USM Public Affairs

Student Commencement Speaker Serena Dawn Gosbee

Serena Dawn Gosbee of Sebago, Maine, was selected to give the student commencement speech. Gosbee, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications, was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Earlier this spring, she was named the 2011 recipient of the Outstanding Senior in Communication Award. She is a 2005 graduate of Lake Region High School who transferred to USM from Southern Maine Community College. After graduation, she plans to continue working at AMEC Earth and Environmental in South Portland while exploring opportunities to work with children. Both of her parents, Robin Gosbee ’82, and the late Lane Gosbee ’03, graduated from USM.

Commencement Speaker Linda Greenlaw

Isle au Haut resident, best-selling author and swordfishing captain Linda Greenlaw delivered the keynote address at USM’s 131st Commencement. USM also awarded her an honorary degree in recognition for her contribution to the cultural heritage of the coast of Maine. Greenlaw first came to public attention in 1997 when she was one of the swordfish captains profiled in Sebastian Junger’s best-seller, The Perfect Storm. She is the author of four books about life as a commercial fisherman, The Hungry Ocean (1999 New York Times best-seller), The Lobster Chronicles (2002 New York Times best-seller), All Fishermen are Liars (2004 New York Times best-seller) and Seaworthy: A Swordboat Captain Returns to Sea. Time Magazine called her 2005 Recipes from a Very Small Island, co-authored with her mother Martha Greenlaw, a “must-have cookbook.” She also is featured in the Discovery Channel series Swords: Life on the Line.

The University of Southern Maine Sport Management Program is excited to announce the Inaugural Into the Mud Challenge which will be held in Gorham, Maine on May 7, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. This 2.5 mile race will feature a number obstacles and mud pits designed to provide participants with a muddy, fun time. The race will start and finish on the grounds of Gorham Middle School and will include individual, team, and youth divisions. (more…)

Provost John Wright has submitted his recommendation to President Selma Botman for the reorganization of USM’s academic departments. President Botman will now consider the recommendation and take additional input before making a final decision.

Visit the University Reorganization page to read the recommendation. http://usm.maine.edu/pres/reorganization/

See USM’s Commencement Website for the latest information on the May 14 ceremony and Senior Week.

Donald F. Martin, triptych, "His Eye is on the Sparrow" (detail), mixed media, 2011

University of Southern Maine President Selma Botman will be hosting “Sign, Symbol, Word,” an art exhibit featuring recent works by USM student Donald F. Martin.  The exhibit will be on display 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday, May 2 through Tuesday, May 31 on the seventh floor of the Law Building, Deering Avenue, Portland.  There will be an opening reception in recognition of Martin’s exhibit from 4:30-6 p.m. on Monday, May 2, in the President’s Conference Room located on the Law Building’s seventh floor.  This reception is free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Deborah Loughlin, Administrative Assistant for Outreach in the USM Art Department at 780-5460. (more…)