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UMaine's Coach Kane '93 spotlighted in the Sun Journal

Gavin Kane '93, assistant coach of the UMaine women's basketball team, "has a great reputation," said Cindy Blodget, head coach of the UMaine program, as reported by the Sun Journal. "Anyone who knows Gavin speaks immediately of the type of person he is and the integrity he has and his work ethic." Kane is now settling into his first season at UMaine, after amassing a 263-17 record in coaching high school basketball, including 11 straight Western Class C titles and six state championships with the Dirigo girls' program, and, with the Dirigo boys' program, a 74-10 record and a regional title. Read more about Kane in the Sun Journal.

Carson '06 Wins $25,000 Medical School Scholarship

Tobin Carson '06, a first-year medical student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, has been awarded a renewable $25,000 grant from the Doctors for Maine's Future Scholarship Program. Maine Governor John Baldacci spoke of Carson and her path to medical school in a May 2009 address: "At age 15, she announced her dream of going to medical school," said Baldacci, as reported by the Morning Sentinel. "Unfortunately, she was discouraged from pursuing that dream, being told, 'People like you don't go to places like that.' Not long after that, Tobin quit high school, feeling that it wasn't doing her any good. But she never stopped learning and her desire to go to medical school never faded. After her children were born, she got her GED certificate and enrolled in the University of Maine at Farmington full time as a biology major." Carson, a 32-year-old mother of two from Starks, is one of four people in Maine who qualified for the grant as a first-year medical student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Read more about Carson and her award in the Morning Sentinel.

Grover '95 Named 2010 Maine Teacher of the Year

Kevin Grover '95, a second-grade teacher at the Lunt School in Falmouth, Maine, has been named Maine's Teacher of the Year and is now in the running for the National Teacher of the Year award to be announced in spring 2010. Grover, who earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education at UMF, received the honor from Maine Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron at a surprise award ceremony held at the school on Thursday, Sept. 17. This is the second consecutive year a UMF graduate has been named Maine's Teacher of the Year, as Gloria Noyes '93, a fifth-grade teacher at Congin Elementary School in Westbrook, received the honor in 2009. Read more about Grover's honor in the Portland Press Herald.

Berry Bowen '82 named CEO of Northwestern Medical Center

Jill Berry Bowen '82, former chief operating officer of Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington, has been named CEO of Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans, Vt. A native of Phillips, Maine, she majored in community health education at UMF and went on to earn MBA and MSN degrees. She most recently served as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, and will begin her duties as CEO of Northwestern Medical Center on Dec. 16, 2009. Read more about Berry Bowen and her appointment in the Daily Bulldog.

Sullivan '96 and her fresco paintings featured in Bangor Metro magazine

"Barbara Sullivan takes the ancient ingredients of pigments and plaster and transforms them into sassy pieces of life that you can touch and often move, but can never scrub clean," says Bangor Metro magazine writer Annaliese Jakimides. Read more about Sullivan and her work in Bangor Metro magazine.

Thurston '90 and Castine Candle Company Featured on WABI-TV

Castine Candle Company of Benton, owned and operated by Carrie Thurston '90 and her husband, Michah, was the focus of a WABI-TV report on the company's philanthropic efforts. Through "Candles for a Cause," Thurston and her husband are donating a portion of every online sale to a charitable cause, and are now supporting the New England Society and the Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing's "Dempsey Challenge." Thurston and her husband hope to raise $5,000 for the "Dempsey Challenge" (coordinated by Kerry Irish '90, director of the Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing) by Oct. 4, 2009. Read more about Castine Candle Company and see the WABI-TV story at the WABI-TV Web site.

Spencer '95 and Thompson '77 Win Top National Teaching Honors

Yarmouth Elementary School teacher Kimberly Spencer ’95 and Madison Elementary School teacher Pamela Thompson ’77 were named Maine’s winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest national recognition given to a K-12 teacher for outstanding teaching in the classroom. Spencer, Maine’s winner for mathematics teaching, and Thompson, Maine’s winner for science teaching, will each receive a citation signed by President Obama; a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a week-long series of recognition events and professional development programs; and $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.. Read more about their awards in the Portland Press Herald.

