UMFK News Releases

In celebration of literacy, the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) English faculty will once again facilitate a series of events designed to share a love for literature with people of all ages in the local area. The series of events will run Oct. 8-10, 2026.

Professor of English and Creative Writing Geraldine Cannon Becker will continue the Literacy Awareness Events of previous years by reading a book, “Feathers Not Just for Flying,” by Melissa Stewart, to first graders on Harry Potter Book Day, on Oct. 8. She will encourage students to keep their imaginations alive and provide them with bookmarks, stickers and coloring pages of feathers. Cannon Becker will honor the memory of Dolly Parton, a literacy advocate and founder of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, by sharing a feather she colored in many different colors.

“My father, who could not read, was my first inspiration, just as Dolly’s father, who was not a reader, inspired her to want to help others. They did this through their hard work and storytelling, or song telling. My mother also sewed our clothes, like Dolly’s mother did for her children. I have a great affinity for Dolly,” said Cannon Becker.

On Friday, Oct. 9, at 2 p.m., the English faculty will read some of their recently published or written work in Blake Library, on the UMFK campus. They will also read selections of work written by others. Professor of English Dr. Joseph Becker said, “Just as in past years, anyone is welcome to attend and share work with us, too.”

In prior years, these readings took place later in October, and in keeping with the season, they would read seasonal “spooky tales” or poems such as Poe’s “The Raven.”

On Saturday, Oct. 10, the “Composition Series: LIFE Review” book launch will take place by invitation only for students who have published, and they have been encouraged to share their work. This book is available in the UMFK campus store and may be purchased at the Old Sylvain House Press online store.

Money from book sales goes toward helping students publish work in this series and helping them see their work in print. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Cannon Becker. “Students find value in interviewing others and in reflecting upon what has been shared.”

In addition to the October series, the public is invited to join the UMFK English faculty throughout the year at the Fort Kent Public Library on the third Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. for our Writers of the First Mile Community Writing Group.

Geraldine Cannon Becker is an active member of the board of directors and the advisory council of the international women’s literacy group, WE LEARN. She helps publish the annual journal of writing by adult basic learners, called “Women’s Perspectives.” This year, she has also published a few of her own poems in Bee the Change Foundation’s “The Work of Art” (April, Issue 1), and in “Double Speak Magazine” (July, Issue 22). A Different Kind of Nonfiction Book Club selected Cannon Becker as a featured author in July. Additionally, Geraldine Cannon Becker and Joseph Becker have edited and published another collection of student essays in “The Composition Series: LIFE Review, Volume Six” (August 2026).

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) Alumni Association is proud to announce John and Denise Kaleta as the recipients of the 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award. The award, which was formally presented on September 20, recognized the Kaletas’ distinguished careers in education and nursing, a lifetime of service to the St. John Valley, and enduring dedication to the University.

“This marks the first time in the history of the Alumni Association that a couple has been honored with this award,” said Michael Elliott, UMFK Executive Director of Advancement & Alumni Relations.

Together, the Kaletas bring nearly eight decades of combined professional excellence and civic involvement to the region. John (’84 & ’85), who earned degrees in forestry and environmental studies, spent 37 years in education as a high school science teacher, state championship coach, and administrator, retiring as principal of Fort Kent Community High School in 2024. Denise (’87), a nursing graduate and recipient of the President’s Award for Academic Excellence, has dedicated nearly 40 years to healthcare, including serving as a UMFK clinical instructor, hospital clinician, and specialized Operating Room nurse (CNOR) for the past 26 years. Beyond their careers, the couple has anchored local community life through extensive volunteer work, including co-founding the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races, supporting area food pantries, and contributing to local emergency services and wellness initiatives.

“John and Denise epitomize the UMFK experience and spirit,” noted Bob Carey, college friend and alumnus from the class of ’86, who nominated the couple and presented the award. “They are valued community leaders, role models for young people, and dedicated professionals who have given back to Northern Maine for nearly four decades.”

