham, ME) Women’s Softball, Lainey Herring (Houlton, ME)
2009-10 Most Valuable Players included: Men’s Cross Country, Justin Fereshetian (Turner, ME) Women’s Cross Country, Shelly Hanson (Charleston, ME) Men’s Golf, Christopher Coffin (Presque Isle, ME) Men’s Soccer, Craig Maffei (Reading, ME) & Devon Peaslee (Woolwich, ME) Women’s Soccer, Chelsea Boudrea (Wallace, ME) & Katherine Moody ( Presque Isle, ME) Women’s Volleyball, Erica Davis (North Yarmouth, ME) Men’s Basketball, Raymond Mitchell (Cleveland, OH) Women’s Basketball, Megan Korhonen (Littleton, ME) Men’s Nordic Skiing, Justin Fereshetian (Turner, ME) Women’s Nordic Skiing, Chandra Wisneski (Amherst, NH) Men’s Baseball, Corey Harding (Plymouth, ME) Women’s Softball, Nicole Russell (Newcastle, ME) & Brittany Humphrey (New Gloucester, ME) 2009-10 Most Inspirational Awards winners for each of the varsity sports were: Men’s Cross Country, Christopher Rines (Caribou, ME) Women’s Cross Country, Julie Rugg (South Paris, ME)
Men’s Basketball, Christopher Coffin (Presque Isle, ME) & Brian Korhonen (Littleton, ME) Women’s Basketball, Julie Peers (Caswell, ME) Men’s Nordic Skiing, Jacob Fillebrown (Stoneham, ME) Women’s Nordic Skiing, Leah Finnemore (Hartland, ME) Men’s Baseball, Seth Dorr (Hodgdon, ME) Women’s Softball, Emily O’Neal (Limestone, ME) & Danielle Humphrey (New Gloucester, ME)
Athlete of the Year: Male: Corey Harding (Plymouth, ME) Athlete of the Year: Female: Megan Korhonen (Littleton, ME)
2009-10 Rookie of the Year awards went to:
Al Armon “Make a Difference” Award Female: Melinda Sullivan (Lisbon, ME)
Men’s Cross Country, Jason Johnson (Presque Isle, ME) Women’s Cross Country, Kathleen Christoffel (Clifton Park, NY) Men’s Golf, Randy Whitmore (Meford, ME) Men’s Soccer, Jacob Paradis (Fort Fairfield, ME) Women’s Soccer, Lainey Herring (Houlton, ME) Women’s Volleyball, Allison MacDonald (Antigonish, NS) Men’s Basketball, Patrick Manifold (Great Yarmouth, UK Women’s Basketball, Emily Pelletier (Fort Kent, ME) Men’s Nordic Skiing, Gordon Scannell (North Yarmouth, ME)
Al Armon “Make a Difference” Award Male: Chad Parker (Truro, NS)
Ruel Park Coaches Award: Emily Moore (Lisbon, ME) Stanley H. Small Coaches Award: Hannah Shepard (Yarmouth, ME) Athletic Training Student of the Year: Hannah Hopkins Athletic Training Rising Star Award: Paul Rucci (Millinocket, ME)
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
The Dangers All Around Us Washington, D.C., it dissolves the substance known as calcite. As a result, parts of it have fallen off. Pockmarks can also form when what’s harder than the calcite stands out. Another consequence of acid rain is discoloration, more specifically an unattractive green tint. The coloration itself doesn’t hurt structures or monuments such as the Grant Memorial, also located in Washington, D.C., but the necessary cleaning process would. The Botanical Gardens, another example, are mostly made of limestone, which easily dissolves. A crust can also form as a result of acid rain, trapping dirt, causing breakage and dulling corners. Statues are not exempt, either. The features of many
earth is covered in ice. “The entire world does On a day where many were actually count on glaciers to having fun and focusing on melt a little every year for our positive things, Amy Barnes fresh water...” Ruest said. and Ashley Ruest addressed For a while, satellites led us serious matters. Professor to believe that melting glaKevin McCartney asked his ciers were an all-around good students to present their class thing. Scientists and climatolprojects and Barnes and Ruest ogists eventually found signs took him up on his offer. They of global warming, though, in chose to talk about some of particularly weak ice and risthe environmental problems of ing levels of ocean corrosiveour time. Barnes spoke about ness. According to Ruest, if the effects of acid rain on the oceans continue to monuments and structures and become more corrosive, there Ruest talked about melting could be dire consequences. glaciers in the Arctic Ocean. Shellfish could die out, folThe session, held on lowed by various other marine University Day, lasted less than life because of disrupted an hour. ecosystems. Some scientists Barnes quoted Bill Clinton believe that by 2050, half of in saying, “Pollution has manthe oceans will be corrosive and by 2100 100 percent will be corrosive. If the projections are accurate, the cost to maintain the oceans could jump from billions to trillions, weather could be dramatically altered and though the melting might open up passageways and trade routes, countries interested Kevin McCartney with presenters Amy Barnes and Ashley Ruest. in the oil located there have been worn away, leaving could begin to fight among aged to do what 350 years of some nearly faceless. themselves. Overall, the negawar, invasions and natural dis“Acid rain is an interna- tive effects far outweigh the asters have failed to do. It has tional, political problem,” positive. begun to mar the magnificent Barnes said. Acid rain, melting glaciers walls of the Taj Mahal.” There are solutions to this and corrosive oceans won’t Barnes explained that problem. In an online video just hurt us now, but in the many of our world’s most about coal, actor and activist future as well. The generabeautiful and important struc- Ed Begley Jr. said that clean tions to come will suffer due to tures and monuments, includ- coal is a myth. Cleaner coal is environmental problems, ing the Taj Mahal, are being possible, but alternative energy most, if not all of which, are damaged by acid rain. Other sources would be better. Since preventable. We could lose our examples include the coal mining and burning is a monuments, ocean organisms Parthenon, the Colosseum major contributor to acid rain, and freshwater supply. Barnes and the Jefferson Memorial. stopping these activities would and Ruest made this clear in Acid rain, studied since help lessen it as well as other their presentations. The probaround 1892, often falls on environmental dilemmas. lems of today are the probpieces of architecture, then Ruest started off with statis- lems of tomorrow. They may goes into the cracks and tics, saying that glaciers hold change with time, but that spreads out. In the case of the 75 percent of the world’s fresh doesn’t mean we should ever Jefferson Memorial, located in water and 10 percent of the stop caring. Kayla Ames STAFF WRITER
Robbie Arnold
The Start of a New Beginning
Alyson Robitaille STAFF WRITER
Many of you know what autism is. But many of you do not know how to grasp the concept of it and live facing the realities of it. Autism goes back to 1911, when they first noticed it in people. But it didn’t get its own diagnosis of autism until 1980. People who have autism have suffered in many ways. They have been segregated in classrooms or even at home. Due to times changing and people discovering ways to cope and deal with this disorder, people with autism are now becoming educated in public schools and getting the knowledge they deserve. At University Day, Robbie Arnold, Amy Barnes, Andrew Mabry and Kelly Smith all discussed autism and how it has changed and will change. Mabry began with a brief history of autism and an introduction into autism in the educational systems now. He discussed how when people with autism feel anxiety or stress, they begin to flap their hands. Mabry said, “Every movement has to be preplanned.” Mabry and Barnes then began to read a children’s book titled, “My Friend with Autism.” In the book, there was an important line that every child should know:
“Autism cannot be caught like the cold or flu.” People should not be afraid of others who have this disorder. As for the future of autism? One in 110 people will be born with this disorder. People have created play therapy, which, Jenny McCarthy, who has a son with autism, has been using. Barnes said, “Children with autism don’t understand play.” Children with autism could play with a door hinge or doorknob all day. They tend to play with the wheels on the truck instead of pushing the truck around. An important part of playing with children who suffer from autism is patience. They concluded their presentation with a brief look into the future of what UMPI can do and what Smith plans on starting at UMPI: The Strive U program that other Maine colleges participate in. It allows children with autism to learn and grow outside of their normal classrooms and allows them to learn what happens in the real world after school. And with that, they ended their presentation on a good note that they just might get the funding for the StriveU program that Smith intends to begin.
University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Kayla Ames
Helping the World Make Sense
STAFF WRITER
Where else would you find professors and young adults playing with things such as shaving cream, play dough and goo? Well, on University Day between 2:45 and 3:45 p.m., that’s exactly what you would have found in Folsom 206. It was there four presenters— Sarah Hatt, Katie Moody, Rachel McGlinn and Janis Blake—gave a session on sensory integration in education and, more specifically, Sensory Processing Disorder. “These are to help your senses open up,” McGlinn said of the tubs containing cornstarch and water, kernels, goo, shaving cream and play dough. The speakers spread toys and candy throughout the room to emphasize the importance of engaging our senses and incorporating them into education. Our senses, whether they be hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, touching or the lesser known vestibular and proprioceptive senses, are essential to learning. Vestibular contributes to balance and knowing where we are in space, while proprioceptive relates to things such as depth perception and judging how much pressure to apply to objects. Each helps us gain knowledge about the world as
Stephanie Corriveau STAFF WRITER
well as ourselves. Eighty-five intelligent, but in addition, responsive children could be percent of what we know is the they can be fearful, clumsy upset by fire drills and class bells result of listening alone. We can and awkward. The disorder and tend to cover their ears. just imagine how great an effect comes in many forms. Some Children under-responsive in children constantly crash into the area of movement and body the other senses have. Those with sensory process- things. Others put non-food position might constantly move, ing disorder can’t properly objects in their mouth, are have poor balance or slump at interpret the information that afraid of things such as their desk. Oppositely, overcomes from these senses. SPD is water, loud noises and new responsive children will avoid a neurological disorder in which there’s a disconnect between the body and the brain. It can affect an individual, most often children, in only one manner—say through their sense of touch— or in more than one – say by their sense of sight, smell and movement. There’s no Sarah Hatt, Janis Blake, Katie Moody and Rachel McGlinn cure, but there are experiences, over-stuff their any kind of movement and ways to lessen the difficulties mouths while eating because move slowly when necessary, associated with the disorder. of an inability to sense cling to railings or hold their Scientists are also unsure of the they’re full or react badly to head stiffly. The taste of a cercause. Some say environmental certain textures, scent, tain food or a sudden touch factors and prenatal complica- sounds or objects. might sicken or startle an overtions are to blame, while others Sensory processing disorder responsive child while an believe it’s genetic. Either way, leaves people either over- under-responsive child won’t be people with SPD can find life responsive or under-responsive. able to taste the difference in very frustrating and difficult. Children under-responsive in food or be less aware of pain. “Their learning world the area of hearing might be No matter the level of responbecomes limited,” Hatt said. oblivious to loud noises or not siveness, dangers do exist. One of the reasons SPD is Those with sensory pro- respond to their name being cessing disorder can be very called. At the same time, over- considered controversial is that
it hasn’t been scientifically proven. Another difficulty associated with it is creating environments that are comfortable for both over-responsive and under-responsive children. “It’s hard to find the balance,” McGlinn said. Teachers might take down decorations, use unscented cleaning supplies and offer the use of a rocking chair for an over-responsive child, but an under-responsive child requires an entirely different environment. What works for one could disturb and distract another. Also, some of the equipment proven effective in helping people with SPD, such as balance beams, liquid bubble panels and weighted vests, can be expensive. The four speakers acknowledged the fact that they don’t have all the answers. Redesigning classrooms, day cares and homes to suit the needs of children with Sensory Processing Disorder isn’t always easy. Nevertheless, they say further research is important. Considering the impact our senses have on the learning process and the effects the children of today will have on our future, what they say only makes sense.
Consortium chose McIntyre along with nine other students from Maine. McIntyre will go
ested in determining mathematical codes. These codes are often sent through networks. Using challenging mathematical concepts in his work, Girvan hopes to find the best possible codes. The students will only get the final results for both of these projects at a later date. It should be interesting to see what these math students will produce. It’s great to see that they’re working on projects that can have an impact on their field.
