The University of Maine at Fort Kent is beginning the planning process for its 150th anniversary celebration and is seeking community input.
The public is invited to attend a special one-hour session on Thursday, Nov. 13, where UMFK will share some of the university’s fascinating history. The sessions will be held in the Nadeau Hall conference room at 10 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. The sessions are also an opportunity for community members to share their stories, ideas, and suggestions for the celebration.
This is a great opportunity to connect, reflect, and help shape how we honor UMFK’s 150 years of our shared legacy. We encourage everyone to add their voice to the conversation.
The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host its annual fall open house for prospective college-bound students on Friday, November 7, to give them a chance to experience campus life.
“Our fall open house is one of the best ways for students to truly experience the spirit of UMFK,” said Heidi Carter, executive director of marketing and enrollment management. “From meeting our incredible faculty and students to exploring our beautiful northern Maine campus, visitors will get a real sense of the supportive community and hands-on learning that define UMFK.”
Registration and a student services fair will be held from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. at the Bengal’s Lair in Cyr Hall. A light breakfast and refreshments will be served. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the student services that UMFK has to offer. Representatives from various offices will be available to answer questions on topics ranging from residential life, career planning and placement to financial aid.
At 9:15 a.m. in the Blake Library, the morning session will begin with a welcome from admissions staff, followed by a panel of current students who will discuss campus life.
Prospective students will learn more about academic programs from faculty in classrooms across campus from 10 to 11 a.m. The talented faculty, who foster academic excellence in the learning environment, will demonstrate hands-on learning aspects of their programs. Students and families will experience how learning comes alive at UMFK.
A complimentary lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Nowland Hall dining room. UMFK student admissions ambassadors will lead rotating campus tours during this time.
At 12:30, a question-and-answer session will be held in the Blake Library, where raffle prizes will be awarded.
Georgia Burton, a UMFK biology student, participated in the INBRE fellowship this past summer. The University receives one fellowship opportunity each year. Through a thorough selection process, applications are reviewed and evaluated by a committee of faculty and staff from MDIBL and institutions across the state prior to final selection. The student who is selected is typically placed at one of their top three choices for summer research at a host institution in Maine.
Georgia Burton is making the most of her opportunities at the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) as she pursues her ultimate dream of earning a doctorate in physical therapy.
The Westmoreland, Jamaica native is in her senior year at UMFK, where she expects to complete her Bachelor of Science in Biology (biology/medical concentration) in May 2026. In addition to her academics, where she currently has a 3.74 GPA, Burton serves as president of the International Student Organization and is the Student Athletic Advisory Committee’s Track and Field Women’s representative. Her events in track and field include discus, shot put, hammer, and javelin.
For ten weeks this past summer, Burton was one of 25 students from among Maine’s public and private colleges and universities selected to participate in the Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Summer Research Fellowship program at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL) in Bar Harbor.
Maine INBRE is funded by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health.
The summer fellowship program provides undergraduate students with a mentored, hands-on biomedical research experience at one of the participating network institutions as part of broader Maine INBRE’s goal of building a biomedical workforce and making Maine more competitive for research grants. Students work in the laboratory of an investigator on an independent project designed by the student and their mentor. Students can develop laboratory techniques in molecular biology, physiology, and bioinformatics. Projects focus on a research question in functional genomics and use a variety of comparative models such as zebrafish, fruit flies, axolotl, and C. elegans.
Burton learned of the Fellowship opportunity from Samantha Beaulieu, the natural sciences laboratory manager at UMFK. In that capacity, Beaulieu also serves as the principal investigator for the grant that supports UMFK’s participation in the Maine INBRE.
“I promote these opportunities here on campus, so students are aware and encouraged to apply,” said Beaulieu. “I help match students with science-specific opportunities, sometimes involving individual faculty members who have individually applied for their own grants through various external funding sources.”
Dustin Updike, Ph.D., is the director of the Developmental Research Project program at MDIBL. It was under his preceptorship and within his laboratory where Burton conducted her research.
“We were incredibly fortunate to have Georgia join our lab this summer,” said Updike. “Georgia arrived well-prepared and eager to learn. Her project focused on identifying the gene products that keep a novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) complex turned off in the germline—the cells that give rise to sperm and eggs. HDAC complexes are known to compact DNA; however, little is understood about this newly identified complex beyond its essential role in late mammalian embryonic development.