The Outstanding Alumni Award presentation was part of the annual Alumni Association ceremony featuring remarks by Michael Elliott, UMFK President & Provost Dr. Deb Hedeen, and Alumni Association Secretary/Treasurer Liza Daigle.

If any UMFK alumni would like to join the Alumni Association, please reach out to Tammy Delisle, President, at tammy.delisle@maine.edu.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Visiting Author Series will welcome New York Times bestselling crime novelist Paul Doiron at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in Nadeau Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Doiron will read from his recent work “Storm Tide,” and discuss his writing process and career as an author. A question-and-answer session will follow the reading, and copies of his books will be available for purchase.

Doiron is the author of the critically acclaimed Mike Bowditch mystery series set in the Maine woods. His debut novel, “The Poacher’s Son,” won both the Barry Award and the Strand Critics Award for Best First Novel. It was also nominated for Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, and Thriller awards, and won the Maine Literary Award for Best Fiction of 2010.

In 2019, Doiron received his second Edgar Award nomination for “Rabid,” a digital and audio short story featuring his character, Charley Stevens.

A Maine native, Doiron graduated with a degree in English from Yale University and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Emerson College. He served as editor-in-chief of “Down East: The Magazine of Maine” before stepping down to write full-time. He currently holds the title of editor emeritus.

Doiron is a past chair of the Maine Humanities Council and a former member of the Maine Arts Commission. He is also a Registered Maine Guide specializing in fly fishing. He lives along a trout stream in coastal Maine with his wife, Kristen Lindquist.

For more information about the UMFK event, contact Lisa Roy at roylisa@maine.edu or 207-834-7504.

In addition to his campus appearance, Doiron will visit the Fort Kent Public Library on Friday, Oct. 2, to record a podcast with Library Director Andrew Birden.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) has named three-time national championship coach Becky Carlson its director of athletics.

Carlson brings more than two decades of coaching, leadership and advocacy experience to the Bengals after building Quinnipiac University’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I women’s rugby program from the ground up. Under Carlson’s leadership, Quinnipiac captured three consecutive national championships in 2015, 2016, and 2017—the first national titles in university history.

“Becky brings a remarkable combination of proven success, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to student-athletes,” said UMFK President Deb Hedeen. “Building a championship program from the ground up takes more than coaching expertise. It takes vision, perseverance, and the ability to bring people together around a shared purpose. We are excited to welcome her to UMFK and look forward to the leadership, energy and experience she will bring to Bengals Athletics.”

Quinnipiac hired Carlson in 2010 to launch its women’s rugby program. When the Bobcats began competition in 2011, Quinnipiac became the nation’s second NCAA Division I women’s rugby program, while Carlson became the first woman to lead an NCAA Division I women’s rugby program as head coach.

Across 14 competitive seasons, Carlson guided Quinnipiac to 99 victories and 32 All-Americans. She was named College Rugby Coach of the Year in 2015 and graduated from the NCAA Women Coaches Academy in the same year, earning the Class of 36 “Judy Sweet Award”.

Carlson was the former college coach of Olympic standout Ilona Maher, who helped Team USA win a rugby sevens bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Maher was named Best Breakthrough Athlete at the 2025 ESPYS, was a finalist on the 2024 season of “Dancing with the Stars,” and has become a prominent advocate for body positivity.

Quinnipiac’s success helped establish a model for other institutions interested in sponsoring varsity women’s rugby. During Carlson’s tenure, the number of NCAA women’s rugby programs grew from five to 30 nationwide. The program’s story was featured in the 2024 documentary “Believe — The Quinnipiac Rugby Story.”

Before joining Quinnipiac, Carlson served as USA Rugby’s NCAA Emerging Sports Program Manager, leading initiatives to expand women’s rugby and varsity opportunities for female student-athletes. She previously coached rugby at Eastern Illinois University and served as an assistant coach for soccer, lacrosse, and softball at Ferrum College.