Welcome to the Real World
Have you ever taken a math class and wondered when you’d use the math you learned? Students of Drs. Shawn Robinson and Zhu-Qi Lu know exactly how to answer this question. On University Day, these students gave a presentation titled “Student Research in Applied Mathematics— Preliminary Reports.” During their session, they made it clear that math isn’t just used to solve
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textbook problems. In fact, math can have important uses in the real world. Robinson began the session by introducing the students, who are math majors at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. “We have a number of fairly ambitious juniors in the program,” Robinson said. Robinson took the time to talk about Corrie McIntyre, who’ll do an internship with NASA this coming summer. The Maine Space Grant
Bikram Shrestha
to the John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, where she’ll work with data. Then Robinson let Bikram Shrestha present his research project. Shrestha’s investigating the possibility for pet insurance. Showing the audience the data that he has collected so far, Shrestha explained the costs of pet health care. He also proposed a possible price for insurance. Following Shrestha, Garnet Girvan spoke about his research. Girvan is inter-
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Talk is ʻCheepʼ
Following Kilpatrick were Amy Michaud and Dan Sheffield. These two students In one of the first sessions on use special procedures to study University Day, the campus DNA found in birds’ blood community got a bird’s eye view samples. Michaud explained of research at UMPI. Dr. Jason that she does DNA isolation. Johnston’s students spoke about DNA is contained within an their work with the feathered organism’s cells. In order to get creatures in a presentation titled to the DNA, special solutions “On-Campus Bird Research: are used that’ll burst the cells. Wind Turbine Study Results Michaud can then separate the (Part 1) and Behavioral DNA using things such as a Dominance in Chickadees (Part centrifuge, which will spin a 2).” The sessample to consion was dense the divided into DNA. Once segments the DNA is where all stucompletely dents could separated, talk about copies of it can their unique be made. This contributions is the basis for to projects Sheffield’s involving w o r k . birds. Sheffield uses a Jared Jason Johnston and Dan Sheffield p o l y m e r a s e Monahan and chain reaction (PCR) machine. Stephanie Corriveau kicked off With PCR, a sample of DNA the presentation. During the goes through different temperasummer of 2009, both students ture treatments. These temperassisted Johnston with his study ature changes help the two of savannah sparrows. One of strands of DNA split and then the goals behind the project replicate. Sheffield later comwas to determine if the turbine mented about the challenges of would affect the sparrows. In his work—a statement that the presentation, Corriveau most other researchers can talked about the ways to find identify with. the sparrows and their nests. “However, like many scientifShe also explained the things ic procedures, it can be difficult that must be collected, such as at times and requires some the information about the patience,” Sheffield said. banding on the birds’ legs and The students’ presentation blood samples. Monahan pre- gave the crowd a glimpse of the sented some of the results from different types of projects that the study. He shared maps with can take place right at UMPI. the audience that showed Community member Steve where the sparrows’ nesting Corriveau enjoyed learning sites were located in the field about the presenters’ work. behind the turbine. “University Day is a great The third student to speak opportunity to get to see what was Harrison Kilpatrick. the students are doing. The Kilpatrick has been studying knowledge that the students chickadees at special sites on gain can be helpful to them campus. He’s interested in and their community,” learning how these chick- Corriveau said. adees interact with one If you attended this presenanother. Kilpatrick has seen tation, you may have been surpatterns of one chickadee prised about all of the informadominating another. One of tion that can be gained by the examples he gave of this studying campus birds. Feel is when a dominant chickadee free to share what you’ve will fly over to a spot and the learned. After all, you may inferior chickadee will leave. even want to “tweet” about it. Stephanie Corriveau STAFF WRITER
Dissecting Diseases
Steve Straight STAFF WRITER
Throughout the existence of the Earth, there have been many diseases that have altered the course of human history. On University Day, a presentation titled, “Diseases That Changed History and Those Who Changed the Course of Disease,” covered everything from potato blight to the various types of plague. You may ask yourself, why should I care about potato blight? Well, if you have an Irish heritage, it may very well be the reason you live in the United States today. In 1845, the diseases struck Ireland, destroying 40 percent of the potato crop. Many of the Irish died from eating poisonous plants. This led to a rush of emigration from Ireland to places such as the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Blight is characterized by brown freckles on the outside of a potato, with rot spreading from the skin to the inside. There are two types of blight; early blight and late blight. It cannot be cured. The only surefire method of prevention is to select the best seeds. Plague is a rather generic term that applies to a very nasty group of diseases. The first pandemic appeared in the year 542 and claimed 100,000 lives. This was called the Justinian plague. In 1334, what is now known as the bubonic plague surfaced. This outbreak lasted for about 150 years and was known as the Black Death in Europe, where it claimed a third of the population. It was spread by fleas carried on the backs of rats that caused the infection through their bites. The bubonic plague is characterized by swelling in the lymph nodes, arm pits and groin and usually kills the infected in two to four days. Pneumonic plague targets the lungs and kills its sufferers in about one day. Septicemic
plague goes after the bloodstream and is almost always fatal. This form of plague is characterized by splotches and hemorrhaging. All forms of plague are caused by the same virus, Yersinia Pestis. The difference between plagues is where the infection hits. Sadly, plague has been used as a weapon of war, both by the Mongols, who used plague infected bodies as an early form of biological warfare, and by the Japanese, who in the 1930s bombed China with infected fleas. Russia developed an aerosol form of the pneumonic plague in the 1990s. There is no cure, though antibiotics can slow the infection. Quarantine remains the best protection. Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is another disease with multiple forms. Primary syphilis appears 10-90 days after exposure and heals in four to Potato six weeks. Secondary syphilis appears six to eight weeks after contact with the infection. Latent syphilis is a form where someone is a carrier but has no symptoms, though some will progress to worse forms. Tertiary syphilis generally will not appear for one to 10 years and can take as long as 50 years to appear. It can cause aneurysms. The Old World treatment for the disease was mercury. But now penicillin keeps it much more under control without the risk of death or insanity. Influenza has symptoms such as fever, nausea, aches and diarrhea. Although you’ve probably had it at least once in your life, it isn’t to be taken lightly. New strains can appear any time by a process called antigenic shift,
where two different strains come together to form a new one. The 1918 pandemic of influenza killed more people than World War I. The flu was so bad, the Allies thought it was being used as a bio weapon by the Germans. Many companies sold fake cures for the disease at the time, before medicine in the U.S. was regulated. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, of all diseases, is an invisible killer. There are 33,200,000 people who live with it, 2,500,000 million people live with the early form of it, HIV. Every day 6,800 people acquire HIV, and 5,700 die from AIDS a day. Half of all new infections occur in people under 25. The first outbreak in the U.S. occurred in 1981. It was viewed as a “gay” disease because initially it mostly affected the gay population. In 1987, AZT was developed as a cure, but blight. it quickly became ineffective. Two thirds of those infected live in Africa. The best way to prevent AIDS is to practice safe sex, use gloves when handling blood, and stay away from needles. With all these diseases out there, it may seem dangerous to walk out your front door. However, with advances in modern medicine, many of these diseases are not as threatening as they once were. Plague has become very rare, even if treatment methods have not improved, potato blight is preventable by selective seeding, syphilis is now highly treatable with antibiotics and influenza can be prevented by way of vaccination. AIDS is still a disease to be concerned about, but with proper precautions the risk of contracting it is low.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Hard Work Can Someday Pay Off
Craig Cormier, UMPI class of 2006, Receives Distinguished Recent Alumni Award. Ben Pinette
STAFF WRITER
A packed house at UMPI’s University Day luncheon stayed put to hear of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award winner, Craig Cormier. Kim Sebold, his mentor and former professor, presented the award. Cormier, serves as the editor-in-chief of “Our Maine Street” magazine and as the co-owner of design firm c3 creative. He hails from Fort Fairfield and graduated from Fort Fairfield High School in 2002. He graduated magna cum laude from the university in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a minor in management information aystems. Cormier’s dedication to excellence has shown through in all of his achievements. As a student, he was very involved in campus life, serving as a resident assistant from 20032006. He also was involved in student senate and the student activities board.
Daniel Jackson
“What few people know is Sebold, who nominated is the creation on an online for Fort that Craig had the opportuCormier for the honor, cited encyclopedia during the presentation Fairfield history. If it goes nity to leave Aroostook Cormier’s talents and willing- well, we hope to expand it to County for college. He had a scholarness to work on ship from a major local Elmira history project College in with Dr. Elmira, R i c h a r d New York, Graves- to put t h a t together the w o u l d b o o k have cov“ Fo r g o t t e n ered the Times: Presque bulk of Isle’s First 150 his tuition Years.” as an at that instrumental instituforce in develtion. He oping of also had UMPI’s local scholarhistory minor s h i p s program. offered to “I know Tricia House presenting award to Craig Cormer. him from Craig pretty Lyndon well. After he graduated, we continued to cover Aroostook County,” State College, St. Joseph’s College and the University of work together through the Sebold said. Cormier had many opportu- Maine. But Craig decided to Frontier Heritage Society of Fort Fairfield and through nities to shine away from the keep his talents in Aroostook other local history projects. County, but decided to stay County by coming to UMPI,” Sebold said. One of our on going projects here instead.
Erasmus: Student Mobility in the European Union
Have you ever wanted to get out of your hometown? Have you ever wanted to see the world or experience
with a brief history and overview of the European Union. What was once an economic bloc of six nations in Western Europe has now morphed into a political, eco-
another culture in Western Europe? In the second time block of University Day, the French for Professionals class showed a presentation of Erasmus, a program that allows students to study abroad within the European Union. The presentation started
nomic and cultural powerhouse of 27 nations across the continent. The students then touched on various cultural aspects of the different countries involved in the Erasmus project and what students could expect when they went abroad to study. The nation was focused on the most was
STAFF WRITER
France. The presenters discussed various cultural traits like how to greet people, what kinds of wine to serve with certain foods, and what flowers to bring or not bring to the hostess of a home. After the brief culture lesson, the presenters talked about what was necessary in order to use the Erasmus program. They also acted out a brief skit to show how students who had participated in the program could influence their friends to try it out. At the end of the presentation, those in attendance partici-
pated in a game of Jeopardy based on the presentation. People were split into teams according to a country and then had to answer questions
After earning his degree at UMPI, Cormier established his own graphic design business in his hometown of Fort Fairfield. Through his business, he published, designed, printed and consulted with Dr. Graves on his second book “Forgotten Times: A Walk Through History.” Other major projects he has undertaken through his business include: preparing the reprint of the 1904 Fort Fairfield town registry. Cormier also is very involved in campus service. He is a board member with the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, an event coordinator and volunteer for the Maine Potato Blossom Festival Committee and an active member of the Frontier Heritage Society of Fort Fairfield. The Distinguished Recent Alumni Award is given to graduates who have been out of college between two and 12 years have distinguished themselves in their careers or service to campus.
about the Erasmus program, the European Union and various cultural aspects of the nations who participate in the program.
European Union Headquarters.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Keeping an Open Mind
Daniel Jackson STAFF WRITER
Jenaca Cooper, Kristen Everett and Chelsea Fitzherbert
Leveling the Playing Field
Angelic Hammond STAFF WRITER
It may not occur to people at first, but schools don’t all teach the same things. That’s especially true when it comes to Native American schools on reservations. History not only is taught from their perspective, but it’s also taught about their people. Students also learn their own language. This is one of the points that Chelsea Fitzherbert stressed as her group, along with Jenaca Cooper and Kristen Everett, discussed the reasons Native American students represent such a high population in special education classes. “A lot of what we researched I saw first hand, when Native American students started attending my high school,” Fitzherbert said. One of the most prevalent facts is that when Native American were thrown into mainstream schools, they often did not receive the same type of education. The presenters that these student are not any less smart, but that most often the way they learn is different. They touched upon the fact that in Native American cultures, they speak very eloquently and in few words. In mainstream schools, you’re taught to
be very descriptive, so when it comes to things such as writing this can prove to be difficult. They also touched upon the fact that many students percieved ability is based on standardized tests. These tests, however do not take into consideration that the learning backgrounds that students have differ very greatly. The graduation rate for Native American students in 2009 was only 28.6 percent compared to the 68.2 percent for white students. The dropout rate for Native American students is also twice the national average. The presentation towards the end touched upon ideas that we could implement to rectify this situation. For example, there can be adjustments to the curriculum to include aspects of Native American studies, which would prove to be beneficial to all the students. Teaching Native American languages in schools, would make the transition easier for Native American students. Promoting family involvement, peer assistance during the transitional period and an overall education to everyone about the culture and tolerance would enhance education for all. During the presentation, the students had in activity in which they passed out a quiz
that had the numbers one through 10 in Mi’kmaq. You were required to put them in order. The bottom half of the quiz was similar except it gave you the days of the week to put in order. As you tried to figure it out, the presenters asked questions as to why you were unable. “It’s only the numbers one through ten.” “You should be able to.” And “you learn these things in grade school.” The purpose of this was to demonstrate why Native American students might have a harder time. To some, English is a completely different language. “A lot of students can get anxiety, feel inadequate, have low self-esteem, and in some cases give up,” Fitzherbert said. The students concluded with the idea that although they focused on a certain minority, among others, the rates in special education classes, dropping out and graduating are equally as troubling. The ideas they presented can also be applied to these types of situations in the hope that our education system as a whole will address and make sure that all students get the services they need to succeed.
