University of Maine at Fort Kent One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Commencement Class of 2021 Saturday, the Eighth of May Two Thousand Twenty-one at ten o’clock in the morning Program
Welcome & Opening Remarks Dr. Deb Hedeen UMFK President/Provost
Commencement Speaker and Honoary Degree Recipient Kathryn Olmstead, HonD Arts
2021 Senior Class Address Tolulope Oyeniyi Class of 2021 Valedictorian
Introduction of Graduates Erin Soucy, Ph.D., RN Dean of Undergraduate Nursing and Behavioral Science, Interim Associate Provost
Announcing of Degree Candidates Nicole Boudreau, Ph.D. Interim Dean of Arts & Sciences and Professional Studies
Conferral of Degrees Dr. Deb Hedeen UMFK President/Provost
Closing Remarks Dr. Deb Hedeen UMFK President/Provost
Alma Mater Scott Voisine UMFK Graduate, Class of 1994
Campus Montage University of Maine at Fort Kent President & Provost
Dr. Deb Hedeen joined the University of Maine at Fort Kent on July 1, 2020 as President and Provost. Previously, she served as the provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the University of Montana Western from 2016-2020. She began her higher education career at Idaho State University in 1993 where she served as dean of the college of education for 10 years; associate dean and assistant dean of teacher education; and professor of special education for nine years.
Deb is a strong advocate for people with disabilities and strives to improve quality of life opportunities for these individuals. She has published journal articles and book chapters related to positive behavior supports and educational strategies for students with autism. She has given over 175 international, national and state presentations. Deb has been the recipient of the Idaho State University Master Teacher, Most Influential Professor and Outstanding Public Service Awards. In 2015, she was recognized by the Idaho Council for Exceptional Children with the Life Time Achievement Award for her commitment to the field of special education.
Deb earned a Ph.D. in special education from Syracuse University, a M.Ed. from Lesley University, and a B.S. in special education and Spanish from St. Cloud State University. To complement her studies, Deb has lived in three countries – Spain, Germany and New Zealand. Commencement Speaker
Kathryn Olmstead, Associate Professor Emerita of Communication and Journalism at the University of Maine, served 25 years on their journalism faculty, the last six as associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She is currently a writer and editor living in Caribou, Maine. A native of Battle Creek, Michigan, she earned a BA in English from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and an MA English and Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
She moved to an abandoned farm in Westmanland in 1974, after teaching high school English in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and Concord, New Hampshire, where she and her husband directed a residential college preparatory program for minority students. In 1988, she co-founded Echoes: Rediscovering Community, a quarterly magazine celebrating the quality of life in Aroostook County, which she later published from her home in Caribou until 2017.
She is the author of True North: Finding the Essence of Aroostook, and the editor of Stories of Aroostook: The Best of Echoes Magazine both published in 2020. She also wrote a biweekly column about northern Maine for the Bangor Daily News and co-authored a WWII memoir, Flight to Freedom: World War II Through the Eyes of a Child, with Philomena Baker, who began her career as a photographer in Fort Kent, Maine, in the 1950s.
Before joining the UMaine faculty in 1984, she served as regional representative for Senator Bill Cohen in Presque Isle, edited the weekly Aroostook Republican and News in Caribou, and was a correspondent for the Bangor Daily News and two agricultural newspapers based in Vermont and Kansas. She also taught journalism and photography at UMS campuses in Fort Kent and Presque Isle.
Founder of the Maine Center for Student Journalism for high school journalists in 1993, she received the UMaine Presidential Public Service Award in 2009 and was inducted into the Maine Press Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
She serves on boards of Maine Public Broadcasting, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and the Caribou Public Library, and is a member of the UMaine Board of Visitors, the McGillicuddy Humanities Center Advisory Committee and the American Association of University Women. Student Speaker
The Class of 2021’s student speaker is Tolulope Josephine Oyeniyi. Tolu was born in Nigeria, and at a young age she moved to Norway with her family, then to London, and finally Alberta, Canada where she has resided for over 10 years.
