University of Maine

Template:UMO The University of Maine at Orono, established in 1865, is the flagship university of the University of Maine System. It is located in Orono, Maine just outside of Bangor, one of Maine's largest cities. The school has an enrollment of over 11,000 students and is known as UMaine for short. The school's sports teams are called the Black Bears and the school colors are blue & white.

History

UMaine was founded in 1862 by the Morrill Act, signed by president Lincoln. Originally named the Maine College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, the Maine College opened on September 21, 1868, changing its name to the University of Maine in 1897.

The College was the fourth to be established in Maine, after Bowdoin, Bates, and Colby. Originally intended as an agricultural college, the College also placed a large emphasis on engineering and the sciences.

Tuition at the Maine College was free until 1879. In return, all students were expected to contribute 15 hours a week of labor, on which they were graded and received compensation in accordance with their grades.

Near the end of the 19th century, the curriculum was expanded to place greater emphasis on the liberal arts. New faculty hired during this time included Caroline Colvin, chair of the history department, and the first woman in the nation to head a major university department.

When the University of Maine System was incorporated, the school was renamed to the University of Maine at Orono (or UMO), but was changed back to the University of Maine in 1986. However, it is still ussualy referred to as UMO by Mainers.

Academics

UMaine counts engineering and business among its strongest programs and is well known for having one of the best forestry departments in the nation. Other strong programs include wood science, marine science, education, and nutrition science. UMaine is unique in offering a department of Socialist and Marxist studies and a minor in that field.

The University's Fogler Library is the largest in Maine and serves as one of its intellectual hubs, attracting scholars, professors, and researchers from around the state. A collection of rare and ancient manuscripts, as well as about 2 million government publications, augment the University's collection. The University's education is often rated as an excellent value, ranking high in both the Princeton Review and Kiplinger's annual lists of best public school bargains.

The Lyle E. Littlefield Ornamentals Trial Garden is an excellent research garden for horticulture in northern climates. The University of Maine is also home to the Maine Business School (http://www.umaine.edu/business/), the largest business school in Maine.

Athletics

The University of Maine participates in the NCAA's Division I level, and it is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference for football, Hockey East for ice hockey, and the America East Conference for all other sports. In 2007, the football program will leave the A-10 in favor of the Colonial Athletic Association.

Transportation

The Bangor Area Transit system connects the University to Bangor and several outlying towns.

Demographics

The student body at UMaine is representative of the population in the surrounding area and is roughly 93% Caucasian, accented by a handful of minority and international students. Race relations are positive, and it is common to see students of different ethnicities interacting. Since many students go to UMaine because of its low tuition (approximately $6,000 a year for in-state residents), the student body is also heavily from the working and lower-middle class. Politically, the student body is moderate.

Notable alumni

• Doris Allen, Children's International Summer Villages founder
• John Baldacci Class of 1986, Maine Governor
• Cindy Blodgett, WNBA player
• Joseph E. Brennan, U.S. politician
• Styles Bridges, governor of New Hampshire, senator
• Rick Carlisle, NBA player, Indiana Pacers coach (did not graduate)
• Colby Chandler Class of 1950, former CEO, Eastman Kodak
• Francis Clergue, businessman, industrialist
• Don Holder, Tony Award winner-lighting design, The Lion King
• François Fillon, French politician
• Raymond Fogler Class of 1915, president, Montgomery Ward Co. and W.T. Grant
• Paul Kariya, NHL player, Colorado Avalanche (attended but did not graduate)
• Steve Kariya, AHL player, Albany River Rats, brother of Paul
• Stephen King Class of 1970, author
• Tabitha King Class of 1971, author, wife of Steven King
• Bernard Lown Class of 1942, Nobel Peace Prize winner
• Jill McGowan, fashion designer
• John R. McKernan, Jr., governor of Maine, U.S. politician
• Robert A. Rushworth Class of 1951, Air Force test pilot
• Olympia Snowe Class of 1969, U.S. Senator
• John Henry Williams, only son of baseball legend Ted Williams
• Francis T. Crowe Class of 1905, Civil Engineer, namesake of the Francis Crowe Society

Faculty

• Eileen Farrell, opera singer
• Anatole Wieck, violinist
• Joanne P. McCallie, coach

Points of interest

• Fay Hyland Botanical Plantation

Reference

1. Smith, David C. (1979). The First Century. University of Maine at Orono Press. ISBN 0891010378.

See Also

• Francis Crowe Society

External links

• Official UMaine site (http://www.umaine.edu)
• Official Maine athletics site (http://www.goblackbears.com)
• The Maine Campus (http://www.mainecampus.com)fr:Université du Maine

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