Academics

As reported in the Sun Journal, fall colors are beginning to spread across western Maine, with red maples, yellowing hardwoods and other early-changing trees standing out against forests that remain largely green. Drew Barton, a forest and fire ecologist, science writer and University of Maine at Farmington…

“I was looking for a program in which I would end up helping others in a meaningful way.” When getting ready to apply to colleges, Jodi Philippon ‘89, a Lewiston local, was already familiar with the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF). She was excited about attending a…

FARMINGTON, ME  (September 23, 2026)—The University of Maine at Farmington has recently been announced as a collaborator in “Snow STORE” (Science and Technology for Operations, Research, and Economic Development in Northern New England), a four-year National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant to monitor snowpack, especially at higher elevations, in Vermont,…

“Bring your curiosity,” Tyler Brown ’16 tells his students at Mt. Blue High School. As a History teacher, he wants his students to do more than memorize dates and names. He puts them at the center of their own learning, encouraging them to ask “why?” and dig deeper into…

Alicia Bridges ‘25 always knew she wanted to be a teacher. After earning her degree at UMF, in secondary education, she is now in her second year of teaching at Mt. Blue Middle School. Alicia is focused on growing her skills as an educator…

For Shane Tracy, a 2012 UMF graduate, UMF immediately felt like family. Recruited to play basketball, Shane remembers his first visit to campus. “During my visit, everyone was so welcoming and kind, which made me feel like I could truly see myself being part of the UMF…

Four Maine educators have been announced as state finalists for 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year by the Maine Dept. of Education including Gina Welch, a Pre-K Teacher at Crescent Park Elementary School and 2000 UMF graduate; Abby McCoy, a Chemistry and Forensic Science Teacher at Lewiston High…

Fallon Smith ‘26 is ready to get to work. She started her first week of school as a Math and STEM teacher at T.W. Kelly Dirigo Middle School, where she is looking forward to putting her classroom experience and education to use with her own students. After years of…

FARMINGTON, ME  (September 3, 2026)—The UMF Emery Community Arts Center welcomes Bread & Puppet Theater, a political puppet theater, and its presentation of “The Upside Down World Circus,” to Nordica Auditorium in Merrill Hall, on Sept. 10, 2026, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The one and…

FARMINGTON, ME  (September 2, 2026)—The University of Maine at Farmington has announced that Katherine Yardley, a longtime UMF College of Education, Health and Rehabilitation faculty member, dean and co-provost who has helped lead Farmington’s academic excellence in its teacher preparation programs for 39 years, is retiring effective Sept. 2, 2026.