Tolu received an athletic and an academic scholarship at UMFK where she has majored in Computer Applications and minored in Art. Due to her faith, positive attitude, and work ethic, she maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout the four years she spent at UMFK.
Tolu started playing soccer at the age of five and fell in love with the sport. She played for many school and club teams while growing up. At UMFK, she was a member of the women’s soccer team and was one of their leading goal scorers. She received MVP three times, student athlete of the year, and numerous other awards.
Furthermore, Tolu is an individual that loves being involved, she has held several positions on campus; Residential Assistant, Administrative Aide, statistics and college algebra tutor, Student Ambassador and tour guide, the Arts & Humanities representative, the Secretary of Student Senate, President of the Computer Club, member of the Tennis team, the Treasurer of the International Student Organization, and she has been on a Presidential Search Committee. Annual Awards
APPLIED FOREST MANAGEMENT AWARD Given in recognition of academic excellence and expected future contributions in the area of applied forest management.
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Given in recognition of scholarly attributes and proven academic achievement in an associate of arts program.
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Given in recognition of scholarly attributes and proven academic achievement in an associate of arts program.
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE AWARD Given in recognition of outstanding academic performance and service in the behavioral sciences.
BIOLOGY AWARD Given in recognition of academic excellence and expected future contributions in the area of biology.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AWARD Given in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and expected future contributions in the area of business management.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS AWARD Given in recognition of academic excellence and expected future contributions within the areas of computer applications.
CONSERVATION LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD Given in recognition of academic excellence and expected future contributions in the area of conservation law enforcement.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AWARD Given in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and expected future contributions in the area criminal justice.
CYBERSECURITY AWARD Given in recognition of academic excellence and expected future contributions within the area of cybersecurity.
DEAN’S AWARD Given in recognition of extraordinary diligence and attainment in the field of higher education.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARD Given in recognition of academic excellence and expected future contributions within the areas of emergency management / homeland security. GRETCHEN PRIZE IN FINE ARTS In memory of Gretchen A Gaffney, this award is given to a student who has demonstrated exceptional industry and imagination in the fine arts.
HAENSSLER FELLOWSHIP Given in memory of the scholarship, courage, and devotion of Robert Jacob Haenssler (’82)
OUTSTANDING ACCELERATED NURSING GRADUATE AWARD Given in recognition of academic excellence in the accelerated nursing program, leadership and professionalism.
OUTSTANDING TRADITIONAL NURSING GRADUATE AWARD Given in recognition of academic excellence in the traditional nursing program, leadership and professionalism.
OUTSTANDING RN-BSN GRADUATE AWARD Given in recognition of academic excellence in the RN-BSN program, leadership and professionalism.
PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Given in recognition of scholastic accomplishment as evidenced by maintaining consistent standing on the Dean’s list throughout the undergraduate semesters.
RURAL PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AWARD Given in recognition of outstanding academic performance and expected future contributions within the area of rural public safety administration.
SALUTATORIAN Awarded to a graduate who has earned a minimum of 30 credit hours on the UMFK campus and has achieved the second highest GPA of the graduating class.
STUDENT SENATE OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD Voted by the Student Senate and/or Senior Class, this award is given in recognition of outstanding involvement and service to the university.
UMFK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD Voted on by the UMFK Alumni Association, the award is based on the individual’s contributions to UMFK life and academics throughout their career at the University. Specifically, the recipient should represent academic proficiency, engage and inspire others as a leader, and demonstrate service to UMFK and the community.
