Taking part in the ribbon cutting for the University of Maine at Presque Isle ’ s new MMG Center for Professional Development are , from left , Pamela Johnson , MMG Insurance ; Mike Thibodeau , MMG Insurance ; Debbie Roark , UMPI ; Tom Wire , MMG Insurance and President of the UMPI Alumni Board ; Keith Sperrey , MMG Insurance ; Janet Bosse , MMG Insurance ; Stacy Shaw , MMG Insurance ; Kim Rohn , U . S . Congressman Bruce Poliquin ’ s office ; Kim Jones , UMPI ’ s Employer U Director ; Steve Gallant , MMG Insurance ; Matt McHatten , MMG Insurance ; UMPI Interim President Ray Rice ; University of Maine System Board of Trustees Chair Sam Collins ; Larry Shaw , President and CEO of MMG Insurance ; Pam Sheppele , Aroostook County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation ; Jane Towle , Aroostook County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation ; Richard Ezzy , Aroostook County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation ; Andy Grass , MMG Insurance ; John Herweh , MMG Insurance ; Lisa Pucci , UMPI ; Dianne Collins , MMG Insurance ; and Chantal Pelletier , MMG Insurance .
UMPI Enjoys Bounteous Summer and
Fall of Partnerships , Offerings By The University Of Maine At Presque Isle
It ’ s been a fruitful summer and fall for the University of Maine at Presque Isle , complete with community collaborations , national recognition , and funding to improve learning opportunities for a wide range of students — from middle school pupils to local business professionals .
A collaboration between UMPI and the Star City ATV Club resulted this summer in a first-of-its-kind ATV trail map of central Aroostook that was developed using state-of-the-art GIS and GPS technology . Last year , Star City ATV Club President Dick Howlett approached Dr . Chunzeng Wang , UMPI Professor of Geology , GIS , and Environmental Science , about mapping the region ’ s ATV trails . At the time , there were no high quality , hard copy maps of these ATV trails available for public use . Dr . Wang and several of his students took on the project . Work included checking every foot of the trails for accuracy using GIS technology and reviewing with Howlett , conducting ground-truthing , and working closely with a state official in charge of ATV trails in the state . With the project now complete , discussions are underway about the possibility of creating northern
Aroostook and southern Aroostook ATV maps in the future .
Also this summer , a UMPI faculty member received national recognition for her service to her field . UMPI ’ s own Barbara Blackstone , Coordinator of Athletic Training Education , Chair of the College of Professional Programs , and Chair of the College of Education , received a prestigious 2016 Athletic Trainer Service Award from the National Athletic Trainers ’ Association ( NATA ) during the organization ’ s 2016 Convention , held in Baltimore , Maryland . NATA is an association for certified athletic trainers and people who support the athletic training profession . The association has more than 43,000 members worldwide .
At the start of the academic year , the University helped to present two vibrant , action-packed events — the Color Presque Isle 5K and the REDY Youth Triathlon . UMPI and the Wintergreen Arts Center teamed up to present one of the County ’ s biggest , most unique and fun-filled 5K fundraisers — the Fourth Annual Color Presque Isle 5K . This year ’ s event welcomed more than 330 runners and was
46 FALL 2016