UMF News & Stories

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Man in underwater scuba gear swimming in cave and taking digital measurements.

UMF presents “Exploring the Aquifer of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in the Digital Age” by National Geographic Explorer Sam Meacham, Nov 18

November 10, 2026

FARMINGTON, ME (November 10, 2026)—The University of Maine at Farmington is excited to bring National Geographic Explorer Sam Meacham to campus to present “Exploring the Aquifer of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in the Digital Age.” The event takes place Wednesday, Nov.

Poster for the 2026 Student Art Show featuring a retro orange-and-white VW bus driving through a spiraling tunnel with daisies, at Emery Community Arts Center.

UMF celebrates Art and Design with 2026 Student Art Show, Nov 19 – Dec 3

November 09, 2026

FARMINGTON, ME (November 9, 2026)—The UMF Emery Community Arts Center invites the public to the “2026 Student Art Show” Thursday, Nov. 19–Thursday, Dec. 3. The show is in the Emery Flex Gallery with an opening reception Nov. 19, from 5-7…

Four women posing together indoors against a yellow wall, smiling at the camera. Left to right: woman in an orange cardigan and patterned dress, woman in a white top, woman in a denim jacket with a name badge, and woman in a purple shirt with a black blazer and badge.

UMF and Maine DOE bring Maine educators together to support the learning of every student with Inclusive Education Initiative

November 05, 2026

FARMINGTON, ME (November 5, 2026)—The Maine Dept. of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education and the University of Maine at Farmington recently hosted more than 150 dedicated school leaders and educators, from Millinocket to Sanford, at their…

UMF in the News: Mt. Blue Middle School partnering with UMF on literacy

October 30, 2026

According to a recent Franklin Journal article, Mt. Blue Middle School is expanding academic and behavioral support for students, including a new partnership with the University of Maine at Farmington that provides targeted literacy…

College students stand on the campus green with the beaver mascot to celebrate with confetti.

UMF celebrates national First-Gen Day, Nov 6

October 30, 2026

FARMINGTON, ME (October 30, 2026)—The University of Maine at Farmington is honoring the achievements of its students, staff, faculty and members of the community who are first in their families to attend college with its annual First-Generation College Celebration Day,…

Black and white image of woman with her hair tied back looking to her side

UMF Visiting Writer Series welcomes poet Erinrose Mager, Nov. 12

October 28, 2026

FARMINGTON, ME (October 28, 2026)—The University of Maine at Farmington is excited to present poet Erinrose Mager as the final reader of the 2026 fall semester in its popular Visiting Writers series. Mager is the author of “Hot Fruit”…

Two men in suits pose with wooden plaques that read 'Congratulations Nick Scott' and 'Chase Elbridge Brown' at a Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame event, Class of 2026.

UMF in the News: Coach Nick Scott-2006 UMF alum, honored at Hall of Fame ceremony

October 27, 2026

As reported by the Boothbay Register, the Boothbay Region High School boys’ cross-country team of 2009 was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 19th annual Induction Ceremony for the Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame held on…

Male professor and female student preparing samples in biology lab

UMF in the News: UMF students can earn credits toward biotechnology master’s

October 23, 2026

The Portland Press Herald recently reported that University of Maine at Farmington biology students can now begin working toward a master’s degree in biotechnology before finishing their undergraduate studies through a new partnership with Northeastern University.

Man holding a young woman's face in his hands, they look into each other's eyes in a dark backstage setting.

UMF Theatre presents Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” Nov. 5-8

October 21, 2026

FARMINGTON, ME (October 21, 2026)—The University of Maine at Farmington presents William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” as its fall 2026 theatre production. Though originally set in Medieval Scotland, the play tells the timeless story of the fall of a hero general and…

Young woman smiling in front of a map of the world

UMF student selected as Peace Corps Campus Ambassador by national program

October 19, 2026

FARMINGTON, ME (October 19, 2026)—Maygin Leighton, a University of Maine at Farmington junior from Baileyville, has been selected by the national Peace Corps program to serve as UMF’s Peace Corps Campus Ambassador. Leighton is a biology major with minors in…

Student Stories

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Young woman in a brown blouse seated outside

Maygin Lee Leighton – Expanding Horizons: Maygin’s Journey to International Service

October 16, 2026

Maygin Lee Leighton of Baileyville, Maine has never left New England, but that’s not stopping her from planning to join the Peace Corps after college. Currently, Maygin studies Biology and has minors in Climate Change Solutions and International…

Smiling student with sunglasses and necklace against a natural background

UMF student receives American Anthropological Association Mentorship Award

August 04, 2026

FARMINGTON, ME (August 4, 2026)— Trinity Slate, a University of Maine at Farmington anthropology and political science major from North Anson has been awarded the Ina Rosenthal-Urey mentorship award by the American Anthropological Association (AAA). This prestigious award pairs…

Smiling student standing on the UMF campus green on a sunny day

Zachary Holt, student author, is inspired by the written word and inspires others

Zachary Holt, a University of Maine at Farmington senior majoring in Creative Writing and English, didn’t plan on attending college. But all that changed when he came to visit UMF with a friend on accepted student day, and he…

How UMF Student Alice Skiff Is Creating Caring Classrooms

Alice Skiff, from Newcastle, Maine, is graduating with a UMF Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, and she remembers the first time she heard about inclusion—the practice of educating all students together in general education classrooms, regardless…

Brennick banding a bird.