VALEDICTORIAN Awarded to a graduate who has earned a minimum of 30 credit hours on the UMFK campus and has achieved the highest GPA of the graduating class. Academic Degrees
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences Stephanie Shellsea Cervantes, summa cum laude Elizabeth Rose Turner, cum laude
Bachelor of Science Behavioral Science Taylor Mae Barnaby Kimberly Diana Blanchette, magna cum laude, Behavioral Science Award, Presidential Award for Academic Excellence Kristen Marie Hafford Brooke Faith Morneault, magna cum laude Brad Plourde Abigail Anne Pooler Sophia Rose Rodriquez, cum laude Sarah Arline Sullivan Christopher Tillock, cum laude Megan Elizabeth White, Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Biology Mariah K. Fryman Lea Alexandra Pelletier, magna cum laude, Biology Award
Business Kyle Avery Chamberland, magna cum laude, Business Management Award Bryce Kedric Coffin, magna cum laude, Presidential Award for Academic Excellence Mandy Rae Fitzgerald, cum laude Katrina Lynne Kinkead, summa cum laude Ryan Austin Merckel, magna cum laude Amber Lynn Rankine, Business Management Award Faizi Salim Christian Lee Simonian, magna cum laude
*students listed in the program are those who participated in the Commencement ceremony Computer Applications Joshua Joseph Anderson, cum laude Alpha Abdoulaye Diallo, summa cum laude David Louis Hepburn Hillman, magna cum laude Tolulope Josephine Oyeniyi, summa cum laude, Valedictorian, Dean’s Award, Computer Applications Award, Presidential Award for Academic Excellence, Gretchen Prize in Fine Arts Jacob Anthony Smart Ryan Veilleux, cum laude
Conservation Law Enforcement Ethan Clarence Jacques Connor Joseph McLain, summa cum laude, Conservation Law Enforcement Award
Cybersecurity Dylan Griffith Jurson, magna cum laude, ybersecurityC Award
Environmental Studies Jacob Leonard Richard
Rural Public Safety Administration Wyatt Merle Foster Micayela L. Hernandez Parker Ross Jandreau, summa cum laude, Rural Public Safety Administration Award Jack Peter Maloney, Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice Robert Jeffrey Sirois Ivette Trujillo, cum laude Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accelerated Nursing Program Ryan Z. Dietz Kristina Rachel Brown, summa cum laude Molly Elizabeth Elwell, magna cum laude Samuel David Lee Carpenter, magna cum laude Mikayla Alexis Fitzpatrick, magna cum laude Craig Samuel Clark, summa cum laude Shiann Rose Haggenmiller, cum laude Gabrielle Bonita Dore, magna cum laude Brittany Grace Hallissey, cum laude Salina Edwin, summa cum laude Crystal Faith Hebert, magna cum laude Danielle Lee Gendreau, magna cum laude Brooke Elizabeth Howland, summa cum laude, Lucas Wesley Grant, cum laude Presidential Award for Academic Juliana Grim, summa cum laude Excellence Anthony Karleic Guzman, magna cum laude Julie BJ Jencks, cum laude Kayla Marie Harriman, magna cum laude Jordan M. Jowett, cum laude Naomi Hebert, summa cum laude Subechhya Koirala, summa cum laude Michaela Monae Hill, magna cum laude Kristin L. Lane Caleb Hollatz, magna cum laude Selome Leake, summa cum laude Vicki Marie Kirby, magna cum laude Lacey D. Lindsay, magna cum laude Justin Louis Love, magna cum laude Luse Frances Lumas, magna cum laude, Student Courtney Simone Moreira, magna cum laude Senate Outstanding Senior Award Julia Kathleen Nixon, summa cum laude Sarah Lindsey Manzo, summa cum laude, Peter Nyame, summa cum laude, Outstanding Presidential Award for Academic Accelerated Nursing Student Award Excellence Noelle Sieloff, summa cum laude Olivia Tressa Martin, magna cum laude Kurt Joseph Soucy, cum laude Luke Hunter Mason, magna cum laude, Joey S. Stinson, summa cum laude Haenssler Prize, UMFK Alumni Kristen Megan Vereault, summa cum laude Association