Tomaszewski '74 Named Superintendent of Wells-Ogunquit Community School District

Elaine Tomaszewski has been named superintendent of schools for the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District, effective July 1, 2009. Tomaszewski has more than 30 years of experience in public education, including teaching, serving as director of special services, and, most recently, superintendent of schools in Freeport. After graduating from Farmington, she earned a master’s in communication disorders from the State University of New York at Buffalo and both a master’s in educational administration and a certificate of advanced studies in educational administration from USM. Read more about Tomaszewski's appointment in the Seacoast News Online.

Dolloff '87 Named Superintendent of Maine's RSU #21

Andrew Dolloff '87 has been appointed superintendent of Maine’s Regional School Unit 21, comprising Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. He came to RSU 21 from the Scarborough School District, where he first served as athletic administrator, then principal of Scarborough H.S. and finally assistant superintendent. Dolloff, who earned a master’s in educational leadership from USM and completed post-graduate professional development activities through Harvard University’s Principals’ Center and UNE, was named Maine’s Outstanding Principal of the Year in 2004. Read more about Dolloff's appointment in the Seacoast News Online.

Orlando Magic Asst. Coach Clifford '83 Featured in the Boston Herald

Steve Clifford '83, an assistant coach with the NBA’s Orlando Magic, was the subject of the May 11 Boston Herald story “Coach’s journey leads to NBA.” Clifford majored in special education at UMF, and coached and taught at Woodland High School in Maine before coaching at several colleges, including Saint Anselm, Boston Univ., and East Carolina. “I just think I’ve really been lucky along the way,” Clifford told the Boston Herald. “The best thing for me about my college experience was I played for a great coach in Len MacPhee [former head coach of men's and women's basketball at UMF]. He was a terrific coach and a great man, and he taught me a lot about basketball and priorities. I had a great, great experience playing for him.”. Read more about Clifford's journey from coaching high school hoops to the NBA in the Boston Herald.

Doughty '74 Named National H.S. Field Hockey Coach of the Year

For the second time in her career, Skowhegan High School social studies teacher Paula Doughty '74 has been named high school field hockey coach of the year by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Doughty, who has coached the Skowhegan Indians to 11 state titles in field hockey, led the program to its eighth consecutive Class-A title in fall 2008. Read more about Doughty's award in the Morning Sentinel.

Nerney '04 Named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year

Maggie Nerney '04, who teaches an AP English course at Mt. Abram H.S. in Salem Township and language arts courses to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students at Phillips Elementary School, has been named a Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. Read more about the surprise ceremony at which Nerney received the honor plus a $1,000 prize in the Sun Journal.

Baillargeon '81 Serves as Executive Producer of "Your Cancer Today"

Don Baillargeon '81 of San Clemente, Calif., was the subject of an Orange County Register article on "Your Cancer Today," an Irvine-based television talk show focusing on cancer research and treatments that airs weekly on cable stations nationwide and in Europe. "The interest level of what we're talking about is only going up," said Baillargeon, the show's executive producer and host, as reported in the article. "There really isn't anyone out there that isn't affected by cancer in some shape or form." More than 40 episodes are available online at www.yourcancertoday.com.

Johnson '96 Named Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Scarborough

Joe Johnson '96 played varsity basketball at UMF under head coach Dick Meader '68 before serving as an assistant coach at Portland H.S., Thornton Academy and USM. "He's an incredible teacher of the game," said Scarborough athletic director Gary Groves, as reported in keepMEcurrent.com. "He really understands this age group and is very passionate about the sport." Read more about Johnson's head coaching appointment at Scarborough H.S. in the Portland Press Herald.

London '88 Helps Students Implement Wind Turbine at Mt. Abram H.S.