As America becomes more polarized in culture and politics, it’s vital to the upcoming generation to address the issues from a central point instead of from a biased viewpoint. In the first block of University Day, Dr. John DeFelice’s honors seminar, which focuses on the intertwining of religion and politics in America, discussed three sensitive hot-button issues. Fiftyseven people crowded into a classroom that was only meant to hold around 30. They wanted to hear what DeFelice’s students found about, sex education in schools, same-sex marriage and abortion. The first group covered sex education in schools. On one side of the debate are those who feel that abstinence only sex education is the way to educate teens. The other side argues for a more comprehensive sex education. While it teaches that abstinence is the only way to absolutely prevent an unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease, there needs to be education for those teens who decide to become sexually active. At the start of the presentation, presenter Laura Hunter asked the audience a question. “I want you all to raise your hands and keep them raised as I say the following statements according to how comfortable you feel with them,” Hunter said. The audience looked around nervously. “I feel comfortable talking to my parents about sex.” Hands were raised. “I feel comfortable talking
about STDs with my parents.” Some hands went down. As the list went on, more hands kept shooting back down, showing an array of opinions on the matter. The second group presented research on the issue of samesex marriage in the United States. Group members discussed the history of same-sex marriage in Canada. They showed it in parallel to the same campaign for same-sex marriage in the United States. The group also discussed the issues surrounding any potential legalization of same-sex marriage, such as a civil marriage versus a
civil union, the issues surrounding the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and the issue of portability and transfer of rights for couples across the country. The third group focused on abortion and how the issue is still as hot an issue today as it was when Roe v. Wade was waged in the Supreme Court. The group presented different facts about abortion and scenarios of what would happen if abortion were banned outright or if abortion were made fully legal. The groups all had one goal in mind: don’t influence the people watching the presentation. The objective was to simply present facts that the research found and let people decide for themselves. That’s something that many people have neglected in today’s polarized cultural and political world.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Members for Life: Phi Eta Sigma Inducts New Members Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER
Usually the Presque Isle chapter of Phi Eta Sigma performs its inductions in the fall during homecoming weekend. This year, it had a smaller, more intimate induction as a part of University Day. Although it was smaller, all of the traditions, including lifelong membership
Alicia Fournier STAFF WRITER
Just imagine yourself paddling down what’s considered to be one of the most scenic waterways in the entire East Coast. You have beautiful
weather conditions, multiple sightings of extraordinary wildlife and a whole seven days of freedom away from the stress of everyday life. On Wednesday afternoon at quarter to 11 in Pullen 216, Kaitie Sprangers gave a presentation that would make even the most anti-naturalist want to canoe down the Allagash. From late May to early June every year, the recreation professor at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Anja Whittington, and a select bunch take a seven day trip down Maine’s legendary Allagash wilderness waterway. It is the longest wilderness waterway east of the Mississippi: 92 miles to be exact. It’s a 10 day class with the first few days spent on the UMPI campus learning all the basic canoeing trip knowledge along with one day at Echo Lake practicing stern and bow strokes that turn the canoe.
remained the same. Phi Eta Sigma members are busy people with lots of demands on their time. The reason for the second induction was that so many inductees had missed the fall event. There were supposed to be five student inductees present including: Chastity Bernier, Stephanie Corriveau, Shanin Cote, Jasmin Kozura and Meghan
Lightbrown. As well as three faculty honorary inductees including: Bill John Breton, DeFelice and Kim Sebold. Out of those, only three of the students could come. “Once you’re inducted into Phi
Sprangers had a slide show of the 2009 trip, which included pictures and short descriptions of everything that had to do with it. As she went through the PowerPoint, she talked in detail about the things she thought were important to know, going in chronological order from start to finish. The first day, they were dropped off at Eagle Lake. One of the first hardships they had were the white caps that met them at their starting location. For three days straight there were white caps, taking a mental and physical toll on the individuals. Sprangers said, “It was pretty challenging for everyone because we were working so hard to paddle, but we knew we were going nowhere and maybe even backwards.” Every evening they unloaded their canoes, set up camp and had a few hours of down time. As a means of learning by actually doing things and to keep the trip organized, they had seven daily jobs that were split up among the group. There was the navigator who kept track of mileage and where they were and was the lead canoe. Then they had the cooks who made sure everyone got something to eat at every meal. They had the historian who taught the group about the places they saw while
on the trip. There was the naturalist who taught the group about the different plants and animals that they saw on the trip. The leave-no-trace person made sure everything was properly cleaned and put away before leaving anywhere. The safety person led stretches throughout the day and made sure everyone was drinking enough water. Last but not least, the good mood person kept everybody’s spirits up throughout the day by telling jokes and just being an entertainer. That person was responsible for coming up with a game to play before bed each night. After explaining this, Sprangers called up five ran-
Eta Sigma, you’re a member for life,” Jim Stepp, chapter a d v i s e r , explained to the s t u d e n t inductees. Despite the low turnout, the induction was still a joyous
event. But more could have shared the joy if the timing had been better. At the time of the induction there were several other University Day activities that involved the other the student and staff inductees. Let’s hope that the schedule for future inductions makes it possible for more to share the joy.
dom people from the audience to play one of her personal favorites. She explained that most of the games were team building games and that with this one, they had to each have one finger on each hand holding up a hula hoop. Their mission was to lower the hula hoop to the ground without it falling. They were successful. Sprangers went on to describe a few of the major scenic things they experienced on their trip. There were eight that she listed: the Tramway, the Pump Handle, the Churchill Dam, Chase Rapids, Five Finger Brook North, Cunliff Depot, Michaud Farm and the Allagash Falls.
On the seventh day, they ended in the town of Allagash. Sprangers explained the ups and downs of the trip. It was very sunny and warm, it gave them lots of strength in their arms, they saw lots of neat things that many people have never seen and they made friendships that will last forever were among the positives. The white caps, the bugs, the sunburns, boats flipping over, waking up to frost and a hail storm on the last night were the negatives. These things are all part of the experience. Taking the bad with the good, it was worth every second.
A Trip of a Lifetime
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Lanette Virtanen STAFF WRITER
While there was no red carpet, we had our share of shining stars in the multi purpose room of the Campus Center on Sunday, April 25. It seemed as it you were at the awards with only the red carpet missing. It looked as if the paparazzi were there with all the camera flashes going off. Students, professors, family and friends had the room full as awards, plaques, certificates and thanks were handed out, along with applause from everyone in the room. The program started out
The Stars of Our Awards Award was given to Tomasz Herzog. Herzog was picked from a very long list of very
crackers, fruits and vegetables, brownies, as well as a punch bowl. B e i n g at t h e aw a rd s c o nv o c a t i o n g av e u s a ch a n c e t o s e e wh at s t u d e n t s a re a c c o m p l i s h i n g h e re at U M P I . A f t e r l i s t e n i n g t o t h e p ro f e s s o r s talk about the student aw a rd w i n n e r s, yo u c a n s e e h o w i nv o l v e d t h e y can become in helping those students achieve t h e i r g o a l s. T h e re c o g n i t i o n t h at w a s s h ow n t o o u r f e l l ow s t a r s h e re at U M P I m a d e fo r a g re at afternoon.
Humanities Award: Bryanne Thomas Distinguished Teaching Award: Tomasz Herzog AFUM Scholarships Daniel Patterson Scholarship: Bryanne Elizabeth Thomas John K. Steinbaugh Scholarship: Kelly Paige Smith Student Senate Scholarship Recipients Alan Arman Memorial Scholarship: Naima deFlorio Monica G. Gilbert Memorial Scholarship: Alanna Venturo Steven Edward Eagles Memorial Scholarship: Bikram Shrestha T.W. Morrison Scholarship: Nicole Michaud
Students Active in the University Honors Program
with President Zillman thanking everyone for coming. Zillman said, “These awards are like our own Country Music Awards or the Grammy Awards. There’s a certain resemblance to Hollywood.” Zillman turned the podium over to Michael Sonntag, vice president for academic affairs, who said, “We’re here for the students. This is to show off your talents.” After many awards were given out to very deserving students, the Distinguished Teaching
College of Education Outstanding Elementary Education Major: Teena Bishop Outstanding Secondary Education Major: Steven Callioras Outstanding Physical Education Major: Trevor Hews Ruel Parks “Rising Star” Memorial Award: Seth Dorr
College of Professional Programs Outstanding Athletic Training Major: Hannah Hopkins Outstanding Fitness & Wellness Major: Michael Best Outstanding Recreation Major: Leah Finnemore Outstanding Social Work Student Award: Glenda Wysote-Labillois Outstanding Criminal Justice Major Award: Ryan Eagles Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Accounting: Lance Masse Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Business Management: Samantha Tarr Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Management Information Systems: Mihaela Pavlova
College of Arts & Sciences Mathematics-Science Award: Steven Giangiordano General Biology I Award: Jeff McLellan Outstanding History Major Award: Megan Pryor Political Science Polis Award: Laura Hunter Prix d’Excellence en Langue et Culture francaises for French: Megan Linscott & Katie Petley Fine Art Talent Award for Outstanding Studio Achievement: Bhava Albert, Lulu Pelletier & Alanna Venturo Film Scholar Award: Bhava Albert, Joanna Dumond, Mary Katherine Flagg & Sean Smith Art History Award: Barbara Tripp English Book Award: Anthony Scott
deserving nominees. Another special award was for the George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship that was given this year to Jared Monahan. This scholarship will have Monahan going to Ireland for classes. During Zillman’s closing remarks, he invited everyone to stay for the reception following. People then made their way over to where there were tables set up with things such as: sandwiches, cheese and Jared Monahan recieving award.
George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship Jared Monahan
University Times Adviser Award
Andrew Bellamy Christina Booth Elizabeth Bousquet Stephanie Corriveau Gwendolyn DeFelice Michael DeWitt Justin Fereshetian Leah Finnemore Hannah Hopkins Laura Hunter Samuel E. Johnson Harrison Kilpatrick Gabrielle McCausland Leland McDougal Darren Pelletier Samuel Picard Hannah Smith Nathan Alexander Smith Kaitlin Sprangers Natalie St. Pierre
Landon York & Lanette Virtanen
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges Michael Best Tyler Delaney Ameila Hebert Hannah Hopkins Shirley Jewell Meghan Kathleen Lightbown Craig Moody Mihaela Pavlova Nicole Russell Hannah Shepard Charles Weiss Chandra Wisneski
Student Senate Emily Bartlett Chastity Bernier Kristen Boxwell Jonathan-David Clark William Coppola Naima deFlorio Christina Hall Samuel E. Johnson Richard Neal Jones Harrison Kilpatrick Joseph Miller Jeffrey Rhoads Buddy Robinson Charles Weiss
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Recurring Tragedy
Sarah Graettinger STAFF WRITER
Being Green – And Saving It Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER
One of the biggest questions about UMPI’s green activities is how passionate students are about them, one class decided to find that out. In the fall of 2009, the students in Allen Salo’s Research Methods II class conducted a survey of UMPI student’s opinions on the university’s green energy actions. Such actions included solar power, wind power, composting and recycling. The 27-question surveys went out by e-mail to
all 1,400 students during the last two weeks of November. At a University Day session, Connie Lavaway-Orcutt, a student in the class, presented the results of this survey. The responses to the survey were very disappointing: only 96 out of 1,400.This was much less than the conductors of the survey had expected. Although there were multiple follow-up reminder e-mails, they didn’t succeed in gaining more responses.
“It’s unfortunate that more students didn’t complete the survey,” LavawayOrcutt commented. But out of the students who did respond, the answers were encouraging. Half of the respondents said that living in a green manner was somewhat important and that UMPI would benefit from solar power. About the wind turbine, 90 percent of respondents felt that it will save the campus money in electricity. As for the non-energy related component of the survey, the responses were also positive. The survey asked students their opinions on composting food in the cafeteria and 80 percent of the respondents said they would be willing to participate in composting. Then, out of that number, about 60 percent also compost at home and feel it’s a worthwhile activity. No matter what the g reen activity those who participated felt it was worthwhile. Although not everyone responded to the survey UMPI and it’s student body are passionate about the environment. This passion is what makes UMPI a destination for environmental education.
Many people crowded into Folsom 105 to watch a movie about Katyn, and what happened. Many didn’t know what to expect when it came to the movie, and what really happened. Tomaz Herzog played the movie to raise awareness about the history. Kaytn is one of the bad things that has happened in the past. In Poland at the beginning of World War II, Polish officers were captured, and sent to prisoner of war camps. Families were separated, and some were divided forever. Polish officers weren’t the only ones who were murdered. Polish nationals of all kinds were put in these camps, to not start a new government. The Soviet secret police were the ones who massacred all of these people. Between
April and May 1940, these horrendous things happened. “We were not allowed to talk about the Katyn massacre for the longest time. We would have
gotten in trouble sometimes,” Herzog said. When Nazi Germany discov-
ered the events that happened in the forest, people didn’t even know that this happened. This led to the blaming of both the Germans and the Russians. “Many didn’t know what was happening, and we couldn’t talk about it for the longest time. If we talked about it, then we could get in serious trouble,” Herzog said. Adding to the poignancy of the films showing was the crash only days before a plane taking most of Poland’s leaders to Katyn. They had planned to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the event. But the crash killed all of nearly 100 on board. The present were deeply moved by the double tragedy. It was a good reminder that there’s more that unites than divides us.
