President Don Zillman has announced that Congressman Michael H. Michaud will deliver the commencement address during the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s 100th Commencement Ceremony, to be held on Saturday, May 16. During this historic event, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degrees will be presented to U.S. Representative Michaud and Bruce Brown, a leading proponent of art education and contemporary art in the State of Maine.

“As the University of Maine at Presque Isle marks its 100th commencement, and remembers the thousands of students who have earned their degrees here since the University opened its doors in 1903 – and the lasting impact many of them have had in their professions and in Maine – we are recognizing Congressman Michaud and Bruce Brown as examples of the importance of serving the people of Maine and the differences individuals can make at the local, state and national level by standing up for what they believe in,” President Zillman said. “There isn’t a better message we could offer to this historic graduating class and we look forward to the lasting impacts we know they will make in their own professions and for Maine.”

Staffers at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s student newspaper, the University Times, will host a special open house in their Journalism Lab located on the first floor of Normal Hall on Thursday, April 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. to celebrate both their brand new Web site and their first year in their new Journalism Lab. The campus community and public are invited to attend this free event. There will be refreshments and a surprise or two.

A world renowned mimedancer is coming to northern Maine to offer a one-night performance at the University of Maine at Presque Isle in May.

Karen Montanaro will present Tanzspiel on Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Wieden Auditorium. Tanzspiel (German for “dance play”) is a one-woman tour de force celebrating the expressive potential of the human body: one moment an old gunslinger reminisces about his youth, the next an entire baseball game plays out in front of you. Montanaro blends the arts of mime and dance to create theater with rare physical and emotional power.

An educator and art collector who will receive an honorary degree during the University’s 100th commencement this May will present a selection of minimalist prints and drawings from his renowned collection this spring at the Reed Fine Art Gallery.

Bruce Brown, a Portland native and curator emeritus of the Center for Maine Contemporary Arts in Rockport, presents Next to Nothing is Everything between April 27 and May 23. A reception in the gallery will be held on Friday, May 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. Brown will present an informal talk and answer questions about the works from his collection. This event is free and open to the public.

The co-founder of a national organization committed to ending violence against women will visit the University in April to give a presentation on domestic violence and community strategies for addressing it.

Ted Bunch, an educator, activist, lecturer, and co-founder of A Call to Men: The National Association of Men and Women Committed to Ending Violence Against Women, will deliver a presentation entitled How Can You Stop Domestic Violence in Aroostook County? on Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. The community is invited to attend this free presentation.

Students from the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Native Voices group will host a day-long event meant to develop strong connections between education and the Native American culture and traditions of the area’s indigenous populations.

The group will host the second annual Native American Appreciation Day from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 17 in the Campus Center. All interested students, faculty, staff, and members of the general public are welcome to attend and participate in this free event, which is being supported by Project Compass.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host more than 100 high school students and their teachers for the annual World Language Day on Thursday, April 16 in the Campus Center. Students from Ashland, Mars Hill and Presque Isle will spend the day on campus for mini-classes in language, culture, Spanish dancing and international games.

Several University faculty, staff and students, as well as community members, will present workshops on their countries of origin, or countries where they have lived and worked. Countries and cultures to be explored include Poland, Italy, Russia, China, Niger, Migmaq, Puerto Rico, Bulgaria, France, Portugal, Sweden and Nepal.

World Language Day will provide area students with an opportunity to learn more about other nations and cultures in a fun and interactive environment. Other schools were interested in participating in this event, but were unable to attend due to freezes on field trips.

A group of students from the University of Maine at Presque Isle who spent their February Break completing an international service learning project in South America will host a Guatemala Fiesta on Tuesday, April 14 from 6-8 p.m. in the Campus Center. The public is invited to attend this event.

The Fiesta will feature an evening of food, photos, fun and celebration. It will showcase the work done by: Kasey Knowles, Skowhegan, senior Behavioral Science student; Laura Long, Blaine, senior Social Work student; Jessica Plant, Perth Andover, NB, junior Social Work student; and Tia Shaw, Perth Andover, NB, senior Social Work student. The group was led by advisor and UMPI Social Work Professor Shirley Rush.