The University of Maine at Presque Isle chapter of Phi Eta Sigma inducted 26 students and two honorary members into its national honor society earlier in the academic year. The induction ceremony lasted only 45 minutes, but provided students with a prestigious honor.

University of Maine at Presque Isle alumnus Michael Thibodeau—a 2013 inductee into the Massachusetts Science in Education Hall of Fame and the University’s most recent Distinguished Educator Award recipient—is returning to campus this spring to teach a new hybrid course for the College of Education. His 9-week course will run from March 3 to May 5.

EDU 363: Teaching Science in the Secondary School will be presented in an online format, but with a special hybrid twist—Thibodeau will be on campus in person to provide two on-campus lab experiences on Sat., March 8 and Sat., April 12.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will be offering two courses this spring beginning Monday, March 24, and Tuesday, March 25, respectively, as part of its American Management Association’s certificate programs. The course registration deadline is March 19.

Officials announce $200,000 Davis Educational Foundation grant and new vision to help establish groundbreaking learning approach

The University of Maine at Presque Isle was joined by several top Maine education officials during a Feb. 13 press conference in Bangor to announce its transition to proficiency-based education, a move that makes UMPI the first university in Maine and one of the first in the nation to deliver this type of interactive learning. Proficiency-based education encourages deeper learning and greater engagement by providing more hands-on activities, giving students choices in selecting assignments, and having them demonstrate proficiency in a subject area before moving along to the next concept.

Officials with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the City of Presque Isle are working to ensure a smooth transition for community members when the city’s aquatics program begins offering its lessons at the Gentile Hall pool starting in March.

In an effort to familiarize community members with UMPI’s pool, officials will be hosting two open house events—on Friday, Feb. 14 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and on Saturday, March 1 from 4-5 p.m.—providing tours of the building, a brief orientation on how the city’s aquatics programming will be offered at the UMPI facility, and an opportunity to get a wide variety of questions answered. The public is invited and encouraged to attend these free events.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is welcoming two new employees and announcing one new appointment at the start of the Spring 2014 semester.