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UMPI’s Coach Sotskov heading to Vancouver Olympics

posted in: Press Releases

University of Maine at Presque Isle Nordic Ski Coach Alexei Sotskov is heading out on the trip of a lifetime this month when he travels to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics to serve as the Head Coach of the New Zealand Cross Country Ski Team.

Coach Sotskov will depart for Vancouver on Feb. 10 to attend his very first Olympic Games. The 2010 Vancouver Olympics begin with the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 12 and end on Feb. 28. The last race for Sotskov’s team will be on Feb. 28.

As Head Coach for the small New Zealand team, he’ll be overseeing everything from travel logistics and race entries to ski waxing and his athletes’ physical and mental preparation. The members of the New Zealand Cross Country Ski Team are 23-year-old Ben Koons of Dunedin, New Zealand, who has been living in Maine for the past 7 years, is training with the Maine Winter Sports Center and has been on the New Zealand national team for two years, and Katie Calder, 29, of Tauranga, New Zealand, who has been on the New Zealand national team for four years.

“I’m very excited about this. Like any athlete or coach, it’s the pinnacle of your career to go to the Olympics,” Coach Sotskov said. “I’m hoping to gain some of the latest knowledge on what other coaches and teams are doing, how they ski, and how they prepare for races of this caliber. I’d also like to take part in the cultural experiences and just enjoy how a huge event like this gets organized. I’m thrilled to see how it all works.”

OAPI offers slate of spring events

posted in: Events, Press Releases

With winter in full gear and warmer weather in the future, the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Outdoor Adventure Program International (OAPI) is offering a series of spring adventures for campus and community members to enjoy, including a winter mountain climb, cross country and alpine skiing, snowshoeing and rock climbing.

Faculty Noon Seminar Series returns

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The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Faculty Noon Seminar Series returns for the Spring 2010 semester with presentations on First Nations students, student-led teaching models, the challenges ahead for higher education, and the connection between capitalism and zombies.

Seminars will be held on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Normal Hall Faculty Lounge. Presentations will be 20-30 minutes in length, followed by a discussion. Those attending are welcome to bring their lunches and join in the discussion.

Distinguished Lecturer Klaus Lackner to speak on carbon air capture technology

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The University of Maine at Presque Isle is pleased to present Dr. Klaus Lackner – the Ewing-Worzel Professor of Geophysics at Columbia University, the Chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, and the Director of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy at the Earth Institute at Columbia University – as its first Distinguished Lecturer of the Spring 2010 semester.

Dr. Lackner will deliver his talk Innovations in Sustainable Energy: Capturing Carbon Dioxide Directly from the Air on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the UMPI Campus Center. A snow date has been set for Friday, Feb. 12. During his talk, Dr. Lackner will give an overview of the environmental challenges facing our world, the importance of carbon dioxide capture and sequestration, and the budding technology behind the capture of carbon dioxide from ambient air using ionic exchange resins in the form of artificial trees.

University hosts spring semester blood drive

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The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host its annual spring semester American Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. This blood drive is sponsored by the UMPI Residence Life Office, the Brothers of Kappa Delta Phi and the Sisters of Kappa Delta Phi NAS.

The blood drive is scheduled from Noon until 6 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room. Door prizes will be given away during the event. If donors wish to reserve a time to make their donation, they should call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can sign up at the new online appointment scheduler at www.givelife.org.

UMPI Alumni Accomplishments Wall unveiled

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University of Maine at Presque Isle officials, several distinguished alumni and members of the campus and community were on hand Monday afternoon for the ceremonial unveiling of the newly installed Alumni Accomplishments Wall in the Preble Hall front entryway.

The Alumni Accomplishments Wall, meant to showcase recent alumni who have made important contributions and realized impressive achievements since graduating from UMPI, serves as a way for the University to applaud the work that UMPI graduates are doing all around the country and the world, and demonstrates to incoming students that they can achieve great things with a degree from the University.

Modular Origami exhibit, workshops coming to UMPI

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This spring at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, the founder of the Maine Origami Society will present an in-depth and interactive modular origami display and offer a series of workshops to teach members of the campus and community about the art form that combines paper folding and geometry.

Eva Szillery – who also serves as the Director of the Maine Junior Engineering Technical Society and the State Director of the American Mathematics Competitions – has presented similar exhibits and workshops at sites across Maine, including in Lewiston, Bangor, Orono and Portland. Her visits to Presque Isle are being presented in collaboration with the University’s Math Program and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Blistered Fingers to perform Jan. 30

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The sounds of Bluegrass will fill Wieden Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. when Blistered Fingers performs at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Blistered Fingers is a fast-moving traditional Bluegrass Band from the Central Maine area that travels extensively around the northeast and eastern Canada. They will present “Blistered Fingers: A Night of Bluegrass” during their performance at UMPI. This concert is sponsored by County Bluegrass, WCXU-Channel X Radio, and the UMPI Cultural Affairs Office.

University kicks off College Goal Sunday

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One week before the Super Bowl and all the festivities surrounding it, the University of Maine at Presque Isle will host an annual party of its own for high school and college students – College Goal Sunday.

Staff members will be on hand Sunday, Jan. 31 beginning at 2 p.m. in Folsom 105 to assist students in completing and filing their FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid] forms. This free event is open to the entire community. High school seniors and parents are especially encouraged to attend, along with currently enrolled college students needing assistance.

Philip Mentor to perform at UMPI

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The University of Maine at Presque Isle presents classically trained baritone Phillip Mentor on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center for a concert titled “A Spiritual Odyssey.”

Mentor’s performance will take an introspective look at African-American culture by offering up several spirituals, including Deep River; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot; Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen; The Gospel Train; and Go Down, Moses.