Outstanding Senior Award Lauren Marie Willette, summa cum laude Dayna Danielle McLaughlin, magna cum laude Amee Beatrice Michaud, magna cum laude Traditional Program Jessica Nicole Michaud, magna cum laude Melissa Marie Albert Rachel Marie Andres Nance, magna cum laude Maddison Lacey Arnold, magna cum laude, Christabel Chinenye Okafor, summa cum laude Presidential Award for Academic Mandy Aileen Ouellette Excellence Olivia Jane Owens, magna cum laude Emily Ellen Louise Austin, magna cum laude Nicky Marie Pelletier Orobosa F. Baptiste, summa cum laude, Madeline Maryann Pierce, magna cum laude Salutatorian, Outstanding Traditional Raylee Joyce Shaw, cum laude Nursing Student Award Mackenzie Elizabeth Sheehan, cum laude Hannah Danielle Bess Alyssa Ryan Smith, magna cum laude, Presidential Makayla Kathleen Boudreau, magna cum laude, Award for Academic Excellence Presidential Award for Academic Cory Stewart, magna cum laude Excellence Torri Michelle Bray, magna cum laude, Presidential RN-BSN Program Award for Academic Excellence Lauren Carter Adams, magna cum laude Calyn Elizabeth Brown, summa cum laude Sara Jean Archie, summa cum laude Lori Christine Callnan, magna cum laude Kristina Lynn Bailey, magna cum laude Josie Cecille Clark, cum laude Sarah K. Brooks, summa cum laude Chelsea Lyn Conroy, magna cum laude Amelia Elizabeth Capella, summa cum laude, Brittany Leigh Corey, cum laude Outstanding RN-BSN Student Award Morgan Elizabeth Crocker, magna cum laude, Frances L. Caron, summa cum laude Presidential Award for Academic Carrie Lynne Cressy, magna cum laude Excellence Kimberley Anne Cyr, summa cum laude Brenda Suzanne Currier, magna cum laude Shauna Lyons Goulet, summa cum laude Patricia Anne Hegarty, summa cum laude Melissa Lynne Russell, magna cum laude Sonja M. Higgins, summa cum laude Erica Jane St. Cyr, summa cum laude Lucinda Lisa Houston, summa cum laude Megan Ann Theriault, summa cum laude Jayme Lee Hovey, summa cum laude Kaitlyn Marie Umphrey, magna cum laude Jessica M. Howard, summa cum laude Judith Ann Whitmore, summa cum laude Kayla Jean Manifold, summa cum laude Wendy Lee Wilson, summa cum laude Allison Elizabeth McEwen, magna cum laude Meredith Bennett Young, magna cum laude Samantha Janet Needham, magna cum laude Shauna Leigh Young, summa cum laude Donna O’Leary, summa cum laude Kristi L. Ricker
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - UMA Kasey Leigh Anctil, cum laude Wendy Lee Kenney Katherine Elizabeth Anderson, magna cum laude Natalia Gregorievna Kimball, summa cum laude Lindsay Erin Nichole Banks, magna cum laude Kimberlie Michelle Knox, summa cum laude Jennifer Christine Bauer, summa cum laude Emily A. Leavitt, cum laude Lauren Ashley Bean Barbara Dawn Lewis, summa cum laude Emily Rose Belanger, summa cum laude Sherri Ann Littlefield, magna cum laude Christina Rose DeLeon, magna cum laude Sammi-Jo MacFarland, magna cum laude Katelynn Alice Dougherty, cum laude Katharine Belle Marki, summa cum laude Kristyn Elysha Doughty, cum laude Cynthia Jean Martin, cum laude Ashleigh Rae Dube, summa cum laude Angel Noel Mayo, cum laude Cindy Carolina Espinoza, cum laude Amanda May Milligan, summa cum laude, Aleea Farnham, cum laude Outstanding Traditional Nursing Jordan Marie Genest Student Award Emily Renee Papolas Gilman, magna cum laude Doris Ann Nalley, cum laude Jillian Frances Grant, summa cum laude Lynn Dee Ann Perkins, cum laude Jessica Lee Grenier, summa cum laude Kayla Lynn Quimby, cum laude Chloe Jade Gustin, cum laude Chelsea Marie Roderick, magna cum laude Abigail Marie Ham-Thompson, magna cum laude Jacqueline Anne Sterling, summa cum laude Jasmine Kristi Hanson, magna cum laude Stephanie Jo Stiehler, magna cum laude Melissa Mackusick Hersom, cum laude Kimberly Sue Stuart, magna cum laude Tiffany Violet Kaplan, cum laude Jasmine Denise Tantoco, cum laude Michelle Lynn Kelley, cum laude Shelby-Lynn Sarah Tobey, magna cum laude Jayne Ellen Kelton, magna cum laude Carly Anne Ward, cum laude Associate of Arts Conservation Law Enforcement Emergency Management Noah Matthew Gilbert Christopher Alexander Fox, magna cum laude, Philip Thomas Mills Emergency Management Award Devin Ross Quint
