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The University of Maine, established in 1865, is the flagship university of the University of Maine System. It is located in Orono, Maine just outside of Bangor, one of Maine's largest cities. Known as "UMaine" for short, the school has an enrollment of over 11,000 students. Athletic teams are nicknamed the Black Bears, and sport blue and white uniforms.

History

UMaine was founded in 1862 by the Morrill Act, signed by president Lincoln. Originally named the Maine College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, the Maine College opened on September 21, 1868, changing its name to the University of Maine in 1897.

The College was the fourth to be established in Maine, after Bowdoin, Bates, and Colby. Originally intended as an agricultural college, the College also placed a large emphasis on engineering and the sciences.

Tuition at the Maine College was free until 1879. In return, all students were expected to contribute 15 hours a week of labor, on which they were graded and received compensation in accordance with their grades.

Near the end of the 19th century, the curriculum was expanded to place greater emphasis on liberal arts. New faculty hired during this time included Caroline Colvin, chair of the history department, and the first woman in the nation to head a major university department.

In 1906, The Senior Skull Honor Society was founded to “publically recognize, formally reward, and continually promote outstanding leadership and scholarship, and exemplary citizenship within the University of Maine community.”

Membership in the Society is considered the highest all-inclusive honor to which a male student at The University of Maine can aspire.

When the University of Maine System was incorporated, the school was renamed by the legislature over the objections of the faculty to the University of Maine at Orono (or UMO). This was changed back to the University of Maine in 1986. However, it is still incorrectly referred to as UMO by some Mainers.

Academics

UMaine counts engineering and business among its strongest programs and is well known for having one of the best forestry departments in the nation. Other strong programs include wood science, marine science, education, and nutrition science. UMaine is unique in offering a program in Socialist and Marxist studies and a minor in that field.

The University's Fogler Library is the largest in Maine and serves as one of its intellectual hubs, attracting scholars, professors, and researchers from around the state. A collection of rare and ancient manuscripts, as well as about 2 million government publications, augment the University's collection. The Special Collections Unit includes the Stephen Edwin King (author of 'The Shining' and UMaine alumni) papers, which attract researchers from across the globe.

The University's education is often rated as an excellent value, ranking high in both the Princeton Review and Kiplinger's annual lists of best public school bargains.

The Lyle E. Littlefield Ornamentals Trial Garden is an excellent research garden for horticulture in northern climates. The University of Maine is also home to the Maine Business School *, the largest business school in Maine.

The Bangor Area Transit (BAT) system connects the University campus to Bangor, Orono and several outlying towns. Other transportation is provided by Vermont Transit.

Most students are from Maine, though there are also international students from Canada, Asia, and Africa, and some Native American students from the surrounding area. Politically, the student body is moderate.

Athletics

The University of Maine participates in the NCAA's Division I level, is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference for football, Hockey East for ice hockey, and the America East Conference for all other sports. In 2007, the football program will leave the A-10 in favor of the Colonial Athletic Association. The school has won two national championships, both in men's ice hockey. In 1993, they defeated Lake Superior State University 5-4 behind a third period hat trick by Jim Montgmery. In 1999, they defeated rival University of New Hampshire 3-2 in overtime on a goal by Marcus Gustafsson.

In 1965, the football team competed in the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando Florida against East Carolina. They were beaten in the game 31-0, but remain the only team from Maine to compete in a bowl contest. The University of Maine often competes against intrastate rivals Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby in many sports.

Notable alumni

Arts, Literature, Humanities and Entertainment

Sports

Politics

Business, Construction, Service

Faculty and administration

Points of interest

Reference

  1. Smith, David C. (1979). The First Century. University of Maine at Orono Press. ISBN 0891010378.

See also

External links

America East Conference | Atlantic 10 Football Conference | Educational institutions established in 1865 | Hockey East | Land-grant universities | Sea-grant universities | Space-grant universities | Universities and colleges in Maine

Université du Maine | 缅因大学

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "University of Maine".

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