Press Releases

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s GIS Laboratory has provided 15 central Aroostook County cities and towns with technologically advanced tools that are helping them to better manage their land parcels and create efficiencies in their tax assessing, planning and development, and land and forest management efforts.

The GIS Laboratory was able to complete this project at no cost to the municipalities thanks to a $12,000 grant it received from the Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems [MEGIS]. The project, “Central Aroostook Parcel GIS Mapping Project”, was headed by Dr. Chunzeng Wang, UMPI Associate Professor of Earth and Environmental Science. It is the area’s first large-scale land parcel GIS mapping project.

One of the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s newest student clubs has taken community service to heart, working to help several local groups as it increases members’ awareness for careers in the biomedical and health sciences fields. The University’s BioMedical Club has had a busy year so far, participating in everything from volunteer activities to fundraisers for the community to educational activities with local school children.

Area volunteers with the AARP Tax-Aide Program will be available on Saturdays at the University of Maine at Presque Isle during the next two months to help members of the community prepare their tax returns.

This free service will be provided by volunteers every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Feb. 4 to April 14 in Room 118 of UMPI’s Campus Center. The work these volunteers are doing is connected to the VITA [Volunteer Income Tax Assistance] and TCE [Tax Counseling for the Elderly] programs.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will be offering two courses this spring starting on Monday, Feb. 27 as part of its American Management Association’s certificate programs. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, Feb. 22.

These spring courses, part of a multi-course curriculum leading to Certificates in Management and Human Resources Management, are specifically created to meet the unique needs of working professionals who want to be more effective in their current positions and better prepared for future advancement, according to Keith Madore, campus AMA coordinator.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle has hired an experienced facilities and construction leader, planner and manager – who has worked in commercial, industrial and institutional environments – to serve as its new Director of Facilities Management.

Robert Aughinbaugh, who comes to Maine from Mentor, Ohio, and has 21 years of experience in facilities management, replaces outgoing Director of Facilities Management David St. Peter, who officially retired Jan. 20 after 24 years with the University. He and his wife Victoria will split their time between Madawaska Lake and Florida as they enjoy their retirement.

Through the dedicated efforts and donations of the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s International Students Club, UMPI staff and friends, and a generous anonymous donor, the University’s Foundation has established an International Students Scholarship and Work Program.