DATES TO REMEMBER -A fundraiser to benefit New Sweden’s Aroosakoostik Music Festival will be held in Wieden Auditorium at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Friday, May 7, beginning at 6 p.m. It will feature the talents of several area musicians and musical groups including: Strings of Calamity, Tigroid Substance, Party at Tryoy’s, Mark Shaw, Brian Mosher, John Nels and Ryan Ashby and others. Tickets are $5, purchased at the door. For more information, call UMPI Assistant Professor of Fine Art Renee Felini 768-9452.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
How Your Brain Is Like a Shrimp Justin Pelkey STAFF WRITER
H a r r i s o n K i l p at r i c k s t o o d b e f o re a d oze n s t u d e n t s i n t e re s t e d i n f i n d ing the answer to this question at University
D ay. Ju s t h o w i s my b r a i n like a shrimp`s? Kilpatrick got the opportunity to spend the summer of 2009 in Bar H a r b o r. This chance came in the for m of a s u m m e r i n t e r n s h i p. Fo r
two-and-a-half months, K i l p a t r i c k w o rk e d u n d e r C a r o l y n n Wi l s o n a n d A n d y C h r i s t i e. T h e f o c u s o f t h i s v i s i t : s h r i m p. H o w d o m e s s a g e s t r ave l the length of their nerves to allow brain functions? K i l p at r i c k d i s cussed the process, giving both scientific and everyday explanations. They would put the sand shrimp on ice, to slow their movements for observation. A f t e r d y i n g, t h e shrimp were cleaned several times, then dissected. T h i s e n t i re p ro c e s s t o o k s eve n d ay s, p e r s h r i m p. By cleaning the nerve fibers of the sand sh r i m p, t h ey b e c a m e visible. Kilpatrick was then able to view the
“electrical currents” as they traveled the length of the nerve fibers. So, just how is your brain similar to that of a shrimp`s? How can a shrimp`s brain compare to your s? The short of it: your brain is like a shrimp`s brain in the way that it thinks. Kilpatrick learned that the currents traveled very much like those in a human`s brain. T hese cur rents travel from the shrimp`s brain, along a central nerve cord and out to its limbs. This is very similar to how a human brain functions. The moral of the story: you can`t j u d g e t h e c o m p l ex i t y o f a b r a i n by i t s s i ze.
Harrison Kilpatrick explaining the brain.
Redefining the Role of the Writing Tutor Steve Straight STAFF WRITER
The UMPI Writing center is a resource for students to hone their writing and get feedback from fellow students on where they can improve. It has a conversational approach in a relaxed setting. It gives students a chance to make changes to their papers before their due dates. The tutors in the presentation for University Day noted there is a bowl of candy available to anyone who makes use of their services. The goal of the Writing Center is to help with idea development, the orientation of the assignment you bring to them, to make writing flow better and be better structured and
to help with grammar and punctuation. So who can benefit from the writing center? In a word, everyone. Writing is not so much a skill as it is a process.
The further you go in education, the more writing you will have to do. Tutors try to avoid looking at student’s majors when they come in for help, so
Andrea Zappone presenting.
that they don’t unfairly assume that someone is a great writer just because they are an English major, or conversely, that they are a poor writer because they are a business major. It is important to remember that the writing center tutors are not faculty, but are students themselves. Many students come in expecting them to be authoritative experts who edit their work like a human spell check. They are also not therapists, however if real life issues are involved in your writing, they would certainly be interested in hearing about it. In reality, you are the expert. You know more about your assignment than
they do, so effectively get progress out of the writing center, you must give your tutor a fair idea of what the parameters of your assignment are. Tutors start with where your strengths are, and focus on what you do well off the bat, instead of what you don’t do well. Then they focus on self determination and help you build where you need to. Rather than telling you what to do, and how to do, they help you improve your writing by making sure you are an equal part of the collaboration and learn from your missteps, instead of simply ignoring them.
University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
The Second Time Around Rene Steele
STAFF WRITER
Winning an award as prestigious as Social Worker of the Year for your entire state is quite an accomplishment. Winning it twice is truly outstanding. “You could have pushed me over with a feather!” Shirley Rush said when asked about the surprise of winning the 2009 Social Worker of the Year award for the state of Maine. “I was surprised the first time and was doubly surprised t h i s time. I had no i d e a until I got the letter in t h e mail,” Ru s h said. Shirley Ru s h , associate professor of social work, has been with UMPI since 1998. In addition to being a busy professor on campus, she also serves as the chair of the faculty evaluation committee for the college of professional programs and also serves as an adviser to the student organization of social workers. The selection process for this award is like any other in the sense that only the finest in this field are put into the selection pool. People are nominated anonymously by a peer of theirs. Nominees must be a member of the National Association of Social Workers, must be in good standing and must be actively involved.
Rush was primarily recognized for being an outstanding educator in the area of social justice. She was also recognized for her work with students and for the trips she’s coordinated with them, such as traveling to New York City to visit the United Nations. Currently, Rush is planning a trip for her students to Tanzania next summer. It’s clear that Rush is passionate about her field and that she’s truly honored to be a recipient of this award y e t again. When asked w h a t advice she’d g i v e s t u dents c o n sidering the social w o rk field, Rush said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for a career in serving others. If the world was a place where people had enough food and enough money for things like livable housing, then we wouldn’t need social workers. Ideally, we would live in a world were injustice didn’t exist. But we have a world where people are marginalized, people are poor and people are discriminated against. As long as we live in this world, there will be a need for social work and I’ve very pleased to be able to do my job.”
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Moving into teaching SEAM-lessly Paige Huston CONTRIBUTOR
The members of the SEAM. chapter at the University of Maine at Presque Isle attended the state Leading by Example convention, held at the University of Maine at Orono on April 10, 2010. SEAM is an acronym for the Student Education Association of Maine. This student organization gives aspiring educators the opportunity to participate in professional development classes and conventions, offers a liability insurance policy that benefit its mem-
bers while student teaching (including overseas). Students who went to the convention could attend four sessions, which ranged from technology integration, understanding a young teacher’s first contract, surviving the first year of teaching, diversity and safety in the classroom. Each session provided participants with advice and tools I will be able to use throughout their teaching-careers. It was also a great opportunity to get to know our colleagues-fellow student teachers from other Maine c o l l e g e s .
All students considering becoming teachers (not only education majors!) are welcome and encouraged to join the organization. If interested, feel free to contact the chapter president, Paige Huston, at paige.huston@umpi.edu or paigehuston@hotmail.com. If you attend the Houlton campus and are interested in joining, feel free to contact chapter vice president Katie Henderson at katie.henderson@maine.edu . To join, you can also contact our chapter adviser, Dr.Tomasz Herzog at tomasz.herzog@umpi.edu.
L to R: Diana White, Sarah Hart, Earlene McEwen, Katie Henderson, Racheal Turpin, Tomasz Herzog, Paige Huston, Terri Oddonell, Amy Barnes, Lisa Van Pelt
DATES TO REMEMBER: May 13- The Art Department of the University of Maine at Presque Isle will host the Fiddleheads Film Festival, the University’s first annual short film festival showcasing student work, beginning at 6 p.m. in UMPI’s Wieden Auditorium. FMI call 768-9441
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Blowing in an Upset
Hannah Shepard CONTRIBUTOR
After the trials and tribulations of yet another University Day, hardworking students hung up their ties, put away their presentations and unwound at the first annual UDay Disc Golf tournament. The winds were fair, temperature in the 50s and competition prepared. A good mix of university and community members rounded out the field of all ages and skill levels.There were 20 golfers, all competing on the 12-hole course for the first place driving disc and second place putting disc. The course was rated at a par of 40, with only six golfers shooting equal to or less than. In an upset over seasoned veteran Robert Underwood, Justin Fereshetian—UMPI disc sports club’s vice president—and up-and-
coming disc golf sensation, Josh Williams, tied for first with a score of three under. Though reconfigured for the tournament, UMPI’s disc golf course runs across the west side of the campus all year offering prime entertainment to anyone willing to brave the challenging terrain. Installed last summer with the intention to continue efforts to a complete 18 holes, the course was in prime condition. UMPI disc sports club’s president, Chris Rines, was elemental in construction of the course. His collaboration with Brian Korhonen, Ricky Michaud, Aaron Tomlinson, Emerson Wright, Robert Underwood, Tim Underwoodamong other disc sport club members- the course has brought to its current completion.
Fellow disc golfer and UMPI junior, Kurt Whistler, was encouraged to see the turnout for the course’s inaugural event. “The turnout was impressive. The talent and overall community support of the growing sport of disc golf was overwhelming. Everybody brought their A game.” The club plans on holding one more tournament before the end of the semester to kick off the summer vacation and bid the graduating seniors farewell (date to be determined). If you’re interested in learning more about the sport or the course, please contact club adviser Aaron Tomlinson at: aaron.tomlinson@umpi.edu, president chris.rines@maine.edu or join the Facebook page by searching UMPI disc sports club.
Wants you! We’re looking for people to join our staff! If you love music, like to talk or have any broadcast interest at all, come to our meetings (Thursdays 12:30 p.m. in Normal 102) starting next semester.
Ranking disc golf tournament participants.
We’d love to have you!
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Evangelist Comes to UMPI
Sarah Graettinger STAFF WRITER
Thinking that University Day is over once the last student session was over isn’t true. Frank Schaeffer came to UMPI as the keynote speaker. Many people crowded into the Campus Center to hear what he had to say. The multi purpose room was so full that people had to bring in extra chairs. Schaeffer has done many things. He’s a screenwriter, author and public speaker. He talked about different aspects of religion and politics. He was very thought provoking and had a lot to say. “My son served in Afganistan, and knowing that there are people over there protecting our country. People say Obama is in the wrong for things that he is doing, but I would like to see anyone else try,” Schaeffer said. Some of the books that he’s
Justin Pelkey STAFF WRITER
Bobby McNally presented one of the 8:30 a.m. sessions on the University of Maine at Presque Isle`s University Day. He waited, with doughnuts for all, as students poured in to listen to his presentation. Before
written about that experience are “Keeping Faith: A Father Son Story About Love in the Marine Corps,” and AWOL
the -The Unexcused Absence Of America’s Upper Classes From Military Service and How It Hurts Our Country.
Frank Schaeffer
Schaeffer talked about the many things hurting the political parties today. The Republican party has many problems. “When Sarah Palin said in Boston that we have to k e e p America o u r America. S a r a h Palin can’t tell the country what to think,” S ch a e f f e r said. Many have a hard time dealing with the different issues controlling the
country today. Schaeffer came and gave insights about politics and religion that many don’t think about. Thank you for coming to UMPI to share ideas.
who has convinced you that you need such a product? Do you want to buy that T-shirt because you honestly need it? Or has someone persuaded you into thinking that you
want it? McNally closed his presentation with a quote by Jim Morrison: “Whoever controls the media controls the world.”
The Soul in Prison
he started, every seat in the room was occupied. A lot of people wanted to hear why McNally believed our souls are in prison. “Does man possess language, or does language possess man?” McNally asked as he began his presentation.
McNally wanted the room to think about why they want the things they want. His answer was simple: because you`ve been told you want it. When you think of the letter M, you might not think of anything. McNally showed an image of McDonald`s Golden Arches, a golden M. McDonald`s has used language to make you want to eat its products. McNally then asked everyone to consider the word “good.” Who knows what is good? Who is to say where the line is between what is good and what is bad? He gave the example of holding a door open for someone. We are taught that this is good, but who is to say? Consider this next time you go shopping:
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Women and Re-entry: Challenges Facing Female Offenders
Rachel Churchill STAFF WRITER
Most of us know how hard it would be to find a job without a college education. It’s nearly impossible. So imagine how difficult it is to find a job after you’ve been convicted of a crime. This is a challenge that all woman face as they attempt to re-enter society after having been incarcerated. UMPI’s Honors Women and Crime class described at University Day how they delved into the world of female criminals for their class’s service project, which would amount to 20 percent of the students grade. The Bangor Women’s Correction Center became the class’s community partner. The class has been working to help women in the facility overcome certain obstacles as they re-start their lives. The class first did some brainstorming to come up with ways to help. This led to the colored donation boxes many of
Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER
of
Walking into the first day a new class without
Kathy Kilfoil.
us have seen around campus. The boxes are there to collect books and clothing that these women need to start over.
Where many inmates lack the education, experience and skill level to acquire jobs, anything and everything is a huge help.
Women and Crime Honors Class.