“Instead of working with mammals directly, Georgia studied the equivalent complex in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. These tiny roundworms have long served as powerful models for human genetics, as they share roughly the same number of genes as humans, with many nearly identical to their human counterparts, but have a short generation time of four days,” Updike explained.
Burton’s work was truly a tour de force. Over the course of the summer, she carefully examined more than a thousand petri dishes—each containing over a thousand nematodes. Under the microscope, she searched for the rare one or two animals on each plate in which the HDAC complex became activated. Through this meticulous effort, she identified animals with candidate genes that may be responsible for keeping the complex turned off.
“It was an immense amount of work and, at the same time, a crash course in genetics. What Georgia accomplished in the ten weeks was nothing short of remarkable. She seemed to be having fun at it, too,” Updike added.
If Updike was impressed with Burton’s eagerness to learn, she certainly speaks effusively of her MDIBL summer experience.
“This past summer, I worked in Dr. Updike’s lab, where I used Caenorhabditis elegans to study transgenerational genetic inheritance. My gene of interest was saeg-2, which is a fascinating gene with a human counterpart known as Deoxynucleotidyl transferase Terminal Interacting Protein 1 (DNTTIP 1), a protein-coding gene,” Burton noted.
“DNTTIP1 is involved in several cellular processes, including DNA synthesis, gene expression regulation, and cell cycle control, making it an important link between basic research and potential human health applications.
“I also had the opportunity to perform EMS mutagenesis for the first time, a challenging but exciting technique, which led to promising results. I even conducted DNA extractions that will be sent for full genome sequencing, an important step toward uncovering new insights into this gene’s role,” Burton mentioned.
If all work and no play make for a dull life, Burton and her lab colleagues made the best of their time after hours, as well.
Ready access to Acadia National Park afforded many after-hours hikes. And while the Atlantic proved to be a bit too cold, there were a few inland lakes that offered some invigorating swims and nighttime bonfires.
Burton’s classmates represented a cross-section of Maine’s higher education institutions, as well as states as varied as North Carolina and Oregon, and foreign countries near (Canada) and far (Swaziland). Among their commonalities for ten weeks this past summer was shared genetic research and an appreciation of the natural beauty of Maine.
“My being awarded an INBRE Fellowship was an incredible honor, and it was a privilege to spend the summer surrounded by brilliant scientists, inspiring mentors, and a community passionate about discovery,” said Burton.
“This was an amazing opportunity to gain valuable laboratory experience and use state-of-the-art equipment, beyond what is typically available at UMFK.
“I was able to conduct DNA research, hear from a variety of researchers and guest speakers, and gain a lot of insight from my talks with Ph.D. students who participated in the program. I came away with a greater understanding of what to expect for my graduate degree program, and I had the opportunity to make some wonderful connections.
“I am deeply grateful to Dr. Updike and the entire lab staff for their guidance, patience, and encouragement throughout my journey,” she added.
University of Maine at Fort Kent students have the option to be picked up by Fish River Rural Health shuttle services for appointments at the health center’s Fort Kent location. The unbranded vans ensure a level of privacy for students who may wish to stay discreet about their healthcare visit.
The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) and Fish River Rural Health have recently partnered to expand and enhance health services for students, providing access to one of the most comprehensive and affordable health care options available in northern Maine.
Through the partnership, UMFK students now have access to Fish River’s full array of services, including medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, nutrition, behavioral health care, and clinic-based pharmacy. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Fish River operates on a sliding fee scale, making care affordable for all.
“This partnership is a wonderful step forward for student well-being at UMFK,” said Heather Pelletier, Chief Executive Officer of Fish River Rural Health. “We are proud to extend our full range of high-quality health services to UMFK students and to provide convenient, affordable care that meets their needs. Our goal is to help students stay healthy, so they can focus on their academic success and personal growth.”
UMFK and Fish River are currently working together to onboard students to streamline the check-in process when care is needed. To further support students, Fish River also provides complimentary shuttle service to students with appointments, offering pick-ups on campus and in the community, and removing that barrier to their care.
The partnership began in mid-August with physicals and immunizations for student-athletes and resident assistants as they arrived on campus for the fall semester. With multiple locations in Fort Kent, Eagle Lake, and Madawaska, students can choose the site that best fits their schedules. The Fort Kent site will serve as the primary hub for student shuttle services.
