USM Public Affairs

The University of Southern Maine Graduate Teacher Education Program was recently designated to be one of 29 campuses nationwide to receive Woodrow Wilson – Rockefeller Brothers Fund Fellowship (WW-RBF) Fellows beginning in the 2011-2012 academic year.  Twenty-five WW-RBF Fellows are selected annually to enroll in a master’s degree program that leads to teacher licensure at one of these 29 campuses.  USM can both designate and receive Fellows who are named when they are undergraduate seniors.
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Caption: (L-R) Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Professor Robert Sanford, and Associate Professor Robert Kuech

The University of Southern Maine’s Professor of Environmental Science Robert Sanford and Associate Professor of Teacher Education Robert Kuech, both residents of Gorham, were recently honored for founding a regional Science Bowl competition 10 years ago at USM.  This regional competition is part of the National Science Bowl. Sanford and Kuech received their award from Nobel Laureate and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu at the National Science Bowl competition held in Washington D.C. on May 3. The event featured remarks by First Lady Michelle Obama.

The National Science Bowl is a competitive science education event for high school and middle school students sponsored by the Department of Energy. Students compete in regional and national events by providing answers to technical problems in all branches of science and math.

Troy Williams '10, School of Business

The Line, a business specializing in custom-made, long board skateboards, opened nine years ago in Troy Williams’ basement. Nothing unusual there except Troy was 13 and the basement actually belonged to his parents. “My parents thought it was a hobby at first,” said Troy, “but then I opened a store.” Today, nine years later, The Line still is going, along with a tour business and a property management business in Troy’s hometown of York, Maine. The 22-year-old recently earned his degree in business management and entrepreneurship from the University of Southern Maine. “For once I had people I could talk with about what’s going on in the business world,” said Troy of his time as an undergraduate in the USM School of Business. “It has opened up a whole new universe. The professors were awesome,” he said, “and they seemed to all have experience in the field to back up what they taught in the classroom.”Upon graduation, the young entrepreneur may sell The Line. “I built it from the ground up, so I want to make sure I sell it to someone who will take care of it like I did.” And for his next venture? “Real estate,” said Williams, a 2005 graduate of York High School. “It’s down right now and a number of agents have gotten out, making it a good time to get in.”

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The Maine Chapter of the Fulbright Association recently announced its board members for the 2010 term. Freeport resident Erika J. Waters was named president.  She is an adjunct professor of English at the University of Southern Maine who was a Fulbright Scholar to Finland in 2005. She is also a professor emeritus at the University of the Virgin Islands. Scarborough resident Susan Picinich, professor of theatre and interim dean of USM’s College of Arts and Sciences is serving on the organization’s board. She was a Fulbright Scholar to Bulgaria in 2009

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"The Red Thread" by Ann Hood

Ann Hood, author of the novels “Comfort” and “The Knitting Circle,” is coming to USM to read and promote her latest novel, “The Red Thread.”  The book is about a woman who opens an adoption agency specializing in placing baby girls from China with American families. The reading and book signing will take place at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 1, in the University of Southern Maine Portland Bookstore, located in the Woodbury Campus Center.  Books will be available for purchase.

The public is invited to join the USM Knitting Circle, which will meet in the Bookstore from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on that day prior to Hood’s reading.  Many of the Circle’s members are fans of Hood’s previous novel, “The Knitting Circle.”

Her work has appeared in The Paris Review; Tin House; and O, The Oprah Magazine.

This event is presented by the USM Bookstores.  For more information, contact Barbara Kelly, 780-4042, bkelly@usm.maine.edu.

During his keynote address at the University of Maine School of Law Commencement on Saturday, May 22, Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Senator William S. Cohen advised the 82 graduates of the Class of 2010 to never sacrifice their integrity saying, “Honor: don’t leave home or the office without it.”  Clearly regretful by the increased national political rhetoric inciting hate and violence, he told the audience that they were obligated to call attention to the people engaged in such rhetoric. He concluded his address quoting Robert F. Kennedy, charging graduates to stand up for their ideals, work against injustice and by doing so  “…send forth those tiny ripples of hope.” (more…)

Maintaining that a “four-year degree is the single greatest predictor of a successful career and a fulfilling life,” USM President Selma Botman shared with readers the stories of some of USM’s exceptional graduates in her monthly Portland Press Herald column.

Associate Professor of teacher education Ken Jones will be working at Lady Shri Ram College for Women in New Delhi this summer and fall where he will study the impact of education reforms on girls.

Read more at http://blogs.usm.maine.edu/publicaffairs/archives/3428

To keep up with Jones during his time in New Delhi, read his blog.

Joe Lewis, vice-chair of the Portland Planning Board, has been chosen to deliver the student commencement address at the University of Maine School of Law Commencement, scheduled for 10 a.m., this Saturday, May 22, at Merrill Auditorium, Portland. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Senator William S. Cohen will give the keynote address. (more…)

Fulbright Scholar Ken Jones

Westbrook resident Ken Jones, associate professor of teacher education at the University of Southern Maine, has been named a Fulbright Scholar and will be working at Lady Shri Ram College for Women in New Delhi. He will be studying the impact of educational reforms on girls in India. He will be there from mid-August through mid-December, 2010.

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