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University of Maine at Presque Isle President and Provost Ray Rice has announced that John L. Estrada, the former U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, will deliver the commencement address during the University’s 108th Commencement Ceremony, to be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017. During the event, an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree will be presented to Laurence A. Park, who is part of a long legacy of Park family members who have been integral in the life of the campus.

Folk singer-songwriter Dave Mallett returns to the University of Maine at Presque Isle for a special coffeehouse-style performance at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, in the Campus Center. Accompanied by his band, Mallett will perform songs from his new album Celebration, as well as works from his decades-long career. All are invited to attend this event; donations will be accepted at the door to go toward future cultural arts programming.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Art Program is taking a turn at the pottery wheel to help fight hunger on a local scale. The program, with the assistance of students and local ceramicists, will create and sell unique handmade bowls—with funds raised going to a local soup kitchen—as part of the region’s fourth Empty Bowls fundraiser, taking place on Thursday, April 27, from 6-8 p.m. in the Sargent Family Community Center (Presque Isle Recreation Center).

The Auditorium in Wieden Hall gets more than a little bit country when Nashville recording artist Timmy Brown takes the stage on Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. This night of music, sponsored by UMPI’s Student Activities Office, is free and open to the community.

Whether it’s helping athletic fans to better enjoy the game or providing convenience for students in need of a battery boost for their mobile devices, University Credit Union is continuing its tradition of collaboration with the University of Maine at Presque Isle in several ways this academic year.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is pleased to present Dr. Donna M. Beegle, a nationally renowned public speaker, author, and national poverty expert as the last speaker in its 2016-2017 Distinguished Lecturer Series. Her talk, which will also serve as the keynote address for UMPI’s 16th Annual University Day, focuses on nationwide poverty and her experiences with the issue. This event will take place on Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m., in the Campus Center. This event is free and the public is invited to be a part of this special evening.

From multicultural experiences to mindfulness in athletic rehabilitation to connecting classroom and clinical wisdom, students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle will showcase their academic research, scholarly work and community service on Wednesday, April 12, during University Day. The theme of this year’s event is Meet in the Middle.

Stand-up comedian Ryan Reiss won’t just make you laugh, he’ll show you how it’s done when the University Players present him for a workshop and performance on Thursday, April 13, at 7 p.m. in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Auditorium at Wieden Hall. Both the workshop and the performance, rated PG-13, are free and open to the public.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Presque Isle Community Players are pleased to present the northern Maine debut of John Cariani’s play Last Gas this spring, bringing the Presque Isle native’s “hilarious and heartbreaking” tale to the stage for its hometown premiere. Last Gas performances will take place on Fridays and Saturdays, March 31, April 1, 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium in Wieden Hall; doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s very own Ben White will serve as the next speaker in the 2016-2017 Distinguished Lecturer Series on Wednesday, March 22, at 7 p.m., in the Campus Center. White, who is the fourth UMPI student ever to serve as a student Distinguished Lecturer, will deliver his talk Transitioning: Finding My Way to Me. His talk is free and the public is encouraged to attend the event.