UMFK Dean of Students Timothy Doyle emphasized the importance of the collaboration for student success. “We believe this is both the most extensive and affordable option available for our students, offering comprehensive health care at the lowest cost and the widest hours,” Doyle said. “This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the whole student experience and ensuring our Bengals have every resource they need to thrive at UMFK.”
The collaboration with Fish River strengthens UMFK’s student support network, which already includes academic advising, career services, mental health counseling, and residential life resources. Together, these services ensure that UMFK students receive the guidance and support they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
For more information about UMFK, visit umfk.edu. For more information on Fish River Rural Health, visit frrh.org.
Poutine Fest
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The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host its first-ever Poutine Fest on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nowland Hall dining room. The event is open to the public.
Sodexo, UMFK’s food service provider, will serve up a special all-you-can-eat buffet featuring poutine, a classic Canadian comfort food of fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Diners will be able to taste several unique versions of the dish while also learning about its cultural history and deep ties to the St. John Valley.
The luncheon is free for UMFK students with a meal plan and for the first 50 commuter students. General admission is $13.49 per person.
“Poutine Fest is a fun way to celebrate our unique Acadian culture while bringing students and community members together over a favorite dish,” said UMFK Acadian Archives Director Patrick Lacroix.
The Acadian Archives at the University of Maine at Fort Kent will host researcher and speaker Donlon Hurtubise for a free presentation on the region’s pioneering families on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public.
The presentation, part of the Archives’ genealogy workshop series, will trace the Thibodeau family line. The story follows the family from Port Royal in the 1650s, through the 1755 deportation to Pennsylvania, and migration to Quebec City in 1765, before their settlement in L’Acadie, Quebec, by 1787.
Hurtubise will focus on a recently uncovered aspect of the family’s history: their experiences in the St. John Valley. According to scattered records, this is where Olivier Thibodeau, born in 1755, met and married Marie Cyr, born in 1757, and started their family before they returned to Quebec.
Hurtubise is a Franco-American of Canadian and Acadian descent. After a 41-year career with Exxon Mobil Corporation, he retired five years ago to The Woodlands, Texas, and now researches his predominantly French-Canadian heritage. An active member of several genealogical societies, he has lectured on Acadian history in Houston and Beaumont, Texas, two communities with significant Acadian descendant populations.
“One of the joys of Acadian culture is the connection it offers to folks near and far, from the Valley to southern Quebec and from Pennsylvania to Texas,” said Acadian Archives director Patrick Lacroix. “Donlon will help us navigate through tangled Acadian lines, especially in places where few sources survive.”
The Acadian Archives/Archives acadiennes at the University of Maine at Fort Kent will host a free public presentation by UMFK Professor of Music and Education Scott Brickman on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m.
Professor Dr. Brickman will discuss the musical culture of Latvia, which he personally experienced during a sabbatical in 2022-2023 and many times since. Latvia, located in Eastern Europe, is a former part of the U.S.S.R. with a land area slightly smaller than Maine. Despite a history of foreign control, Latvia has maintained a rich and vibrant culture that continues to provide inspiration to other small nations.
With his characteristic energy, Brickman will provide historical context, share recordings, and discuss how Latvian traditions are expressed today. Attendees will also learn about his Latvian and Polish genealogical journey.
“Scott will broaden our horizons and bring much-needed perspective on small, embattled cultures,” said Acadian Archives director Patrick Lacroix. “In the course of an evening, he will help us forge connections half a world away.”
The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) Board of Visitors will host its next Business Breakfast Series on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, featuring a presentation on the St. John Valley Senior College. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the Nadeau Hall conference room on the UMFK campus.
The featured presenters, Don Raymond and Don Murray, both members of the St. John Valley Senior College Board, will discuss “Learning, Socialization, Friends, and Fun for Seniors.”
The St. John Valley Senior College was founded in 2008 as a collaboration between UMFK, Maine School Administrative District #27, and the Fort Kent Senior Club. The program offers classes, field trips, and other opportunities to senior citizens throughout the Valley, ranging from learning how to navigate a smartphone to line dancing. Senior College is considered the “perfect” school – with no tests, no homework, and no grades.
