University of Maine at Presque Isle

The University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) is a public university in Presque Isle, Maine. It is part of the University of Maine System.

University of Maine at Presque Isle
MottoNorth of Ordinary
TypePublic
Established1903
PresidentRay Rice
ProvostRay Rice
Students1,200
Location
Presque Isle
,
Maine
,
United States

46°40′15″N 68°1′0″W
Campus150 acres (0.61 km2)
ColorsBlue and Gold
NicknameOwls
AffiliationsNCAA Division III
MascotHootie the Owl
Websitewww.umpi.edu

History
Aroostook State Normal School in 1908, now the University of Maine at Presque Isle

It was founded in 1903 as Aroostook State Normal School, offering a two-year teacher preparation program.[1] It has undergone four name changes since then. In 1952, it was renamed The Aroostook State Teachers College; in 1965, it became The Aroostook State College; three years later when it joined the new University of Maine System, it was renamed The Aroostook State College of the University of Maine; and since 1971, it has been known as the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

UMPI's wind turbine began generating clean energy in late spring 2009 after the university reached an agreement with general contractor Lumus Construction Inc. on a $2 million project to install a 600-kilowatt wind turbine on the campus. This agreement established UMPI as the first university in the state and one of only a handful in New England to install a midsize wind turbine, according to officials. The wind turbine produces about 1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year and saves the institution more than $100,000 annually in electricity charges and saves an estimated 572 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere each year.[2]

In January 2015, officials from the Foundation of the University of Maine at Presque Isle announced their completion of efforts to completely divest from all fossil fuels on campus. This effort began in fall 2013 and ended in November 2014. UMPI installed a 999 voltage solar panel array on the roof of its major classroom buildings Folsom and Pullen Halls as well as a biomass boiler and heat pump technology inside those buildings.[3]

Academics

UMPI currently offers 22 baccalaureate degree programs, 7 associate degrees, 35 minor programs, and 5 certificate programs. In addition, the university also offers a Geographic Information Systems certificate program, a Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community Certification, and a 1-year Teacher Certification Program.[4]

The university, in 2018, began using a proficiency-based model, and by 2018 began allowing students who would otherwise fail a course to re-do material to ensure they pass.[5]

Online learning

UMPI currently offers three online degree programs in English, history, and psychology.

UMPI's OpenU program allows learners of all ages to take specific online and on-site course for free if they are not currently enrolled in a degree program.[6]

Northern Maine Museum of Science
Main article: Northern Maine Museum of Science

The Northern Maine Museum of Science began in the early 1970s on the UMPI campus. The 40-mile (64 km) long solar system model is one of the largest in the world. Folsom Hall encompasses the Sun of this model and it ends with Pluto, just outside Houlton, Maine.[7]

Student life

Athletics

UMPI has 12 varsity sport programs and is a member of NCAA Division III and in the fall of 2018 will join the North Atlantic Conference. The university previously competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association as part of the Sunrise Athletic Conference[8] Men's and women's sports include: Cross-Country Running, Soccer, Basketball and Nordic Skiing (governed by the USCSA). Male only sports include: Golf and Baseball. Women only sports: Softball and Volleyball. In addition, the University also hosts a variety of intramural sports and one club sport, ice hockey. The University Ice Hockey Club Team was the first team to play in the Alfond Arena against the University of Maine Black Bears losing 4–3 on February 4, 1977. The 1979 Wrestling team won the Northern New England Wrestling Championship, and the 1978 Women's Field Hockey team won the Maine State Championships. The school's sports teams are called the Owls and team colors are blue and gold.[9]

NAIA Honors Athletes and All-Americans [9]
1994 Tamera Blades Scholar-Athlete Division II Women's Basketball
1996Katherine ChabotAll-AmericanWomen's Cross Country
1996Neal LabrieScholar-AthleteMen's Cross Country
1996Pierre MichaudStatistical LeaderDivision II Men's Basketball
1997Jason AdickesScholar-AthleteMen's Soccer
1998Jason AdickesScholar-AthleteMen's Soccer
1998Shannon HenthornScholar-AthleteWomen's Soccer

Greek life

UMPI is the location of chapters of Kappa Delta Phi National Fraternity, Kappa Delta Phi National Sorority, and Phi Eta Sigma National Academic Fraternity.[10]

Notable faculty and alumni

Faculty
  • Caroline D. Gentile – Associate Professor Emeritus of Physical Education; longest-serving faculty member of the University of Maine at Presque Isle.[11]

Alumni
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References
  1. "Overview of University of Maine--Presque Isle". US News and World Report - College Compass.
  2. Lynds, Jen. “UMPI windmill project a ‘go.’” Archived 2012-07-01 at Archive.today Bangor Daily News. November 20, 2008. Accessed 2009-03-07.
  3. Respaut, Robin (27 January 2015). "University of Maine Board votes to divest from coal". Reuters.
  4. "Academics", UMPI. Accessed 2009-03-04.
  5. Feinberg, Robbie (2018-01-03). "In rural Maine, a university eliminates most Fs in an effort to increase graduation rates". The Hechinger Report. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
  6. Kolowich, Steve (September 6, 2012). "U. of Maine campus experiments with small-scale, high-touch open courses". www.insidehighered.com.
  7. Bayly, Julia (November 6, 2017). "Here's how you can visit the solar system in Maine, no rocket ship required". Bangor Daily News.
  8. Mahoney, Larry (June 17, 2011). "UMFK, UMPI, UMM leave NAIA for new association". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  9. "Athletics Home", UMPI. Accessed 2009-03-04.
  10. Student Organizations Archived 2009-01-08 at the Wayback Machine, UMPI. Accessed 2009-03-08.
  11. Lynds, Jen. "Long-time UMPI benefactor, faculty member dies". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 15 Feb 2017.
  12. "Mabel J. Desmond". Maine House of Representatives. Maine.gov. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  13. Archived 2014-10-13 at the Wayback Machine
  14. "Candadicy is Announced". Bangor Daily News. April 25, 1980. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  15. "John L. Tuttle, Jr". Maine House of Representatives. Maine House of Representatives. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
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