“Maine has an excellent gender specific programming. But still, at the end of the day, women are applying and aren’t getting jobs,” one student said. After six months, the women are eligible for work release, where they can leave the facility to find employment and begin to bring in income. These women face the difficult challenge of overcoming their criminal record; however, this is part of a stigma the inmates are stuck with. The women in the Bangor facility are all low-level offenders: crimes such as theft or drug use rather than murder. They are still viewed as being a risk, however, and a second chance is hard to come by. “It shocked me,” one student said during the
Drawn Together
knowing anyone is a daunting experience. Almost everyone in the room has different life experiences from you. You think, how am I ever going to relate to these people? You’re not alone, since your classmates more than likely feel the same way about you. That’s why there’s been a move towards inclusiveness. It doesn’t favor any one point of view. Instead it allows all to share their experiences. That’s what Kathy Kilfoil shared in a University Day presentation. Kilfoil has been analyzing syllabi from UMPI courses for evidence of inclusiveness. She’s also made suggestions for how any class can become more so. During her presentation Kilfoil spoke about how classes should let students
draw on their own personal experiences. This way, they can be more engaged in what they’re learning and connect more with fellow students. She recognizes that instructors don’t want to have to throw out their existing classes. That’s why her recommendations are basic steps that would work in any class. Some are as simple as incorporating an assignment or discussion that allows students to draw on their experiences. “You can take any class and make it more inclusive,” Kilfoil said. As part of the presentation, attendees got a special
project of their own. Each attendee received a piece of paper with a linear design on it and a piece of notebook paper. From there the attendees were to draw a picture
from the design, write a story about the drawing and share with the class how the drawing and story connected to their personal experiences. The drawings ranged from
presentation. “The women spending so much time in jail for something that their male counterparts wouldn’t.” Though we may think it shouldn’t, gender does tend to play a large role in incarceration. Crimes done by women are often punished more harshly than men’s in order to teach women a lesson. Or they aren’t punished as harshly at all, providing two extremes that makes life for women inmates more difficult. When asked about the project and its effects on the women inmates, one student commented, “Hopefully we’re giving these women a better chance than they’ve had before.” The class continued accepting donations for the Bangor Women’s Correction Center until May 3. The class’s tentative delivery day r the boxes is May 7.
mountain ranges to winding roads. The stories were just as unique, from family anecdotes to opinions on books. The exercise given at this presentation proved to be both successful and fun. If more professors would use such exercises on the first day of class as icebreakers for students, the experience of the first day of class would not be as daunting. And once the ice is broken, if instructors continue to find ways to help students connect course content to their personal experiences, it can make for more engaged learning and a richer experience for all.
University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Stephanie Jellett STAFF WRITER
Sil-i-co-flage-llates. Yes, that’s how you pronounce that fun, interesting word. On Wednesday, April 14University Day- many students went upstairs to room 205 in Folsolm hall to enjoy a presentation on these mircoscopic organisms! Presenter Jesse Clark is hoping to get into studying silicoflagellates more in depth when he is graduated. “Hopefully the wind will push me somewhere good,” Clark said about his future. Clark started off with his presentation about silicoflagellates. He described silicoflagellates as hollow and having a rod shaped skeleton. They are also single cell plankton. For reproduction, they use single cell division. There are many different types of siliceous microfossils such as: silicoflagellates, diatoms and radiolarians. There are also cretaceous silicoflagellates such as: dictyocha and lyramula. Clark
Sarah Graettinger STAFF WRITER
On University Day, many people crowded into Pullen 212 to hear about the different
aspects of the European Union. Dr. Bill Davidshoffer’s class did presentations on different aspects, from the government process and the different ways that laws are proposed.
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Silicoflage-whats?!
then talked about dictyocha. He said that dictyocha are four sided with spines on each corner. That was the end of Clark’s presentat i o n . T h e n another present e r , Ro b e r t Baldwin took the spotlight. Baldwin s p o k e more in d e p t h a b o u t d i s tephanus ( d i s tephanopsis). Distephanopsis is a group of plankton protists, exclusively marine, that contain chromatophores for photosynthesis,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin then talked about many other different types of distephanopsis. Some are much more complex and built
thanked UMPI professor Kevin McCartney, Kozo Takahashi, Sherwood Wise Jr. for all their help with the presentat i o n s . University Day was a practice run before Clark and Bald win have to present for their senior seminar project. Judging by their perfor mance at University Day, both students should do very well.
Presenter Jesse Clark differently from others.He also showed pictures of different types and explained each. At the end of the presentations, Clark and Baldwin,
United They Stand
Between the European council and the court of justice, many laws get passed so that people in Europe can have the same qualities as everyone else. The Court of Justice is a major court in the Union today. It makes sure that one member from each country takes part in the rulings. Their rulings are the supreme law of the land, and members of the Union have to treat it that way. Another important part of the Union governmental system is the Commission. The commission is significant because it’s members are the ones who initiate proposals for legislation. The Council of Ministers is
really important because it runs the technical councils to help decide laws to put in place in the Union. Some examples are the Economic and Finance
Council, and the Justice and Home Affairs Council. Many things go into making a government run. People use a lot of hard
work to get things done to run a government. Thanks for letting us know a little about what goes into the European Union.
Holly Handren, Adam Tilsley and Michael Clair presenting.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Woodʼs Welcoming Workshop
Stephanie Corriveau STAFF WRITER
Dr. Bonnie Wood is famous for her socks. She has short socks, long socks, frilly socks and baby socks. You may ask: what would someone do with so many socks? They’re for her genetics class, of course. Wood uses socks of different sizes to represent chromosomes. Since one chromosome consists of two sister chromatids, Wood uses the two matching socks in a pair to symbolize the chromatids. From March 18-21, Wood attended the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) National Conference. She didn’t forget to pack her socks. Wood’s socks are one of the many parts of her well known “lecture-free teaching.” She has published a book about this teaching style called “Lecture-Free Teaching: A Learning Partnership Between Science Educators and Their
Students.” At the NSTA conference in Philadelphia, Wood gave participants the chance to learn more about her book in a four-hour workshop.
tered for her workshop. During the session, Wood conducted a variety of activities. One of them was her sock activity. It was no acci-
Wood (back) showing off poster research. “Each person gets one of my books as a workbook,” Wood said. Eighty-seven people regis-
dent that she had the exact same number of socks as there were people. “I hand out my socks and
they have to find their sister chromatid,” Wood said. Wood also took the time to introduce the participants to her other unique teaching techniques, such as her “Murkies.” As any of her students could tell you, at the end of each class, you must write a “Murky.” These are questions or comments about the class. They provide feedback to Wood about the parts of the class that are unclear (“murky”) to students. Near the end of the session, participants were given the opportunity to decide how they could make their classes more lecturefree. While in Philadelphia, Wood spoke to the Society for College Science Teachers (SCST) in her presentation “Serendipity: Student-Led Teaching Models.” (Wood has given this presentation at a Faculty Noon Seminar at UMPI.) Wood even participated in board meetings at
the conference. She’s been selected as a councilor-atlarge. Wood will assist with planning regional meetings and be part of the national meetings. Wood said that the national meetings occur each March and that next year’s will take place in San Francisco. When the conference finished, Wood didn’t immediately head home, however. “After Philadelphia, I gave a one-hour faculty seminar at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University at Newark, New Jersey,” Wood said. Wood said she was asked to speak to a group of 50 individuals who were biology graduate students and faculty. Wood certainly had an exciting time during the short period that she was gone. If you’re wondering where she’ll travel to next, there’s one thing you won’t have to question. She’ll most likely be bringing her socks along.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Students, Sessions and Speakers Stephanie Corriveau STAFF WRITER
For scientists, sharing successful research results is similar to an Olympian winning a gold medal. It’s their chance to shine and be recognized for their work. At the Maine Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium, many researchers go to this opportunity. Mount Desert
Island Biological Laboratory held the 37th symposium, which took place April 23-24. Dr. Bonnie Wood and UMPI students Dan Sheffield, Amy Michaud and Harrison Kilpatrick traveled to MDIBL to take part in the event. At the symposium, students, instructors and researchers showed off their work. Kilpatrick was one of the student presenters for the event. He gave a poster session on his work with the nervous system of shrimps. Wood also was directly involved with the event by serving on the symposium organizing committee. She helped decide the top student
presentations at the symposium. “I enjoyed being one of the judges for the undergraduate researchers and learning about the variety of biological and medical research occurring all over the state of Maine,” Wood said. Sheffield, another participant from UMPI, is very much interested in the world of scientific research. He
greatly enjoyed the symposium and the chance to speak with researchers. His favorite presentation was about the conversion of a toxic chemical to its safer form. This could be accomplished with genetically altered E. coli. Sheffield thought that the symposium had positive benefits. “The symposium allowed me to learn more about graduate school and also how to give a professional presentation,” Sheffield said. MDIBL’s symposium was a wonderful opportunity for the public to hear about recent research. Perhaps it also inspired attendees to pursue their own research interests.
Angel Hammond
A Bargain at Any Price
STAFF WRITER
Friday, April 23, played host to the annual senior spaghetti supper and auction. Senior class president Tyler Delaney opened the night with a thanks to all who came and to the sponsors. ARAMRAK generously donated the meal and service to the senior class fundraiser. With spaghetti, various tomato sauces, bread and a hearty salad, the diners were thoroughly satisfied. But many still managed to find room for dessert of cupcakes and brownies. As the meal was winding down Keith Madore, adviser for the senior class, took the microphone. In true auctioneer style, he opened the bidding on the items while they were showcased to the crowd. “We were surprised at how much we got donated and how generous everyone was,” senior class secretary, Rachel McGlinn, said. The community was very instrumental in the success of the fundraiser, donating nearly all of the auction items. Some of the big-ticket items were a two-night stay at the Portage Lake cabins, which, after a heavy bidding war, went to Clare Exner. Three passes for a free three-day car rental of your choice came from Ace. Vi r t u e s donated certificates for a pedic u r e , manicure, 10 tanning session and an h o u r massage t h a t appealed to many of the women in the crowd. Big Rock
donated two season passes. Artwork done by a senior, four tickets to any Sea Dogs game, four passes to the Braden the-
home a good majority of the items. Good sprits were felt all around as Madore joked
ater, handmade blankets, scarves and picnic baskets are just some more of the multitude of items that were auctioned. Faculty and staff also played a part, whether it was Barb Lambert’s famous peanut butter fudge that many coveted or Erin Benson who was the clear standout of the night taking
with the crowd amid the laughter and bidding. The night raised $1,700 in auction sales. A 50/50 raffle also took place, with the winner donating the money back to the senior class. The generosity was overwhelming from those in attendance, benefiting the class of 2010.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Kayla Ames STAFF WRITER
Is there a conflict between spirituality and sexuality? That’s the question guest speaker the Rev. Al Boyce addressed on April 26 in a room with about 16 people. A former resident of Washburn, Maine, Boyce has a background in both fundamentalist and progressive Christian theology. He’s currently near completion of a Ph.D. in psychology. He plans to use that degree to counsel from a faithbased and psychological viewpoint, those struggling with their sexual orientation. Boyce believes that spirituality and sexuality do not have to conflict: that to be gay or bisexual as well as Christian is not an oxymoron. Boyce wasn’t sure what to consider his talk. He considered it a kind of lecture and included plenty of stories, but he didn’t want anyone to think of it as a sermon. Boyce was sure, however, about what he values most. “To me it’s really about the
Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER
The Earth Day festivities at UMPI had a very thought-provoking ending. With spring and summer comes lawn care, so what better time to teach people about it than Earth Day. UMPI did just that by holding a showing of the documentary, “A Chemical Reaction,” which is about the dangers of lawn care chemicals and the bans imposed on them in Canada. “Lawns are places where peoples’ lives and the environment meet,” the narrator opened the documentary. This could not be more true for Paul Tukey, a Maine native featured in the film who tours the United States speaking on
Live Authentically
authentic journey of life,” Boyce said. Many of his personal journeys, especially those at the beginning of his life, were false and troubling. Boyce said he remembers clearly the first time he heard anyone mention homosexuality. He was unsure of what it meant, so he looked it up. He knew right away that the definition applied to him. He also vividly remembers the Sunday school room of the church his parents attended regularly. The teachers there not only told him that Jesus and his parents would never love a homosexual person, but that such love was utterly impossible. “That began a journey of quiet desperation,” Boyce said. He spent most of his life trying to fit in and act like everyone else. Hoping to be cured, he
married and had children. For 10 years, Boyce lived a lie, tortured by the knowledge of who he really was. Finally, around the age of 27, Boyce decided to leave home for a while and live within the church. There he prayed, begging God to change him. Gradually, Boyce began to wonder if maybe there wasn’t anything wrong with him at all. Maybe he was OK. At t h a t point, he began coming out. The journey wasn’t easy. He received hate mail and his family struggled to cope with the realization as well as the judgment that came along with it. “But for the first time in my life, I was free. I was authentic,” Boyce said.