General Studies Criminal Justice Terry Mekhi Foreman Bailey Cheyenne Jackson-Pelletier Aspen Blake Tilley Voigt Mayvis Toby, magna cum laude
Associate of Science Applied Forest Management Adam Jeffrey Bagley, summa cum laude, Applied Forest Management Award Jonathan Thomas Haley, magna cum laude, Associate of Science Academic Achievement Award Honors Students who maintained a high level of academic achievement during their undergraduate careers at the University of Maine at Fort Kent are graduated with honors. Graduation with honors is based on the student’s cumulative GPA at UMFK. Students must complete at least 50 percent of the total degree credits required in their program at UMFK to receive honors. Honors are calculated as follows: 3.20 to 3.49 are graduated cum laude; 3.50 to 3.79, magna cum laude; 3.80 to 4.00, summa cum laude. Graduates receiving University Honors are identified by different colored cords: Cum Laude graduates wear a white cord; Magna Cum Laude wear a green and white cord; Summa Cum Laude wear green, gold, and white cords
Tassel Colors The University of Maine at Fort Kent recognizes graduates of programs of study with a different tassel color. White tassels signify graduates with the Associate of Arts degree. Tassels with a golden yellow color signify the following programs: Arts & Sciences, Biology, Computer Applications, Conservation Law Enforcement, Cybersecurity, Environmental Studies, and Associate of Science. Behavioral Science graduates have a cream-colored tassel. Business gradutes have a drab-colored tassel. Nursing graduates have an apricot-colored tassel. Graduates of the Public Safety Administration program have a peacock-colored tassel.
North American Forest Technician Honorary The North American Forest Technician Honorary was established by the Council of Eastern Forest Technology Schools to recognize exceptional forest technology students from throughout North America. To be eligible, a student must be a sophomore within a forest technology program and have a GPA of 3.3 in all completed forestry classes and an overall GPA of 3.0.
Nursing Honor Society The Nursing Honor Society was established in 1998 by the UMFK Division of Nursing to recognize superior achievement, recognize the development of leadership qualities, foster high professional standards, and purposes of the nursing profession. The honor society was established with the intent of ultimately pursuing membership in Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society for nursing. The blue and white cords that the Nursing Honor Society graduates are wearing symbolize “Truth” and “Purity.” Alma Mater “Forever UMFK”
A beacon for two nations, our alma mater stands Among clear flowing rivers, well blessed by nature’s hand. Bright daughter of Acadia, true friend to woman and man She calls our hearts, our spirits to serve all life, and lands. Partons: La vie est belle, come sing the sweet refrain That calls back sunlit memories of lessons learned in Maine. That calls back sunlit memories of winter turned to spring. May green and gold stay in our hearts: Forever UMFK!
The French melody, adopted for our alma mater, “Partons la mer est belle” originated in western France, in the Loire/lower Poitou area, now known as Vendée, where fishing was common. The song tells of a fisherman mourning the death of a relative or close friend.