UMFK News Releases

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is proud to announce the Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester. This list includes full-time and part-time students.

“Congratulations to the students who have made the UMFK Dean’s & Academic Recognition Lists,” said UMFK’s President Deb Hedeen. “The Dean’s List includes full-time students who have earned a 3.2 grade-point average, while the Academic Recognition List acknowledges our part-time students who have also earned a 3.2 GPA. Their accomplishments are to be acknowledged and celebrated. We are incredibly proud to have these talented students as members of the UMFK community.”

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is the northernmost campus of the University of Maine System. It is the academic center for Acadian and Franco-American culture for the greater Fort Kent area and beyond. In addition, the diverse campus offers students a close-knit community experience with an international perspective.

UMFK offers multiple degree paths, which lead to associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees. For a complete program listing and more information, please visit umfk.edu.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host hypnotist Chad Burke on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 7 p.m. in Fox Auditorium. This event is open to the public.

Admission is free for UMFK students and $5 for the general public.

Hypnotist Chad Burke has been practicing hypnosis for ten years and performing comedy stage hypnosis professionally for five years. He performs a high-energy, fun, entertaining hypnosis show with volunteers from the audience.

Burke was featured on the show “Backstage” and a special guest judge on “New England’s Funniest Comedian.” Burke travels all over the country performing shows for high schools, colleges, resorts, and corporate events.

Burke is a retired Master Sergeant USAF. He has an array of skill sets ranging from owning multiple small businesses, communication expert, and military career advisor, just to name a few.

This event is sponsored by UMFK’s Student Activities Board. For more information, please contact Taylor Brown at 834-7850.

The opening of a new state-of-the-art immersive nursing simulation center this fall will further strengthen the University of Maine at Fort Kent’s nursing program, allowing for an expansion in enrollment and ensuring graduates are even better prepared to meet the post-pandemic workforce and healthcare needs of the County and beyond.

The immersive simulation center will be the first of its kind in New England and provide UMFK nursing students with hands-on clinical training to develop the skills necessary to facilitate positive patient outcomes without risk.

Funding for the new center comes from $35 million awarded to the University of Maine System for workforce development through the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan (MJRP)—the proposal put forth by Governor Mills and supported by the Maine Legislature to invest the state’s share of federal American Rescue Plan relief funds.

“As many well know, there are significant barriers in finding qualified employees to fill vacancies in healthcare,” said Forest Hill Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center Administrator Travis Guy, a UMFK nursing graduate. “This immersive simulation center will have a significant impact in credentialing and training individuals in providing safe patient care. This will have an enormous benefit on staffing levels for our facilities as well as providing us with a regional center that will allow current and future employees to maintain the credentials and skills necessary to address healthcare needs well into the future. We look forward to our continued partnership with the University of Maine at Fort Kent.”

In response to a projected shortage of 1,450 registered nurses by 2025, the University of Maine System has stepped up investments in nursing faculty and facilities to support expanded enrollment and the number of nursing graduates ready to enter the healthcare workforce. In addition to the MJRP-funded immersive simulation center at UMFK, Congressionally Directed Spending secured by Senators Collins and King in both FY22 and FY23 will strengthen and grow nursing simulation experiences for students in Fort Kent and across the System.

“We are so pleased to be able to purchase immersion suite simulation equipment. These immersion suites provide a safe learning environment for nursing students while simultaneously creating real-world patient scenarios for students to gain valuable experience,” said UMFK Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Erin C. Soucy, Ph.D., RN.

The new Immersive Interactive software consists of 360-degree projections on classroom walls and floors to allow an entire class to be involved in virtual reality educational experiences. The state-of-the-art technology can essentially place a student anywhere in the world with the additional benefit of smells, sounds, and tactile stimuli to enhance the environments and provide realistic simulations. Although the software comes with a content library, it is also 100% customizable.

“This new technology will enhance our program by adding depth to scenarios in order to prepare students for safe and effective patient care,” said UMFK Assistant Professor of Nursing Duane Belanger, “Scenarios will no longer be limited to clinical settings in northern Maine. Educators will now be able to capture video from anywhere in the world and immerse students into multi-disciplinary scenarios. This is particularly beneficial in healthcare where environmental factors can have negative effects on patient outcomes.”