In the years that followed, he suffered many personal crises, though each taught him something new. He learned again and again the importance of being true to yourself. A onewoman show starring Gertrude Stein taught him that to survive you must be flexible. Boyce realized that life would be unfair at times and people could be cruel, but he had to hold onto his personal integrity and values nonetheless. He had to struggle and live with the parts that make him imperfect. Last, he found that his faith sustained him in a way nothing else could. In the same way he struggled to define himself, Boyce struggled to define his faith. For a while he considered himself a “humanist-deist.” In other words, he stayed true to God and religion, but focused on the humanitarian aspect. He eventually decided to return to parts of his childhood religion as well, which helped him considerably. Boyce described himself as a
student of life and spent a good portion of his presentation discussing excerpts from holy works. He included quotes about Sodom and Gomorrah, Romans and the Holiness Code of Leviticus, to name a few. Though many of these pieces are used to attack and denounce homosexuality, Boyce explained in what ways they were irrelevant and unfounded. As he drew to a close, he told his audience to always stay true to their hearts and intuition. “It all comes down to love,” Boyce said. “Each and every day, each and every moment may we continue to breath truth into this amazing reality.” This relates to the love of Jesus, the love of God and the love people give to their religion and fellow human beings. More than any of that, though, it’s about loving yourself. Live authentically, be true to who you are, and love, peace and acceptance will follow.
the dangers of lawn care chemicals. Tueky worked as a landscaper for brief p e r i o d until he noticed symptoms such as headaches a n d blurred v i s i o n a f t e r working all day. A f t e r going to his doctor, he learned that he had Acute Chemical
worked with on lawns. From there, Tukey quit landscaping and became an
Qc, Canada, dermatologist Dr. June Irwin began noticing strange rashes on her
Sensitivity, espeecially triggered by the chemicals he
activist. Meanwhile, in Hudson,
patients, especially her pediatric patients. After doing
some research, Irwin discovered that her patients’ illnesses were caused by their exposure to lawn care chemicals. This prompted Irwin to begin petitioning the Hudson City Council to ban the use of such cemicals in its city. In 1991, after six years of petitioning, Irwin’s wish came true and Hudson banned the use of lawn care chemicals in the city. This ban prompted future laws enacted in 2008 and 2009 respectively banning the sale of lawn care chemicals in both the provinces of Quebec and Ontario in Canada. These laws and this documentary based on their creation show that people who are concerned can and will change things for the better.
The Perfect Lawn = A Chemical Reaction
University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Stephanie Corriveau STAFF WRITER
You could consider Professor Kim-Anne Perkins a social butterfly. And that’s not just because she’s a social work instructor. Involved with multiple campus activities and programs, Perkins is a familiar face to many people. The chair of the college of professional programs, Professor Clare Exner, has commented on Perkins’s desire to better the university. “Kim-Anne is somebody who always wants to see the university move forward,” Exner said. Originally from Blue Hill, Perkins prides herself on being a “14th generation Maine native.” Perkins, who initially planned to be a physical therapist, decided to attend Simmons College in Boston for her undergraduate degree. She eventually had to switch majors because of her inability to pass physics, but ended up participating in a program called OPEN (Opportunity for Personalized Educational Networking). This program paved the way to her Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. Perkins concentrated in thanatology, which she described as the study of death and dying. She concentrated in three other social sciences, as well: sociology, psychology and philosophy. This opened the door for an internship she completed at a type of hospice in Roxbury. Perkins later had other opportunities to participate in social programs. One thing she assisted with was a video for the Death Education Center that aired on PBS. Perkins also made a database for the Cancer Information Service to be used by Mainers. After Simmons College, Perkins took a job as a mental health worker at the Bangor Mental Health Institute. It was there that she learned that
A Social Butterfly
social work was a career that she’d enjoy. This inspired Perkins to pursue a graduate degree. She selected Eastern
social work program. She recognizes Perkins’ expertise at what she does. “Kim-Anne has vast experi-
Washington University. Perkins came to Presque Isle in 1983 after completing her graduate education. Originally a medical social worker at The Aroostook Medical Center, Perkins began working at UMPI in 1991. The university wanted Perkins to begin the social work program. Besides teaching social work, Perkins is a part of the diversity committee and was chair for University Day. Perkins advises social work and undeclared students, too. “One of the more current things I’m working on is sponsoring a national conference to be held here this July,” Perkins said. UMPI will be the site of the National Institute on Rural Social Work and Human Services annual conference. Perkins explained that people will be invited from across the country, Canada and the globe to share their work. “I’m also hoping that the conference will serve as a venue for other faculty members here,” Perkins said. Professor Shirley Rush is one of Perkins’ colleagues in the
ence working with national boards and committees in the social work profession. She’s especially passionate and gifted in working with elders and rural issues,” Rush said. Rush also feels that
Perkins invests a lot of time in her students. “Sometimes she bends over backwards to help her advisees get where they need to go,” Rush said. I t t r u l y s e e m s t h at Pe r k i n s has an u n d e r s t a n d i n g fo r a l l o f h e r s t u d e n t s. “I really admire the students here at UMPI. I really am awestruck at how tough it is to be a student, yet they remain committed. Be that said, I believe strongly in fairness and equity. Every student should feel that they’re treated exactly the same,” Perkins said. Perkins likes working at UMPI. One of her favorite things about the university is that she can get acquainted with her students. “I really enjoy and believe strongly in the positives that come with a rural area. The campus kind of reflects this culture. I’m never surprised when people say how nice it is here. It’s kind of a hidden jewel,” Perkins said.
Kim-Anne Perkins
27 When Perkins isn’t at the University, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs. Perkins also likes visiting with her nieces and nephews. Perkins takes the time to care for her parents, too. This experience with her parents has inspired Perkins to create a special meeting that will take place on May 10. Open to anyone who’s interested in attending, the meeting will be a type of support group discussion about the care of older family members and adults. D e n i s e Pa r s l ey, a junior who has taken some of Perkins’s cour ses, l i k e s t h a t Pe rk i n s h a s under stood Par sley’s commitment to her family. “Starting out, she knew I had kids and that t h ey ’r e my p r i o r i t y, ” Par sley said. Overall, Perkins is an under standing individual who looks to support t h e p e o p l e a ro u n d h e r. And like the butterf ly that she is, she kee ps soaring to new heights.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
What Kind of Worm is that?
Justin Pelkey STAFF WRITER
Doctor Stuart R. Gelder, emeritus professor of the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Bronwyn W. Williams, a graduate student of the University of Alberta, Canada, w e r e recently awarded a $4,940 g rant. This grant came from t h e “Discover Life in America” fund. This m o n ey was given to help the two survey crayfish worms found in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park near the Appalachian Mountains. Gelder and Williams will examine crayfish worms from various pools along the Appalachian Mountains. Gelder said that the mountains are one of the best places to find the worms. The two will examine these worms and create a list of the different species that they find along the way.
Erika Salisbury CONTRIBUTOR
Education is more necessary today than it used to be. A college education has always been valuable, but it was possible to make a living without one. It still is, but it’s becoming harder and harder. As a result, the number of nontraditional students in colleges is growing. These students may face difficulties that the average graduating high school senior can hardly relate to. They may have families and need to work to support them. And
“As surrounding areas change, it`s vital to know what species are present in the unprotected park,” Gelder said. Gelder and Williams predict that they will find new species of crayfish worms during their study. They will have
the opportunity to name these new species and write a description to be published. They`ll also send finds to the Smithsonian Institution. It`s possible that by the time Gelder and Williams are finished, you may be able to view their findings in the Smithsonian Museum. Never thought you`d see your biology professor`s name in the Smithsonian, huh? It may very well happen.
they may not have been in school for five, 10, or even 20 years. When considering college they may hardly know where to start. That’s where the college access program, or CAP, comes in. CAP, the college transitions program, is available at several locations in the state. But I’m going to focus on the program offered at the Houlton Higher Ed. Center, in which I am enrolled. All the students have a high school diploma or GED and have taken an Accuplacer test prior to starting the pro-
CAP
gram. CAP offers reading, math, English and computer classes for any students who need brushing up in these areas. The college transitions classes started on February 25, and every Thursday since then we’ve met. Various people came in and spoke on topics geared to help us prepare for college. Time management, stress management and financial aid are a few of the topics that they covered. Teri Morse came in and helped all of us fill out our financial aid applications-
and later college applications. We had visits from the directors of admissions at both UMPI and NM. Our group toured both campuses. It was a great way to get answers to all of our questions about college. I’ve been accepted as a student at UMPI for the fall semester and I can say CAP was definitely worth it. I would definitely recommend it to any homeschooler or non-traditional student who is unsure of how to “get there from here.” Kimberly Goodall, anoth-
er CAP student, called it “an excellent educational experience,” and Steve Benett said it was “a great program.” At last week’s meeting, Gene McClusky, director of admissions at NM, said that CAP students were more prepared and had improved final Accuplacer scores. The people who ran the CAP program at the Houlton Center were all wonderful. I’d like to thank them as well as those who came to speak to our group. We all are much more prepared for the college experience than before.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Dice Adios: Experiencing Life in the Dominican Republic Daniel Jackson
many things that Americans only see on a television commercial or hear about during a Missions Moment at their local church. Various lots were home to abandoned dwellings that were only half completed and then abandoned due to lack of money. One thing that we noticed was how happy every family we visited was. They often lived in no more than three rooms with less than ideal living conditions.
that I would be doing this awesome thing. I would be helping “Hola! Sit down!” people who were destitute and I stepped through a battered without hope. I couldn’t have door into a crowded sitting been more wrong. These peoroom that was no larger than a ple were used in my life to teach walk-in closet. In my arms was me that I was the one who a large Jumbo (the Dominican needed a renewal of hope in answer to Wal-Mart) bag full to my life. Haitians work so hard the brim of food that would for everything they have and last a family for a month. Fifi, everything they hope to accomone of our cooks at the complish for the future generations. pound in Las Colinas, had just They have no material wealth delivered a baby boy (her to speak of, but the joy they have in life comes from their faith. I think of the people I met every day and am counting down the days until I can return to the Dominican Republic again. Almost as soon as we returned to the United States, some of us were thinking of ways to return to the Dominican Republic as soon as possible. As it stands Dan Jackson (front) with crowd in Dominican Republic now, December is The Haitians opened their looking like the earliest date fourth child in all) and we ven- homes to us in a way that for us to go back. tured out to her home to drop would shock many Americans. I have spent the past severoff some much needed sup- We were invited into cramped al months thinking about plies. Haitians who live and sitting rooms to sit down and what I was going to do with work in the Dominican offered what little food or drink my life. This trip has given me Republic live in bateys, known these people had. The hospitalthat answer. If you’d asked me as slums in America. ity and loving attitude that even a year ago if I would Usually kept separate from these Haitians showed toward the Dominicans and the sky- complete strangers was hum- become a teacher, I’d have rocketing economy that bling and a huge eye-opener for laughed in your face. After experiencing teaching in the tourism is bringing to the all of us. Dominican Republic, I’ve island, the Haitians make When we asked one woman their homes out of whatever how we could pray for any of found one of my callings. I they can find—tin, plastic, her needs, she smiled and said only say one of because sparse bits of wood or mud. in rapid Creole, “I just ask that nobody ever knows where life Sometimes jobs are abundant you pray for good health for will take them. As for now, and the cash flow is consistent my family and children. I will I’m hoping that life takes me to the Colegio enough to provide money for pray for you all—my friends back Evangelico Moriah in Las cement and building materials and family.” Colinas not just as a volunteer to build a permanent home. As my trip came to an end, on a missions trip, but as a Walking through the dusty, I began to think back over the teacher who is going to help dirty streets of Las Colinas, week and how much I had seen the batey where our com- and learned. I went to the these Haitian children work pound is located, we saw Dominican Republic thinking for their future.” STAFF WRITER
Mind Fields Justin Pelkey STAFF WRITER
Professor Franklin Thompson began teaching as an adjunct at UMPI in 1999. That is when he first met Professor Alice Sheppard. When Thompson began teaching more regularly in 2002, Sheppard helped him adjust and get into the flow of things. Their offices have been side by side, until now. Sheppard will be leaving the University of Maine at Presque Isle after the spring 2010 semester. Sheppard teaches psychology courses at UMPI. Thompson described himself as more of a clinical psychologist, and Sheppard as more of a research oriented professor. Sheppard hasn`t lost her position due to cutbacks in the department: she is retiring. Thompson said that her position will be filled in time for the fall semester. “She has been the go-to person for helping our students through the writing process,” Thompson said when asked how he will remember Sheppard. Helping students master the APA format isn`t the only thing Sheppard has done for the university. Thompson mentioned Sheppard’s love of nature and gardening. In the spring, Sheppard would help plant the flowers by Preble Hall. Not only
did she help plant them, she picked them out and decided where they ought to go. “I`d be here late and see her digging in the dirt,” Thompson said of Sheppard`s green thumb. Sheppard has also been a strong supporter of UMPI`s psych lab. It’s better equipped than those of most campuses our size. Thompson said that most of it was her doing. This may not be the last we see of Sheppard. Thompson said that she will be teaching a few courses, online, in the summer. She could carry on teaching through online courses. Thompson shared one parting story about Sheppard: A few years ago he had purchased a new set of studded snow tires. It was a nasty winter. There was a staff meeting one night. Sheppard came into the meeting wearing boots with studded grips attached. “I just bought new tires, second only to (Sheppard`s) boots,” Thompson said when she entered. Professor Sheppard will be missed, not only by her students, but also by those who enjoy the flowers around campus. If you see her around during these final weeks, say hello. And keep an eye out for her online courses.
