University hosts spring semester blood drive

University hosts spring semester blood drive

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host its annual spring semester American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room. Door prizes will be given away during this time. Members of the campus and community are invited and encouraged to participate in this free event.

County’s first Empty Bowls fundraiser a success

The University of Maine at Presque’s Ceramics II class enjoyed a sellout event and raised nearly $1,800 when they held the area’s very first Empty Bowls fundraiser. As part of this Empty Bowls event, participants had the opportunity to purchase unique homemade bowls and enjoy cups of warm soup, all to benefit Martha and Mary’s Soup Kitchen. The Empty Bowls fundraiser was held at the William V. Haskell Community Center (Presque Isle Recreation Center) on Friday, Dec. 6 from 6-8 p.m. in conjunction with the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk.

UMPI hosts County’s first Empty Bowls fundraiser

The University of Maine at Presque’s Ceramics II class invites County residents to attend the area’s first Empty Bowls fundraiser, which gives participants the opportunity to purchase unique homemade bowls and enjoy cups of warm soup, all to benefit a local soup kitchen. The Empty Bowls fundraiser will be held at the William V. Haskell Community Center (Presque Isle Recreation Center) on Friday, Dec. 6 from 6-8 p.m. This event is being held in conjunction with the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk.

UMPI’s Reed Fine Art Gallery presents show by Jme Smith

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will present The Robot, The Rooster, The Red Dress, and The Blue Indian by Jme Smith from Dec. 2, 2013 through Jan. 11, 2014. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show’s run and attend the Opening Reception on Dec. 6 from 5-7 p.m. The opening reception is being held in conjunction with the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk.

Darrell Dorgan returns for talk at UMPI

An award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker is paying another visit to the University of Maine at Presque Isle in November to visit several classes, work with students and deliver a public presentation. Darrell Dorgan, who has served as the University’s Journalist/Professional Communicator in Residence, will speak on energy and the North Dakota-Maine connections on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. This event is free and open to the public.

West to discuss “redefining possible” during UMPI Distinguished Lecture

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is pleased to announce that Me to We motivational speaker and author Spencer West—who lost his legs at an early age but hasn’t let that stop him from climbing mountains and overcoming other obstacles to make a difference in the world around him—will serve as the next speaker in its 2013-2014 Distinguished Lecturer Series.

West will deliver his talk The Power of We: Overcoming Obstacles to Make a Difference on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. West’s talk is free and the public is invited to be a part of this special evening.

2nd annual World Polio Day and Purple Pinkie Project a success

The Presque Isle Rotary Club and the University of Maine at Presque Isle have declared their 2nd annual World Polio Day and Purple Pinkie Project events, held on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 23 and 24, a major success. The University and Rotary Club joined forces to present the activities, which raised awareness throughout the region about Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. In addition, this year’s Purple Pinkie Project raised an estimated $1,800 to go toward that global effort.

Local author Gordon Hammond to hold book signing at UMPI

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host a book signing for local author Gordon Hammond on Tuesday, Oct. 29. at 6:30 p.m. in the UMPI Library. Hammond will be reading from his novel The Orphan.

Hammond’s novel is about an orphan named Ezra Samuels who loses his parents at the age of eight. He is taken in by his aunt and uncle and his friendship with his cousin and mentor Lydia thrives. The Orphan shows the determination of both Ezra and Lydia, with the help of the wealthy Gladwells, as they begin their life together on a farm even while being condemned by some in the community.

Presque Isle Rotary Club, UMPI present 2nd annual World Polio Day

The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Presque Isle Rotary Club are joining forces to celebrate World Polio Day on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 23 and 24, in a big way – presenting two days’ worth of activities meant to raise awareness of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide and to raise money — $1 at a time – to go toward that global effort.

Together, they will host a special community kick-off on Wednesday, October 23 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. The community is invited to learn more about World Polio Day and polio eradication efforts during the program. This event is free and open to the public.

The very next day, organizers and volunteers plan to “paint” the city purple when they present the Purple Pinkie Project.

Giant National Geographic Map of Asia coming to UMPI

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is inviting all campus and community members to explore Asia in a BIG way on Oct. 23—with the world’s largest map of the continent. The giant National Geographic map will be on display on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from Noon to 5 p.m. in Gentile Hall. This event is sponsored by the Maine Geographic Alliance and is free. Everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy the interactive map.

According to Dr. Kimberly Sebold, UMPI Associate Professor of History, who was instrumental in bringing the map to Aroostook County, the interactive map measures 26 feet by 35 feet and is designed as a giant game board to introduce students to the diverse geography of Asia.