UMFK will also purchase high-realism LifeCast manikins tailored to meet the diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities at the university. The manikins are transforming how medical simulation is delivered and absorbed by closely resembling real people. They not only look real but also move in ways that are beneficial to nursing education. Fingers and wrists bend and cause vein dilation; limbs rotate and are able to be placed across the body; aging body replications include details of hollowing areas due to missing teeth or sagging skin as well as bunions and calluses; and facial and body hair are also included which help students experience how different body types are affected by emergency interventions such as intubation, mechanical ventilation, chest tubes, and patient transfers.

In addition, the new center will also include the Gaumard Hal simulator manikin that responds to questions and interactions by students. This manikin also blinks, speaks, and moves in ways to clearly depict the medical condition being taught.

The center will allow students to have more meaningful experiences with the added pressure of realism to better prepare them for their work ahead.

“The new simulation center will allow students to train and prepare to enter the workforce as effective members of the healthcare team on day one,” said Belanger.

Looking at the bigger picture of how the addition of the new center will impact UMFK’s nursing programs, Soucy added, “We will be able to assess student competency from a distance, which will be invaluable for our online graduate students.”

The renovations are slated to be completed for the start of the fall 2023 semester.

For more information on UMFK’s nursing programs, visit umfk.edu/academics/programs/nursing.

Each year the University of Maine at Fort Kent Alumni Association recognizes a UMFK alumnus or alumna for their outstanding character, professional achievement, distinguished leadership, service to UMFK, and service to the community. Without your input, we are unable to present a deserving individual the appropriate recognition.

The Alumni Association Board appreciates all of the nominations that are received. If you know someone who has demonstrated success in their career and/or personal life, please take the time to nominate them online at https://www.umfk.edu/alumni/outstanding-alumni-award/.

The deadline for submission is February 28, 2023. The recipient of the award will be honored during the University’s annual Homecoming weekend in September.

If you would like to request a hard copy of the nomination form or for more information, please contact Susan Tardie at susan.tardie@maine.edu or by phone at 207-834-7557.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations of individual student-athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators for induction into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Nominations will be accepted through February 28, 2023. The induction ceremony will be held during UMFK’s Homecoming weekend in September.

The UMFK Athletic Hall of Fame was established to recognize the men and women who have distinguished themselves in the field of athletics by their performance on UMFK athletic teams, through their achievements after graduation from the University, or by their efforts on behalf of UMFK Athletics.

Nominations will be accepted in the following categories: athlete, team, coach/administrator, and special inductee.

Any alumni or friend of UMFK may submit a nomination for consideration by a 15-member selection committee, which consists of students, athletes, coaches, faculty, administrators, and alumni of the University. Nominees must receive at least 70 percent of the vote of the selection committee to be eligible for induction into the UMFK Athletic Hall of Fame.

A complete list of the eligibility requirements, the selection process for inclusion in the Athletic Hall of Fame, and an online official nomination form are located on the UMFK athletics website at https://athletics.umfk.edu/hof/.

Nomination forms may be obtained on the UMFK campus at the Athletics Department (Sports Center).

For more information, please contact Tara Kelly at (207) 834-7574.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent’s Alumni Association is pleased to announce its second annual Ski, Shoe, Ski Winter Triathlon event on Sunday, February 5, 2023.

“UMFK is full of outdoor opportunities and adventure – The Alumni Association’s Ski Shoe Ski Fundraiser is a chance for UMFK and the community to engage with each other and enjoy the beautifully groomed trails at the Fort Kent Outdoor Center and Lonesome Pine Trails while raising money to serve the students of UMFK,” said UMFK’s Foundation Officer, Shannon Lugdon.

The race begins at the Fort Kent Outdoor Center for a loop of cross-country skiing and then switches to a snowshoe hike up the side of the Lonesome Pines Trails hill. The race ends with participants speeding down a designated section of Lonesome Pine Trails.