DATES TO REMEMBER: May 10- The UMPI/Community Band, directed by Kevin Kinsey, will perform their annual Spring Concert at 7 p.m., in Wieden Auditorium at UMPI. The free concert will include many band favorites and feature guest conductors from Ashland, Central Aroostook, and Washburn schools. FMI call 768-9452
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Goodbye, Children
Stephanie Jellett STAFF WRITER
The time is World War II. You are Jewish and your goal is to stay alive. Your family has been captured by Nazi soldiers and taken to concentration camps. You hide anywhere: abandoned houses and buildings and even in the forest. You must stay alive. All faith comes to a crashing end when you hear German soldiers walking through the town. You do your best to stay quiet, but it’s already too late. That was the scene on 6 p.m., April, 26, in Folsom 105, which is commmonly known as the fishbowl. The French film “Au Revoir Les Enfants,“ written by Gene Volovich and directed by Louise Malle, in 1987, took the audience there. The film took place during World War II at a Catholic school in France. It followed two boys, Julien Quintin and Jean Bonnet. At first, the two boys were not very good friends. Julien told Jean, “Don’t mess with me or you’ll be sorry.” One day, Julien was snooping around through Jean’s personal things and discovered that Jean’s real last name was Kippeinstein. Jean found out and they two boys had a small confrontation. Later that evening, Julien invited Jean to supper with his family. At the restaurant, the French Militia went around and asked for papers. They found a lone Jewish man sitting by himself and ordered him to leave. This caused a ruckus in the restaurant. Julien and Jean had become good friends at this point in the movie. One day at school, the air raid siren went off, but the
two boys stayed behind, played a piano duet together and wandered around the campus for food. German soldeirs came to the school in company of the Gestapo (classes were back in session at this point). They went into Julien’s class and demanded to know who J e a n Kippeinstein is. No one spoke. One of the students glanced at Jean, and the soldiers assumed it was he. Jean had to go with the German soldiers. The Gestapo official told the class, “Your principal (Father Jean) has committed a serious crime by hiding him.” He then told the students that the school was closed and that they had two hours to pack their things and line up in the courtyard. The Father, Jean and two other Jewish children were taken away. The three students died at Auschwitz and Father Jean died in the camp at Mauthausen. The narrator of the movie concluded with: “More than 40 years have passed, but I’ll remember every second of that January morning until the day I die.” Many movies about World War II have been made, but this definitely sheds a different light on it because you see how the children went through it. Imagine if you had been Jean. What would you have done when the German soldiers came to the school? Risk running away? Or would you have accepted death as your fate? Unfortunately, Jean’s fate was already decided for him. But perhaps some of the lessons we learn from the film will help up keep such things from happening again.
Creating Hope and Understanding
Kayla Ames STAFF WRITER
Approximately 16 students gathered during Professor Shirley Rush’s Human Behavior in the Social Environment class on Wednesday, April 21, to talk about an upcoming project called “A Tribute to HOPE.” Rush started by giving an overview of the course, discussing paradigms, comparing quantitative and qualitative ways to measure learning and asking her students to explain what the class is about. “It’s how people affect the environment and how the environment affects people and everything that goes along with that,” one student said. Their latest project, A Tribute to HOPE, is based on the recent earthquake in Haiti. It deals with the effects it’s had, not only on the people there, but throughout the rest of the world. Rush and her students
endure. The project has three main goals: to make sure participants learn something they didn’t know about the history of Haiti, to learn something about the ongoing challenges affecting Haitians as a result of the earthquake and to get a sense of what it’s like to be affected by a natural disaster. To do this, they plan on building a tent city using materials that would be available to Haitians. The tent city, made of things such as old sheets and blankets, wood and tarps, will be on campus for several days, the class hopes in a highly visible area. The students will live in the tents as well as make signs explaining the purpose of the makeshift city and inviting passersby to join them in living there. In addition to the tent city, the class will hold an event on May 3 in the Campus Center from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Tribute to HOPE tent city. intend to gain a deeper understanding of what current Haitian life is like through demonstration and personal experience. At the same time, they hope to teach us what it means to suffer, appreciate and
There they will show a PBS Frontline film titled “The Quake.” “This film opened the eyes of many of our class about the realities of the current situation in Haiti and we wish to share it
with more people who will hopefully be enlightened, too,” Rush said. Class members will also set up several displays and a timeline. The latter will include the history of Haiti from before it gained independence in 1804 up until recent events. They hope to bring in speakers to talk about Haiti before and after the film. Last, they plan to represent the 200,000 victims of the earthquake through display, such as population graphing, and other means, such as using a second on a metronome to represent each dead person. When asked if they were looking forward to the upcoming project, student Brianna Karon said “I’m excited to actually physically show them.” Classmate Hannah Sanders believes a project is a good idea and Shelley Froehlich said we don’t do enough of these kinds of things. The rest of the class seemed equally enthusiastic. The trio was working on designing wristbands, one of the class’s many responsibilities. Other groups were in charge of publicity and marketing, constructing the tent city, making the timeline and designing the stations and trifolds that will serve as displays. Shortly after the class began, students already appeared well on their way to spreading hope and creating a deeper understanding. “You’re going to make something concrete out of concept,” Rush said. The tribute and event, open to community members and UMPI attendants alike, will surely do just that.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Happy Birthday Earth Day!
Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER
When Gaylord Nelson began the movement of Earth Day 40 years ago, he probably couldn’t imagine the degree to which it is celebrated today. Today it’s widely celebrated, including right here at UMPI. On the morning of April 22, the multipurpose room of UMPI’s Campus Center was full of students, staff and community members gathered to commemorate Earth Day and another special day for UMPI. “We are gathered here today to celebrate both the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the first anniversary of UMPI’s wind turbine,” Charlie Bonin, Vice President
Lanette Viratnnen STAFF WRITER
Walking up to the third floor of Pullen Hall on Friday, April 23, the first thing that you would have seen was a spread of food that would make you want to come in the rest of the way to see what it was there for. After you walk in farther, you see bodies of plaster in many poses. They were there for Joanna Dumond’s senior show, called the “Human Condition.” Dumond had a terrific turnout for her senior show. Family, friends and fellow art students weren’t the only ones who came to see her work. Professor Andy Giles had his Experience of the Arts class come to the opening to see more of Dumond’s work. A week before, the class had gone to have a demonstration of what she does. One of the students, Long Cao, had his hand plaster wrapped by Dumond to see what it felt like. Dumond also invited the student up to the art classroom to see some of her pieces that would be in the
past year. These activities included the installation of heat pumps in Folsom Hall, the installation of a pool cover in Gentile Hall and the solar power grant application. Also, Bonin revealed the one figure that supporters of the UMPI windmill have all been waiting for, the amount of money saved by the campus in electricity. “Over the past year, we have saved about $84,000 in electricity costs. It doesn’t meet our goal of $100,000 but we blame the mild winter with very little wind for this,” Bonin explained to the audience. Even though the wind turbine’s energy savings were not as great as expected, it is still something to celebrate.
Over the past year, UMPI has been reducing its environmental impact through the wind turbine and other ener-
up, sitting on the floor to see some of my pieces and asking questions about my work, I decided to put places here for you to sit.” Dumond had help doing the pieces. She used friends to make some of the pieces. One of her friends, Amanda Estey, said, “It was fun to do. I did some of the feet and one of the pieces here is me. I enjoyed doing it.” Cliff Boudman started off by saying, “These pieces to me are anxiety ridden, atmospheric and they seem to take over the room.” Dumond started off thanking the professors for Joanna Dumond - “Human Condition” everything and then explained what she
was trying to convey by saying, “These pieces are meant to raise questions about the human condition. The body is a vessel for the soul and these are about the soul ripping it’s way out of the body.” Giles told the group, “Earlier this morning, we heard a big thud and went out in the gallery to see what it was and saw one of Dumond’s sculptures lying on the floor. Even with it lying on the floor, it looked good. No matter how you look at it, they’re powerful.” Giles and a an art student took the piece to the ceramics room and patched it up and reinforced it so that it wouldn’t happen again. Dumond was asked how she felt now and she said, “When you’re working on them, some-
of Administration and Finance, joyfully introduced the event. From there a traditional Micmac Gathering Song was performed to kick off the event. After the song, UMPI psychology professor Dr. Allen Salo read the Proclamation of UMPI’s commitment to the environment. This commitment was also set in cardboard upon a poster board set up as an art installation project upon which attendees to this event drew their handprints and signed their names before and after the event. The poster board is to be placed in the Campus Center. Then, Bonin took back the podium to speak about UMPI’s green energy activities over the
Plastered in Art
opening and to ask questions. At Dumond’s show she said, “Thanks to Andy’s class coming
gy-saving ventures. It’s this commitment to the environment that makes every day feel like Earth Day at UMPI.
times you feel like it’s not coming out right. But now that it’s done, I think they turned out how I wanted them to. I never dreamed it would look as good as it does. I feel like a weight has fallen off me.” If you were there for the opening or even if you went up afterwards, then you had a chance to see something that you don’t get to see every day. Seeing her work makes you think about what your interpretation of them might be. That’s exactly what Dumond was trying to do.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Alyson Robitalle STAFF WRITER
When you think of cancer, you may think of sickness, weakness or, in some cases, death. When you think about AIDS, you might think of unprotected sex, HIV or death. When you think of murder, you think of death. When you think about life, you might think of love, happiness-but in the end,death. Our world revolves around life. But what happens when someone we love dies? Some of us cope by feeling empty, others by crying and many by getting angry and frustrated. How do you react when you lose someone you love, someone you looked up to your entire life?
Angel Hammond STAFF WRITER
Second chances. In some cases, being given a second chance or a redo on things can be the difference in someone’s life. In the case of the honors women and crime class, this is what their service project is all about. Instead of a traditional research paper, the students complete a project serving a community agency that relates to the course content. In this case, the course is about female offenders. The class is working with the Women’s Reentry Center in Bangor. Female inmates serving the last 18 months of their sentence apply to live in transitional housing. From there they begin to look for work and participate in community service. Appearance plays a big part in employers’ decisions to hire individuals. A good number of these women do not have clothes suitable for interviews. By providing
The One Thing We All Have in Common
Most everyone is raised to embrace life and live it to the fullest. I mean, we’re only 18,19 or 20 years old once, right? You do the things in life you wish to do, you set goals and, furthermore, you fulfill them. You try to remain happy your whole life, but most people know that isn’t always the case. You look up to your elders, you learn from the ones you love and grow fond of them. Then you experience the most pain you may ever feel. You lose that loved one, you lose the person you cherished your entire life. And you’re left with an empty, cold, heartbroken feeling. How do you deal with the death of a loved one?
Julie Rugg, a certified nursing assistant at the Presque Isle Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, said, “I think time is the only way. Allow yourself time to accept it.” Some people experience shock, others anger. They might take out their anger on others, saying things that at the moment they don’t really feel. Others know it’s going to happen and are willing to accept it. But then there are people such as your friend who may cry for days, and you really don’t know what to say to her. Sometimes it’s best just to be there for them. Rather than talk, just sit and console them. No one is an expert on death and how to react. But maybe
some knowledge could help others and help with the grief you feel. It isn’t easy. The stages of grief are as follows: shock, emotional release, depression, loneliness and a sense of isolation, physical symptoms of distress, feelings of panic, a sense of guilt, anger or rage, inability to return to usual activities, the gradual regaining of hope and last, acceptance as we adjust our lives to reality. Some people don’t experience the death of a loved one until many years into their life, while others experience it sooner than later. The important thing to remember is that you’re not in it alone. People all around you know how you feel because death is something we
The Ripple Effect
them with these simple items we help push them in the right direction. For most having once been an inmate can often be a deal breaker among employers. By supplying the women with appropriate clothing, we can at least get them in the door. I t provides the local community wit h a service also. Its give many a chance to d o n a t e c l o t h i n g th at may no lon ger f it or that they just no lon ger wear to a good c a u s e. It al low s many people to f eel pa rt o f
a g oo d th ing a nd ac tivel y pa rtic i pat e in a c o llect io n th at ben efits o th er s. “One of the biggest challenges for any offender returning to the community
is finding work. Most of these women do not have any clothing so our class is collecting professional clothing for them to have when applying for work,” Lisa Leduc the course instructor, said. The class will personally deliver the donations to the center on May 7. They are also doing a raffle and bottle drive to r a i s e money to purchase gift cards t o Mardens and WalMart so that the w o m e n
all have in common. The TV series “The Wonder Years” once said, “ Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” In the end, you may lose this person physically. But emotionally and mentally, this loved one will always be with you in memory and in spirit. You will never forget the ones you loved, the ones who have changed your life forever, even the ones who simply guided you along in a way no one else could. The people who matter in life will always be there. And that may be the only thing that can get you through the loss of someone.
can buy additional clothes and footwear. “I feel very willing and grateful to be able to help these women reenter society and to see the progress these women go through to get back on the right track. I believe everyone should have a second chance. This services learning project is going to be very successful. It has already been successful for us just taking the time out and helping the program. But overall, we have gotten a lot of donations and a lot of positive feedback from many different sources on campus and in the community.” Tahira Francis, a student in the class, said. Helping these women out not only benefits them, but the community as well. From helping people by inspiring others to do good deeds or becoming more passionate about doing them yourself, the ripple effect can only produce positive outcomes.