The fall 2025 session of the Senior College runs from Sept. 9 through Dec. 2.
Calling all Bengals! The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) Alumni Association is thrilled to announce the inaugural “UMFK Alumni Day,” set for Sunday, Sept. 7, at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine. This exciting event, held in partnership with the Portland Sea Dogs, promises an unforgettable day filled with camaraderie, community spirit, and baseball action!
Join fellow alumni, friends, and family from across Maine as we gather to cheer on the Sea Dogs and proudly showcase our Bengal pride. Whether you’re from the Fort Kent area, Central Maine, or the greater Portland region, this special day provides the perfect opportunity to reconnect, make new memories, and celebrate UMFK.
For your convenience, UMFK has arranged a comfortable, bathroom-equipped Cyr Bus Line charter bus departing from the UMFK campus at 5 a.m., returning immediately after the game concludes. A second pickup location will be available in Bangor to accommodate our Central Maine alumni. Seats are limited to 55, so reserve early to secure your spot!
“We’re thrilled to offer this unique opportunity to unite our UMFK community from all parts of Maine,” said UMFK Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations Michael Elliott. “What better way to reconnect and share your Bengal pride than enjoying a Sea Dogs baseball game together?”
Two exciting ticket options are available. The Bus & Game Day Package, priced at $100 per person, includes round-trip bus transportation, game admission, exclusive reserved UMFK seating, a two-hour ballpark buffet, and a limited-edition UMFK baseball cap. For alumni and friends living near the Portland area, the Game Day Ticket Only option is available for $40 per person and includes game admission, reserved UMFK seating, a two-hour ballpark buffet, and a limited-edition UMFK baseball cap.
Only 100 tickets are available, so act fast to secure your participation in this landmark event!
Attendees are encouraged to wear their green and gold UMFK gear to amplify Bengal spirit and capture memorable moments.
Don’t miss out—let’s make this first-ever UMFK Alumni Day a roaring success!
TRIO Grant Renewed
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The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the University of Maine at Fort Kent a federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant to improve college retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities. The five-year grant provides support to the university with $356,773 annually, totaling nearly $1.8 million over the life of the award.
Since 1994, the program has served approximately 165 students a year at UMFK. Through individualized services including academic tutoring, financial aid, scholarship guidance, career exploration, personal and academic counseling, and mentoring, TRIO SSS empowers students to overcome barriers to success. This comprehensive support makes it significantly more likely that students will complete their degree or successfully transfer, with the lowest possible debt.
“The TRIO SSS program at UMFK is so much more than academic support—it’s a personalized, student-centered program that empowers success through tutoring, resources, advocacy, and engaging experiences that help students thrive in and out of the classroom,” said UMFK Director of TRIO Student Support Services Susan Dubay.
Some of the unique services offered by the UMFK TRIO SSS program include time management and financial literacy escape rooms; “Clue into TRIO” — a life-sized Clue game centered on connection and support; a residence hall tutor; FAFSA completion seminars in collaboration with the Finance Authority of Maine, and more.
“This grant allows the University of Maine at Fort Kent to deepen our commitment to ensuring that all students—regardless of background—can thrive academically and personally,” said UMFK President Deb Hedeen. “Student Support Services provides the necessary educational tools for students to succeed and lead with confidence.”
Nationally, the SSS program has a proven track record. According to a rigorous 2019 evaluation by the U.S. Department of Education, students in SSS at two-year institutions were 48% more likely to earn an associate’s degree or transfer to a four-year school, and students at four-year institutions were 18% more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree compared to similar peers not in the program.
“TRIO programs generally and TRIO SSS, in particular, transforms students from the least resourced backgrounds into college graduates,” said Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education in Washington, D.C. “This vital program makes all the difference for nearly a million students each year across the country.
SSS is one of eight federal TRIO programs funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. Since its inception in 1968, SSS has helped millions of low-income, first-generation students graduate from college and contribute to their communities and the economy.
For more information about TRIO Student Support Services at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, visit the Student Success Center webpage.
The Acadian Archives at the University of Maine at Fort Kent will host researcher and speaker Donlon Hurtubise for a free presentation on the region’s pioneering families on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public.
The Acadian Archives/Archives acadiennes at the University of Maine at Fort Kent will host a free public presentation by UMFK Professor of Music and Education Scott Brickman on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m.