UMF graduating senior and Jay native sees career in Bioscience take flight

FARMINGTON, ME (May 4, 2026)—Spencer Brennick, Jay native, was looking for a reason to get excited about his future. It was his second try at college when he received an email from UMF Biology Professor Sarah Sloane, an avian behavioral…

Kristyn Plamondon, UMF graduate student speaker

2026 UMF Graduate Commencement Speaker: Kristyn Plamondon

Kristyn Plamondon will be UMF’s first-ever graduate student speech at this year’s University of Maine at Farmington Commencement exercises on May 9. Plamondon is graduating in the UMF Counseling Psychology…

Adam Tosch, UMF undergraduate student speaker

2026 UMF Undergraduate Commencement Speaker: Adam Tosch

UMF graduating senior, Adam Tosch, will give UMF’s undergraduate Commencement student address to the Class of 2026 on May 9. Tosch started his academic career at UMF in 2007 and recently returned to complete his bachelor’s degree in…

UMF Student Ryan Martin-Hachey Turns Curiosity into Tick Research

Ryan Martin-Hachey, UMF graduating senior from Fairfield, had charted his future in psychology when he came to Farmington, but all that changed at the end of his sophomore year when his biology professor told him about a unique opportunity.

The Making of a Disease Detective: UMF Student Megan Dionne

Megan Dionne, a Farmington native, was drawn to the University of Maine at Farmington because she wanted to make a meaningful impact on others’ lives. She was unsure of what she wanted to major in until her first semester…

Becky Hallowell

Becky Hallowell, UMF alumna and 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, wraps up a remarkable year

Becky Hallowell, a University of Maine at Farmington alumna and fourth grade teacher at Wiscasset Elementary School is wrapping up a remarkable year as the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year—a year she says felt like a “whirlwind of…

Alumni Spotlights

A man with red hair wearing a navy suit accepting SOA certificate from the a presenter

From Club President to Senior Analyst: How Drew Kelso ‘19 Made the Most of Every Opportunity

November 10, 2026

Drew Kelso ’19 visited the University of Maine at Farmington campus knowing that he wanted a profession that worked with math and computers with strong earnings potential and job security. After meeting Lori Koban and the actuarial science…

Two men in suits pose with wooden plaques that read 'Congratulations Nick Scott' and 'Chase Elbridge Brown' at a Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame event, Class of 2026.

UMF in the News: Coach Nick Scott-2006 UMF alum, honored at Hall of Fame ceremony

October 27, 2026

As reported by the Boothbay Register, the Boothbay Region High School boys’ cross-country team of 2009 was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 19th annual Induction Ceremony for the Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame held on…

Brunette woman with long bob standing behind table with purple table cloth and Family Violence Project table display

Rooted in Compassion: How UMF Shaped Tabitha Ryan’s Work as an Educator and Advocate

October 13, 2026

Tabitha Ryan (2005) majored in Early Childhood Education and Psychology at the University of Maine at Farmington following her passion for helping children and their families. During her studies, Tabitha gravitated towards Melissa Clawson’s philosophy of education…

Smiling woman in a striped shirt holding a back-to-school poster in a cozy room with bookshelves and hanging fairy lights behind her.

Dani Faltraco ‘24: Teaching Through Connection

September 30, 2026

For UMF graduate Dani Faltraco ’24, who earned her degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English, one of the most meaningful parts of teaching begins long before a student ever gives an…

Woman in a navy blazer and floral skirt standing in a parking lot on a sunny day, smiling at the camera with sunglasses and a burgundy handbag.

Challenges and Success: Jodi Philippon’s (‘89) UMF Story

September 25, 2026

“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…

Bearded man in a navy shirt sits on a desk in a classroom, holding a large illustrated poster about teaching. A U.S. flag hangs by windows behind him.

Tyler Brown ’16: Bringing Curiosity Into the Classroom

September 21, 2026

“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…

Smiling woman seated at a desk in an classroom, with a large green map of Maine on the wall and schedules on a corkboard behind her.

Alicia Bridges ‘25: A Place to Learn, A Place to Belong

September 16, 2026

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.

Family of four in traditional Bavarian dress (dirndls and lederhosen) posing in a sunlit field with a windmill in the background, holding a young girl.

Building Connections Around the World: Shane Tracy’s Adventures after UMF

September 15, 2026

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…

Smiling girl in a classroom holding a back-to-school poster with her name on it (Ms. Smith).

Fallon Smith ’26: Ready for the Classroom

September 04, 2026

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…

Hockey player in white jersey #21 smiles during an interview with a reporter holding a mic.

Interview with Hot Radio Maine Host Hayley Smith-Rose ’14

August 27, 2026

In this alumni spotlight, Hayley Smith-Rose ’14 reflects on her time at UMF, the experiences that shaped her, and the unexpected opportunities that have helped guide her career in radio, entertainment and beyond. What drew you to UMF?…

Smiling woman wearing a pink cardigan and a colorful scarf, outdoors near a stone wall.

A Foundation for Great Things: Marianne Hartford ’97

August 11, 2026

Marianne Hartford earned her bachelor degree from UMF in 1997 before continuing her education at Syracuse University. Today, she works as a Speech Pathologist as the founder and director of her own private practice, “Great…

Young man in a plaid shirt and blue apron smiles at the camera in a cluttered workshop with plastic bins and a hanging mannequin head nearby.

UMF in the News: The man who brings dummies to life

August 07, 2026

Austin Phillips, University of Maine at Farmington 2017 graduate and skilled craftsman, preserves a disappearing art as one of the last full-time ventriloquist puppet makers, according to a recent New York Times article. Originally from Cape Neddick,…

Media Relations

If you’re a member of the press in search of an expert to interview for a story or a UMF community member with news & story ideas, contact us:

April Mulherin
Associate Director of Media Relations
Office 207-778-7081
TTY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
april.mulherin@maine.edu