Carlson competed in Division I rugby and tennis at Eastern Illinois, where she was among the first recruits for the nation’s first NCAA Division I women’s rugby program. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2003 and a master’s degree in physical education and sports administration in 2004, and an MJ in Labor and Employment from Tulane in 2024. A three-sport varsity athlete and 1999 graduate of Arundel High School, Carlson became the first female student-athlete in Maryland to play high school boys’ baseball in 1996. She also appeared on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” with the Colorado Silver Bullets women’s professional baseball team.

“We are very grateful for the support that Becky has already brought to the Athletics Department,” said Davis Cyr, UMFK’s head track and field and women’s volleyball coach. “Immediately, she has put pieces in place to help coaches with professional development. Personally, she has connected me with a bi-monthly working group of coaches from around the country whose philosophy is centered around athlete development and positive team culture. Becky has also been valuable in listening to the needs of our teams and has begun to establish some new standards and benchmarks to help us achieve our goals.”

For more information about Carlson and the UMFK Athletic Department, visit the Becky Carlson’s profile.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) will host its annual Homecoming celebration September 18-20, offering three days of athletic competitions, family activities, and alumni reunions. The public is invited to join students, faculty, and community members throughout the weekend.

Festivities begin on Friday, Sept. 18, with bouncy houses, field games and athletic team stations at 3 p.m. on Michael Simon Field. A free community barbecue will take place near the Sports Center from 5 to 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., UMFK will host a reception at the Blake Library for the new Legacy Wall display, celebrating the university’s growth since its 1878 founding as the Madawaska Training School. The evening concludes with a 9 p.m. dance featuring DJ Jhano at Lonesome Pine Trails. The dance is open to the public. Donations are welcome and will benefit UMFK clubs and organizations.

Saturday, Sept. 19, events start at 9 a.m. with the inaugural Acadian Federal Credit Union Crow Chase 5K at the UMFK Sports Center, benefiting the Fort Kent Recreation Department.  The Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce Scarecrow Festival Parade begins at 11 a.m. from the Market Street Courthouse toward Community High School (CHS). Food trucks and family activities will run from noon to 7 p.m. at the Sports Center quad. Athletics take center stage at 4 p.m. as the Bengal men’s soccer team faces the University of Southern Maine Huskies at Michael Simon Field, followed by an evening student-hosted bonfire at Crocker Beach. The bonfire is an alcohol-free event and is open to the public.

At 10:30 a.m., the Homecoming Brunch and Awards Ceremony will take place in Nadeau Hall. This year, the UMFK Alumni Association will recognize the graduating classes of 1946, 1956, 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2016, and 2021. There will be special recognition for the classes of 1976 (50-year reunion) and 2001 (25-year reunion). The Association will present awards to this year’s Outstanding Alumni Award and outgoing Alumni Association Board Members. Tickets are $15 per person.  This is a chance to reconnect with alumni, old friends, and new acquaintances.

On Sunday, the weekend concludes with a women’s volleyball doubleheader against Fisher College at noon in the Sports Center on the Lowell Ozzie Osgood court. On Michael Simon Field, the women’s alumni soccer game begins at noon, followed by the men’s alumni soccer game at 2 p.m.

To register or view UMFK Homecoming events at the UMFK Homecoming webpage.

The UMFK campus store, located in Cyr Hall, is offering 20% off all clothing and novelty items on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday the campus store will be onsite outside the Sports Center from noon to 5 p.m.

Now through Oct. 9, the Blake Library Gallery presents “A Patchwork of Ideas,” an exhibition featuring the works of artist Joshua Birden. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Join us for a weekend of Bengal community spirit and unforgettable memories.

All events with free food and/or limited capacity are first-come, first-served.

For more information on UMFK Homecoming events or to purchase tickets, please contact Michael Elliott at 207-834-7800.

The Fort Kent Community High School Class of 1961 celebrated its 65th reunion July 31 by surpassing an ambitious fundraising goal to endow a University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) scholarship honoring their late classmate, Dr. Nelson Madore.

The class raised $7,093 through its Legacy65 campaign, exceeding its $5,000 goal by $2,093. Combined with gifts made by classmates in previous years, the campaign proceeds will allow the scholarship to be converted to an endowed fund administered by the UMFK Foundation. The endowment will provide a permanent source of scholarship support for future UMFK students.

