Public comments welcome as part of NEASC accreditation review

Public comments welcome as part of NEASC accreditation review

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit April 6-9, 2014 by a team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and invites the public to submit comments regarding the institution by Wednesday, April 9, 2014.

UMPI, local organizations partner to host Brain Awareness Week celebration

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is partnering with two community organizations—the Wintergreen Arts Center and TAMC—to celebrate Brain Awareness Week [BAW] in early March.

There are three main components to the region’s Fourth Annual Brain Awareness Week festivities: a Brain Art Contest with community judging taking place on Friday, March 7; a Brain Game and Wii Challenge on Tuesday, March 11; and a Ceramic Brain Painting and Concussion Discussion event on Thursday, March 13, to include an award ceremony for the Brain Art Contest winners.

UMPI students host 19th Fit and Fun Day

Getting exercise while having fun? That’s the goal of the 19th semi-annual Fit and Fun Day, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 15 in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Gentile Hall. The Physical Education majors welcome kids ages 5 to 11 to participate in the event, which is designed to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles for local children. Free registration begins at 9 a.m., with games and activities to follow.

UMPI hosts Science Lunchtime Seminar Series

Two academic programs at the University of Maine at Presque Isle are joining forces this spring to provide the campus and community with an accessible way to explore the world of science. The Environmental Studies and Sustainability and Biology programs are again presenting a lunchtime seminar series that will provide a forum to present scientific research, as well as management and applied science, conducted by UMPI student and faculty and other local and regional scientists. This is the second time the two groups have hosted the series.

Geneticist to speak about her research on individualized cancer therapy

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is pleased to announce the next speaker in its 2013-2014 University Distinguished Lecturer Series—Dr. Carol Bult, who will discuss the research she has done on genetically-based cancer therapies. Dr. Bult will deliver a talk titled Cancer Avatars and Individualized Cancer Therapy on Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. Her talk is free and the public is invited to be a part of this special evening.

UMPI alumnus returns to teach hybrid education course

University of Maine at Presque Isle alumnus Michael Thibodeau—a 2013 inductee into the Massachusetts Science in Education Hall of Fame and the University’s most recent Distinguished Educator Award recipient—is returning to campus this spring to teach a new hybrid course for the College of Education. His 9-week course will run from March 3 to May 5.

EDU 363: Teaching Science in the Secondary School will be presented in an online format, but with a special hybrid twist—Thibodeau will be on campus in person to provide two on-campus lab experiences on Sat., March 8 and Sat., April 12.

UMPI hosts management courses for the spring semester

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will be offering two courses this spring beginning Monday, March 24, and Tuesday, March 25, respectively, as part of its American Management Association’s certificate programs. The course registration deadline is March 19.

UMPI steps to national forefront with Proficiency-based education initiative

Officials announce $200,000 Davis Educational Foundation grant and new vision to help establish groundbreaking learning approach

The University of Maine at Presque Isle was joined by several top Maine education officials during a Feb. 13 press conference in Bangor to announce its transition to proficiency-based education, a move that makes UMPI the first university in Maine and one of the first in the nation to deliver this type of interactive learning. Proficiency-based education encourages deeper learning and greater engagement by providing more hands-on activities, giving students choices in selecting assignments, and having them demonstrate proficiency in a subject area before moving along to the next concept.

Planet Head Day to raise funds for C-A-N-C-E-R

What do space science education and cancer awareness have in common? They’re both the focus of this region’s most unique fundraiser, Planet Head Day, where participants raise money for a local cancer organization by having their heads shaved and painted as planets, dwarf planets, moons, comets and asteroids. Aroostook County’s 8th annual Planet Head Day takes place on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Wieden Gymnasium. This not-to-be-missed event is free and the public is invited to attend.