By April Mulherin, assistant director of media relations

UMF increases financial-aid funds for fall 2009 applicants

The Sun Journal reported that UMF made an additional $250,000 in financial aid available to predominately in-state students with demonstrated financial need who are applying for the fall 2009 semester. This increase in student aid, at a time when families are struggling through the current economic downturn, is part of UMF’s continuing effort to help college-bound Maine students afford a quality education.

“It is during challenging times like these that we must affirm UMF’s dedication to providing our young people with the opportunity to become the best they can be,” said UMF President Theodora J. Kalikow. “Investing in our students now is the key to Maine’s success in the future.”

The new financial-aid resource was secured through reallocation of internal funds and will be used to increase the number of students receiving aid and maintaining previously awarded financial-aid packages. It will also attempt to meet a greater percentage of students’ demonstrated need, assisting in closing the financial-aid gap that is sometimes created when a student’s financial need exceeds the financial-aid package offered.

Seventy to 80 percent of UMF students receive some form of financial assistance, which can include a combination of scholarships, grants, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and work-study positions. Of approximately 2,000 students enrolled at UMF during the 2007-2008 academic year, 1,414 students received financial assistance with an average award of $8,719.

Passarelli, students help Guatemala City’s indigent kids

When Associate Professor of Chemistry and Guatemala native Mariella Passarelli organized a travel course for UMF students to help some of the world’s poorest children in Guatemala City’s garbage dump community, the Associated Press, Portland Press Herald, Providence Journal and Boston TV station WBZ-38 took notice.

Passarelli says more than 30 students applied for 11 slots in the travel course, which runs from May 31 to June 10. Working through the Safe Passage program, the students will help impoverished Guatemalan children with their educational, health and self-esteem needs. Requirements for the course include raising funds to help support Safe Passage, learning Spanish, teaching English to the Guatemalan children, designing a grade-level appropriate educational project in their major, and composing a reflection on their experience. To raise money for Safe Passage, founded in 1999 by Yarmouth native Hanley Denning, Passarelli’s class screened the 2006 Oscar-nominated documentary “Recycled Life” in late March with a dollar drive at the door.

“This trip was meant to be,” said Passarelli, “and I was meant to lead it. Our students are anxious to make a difference in the world, and hopefully my history with Guatemala will give them a unique window into the country and its people.”

Thebarge named Outstanding Future Professional

Senior community health education major Alissa Thebarge was named an Outstanding Future Professional by the Maine Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD). She was one of two Maine college students chosen in 2008 for the distinction, including an all-expenses-paid trip to the MAHPERD’s Eastern Districts Annual Conference held in Lancaster, Pa.

Thebarge, who has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average, was honored for her academic achievement, campus and community involvement, leadership qualities and professional standing. “The first time I met Alissa, I was struck by her leadership qualities,” said Dr. Maurice “Bud” Martin ’92, assistant professor of community health education and Thebarge’s faculty mentor. “She has been an important voice in the continuing development of our pre-professional program.”

Thebarge is currently completing an internship with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Breast and Cervical Health Program, where she has helped provide public education to encourage regular breast and cervical cancer screening. She also received the UMF Justin A. Maurer Scholarship, an annual award given to a UMF student majoring in community health education in tribute to the late Justin Maurer ’04 and his passion for nutrition and locally grown organic foods.

Davis, Career Services featured on WMTW

Following the annual UMF Career Fair, organized by the Center for Human Development, News-8 TV reporter Danielle Strauss of Portland ABC News affiliate WMTW conducted on-campus interviews with senior Amanda Powell and UMF career counselor Stephen Davis. The interview spotlighted how the CHD supports students in developing resumes, cover letters and interviewing skills. Davis also discussed the trend among seniors visiting his office in the Franklin Academic Success Center.

“I’ve seen more students exploring the grad-school option and also the Peace Corps, VISTA and AmeriCorps as options,” Davis told Strauss. “[Graduates] are competing [for jobs] against experienced workers. And I think that’s the biggest challenge facing them.”

To help current students with their career planning, Davis invites UMF alumni to share their expertise and knowledge through the UMF Career Networking Program. To join, visit chd.umf.maine.edu/career/alumninetwork.php or contact Davis at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . See the WMTW interview.

Spring and summer 2009 Wilson Scholars announced



UMF’s Undergraduate Research Council named 18 students spring and summer 2009 Michael D. Wilson Research Scholars. Each scholar receives research funding provided by a generous gift from Michael and Susan Angelides of Stonington, Conn., in honor of their good friend Michael D. Wilson ’76, who died shortly after graduating from UMF. First row (left to right): Emily Baer, Michael Camacho, Adeline Harris, Gillian Laidlaw. Second row: Adam Case, Andrew Thompson, Sara Groves, Ty Thurlow, Amy Blankenship. Third row: Derek Gilbert, Ian Putnam, Christopher Stevens, Anthony Greenlaw. Not pictured: Danielle Cerone, Kenneth Masloski, Oreva Olakpe, Carla Powers and Christian Tuttle. Learn more about each student's research project.