The University of Maine at Orono, 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. The school has an enrollment of over 11,000 students and is known as UMaine for short.

The school's sports teams are called the Black Bears and the school colors are blue & white. They participate in the NCAA's Division I level, and are members of the Atlantic 10 Conference, Hockey East Conference, and the America East Conference.

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 the 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.

M. C. Fernald, UMaine's first faculty member and second President, had a large impact on the University's early character and culture.

When the University of Maine System was incorporated, the school was renamed to the University of Maine at Orono (or UMO), but was changed back to the University of Maine in 1986. However, it is still often referred to as UMO.

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. UMaine is unique in offering a department of 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 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.

Transportation

The Oak Hall Dormitory

Autumn leaves shower a lawn in front of UMaine's Aubert Hall

The Bangor Area Transit system connects the University to Bangor and several outlying towns.

Demographics

The student body at UMaine is representative of the population in the surrounding area and is roughly 93% Caucasian, accented by a handful of minority and international students. Race relations are positive, and it is common to see students of different ethnicities interacting. Since many students go to UMaine because of its low tuition (approximately $6,000 a year for in-state residents), the student body is also heavily from the working and lower-middle class. Politically, the student body is moderate.

Notable alumni

• Doris Allen, Children's International Summer Villages founder
• John Baldacci, Maine Governor
• Cindy Blodgett, WNBA player
• Joseph Brennan, U.S. politician
• Don Holder, Tony Award winner-lighting design, The Lion King
• François Fillon, French politician
• Paul Kariya, NHL player, Colorado Avalanche (attended but did not graduate)
• Steve Kariya, AHL player, Albany River Rats, brother of Paul
• Stephen King, author
• Bernard Lown, Nobel Peace Prize winner
• Jill McGowan, fashion designer
• John R. McKernan, Jr., governor of Maine, U.S. politician
• Olympia Snowe, US Senator
• John Henry Williams, only son of baseball legend Ted Williams

Faculty

• Eileen Farrell, opera singer

Reference

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

External links

• http://www.umaine.edu - Official UMaine site
• http://www.goblackbears.com - Official Maine athletics site