Category: Press Releases - Page 125

UMPI Business students offer VITA services

With tax season in full swing, Accounting students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle are offering volunteer tax assistance services to campus and community members.

To gain hands-on learning experience and offer an important service to their fellow students and the community, Accounting students are participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA program allows these student volunteers to prepare individuals’ income tax returns (both federal and state) and electronically file them at no charge, according to UMPI Business Management Professor Patric Edward. All students participating in the program have undergone training, and passed the qualifying IRS examinations.

Officials gather for Prometric Testing Center grand opening

Officials with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Prometric joined with area business officials at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10 in South Hall for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Prometric Testing Center that has been established on campus.

This new testing center will allow University students and community members to take important computer-based tests – such as exams for admittance to graduate school as well as a wide range of business licensure exams – at a facility that is close to home and that is able to accommodate test-takers on fairly short notice. Previously, area residents had to travel at least 150 miles south to reach a Prometric Testing Center and, because of the distance, had to schedule tests far in advance.

“We are pleased at what this means for our students who need to complete important tests to continue their education now and beyond their bachelor’s degree, but we also think this is especially exciting for the area’s professional business community,” President Don Zillman said. “This will provide people in the region – in northern Maine, western New Brunswick and surrounding areas – with a convenience they haven’t experienced before. We are so pleased that the University is able to serve our community in this way.”

Estey to present abstract painting and drawing exhibition at Reed Gallery

Award-winning painter and printmaker David Estey visits the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 15 for the opening reception of his solo show Driven to Abstraction.

During the March 15 reception, the Belfast-based, Fort Fairfield-born artist will give a brief talk and answer questions about his work. According to the artist, his work includes primarily abstract paintings and prints in a wide variety of styles and media, but also an abundance of strong, expressive figure drawings in charcoal. This installation of Estey’s paintings and drawings will be on display from March 15 to April 18, 2009.

University to celebrate winter “survivability” during Frozen Frenzy II

With signs of the County’s cold and snowy winter in huge piles around campus, the University of Maine at Presque Isle is hosting its second annual winter survival celebration for students, faculty and staff at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 at Gentile Hall.

Frozen Frenzy II will include winter games, contests, and prizes all meant to celebrate the campus’s winter “survivability.” This year’s event is being organized by the UMPI Pride Committee with planning support by Professor Dawn McPherson’s Recreation class. Students in the course, which focuses on program planning, will be earning class credit to plan activities for the celebration.

Students host 9th Fit and Fun Day

Local kids will unknowingly be getting exercise while taking part in fun activities during the 9th semi-annual Fit and Fun Day, to be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 in Gentile Hall. The event is sponsored by the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Physical Education Majors Club.

The Club has organized the free play day for area children in grades 1-5 for the past four years to teach them about health and fitness in a fun environment. Activities may include a wide range of activities, from cup stacking, rhythm activities, and parachute games to juggling, and ball handling games, and improving motor skill techniques through activities such as throwing with rubber chickens, frogs, and turtles.

Officials to host Prometric Testing Center grand opening

Officials with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Prometric will host an official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Prometric Testing Center that has been established on campus at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10 on the main floor of South Hall.

The new testing center will provide University students and community members with a convenient location for taking important computer-based exams, such as the GRE, Praxis and MCAT. Before this center was established, area students and residents had to drive south for more than 150 miles in order to take such tests. Officials will be on hand at the opening event to take registrations and schedule testing times.

“We are so pleased to be joining with Prometric in officially opening this testing center for the people of northern Maine, western New Brunswick and surrounding areas,” President Don Zillman said. “We feel this is going to be a major benefit not only to our students who are required to take certain tests in order to become certified as teachers or to be admitted to graduate programs, but also the many community members who currently have to drive long distances to take important computer-based academic and licensure exams.”

University, SAD1 sign Professional Development School agreement

Officials with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Maine School Administrative District #1 have signed an agreement that will allow UMPI Education students to take part in extensive internships at Pine Street Elementary School and Presque Isle High School while providing professional development opportunities for veteran teachers there.

President Don Zillman and Dr. Gehrig Johnson, MSAD#1 Superintendent, signed the memorandum of understanding during a March 2 press conference at Pine Street school. The agreement establishes a Professional Development School partnership between the two educational entities and sets forth five main goals: to increase PK-12 student achievement, improve teacher preparation, enhance professional development opportunities for UMPI and MSAD#1 faculty and staff, more effectively transition students from grade 12 to college, and enhance Advanced Placement opportunities for high school students.

Under the partnership, selected students in UMPI’s Education Program will have the opportunity to take part in a two-semester teaching internship. The first semester experience would include the first five days of school and one day a week for the rest of the semester, all in the same classroom, while the second semester would be a full immersion into that same classroom for 15 weeks.

UMPI’s Education programs secure MDOE reaccreditation

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s College of Education has been fully reaccredited by the Maine Department of Education following a unanimous vote on Feb. 11 by the State Board of Education.

At a meeting in Augusta, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to reaffirm UMPI’s Education programs after reviewing the interim status report officials had submitted near the beginning of the year. In reviewing the report, one MDOE official stated that she was “impressed with the amount and the quality of the work” that has been done. The affirmation extends the University’s state approval cycle for its education preparation programs through the winter of 2011.

“This is an important accomplishment and members of the College of Education – its chair Dr. Reginald Nnazor, the college’s faculty and staff, and all other support staff – are to be commended for their hard work,” Dr. Michael Sonntag, Vice President of Academic Affairs, said. “I was present at the meeting in Augusta and the Board commented on the positive change in atmosphere as well as the sense of renewed energy and focus on our campus since their last visit. I feel confident we will be able to show them even better things at their next visit in the winter of 2011.”

SAGE kicks off spring class offerings

A University of Maine at Presque Isle program that serves local residents over 50 and believes in “learning for life” will host its spring kick-off with a luncheon event at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 19 in the Campus Center.

Seniors Achieving Greater Education [SAGE] has worked for more than a decade to bring short courses in arts, sciences, and specialty areas to the region’s senior community. SAGE is one of 16 senior colleges in the Maine Senior College Network, and the only one north of Orono.

At the March 19 luncheon, participants will have the opportunity to socialize with SAGE members. Following lunch, they will learn all about upcoming SAGE classes. This spring, SAGE officials are offering a dozen courses and learning excursions – on topics ranging from Darwin’s Origin of Species and Financial Foundations to the Civil War and Italian cooking. Learning excursions include trips to the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum, the Musee Cultural Du Mont-Carmel in Lille, and the Houlton sector of the U.S. Border Patrol.

UMPI, Momentum Aroostook join forces to offer second Young Professionals Institute

Momentum Aroostook and the University are teaming up for the second year in a row to provide the area’s young professionals with a one-of-a-kind leadership development opportunity.

The two entities will host the Young Professionals Institute, a professional development short course designed specifically for emerging leaders looking to hone their professional skills. The program will be offered at the University during eight afternoon sessions between March and April. The Wednesday sessions will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on March 4, 11, 18, and 25 and April 1, 8, 15 and 22.

Officials are pleased to be partnering again on this project and hope to build on the successes they realized during the 2008 course.