“The Class of 1961 turned a reunion milestone into a promise to future generations,” said Michael Elliott, Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations at UMFK. “Their generosity will help local students begin their college education close to home while carrying forward Dr. Madore’s belief in education, service and community. We are deeply grateful for the class’s vision and for the enduring difference this scholarship will make in the lives of UMFK students and their families.”

Classmates established the scholarship in 2017 and have funded it entirely through their own contributions. The fund provides a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating Fort Kent Community High School senior who enrolls at UMFK. Ten students have received scholarships since the program began.

In 2021, the class renamed the fund the Dr. Nelson Madore Scholarship Fund in memory of Madore, who died Dec. 24, 2020, at age 77.

“Nelson’s achievements — from a small Winterville farm to military hero, devoted father, cherished college professor and committed community leader — represent the best of our 1961 class and a role model for our community,” classmate Norman Marquis said. “Nelson lived the American Dream.”

Madore grew up on his family’s farm in Winterville and graduated from Fort Kent Community High School in 1961. He served in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret, Ranger and paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division. He later earned a doctorate in education and devoted approximately 40 years to teaching history, government and management at Thomas College in Waterville.

Beyond the classroom, Madore served as an academic adviser and mentor to generations of students. He was also a longtime member and chair of the Waterville School Board and served as mayor of Waterville. His life reflected a sustained commitment to education, public service, family and community.

The success of Legacy65 ensures that the Class of 1961’s generosity and Madore’s example of service and achievement will continue through each UMFK student supported by the endowment.

Visit UMFK online to learn how you can make a lasting impact on students through scholarship or unrestricted support.

The Blake Library Gallery at the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) will present “A Patchwork of Ideas,” an exhibition of work by artist Joshua Birden, through Oct. 9. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Birden grew up in Fort Kent and attended UMFK before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) with a focus in digital media. He will return to the community with an exhibit that highlights the range of his creative process.

“It’s a collection of illustrations made for various projects or for practice,” Birden said. “I’m displaying the different kinds of work I produce and some of the methods I use to create them.”

The exhibition includes digital works, mixed media pieces, and sketchbook pages that show how Birden develops ideas from early concepts into finished illustrations. Works such as “Singing Stones” and “Red Lights Over the Factory Planet” began with hand-drawn thumbnails before being developed digitally, often in Clip Studio Paint.

“Digital art is very powerful and one I’ve come to really appreciate,” Birden said. “However, pen and pencil are still where I feel most comfortable.”

Birden utilizes different materials to achieve distinct visual approaches. Digital works like “Layover,” feature sharp outlines and solid colors, while “Red Lights Over the Factory Planet” adopts a direct paintbrush style. Mixed media pieces, including “Stingin’ Pete” and “Caterwaul the Single-Mind,” combine various pens, pastels, and pencil.

Throughout the exhibition, Birden shifts between expressive figure work and imaginative scenes influenced by science fiction, fantasy, and surrealism.

“I love motion, figures, and using them to explore themes of emotion and mental state,” Birden said. “I also really enjoy creature design based on things like the Lovecraftian Mythos and speculative evolution.”

Birden credits his mother as the first artist he looked up to and says her surrealist paintings continue to influence him. He also draws inspiration from classical artists such as Egon Schiele and Francisco Goya, as well as comic artists Yoshihiro Togashi, Bill Watterson, Naoki Urasawa, and Junji Ito.

“Ultimately, my biggest inspiration comes from comic books,” Birden said. “The art of making comics has always fascinated me.”

Birden is currently developing “Layover,” a science fiction comedy graphic novel starring an android delivery driver. The artwork “Layover,” included in the exhibition, is directly connected to the graphic novel project. Birden is also creating illustrations for a children’s book in collaboration with his father.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Blake Library Curator Sofia Birden at sbirden@maine.edu or 207-834-7527.

See Birden’s online gallery to view additional work.