University Times
SportS
May 7, 2010
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Standing Tall in Every Sense Rene Steele
STAFF WRITER
“She’s been a great leader for our team over the past few years. She’s been my emotional leader on and off the court, which is something that will be missed,” Tracy Guerrette said, head coach of the UMPI Lady Owls when asked what she’ll miss most about her only senior player, Kathy Kilfoil. Kilfoil grew up in Johnville, New Brunswick, and graduated from Carlton High School. After a year at the University of New Brunswick, she transferred to UMPI because of her interest in the education program, as well as the opportunity to play basketball. She played basketball all through high school and knew this was something she’d like to do in college. So when the opportunity arose at UMPI, it was one she couldn’t pass up. “I believe UMPI’s athletic programs in general stick out to potential student athletes because it’s a great Division III school with many opportunities for athletes to play one or more
sports. The size is inviting. Academics are still the priority with our student athletes, yet we play a very competitive schedule,” Guerrette said. Kilfoil had great success both on and off the court. But among her nist cherished recognition was when she received the coach’s award in 2009. “I really valued the honor of receiving the coach’s award last year. Coach Guerrette was my coach all three years at UMPI, so it really meant a lot to be selectKilfoil in ed by her,” Kilfoil said. “Kathy’s passion for the game, her work ethic, her drive
and determination to always get better and the will to want to become the best player that she could be” were just a few of the characteristics Coach Guerrette
action on the court. considered when selecting Kilfoil for the award. Mindy Sullivan, teammate of
Kilfoil, said that if she had to describe her in three words or less, she would say “strong, passionate and encouraging.” Kilfoil was a true leader. A lot of the younger players looked up to her for guidance and support. “I believe Kathy was an emotional leader. She always kept us pumped up and was the first to re-ignite the fire under us,” teammate Megan Korhonen said. “All around, Kathy was a player who always gave her best, all of the time, no matter what. She played through injury and fatigue, and was always excited for a challenge. Her love of the game and heart showed through every time she stepped onto the court.” Korhonen said. When her teammates and coach were asked what they’ll miss most about Kilfoil, the lists went on and on. Kilfoil’s positive impact on the team is very clear. “I will miss her input in my life and, of course, her hugs. Kathy is awesome. I am so
proud to have been able to play with her as long as I did,” Sullivan said. “To witness her tremendous improvement as an athlete/player on the court, her growth in leadership and the sense of UMPI pride that emerged throughout the course of three years is amazing!” Guerrette said. “Getting to know Kathy as a ball player and, more important, as a friend, has been a true blessing and I hope the memories we had together will never be forgotten” Korhonen said. After graduating this May, Kilfoil plans to go back to Canada. As she’ll be graduating with her degree in education, she’ll begin student teaching in the fall and hopes to then teach full time after that. So is this it for Kilfoil and basketball? No, ultimately she’d lilke to coach. Judging for her conduct on and off the court, one thing’s for certain. Whatever the score, all Kilfoil’s players will feel like winners.
The Great Outdoors Stephanie Jellett STAFF WRITER
You are hanging off the edge of a cliff, your feet hurt, your hands are full of calises, beads of sweat are dripping off your forhead. Everyone that you are rockclimbing with is yelling at you to hurry up because you are slower then them. You glance up, the scorching sun shines down and blindes you, you go to move your foot and you lose your balance. The rope you are attached to is the only thing that keeps you alive. Along with rockclimbing, the Outdoor Adventure Program International-also known as
OAPI-challenges themselves by white water rafting and hiking in harsh conditions. These people have got to be in some kind of shape to accomplish these difficult tasks. Let’s see how this year has gone for them. Amanda Morin is the manager of OAPI. The group has at least a dozen members. Those who regularly attend the meetings include: Johannah Bubar, Leah Finnemore, Mike Howland, Anna Turcotte, Tyler Hutchinson, Noah Rush-Mabry, Jenn Steeves and Lindsey Perry. So far this year, OAPI hasn’t had to cancel any trips. Its members have done many different
things, such as hike Mount Katahdin (they have done this in the fall and middle of winter). They’ve gone dog sledding for the first time and have gone on various camping trips. For the last activity for the year, they’re going rock climbing in Acadia. OAPI is open for anyone-students, faculty, staff and the community, so that everyone can come out and enjoy! “If I am still here in the fall, I will definitely go back and participate in OAPI activities,” Turcotte said, while sitting at the OAPI booth on University Day. It’s been a successful year for OAPI. Members are already
looking forward to this fall when they’ll have just as many events going on for many people to
experience. They encourage others to come out and have a good time with the great outdoors.
OAPI, seen here, climbed Mt. Kathadin earlier this semester.
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University Times CAMPUS May 7, 2010
Gobble, Gobble Alicia Fournier STAFF WRITER
It’s a half an hour before sunrise and you’re all alone. It’s just you and the great wilderness. You’re out enjoying the peacefulness that nature has to offer. The feeling of the brisk morning air and the dew that the night left on the ground are sending a cooling sensation running through your body. The sun is beginning to rise and all you can hear is the sound of all the birds singing in sweet harmony, and just then, you hear a distinct sound of a male turkey and it’s headed right for you. Gobble, Gobble. The thrill of hearing it for the first time is overwhelming. Using your artificial communication tools, you call to it. As it comes closer, all the while it’s calling back to you. After a bit of calling, the bird is now in your sight. Sitting very still, you’re careful not to scare it away. Watching it strut around your decoys, it’s so close you can almost taste it. There’s nothing like it. Monday, May 3, was opening day for the spring 2010 wild turkey hunting season in Maine. This season will go for one month and end on Saturday, June 5. Hunters who live in northern Maine who participate in wild turkey hunting must travel downstate to do
their hunting because it’s very rare that you see a wild turkey in Aroostook County. Studies show that the farther north you go, the fewer birds there are. In the spring of 2009, there were no more than 40 birds recorded taken in the most northern zones and nearly 700 in the southern zones. In order to take part, the gover nment requires that you have taken a hunters safety class and received a certificate and also have a h u n t i n g license with a turkey permit on top of that. Some people can spend a good chunk of money on hunting, between the
licenses, travels, calls and decoys, gun and ammo, taxidermy and meat packaging. There’s a lot of money going into Maine’s economy that these hunters pay. Nick Kucia, a lifelong turkey hunter, said, “I look forward to
hunting turkeys because it gives me a chance to put some food on the table at a time of year when there is really nothing else in season.” A tom is what everyone wants to see. He is the big male with the bright colors. His size is what makes him special. A jake is just a younger tom. One way to tell them apart other than size is when they are strutting, or fanning their tail feathers out, look to see if there are three larger feathers sticking up higher than the rest. If there are, than it’s a jake. If all of the tail feathers sit flush with each other, than it’s considered to be a tom. The average turkey weighs about 15 pounds. Their bodies are mostly brown and black with a hint of white. The heads of the males can distinguish them from females, or hens, because they’re brightly colored with blue and red and sometimes white, as well. Wildlife biologist George Matula said, “Wild turkeys
have keen eyesight, acute hearing, and are agile fliers, although they often walk or run from danger.” Predators and harsh winters are the limiting factors for the wild turkey population. That’s why in northern Maine, they have a hard time surviving. Adult birds roost in tall pine trees, usually along the edge of a field. They fly down at dawn and fly back up at dusk. They eat a variety of plants, insects and seeds. It all depends on what’s available to them. If a poult, or a young turkey, can make it past its adolescent years, it can live up to 10 years. In the spring of 2009, there were about 19,500 permits sold and approximately 6,400 birds were tagged. This year, both numbers are estimated to rise because of the small, short winter the state of Maine saw this year. Because of the abundance of wild turkeys Maine has, there will be a second season in the fall, but it will have more restrictions. Due to the combined efforts of wildlife management and sportspeople, the population of wild turkeys has grown incredibly since their near disappearance.
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University Times VOICE May 7, 2010
VOICE
UMPI: Where Every Student Voice Is Heard
Bert Goldman CONTRIBUTOR
What could have been an antagonistic meeting with President Zillman and the students of Painting III turned out to be informative and friendly. On April 21, Zillman came to talk with the art students after receiving a letter from Leah McEachern. She asked the president to share his plans for UMPI’s art program. The art students sat the president down in the “seat of honor”-a white wicker chair used for a prop-and then began to question him. Students wanted to know what the plans were for the art program. Orono has had to cut some art programs, theatre and women’s studies. Many editorials have appeared in the Bangor Daily News about the place of humanities in a liberal arts education. UMPI art students wanted to know where they figured into all this. One student asked the president about using the art program for recruiting students to the university. Zillman said the program was “absolutely a recruitment
tool.” “Art students are really the best recruiters,” Zillman said. “Rachel Rice is trying to persuade the arts and culture writer from the Bangor Daily News to cover some of the senior art shows. Senior Shows are unique. They teach, in addition to art, networking and the business side of creating art.” Zillman went on to comment on the quality of our art program in relation to schools with 50,000 students or more. At big schools like that, students might get to enter one piece in the final show. At UMPI, students get a whole show to themselves. And they get it for almost a week. A report will be coming out of Sonntag’s office about the distinctive programs UMPI offers that can be used to promote the school. These include the art program and athletic teams, but all programs will be looked at for marketing purposes.
As far as this year goes, it seems as if the art program is safe. Zillman said that there will be no more program cuts this year, “and hopefully not anytime in the future, either.” The UMPI community
Day, April 30. The same evening Project Compass put on a, ceramics show in town. No one likes to play for an empty house. That’s why it’s important for students to try new things. The president is considering a one credit course
came up a few times in the conversation. Zillman hopes to sell faculty on the idea of a residence life “promoter, organizer, advertiser” to take over the position Carol X left. The hope is that his new position would involve more students in the cultural happenings on campus. Students are the best recruiters when they get involved. The art club, run by Renee Felini, was planning to put on a production on Arts
that would ask students to attend eight cultural events a semester. The course would not be required. “What I see most often when I require my students to go to cultural events on campus is that they find out they like it,” Anderson Giles said. Another way for students to be involved in their education is to attend meetings with prospective teachers. Not specific to art students, all students can ask questions of
teachers who are interviewing the campus. “I’ve rarely seen a candidate accepted when there is a negative feeling among students,” Zillman said. While programs are safe now, it might not always be so. The best things students can do is to try new things. Be interested. Choose programs, help organize, say what you want and go do things! Make a point to do especially those things you would never do. You may not get the chance to see Susanne Nance sing opera in northern Maine again! The president came to talk to students after one student’s request. Students have more say- and maybe more to say- than we may think. If the community that centers around this university is to survive, students have to take an active role. And maybe teachers should keep encouraging us to do that. There is so much to do. Maybe start by reading at least one of Dean Corsello’s letters every week.
Student Senate Indentity Naima DeFlorio CONTRIBUTOR
University Day was not a representation of who we are as student senate. We received mixed feedback including the fact that from mid-morning to late afternoon, our table was the source of “noise pollution.” This was not our intention as a collective group and we would like to formally apologize to all those presenting and attending for the unprofessional manner of some representatives of student senate.
The Friday following U-Day, we had our annual budget meeting, which showed where student activity fee money is going. On average, our budget committee was able to approve 73 percent of all proposed budgets due to the availability of funds. This event had good attendance and there was plenty of pizza to go around. Next semester, we’re working on getting a movie day for UMPI students to increase the campus experience and sense of community.
wishes you are a great summer! Continue listening to our station over the summer for all of the hits in northern Maine. Requests anytime at 768-9711.
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University Times LIFESTYLE May 7, 2010
From Myth to Masterpiece Stephanie Corriveau STAFF WRITER
Don’t you just love those funny cartoons on the back of the University Times? They’re the work of Bhava Albert. On Sunday, April 18, at the Pullen Hall Art Gallery, Albert was able to showcase a different side of her artistic abilities. Students, faculty and supporters attended her reception titled “Tales From Ancient India.” On display in the gallery were Albert’s graphite drawings of scenes from traditional Indian stories. During the reception, Albert talked about her work
and her inspiration. Albert even explained the stories behind a few of her favorite drawings. “My mom wou ld read t h ese sto ries t o m e… . I just wanted to share th em w it h e v e r y o n e , ” Al be rt sa id. The crowd seemed impressed with her work. Albert said that each drawing was completed in an average of three, eight—to—10— hour days. Graphite presented its challenges, too. Albert mentioned that it was difficult to erase. Also, pressing down on the pencils put strain on Albert’s wrist. Andy Giles, professor of art at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, admired her commitment. He commented that Albert had created “graduate-level work.” “She really sets a new standard for people with her work ethic,” Giles said. As with most of the people at the reception, Giles liked learning about the Indian tales. “One of the things that fascinated me was to hear about the mythology,” Giles said. Renée Felini, assistant professor of fine art at UMPI, also gave positive feedback on Albert’s work. “She’s not only an artist, she’s a storyteller,” Felini said.
One of Albert’s fellow art students, Lulu Pelletier, was impressed that Albert remained dedicated to the theme she wanted to draw. “She stuck to her ideas and what she wanted to do,” Pelletier said. A senior at UMPI, Bhava plans to either go to graduate school or maybe look for a job in Bangor. Her reception was a great way to show the public her fine work. With such great talent, Albert’s sure to have a promising career. But those of us at the University Times will always feel that some of Albert’s best work graced our pages. Bhava, we can’t thank you enough. We’ll miss you, but we wish you all the best!