University of Maine at Presque Isle officials, several distinguished alumni and members of the campus and community were on hand Monday afternoon for the ceremonial unveiling of the newly installed Alumni Accomplishments Wall in the Preble Hall front entryway.
The Alumni Accomplishments Wall, meant to showcase recent alumni who have made important contributions and realized impressive achievements since graduating from UMPI, serves as a way for the University to applaud the work that UMPI graduates are doing all around the country and the world, and demonstrates to incoming students that they can achieve great things with a degree from the University.
“We are so pleased, through this installation, to be able to shine a spotlight on some of our younger alumni and recognize them for their outstanding achievements,” President Don Zillman said. “Many times, alums are recognized after a lifetime of accomplishments – for example, through a hall of fame display – but we wanted to showcase the fine work our young alums are doing right now in the State of Maine and beyond. We couldn’t be more proud of these young professionals and the dedication they’re showing in their respective fields, and we’re delighted to be able to share that with the community at large.”
Several of the alumni featured in the installation were on hand to witness the unveiling. They included: Robert Tarpey, who works as an Athletic Trainer for the Toronto Blue Jays organization; Erika Valtinson, a Physician Assistant practicing family medicine in Caribou; Scott Boucher, partner in the statewide financial services firm Barresi Financial; Jennifer Whitcomb, a speech pathologist, who has served as a primary language/literacy consultant in one of America’s premier Early Reading First projects; and Evan Graves, a physical education teacher in the region who has completed several marathons and recently placed third overall in the Philadelphia Marathon.
Other alumni featured as part of the Alumni Accomplishments Wall include: Said Mammadov, an international investment banker working in Moscow, Russia with Kazimir Partners; Jerrod Rushton, owner of the event management company Rushton Sports – which owns and directs the Vermont Sun Triathlon Series, one of the oldest and most well respected triathlon series in the country; and Andrew Murphy, a United States Secret Service Special Agent who works in Washington, D.C. and has provided security for several Presidents.
Officials on hand and delivering remarks during the event included Senior Class President Tyler Delaney and UMPI Alumni Board Vice President Sharon Roix.
More outstanding young alumni will be added to the Alumni Accomplishments Wall in the coming months.
To learn more about the Alumni Accomplishments Wall, contact Keith Madore, Director of Alumni Relations and Development, at 768-9568.