Barry London '88, a social studies teacher at Mount Abram High School, was interviewed by Portland-based NBC affiliate WCSH-Channel 6 for his help in making the school the first in Maine to receive electricity from a school-owned, on-site wind turbine. London, who was named the runner-up Technology Teacher of the Year in 2006 by the Maine Association of Computer Technology Educators, facilitated the work of two students who oversaw the wind-turbine project from start to finish as part of London's government honors class. The school's wind turbine is expected to generate more than 600 kilowatts per month and save the school $1,000 per year in electricity costs.

Noyes '93 Named Maine Teacher of the Year

Gloria Noyes '93, a fifth-grade teacher at Congin Elementary School in Westbrook, has been named Maine Teacher of the Year by Maine Education Commissioner Susan Gendron. Noyes, who attended Congin Elementary as a child and graduated from UMF with a degree in elementary education, received the honor at a surprise school celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008. As the 2009 Maine Teacher of the Year, Noyes is now in the running for the National Teacher of the Year award, which will be announced in April. Read more about Noyes' honor in the Portland Press Herald and view WCSH-6's coverage of the award ceremony.

Ferguson '81 Wins Commission to Create Art Installation in Bangor

Brenda Ferguson '81, an artist featured in the fall 2007 issue of Farmington First, won a commission to create artwork for the new Hollywood Slots facility in Bangor, which opened July 1, 2008. At 14 feet high by 35 feet long (and filling the facility's entire two-story rotunda window), her 16-panel polyptych may well be the world's largest pastel installation. Bangor-based NBC affiliate WLBZ-2 interviewed Ferguson the day prior to the facility's opening to learn more about her artwork, titled Just Add Water.

Maine Gov. Baldacci appoints Low '97 to Head State Department of Administrative and Financial Services

Ryan Low '97 has been appointed by Governor John Baldacci to lead Maine's Department of Administrative and Financial Services. According to news sources, Low's appointment received unanimous and bipartisan support as the Legislature's Appropriation's Committee approved the nomination 11-0. Prior to leading the state department, Low served as Baldacci's deputy chief of staff and associate commissioner in the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. Read the Associated Press coverage of Low's appointment.

Boynton '05 Named Director of Penobscot Bay Medical Center's Creative Learning and Childcare Center

Amy Boynton '05, who currently serves as secretary on the board for the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children, has been named director of the Creative Larning and Childcare Center at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockland. Boynton is completing a master's degree in leadership and policy in early care and education at Wheelock College in Boston. Read more about Boynton's appointment in the Village Soup

Therrien '79 receives 2008 Gerald LeVasseur Award

Ray Therrien '79, director of the MSAD No. 9 Adult and Community Education Program, has been honored with the 2008 Gerald LeVasseur Award for outstanding work in Maine public education. "He's always on the go and willing to help. He has incredible commitment," said Cathy Newell, executive director of the Maine Adult Education Association, as reported by the Daily Bulldog.

DeBlois '93 Named New Science Teacher Academy Fellow

Michelle DeBlois '93, a sixth-grade science, language-arts and reading teacher at Livermore Falls Middle School, has been named a New Science Teacher Academy Fellow by the Amgen Foundation-National Science Teacher Association. DeBlois, the only Maine teacher selected in 2008, will participate in a year-long e-mentoring professional development program and attend the association's New Orleans-based national conference in March 2009. Read more in the Sun Journal.

Jacques '99 Named a Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year

Sanford High School mathematics teacher Jon Jacques '99 has been selected by Wal-Mart of Sanford as the local teacher of the year. "Mr. Jacques helps students one-on-one whenever needed and the fact that he treats his students as equals helps [make] learning easier," wrote the Sanford High School senior who nominated Jacques, according to the Sanford News.

Hanish '92 Named a Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year

Nokomis Regional High School teacher Brian Hanish '92 has been selected by Wal-Mart of Palmyra as the local teacher of the year. "He strongly believes in rigor, relevance and relationships," said Nokomis Principal Arnold Shorey of Hanish, who has taught at Nokomis for 12 years. "He is very popular with our students while maintaining the highest of standards." Hanish will receive a $1,000 prize from Wal-Mart in honor of his teaching. Read more about Hanish's award in the Morning Sentinel.

