Press Releases

Four years ago, retired University of Maine at Presque Isle professor Anderson Giles made the discovery of a lifetime—a gold tooth that may have belonged to famous Japanese admiral Isoroku Yamamoto—during one of his many trips to the Pacific to preserve the history of World War II. That discovery and its international historical significance have been spotlighted in a new feature-length documentary produced by filmmaker Tim Gray of The World War II Foundation and narrated by actor Gary Sinise. The Portillo Expedition: Mystery on Bougainville Island will premiere on more than 100 public television stations across the country this November.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host Dr. Elise Perrault, Associate Professor of Management at the College of Charleston and Director of the Think Differently Forum, as the next speaker in its 2019-2020 Libra Distinguished Lecture Series on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Art Gallery presents People of the Dawn: A Celebration of Mi’kmaq Art between Nov. 1 and Dec. 20, 2019. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show’s run and attend the Gallery Reception on Friday, Nov. 1, from 5-7 p.m., which includes a gallery talk at 5:30 p.m.; light refreshments will be served. This reception is being held in conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk and the citywide Native American Heritage Celebration.

The Presque Isle Rotary Club will host its Eighth Annual Purple Pinkie Project on Thursday, Oct. 24 and, with the help of the Rotary Clubs in Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Mars Hill, and Washburn, the celebration spreads throughout central Aroostook County.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will receive one of the largest grants in its history this month following the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement that the University was selected for a 2019 Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant worth nearly $2.25 million over a five-year cycle. The grant will allow UMPI to expand access to two new career pathways—in Computer Science and Health Administration—and develop stronger career readiness and experiential learning offerings for students.