Prizes will be awarded in several competitors’ categories, such as youngest, oldest, fastest, the best costume, judges’ choice, and more!

“Ski Shoe Ski is a fun community and family event that promotes wellness for people of all fitness levels in the beautiful northern Maine winter. Through Ski Shoe Ski, the Alumni Association is able to build strong community connections and make a college education a reality for many UMFK students facing financial challenges,” said UMFK’s Alumni Association President, Don Chouinard.

Registration is $20 for an individual and $45 for a team of three. Registration at: https://www.umfk.edu/alumni/ski-shoe-ski-fundraiser/

For more information, please call Shannon Lugdon at 207-834-7800 or go to www.umfk.edu.

The trustees of the Maine Higher Education Assistance Foundation (MeHEAF) are pleased to announce the awarding of a scholarship for $1,000 to Julia Labbe of Eagle Lake. Julia is a junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, where she maintains a high grade-point average.

Josh Steirman, director of government relations of the Maine Bankers Association, made the presentation to Labbe on Tuesday, December 6th at Katahdin Trust Company, in Fort Kent, with members of UMFK faculty and staff, local bank representatives, and Julia’s parents.

Participating schools select scholarship recipients who are in their second, third, or fourth year of study and are Maine high school graduates majoring in a business-related subject. The schools choose recipients based upon academic standing. The MeHEAF awards all scholarships for second-semester expenses.

Julia Labbe is a 2021 graduate of Community High School in Fort Kent and currently works at Corriveau’s Hilltop Blossoms. Julia will graduate from UMFK in May of 2024.

Organizers formed the Maine Higher Education Assistance Foundation in the 1950s as a guarantee fund for student loans. The founders included a wide range of banks, businesses, community organizations, and individuals. In 1990, the MeHEAF trustees, to continue the original intent of the founding members, initiated a scholarship program funded by the return on the original loan guarantee funds. The Maine Bankers Association, now located in Westbrook, manages the fund.

MeHEAF has given thirty-three scholarships to UMFK students to date. UMFK also has a plaque with each student’s name and year awarded, which the University displays in the Grindle conference room located in Cyr Hall.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent was well represented with awards for high-achieving athletes and coaches at the 2022 USCAA National Conference in November.

Jermaine West: USCAA Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year

Jermaine stepped in to fill the head coach role late into the season but made an immediate impact. His players connected immediately, and they hit the ground running with a successful season that ended with
the USCAA National Championship title.

“This is not a team; this is a family. Coaching this group, I couldn’t ask for anything more. It was a pleasure to work with this group of ladies, and if I could go back and do it all over again, I would without
hesitation,” said West.

Tara Kelley: USCAA Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year

2022 was Tara’s second season. In addition to a 16-game win streak, she elevated the volleyball program to a runner-up finish. She was able to mix in several new athletes with the returners and create a cohesive group.

“This team was built differently from the start,” said Kelley. “They have the leadership, encouragement, positivity, and energy that every team strives for. With every game, win or loss, they found positives that
they reflected on. They also found things they individually needed to work on.”

Beatriz Garrido Jaramillo: USCAA Student-Athlete of the Year

Beatriz (Bea) is slated to graduate in the spring of 2023 with a bachelor of science degree in Behavioral Science (MHRT/C concentration) with a minor in Criminal Justice. The senior volleyball setter is not only
a leader on her team but also serves as the SAB president, student senate secretary, and helps out anywhere she is needed. Her high GPA also has her on the All-Academic Team.

“Bea is a great ambassador of UMFK. She embodies everything you want in a student-athlete,” said UMFK Athletic Director Carly Flowers. “She is a good teammate and heavily involved on campus. I
have enjoyed getting to know Bea and watching her compete. This honor is very much deserved!”

* All-Academic Athletes need to maintain 24 or more credits on their USCAA transcripts and hold overall (cumulative) grade point averages of 3.50 (on a 4.00 point system) or greater.

For more information about athletics at UMFK, contact Carly Flowers at (207) 834-7571.