Poulin '84 Named Principal at Dirigo High School

Michael Poulin '84 entered his 24th year in education as the new principal of Dirigo High School in Dixfield, Maine, in fall 2008. Prior to leading Dirigo, he served as assistant principal at Leavitt Area High School in Turner and at Windham High School. Before becoming an administrator, he taught English at Edward Little High School in Auburn for 18 years. Read more about Poulin's appointment in the Sun Journal.

Laramee '00 Named Athletic Director-Dean of Students at Buckfield

After teaching biology at Gardiner High School for the past seven years and serving as head coach of the girls' varsity basketball team at Lewiston High School, Brian Laramee '00 has been named athletic director and dean of students at Buckfield Jr./Sr. High School. Read more about Laramee's appointment in the Sun Journal.

Morrill '05 Named New Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Valley High School

Wade Morrill '05 has been named the new boys varsity basketball coach at Valley High School in Bingham. Morrill, whose resume includes serving as an assistant coach for the Jay High School boys varsity team that won the 2002 state class C title, is the first new boys varsity coach at Valley High School in 30 years. Read more about Morrill's appointment in the Morning Sentinel.

Luker '82 Joins the Franklin County Children's Task Force

Karen Luker '82 has joined the Franklin County Children's Task Force as a family support worker on the Growing Healthy Families home visiting staff. Read more about Luker's background and position responsibilities in the Daily Bulldog.

Mallett School Teacher Austin '76 Featured in Sun Journal

Ina Austin '76, who has been teaching for 32 years in MSAD No. 9, was the focus of the Sun Journal article "Teacher ready for school opening," as she prepared for another year of teaching kindergarten at Mallett School in Farmington. Read more about Austin's preparations in the Sun Journal.

Woodcock '78 Named Co-Chair of United Way Campaign

Chandler Woodcock'78 and wife Charlene "Charlie" Woodcock have been named the new campaign chairs to lead the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area's 29th-annual campaign in fall 2008. Read more about Woodcock's appointment and the campaign's goal of $395,000 in the Morning Sentinel.

Smith '07 Spotlighted for Work on Obama Presidential Campaign

Kelley Smith, a paid junior staffer for Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign, was featured in the Morning Sentinel article “UMF grad relishes Obama’s moment.” The story noted Smith's efforts to support the Democratic Party nominee, including campaign work in Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Ohio and South Carolina, and staffing the campaign’s office in Manchester, N.H. “I was really proud to be part of what has become a movement in a lot of ways,” Smith told Morning Sentinel reporter Larry Grard. “It’s not just about Obama.” Read more about Smith's campaign work in the Morning Sentinel.

Amos '68 Retires from 41-Year Teaching Career

Arline Amos, who spent the last 14 of her 41 years in education as teaching principal at Weld Elementary School, retired on June 30. As reported in the Sun Journal, Amos' last day of school was especially poignant, as SAD 9 school directors voted to start the process of closing the K-3 school in which 16 students were enrolled last year. (No students in kindergarten, first and second grade were expected for the 2008-2009 academic year.) “I’ve had some great times,” she told Sun Journal staff writer Donna Perry. Among her most rewarding accomplishments, she said, is “seeing the kids go on to be successful in high school and their careers.” Read more about Amos' last day of teaching in the Sun Journal.

Cavanaugh '07 Teaches Her "Now You're Cookin'!" Curriculum

Alyce Cavanaugh, a health-education coordinator in MSAD 9, was featured in a Morning Sentinel article for her efforts to coordinate the school district’s second-annual “Now You’re Cookin’!” celebration of healthy eating and locally grown foods. Based on the “Now You’re Cookin’!” curriculum that Cavanaugh developed during her senior year at UMF, the participating fourth-grade students prepared a two-course family meal with locally grown ingredients based on USDA Food Pyramid Guidelines. As part of the year-long curriculum, the students also toured a Hannaford store to learn how to identify healthy foods and helped the food services director serve more than 450 breakfasts to students and family members during National School Breakfast Week. Read more about Cavanaugh's work in the Morning Sentinel.

