Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 30 : Fall 2016 | Page 49

supported by more than 100 volunteers. The event raised
$12,000 for arts programming in Presque Isle. Just two
weeks later, the REDY Youth Triathlon took place on the
UMPI campus. Presented by TAMC, Healthy Aroostook,
and UMPI, this event is designed specifically for the region’s
youngest triathletes and encourages them to get active in a
fun, safe, and supportive environment. Local youth between
the ages of 7 and 14 swam in the Gentile Hall pool, biked
around campus, and completed a run course on the campus
fields—at varying, age-appropriate distances—and they
didn’t let gloomy skies or heavy downpours stop them in
their quest to the finish line.

Next on the schedule for the University is its Homecoming
2016 celebration from Thursday, Sept. 29 to Sunday, Oct.
2. This year’s event features everything from an Inflatable
Obstacle course, to a Friday evening Block Party followed
by fireworks and a Movie Under the Stars, to the annual
Hall of Fame dinner. On Saturday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. in the
Campus Center, the first-ever UMPI Alumni Hour will be
held, featuring a “State of the University” address by Interim
President/Provost Ray Rice, as well as Distinguished Alumni
and Distinguished Educator Alumni award presentations.
All attending any part of this year’s Homecoming activities
are asked to turn out to this new event and to take part
in a large group photo to be taken at its conclusion. To
Local youth may be able to benefit from another program view the full Homecoming schedule, visit. www.umpi.edu/
on campus as they head into the new school year. The homecoming.
University’s TRIO College Access Services Office is
strengthening its efforts to help Aroostook County middle To learn more about these and other exciting things
and high school age students prepare for and enroll in happening at UMPI, visit www.umpi.edu, or check out the
college, and succeed once they get there, after receiving Cultural Events Calendar at www.umpi.edu/app/calendar/
a $1.2 million competitive grant awarded by the U.S. cultural-events-calendar.pdf.
Department of Education. The funds, $240,000 per year
for the next five years, will support the office’s Educational
Talent Search Program and allow it to provide services to
about 500 students each year in grades 6-12 in 12 target
school districts in Aroostook County.
The University also received funding that will allow it to
serve a different learning population starting this fall.
Thanks to a generous donation from MMG Insurance of
$50,000 and a $10,000 grant from the Aroostook County
Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, UMPI has
established a new space devoted to the region’s professional
and workforce development needs. The MMG Center
for Professional Development was unveiled in September
and will offer a close-to-home option for local employees
who want to complete specialized trainings and advanced
certifications. To learn more about this center, see the story
on page 16.
Color PI 5K Photo By Wendy Maple

FALL 2016

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