(Stenza) Pin '85 Named Asst. Principal of Joel Barlow H.S.

Gina (Stenza) Pin has been named assistant principal of Joel Barlow High School in Redding, Conn., according to The Redding Pilot. Pin most recently worked as student life coordinator at Ridgefield High School, where she also served as an administrator and special education teacher earlier in her career. At Ridgefield, her alma mater, she initiated a peer educator group that developed into a Big Brother/Big Sister program, as well as an innovative ninth-grade orientation program emphasizing parental involvement. After graduating from UMF, she earned master’s degrees in counseling and school studies from Western Connecticut State Univ. and a certification from the Univ. of Bridgeport’s School Leadership Program. Read more about Pin's appointment in The Redding Pilot.

Hilton '97 Joins Western Maine Community Action Health Services

Amanda Hilton '97 has been named a reproductive health specialist with Western Maine Community Action's clinical sites in Farmington and Rumford. Read more about Hilton's appointment in the Sun Journal.

Hickey '05 Opens Fitness Express

Mike Hickey '05 recently opened Fitness Express, a circuit training course composed of 12 to 15 exercise stations, at 449 Farmington Falls Road in Farmington. Read more about Hickey's new fitness center in the Sun Journal .

Bisbee '94 Named Executive Dir. of Community Media Access Partnership

Kathy Bisbee '94, former director of marketing and development at Community Television in Santa Cruz, has been named executive director of the Community Media Access Partnership in Gilroy, Calif. Read more about Bisbee's position and her documentary film projects in Guatemala and Nicaragua in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Sylvester '92 Nominated for 2009 Maine Teacher of the Year

Thornton Academy special education teacher Jonathan Sylvester '92 was among nine Maine teachers nominated to be the 2009 Maine Teacher of the Year. Gov. John Baldacci and Maine Education Commissioner Susan Gendron honored Sylvester and the eight other nominees at a ceremony on March 14. Read more about Sylvester's honor at the Office of the Governor's Website.

Treamer '74 Greets McCain with POW Bracelet

In mid-November 2007, Kathy Treamer '74 greeted Republican Presidential hopeful and Arizona Senator John McCain at a campaign stop in Lancaster, N.H., with a special gift -- a silver prisoner of war bracelet she wore while a student at UMF during his imprisonment in Vietnam. Read more about the encounter in the Boston Globe (scroll down to read "A journey into the past.")

Galloway '07 Gives "Face Time" to the Sun Journal

Levi Galloway '07, assistant technical director at Lewiston's Public Theatre and a locally performing folk/blues musician, found himself the subject of a "Face Time" Q&A interview with Sun Journal staff writer Lindsay Tice '98. Read more about why Galloway considers his hometown to be the "back of a bus" and what he considers to be the best song to play on a harmonica in the Sun Journal.

Reed '65 Nets 500th Career Win

Bangor High School boys basketball coach Roger Reed '65, a member of the Maine Sports Hall of Fame and the UMF Athletics Hall of Fame, netted his 500th career victory in early February 2008.

Woodcock '03 Runs Marine Corps Marathon to Honor Grandmother

Sporting a shirt with a picture of "Nana Sue," Megan Woodcock '03 ran the Marine Corps marathon to honor her grandmother Theone (Sue) Woodcock. Read the Sun Journal story on how Megan, a health educator for the Maine Center for Disease Control, honored her grandmother, who served a two-year stint in the Marines during World War II.

Fuchswanz '01 Rolls in the Dough

Read the Kennebec Journal coverage of how Laura Fuchswanz '01 has turned a local hankering for Philly-style food into a thriving business with her Augusta-based eatery, Maine Soft Pretzel.

DeTroy '06 Has Kids Jumping at the Chance to Learn Hip-Hop

H'Nette DeTroy '06 introduces body rolls, shoulder isolation and other hip-hop moves to an enthusiastic class of 8- to 10-year-olds at the Fiddlehead Center for the Arts in Gray. Read more about DeTroy's kinetic class in the Portland Press Herald

Dock '96 Serves as Scrimmage Coach for Nation's Best U-19 Men's Lacrosse Players

Jim Dock '96 was selected by US Lacrosse, the national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse, to serve on the coaching staff for the men’s under-19 national-team tryouts held in July 2007 on the University of Maryland-Baltimore County campus. Dock was one of six coaches who ran all-star scrimmage games for 120 players seeking to represent the United States at the July 2008 International Lacrosse Federation World Games to be held in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Read more about Dock's honor in the Sun Journal.

Caddigan '80 Completes Study at Sea

Bill Caddigan '80, a Telstar Middle School science teacher, recently spent nearly a month aboard a 274-foot research vessel, studying how iron affects microscopic marine plant life in the north Pacific Ocean. Caddigan was invited to participate in the research project by Mark Wells, a University of Maine professor of oceanography. Read more about Caddigan's research in the Sun Journal.

Benson '79 Named Maine Athletic Director of the Year

Jeff Benson '79, director of athletics at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, has been named athletic director of the year by the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. "It's a school award," Benson told Sun Journal staff writer Kalle Oakes. "Without the kids, the coaches and the staff, there wouldn't be an award." Read more about Benson's honor in the Sun Journal.

Blanchard '92 Forges First-Ever Exchange Program with China

Craig Blanchard '92, a social studies teacher at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, has played a pivotal role in developing what is believed to be Maine's first teacher exchange program with China. "He made the connections," said MSAD No. 17 Superintendent Mark Eastman of Blanchard, who has spent extended stays in China learning its customs and protocol and is now earning a master's degree in Asian studies. Read more about Blanchard's work to create the exchange program in the Sun Journal.

Dycio '84 Named Economic Development Specialist

George Dycio '84 has been hired as economic development specialist for the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council. Read more about Dycio's appointment and new responsibilities in the Sun Journal.

Mochamer '85 to Lead Skowhegan Area Middle School

Bruce Mochamer '85 has been named principal of Skowhegan Area Middle School and will assume the position on July 1. Read more on Mochamer's promotion online in the Morning Sentinel.

Sawyer '73 to Lead United Way Campaign

Thomas Sawyer '73, vice president of residential lending at Franklin Savings Bank, and his wife, Veronica, have been named co-chairs of the upcoming Tri-Valley Area United Way campaign. Read more on the Sawyers promotion online in the Sun Journal.

Cayer '85 Named Executive Vice President of Franklin Community Health Network

Gerald Cayer '85 has been named executive vice president of Franklin Community Health Network after serving as chief operating officer of Franklin Memorial Hospital, an FCHN affiliate, since 2005. Read more on Cayer online in the Sun Journal.

Campbell '75 Returns from Teaching "North to Alaska"

After 25 years of teaching, Bonnie Campbell '75 relocated to Elim, Alaska, (pop. 300) to teach Eskimo elementary school children in the Bering Sea-coast village located 100 miles from Nome by plane. "It was the hardest thing I ever did," Campbell told Sun Journal reporter Donna Perry. "I was a white person among all Eskimos. I went some place where I knew nobody, and I've never been to the West Coast before." Read about how Campbell fished for silver salmon, hunted caribou, caught king crab, ate whale blubber, swam in hot springs and field dressed moose meat in the Sun Journal.

Vose '02 Named to Augusta Planning Board

Corey Vose '02, a senior buyer for a central Maine-based food service supply company, was nominated to the Augusta Planning Board by Augusta Mayor Roger Katz. "He brings to the job a youthful perspective and a wonderful work ethic," Katz said in introducing Vose to the council. Read about Vose's appointment in the Kennebec Journal.

Ranger '99 Named Financial Advisor at Western Mountain Financial Services

Jared Ranger '99 has been named a financial advisor at Western Mountain Financial Services in Farmington after working in financial services for Smith Barney in Portland, Pioneer Funds in Boston and J.W. Seligman in New York. Read about Ranger's appointment in the Sun Journal.