The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Alumni Association will honor three alumni with awards of distinction during Homecoming 2018 activities held Sept. 27-30. The annual alumni award presentations will be made during the third annual UMPI Alumni Hour, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. in the Campus Center. A new one-hour social—complete with refreshments and a chance for alums to catch up with old friends–will precede the event starting at 9 a.m.
Alumnus Patrick Manifold will be honored with the Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award, which is presented to an UMPI alumnus/alumna for outstanding professional achievement, contributions to the community and exemplary service to the University. The recipient must have completed his/her degree within the last 10 years.
Alumnus Timothy A. Watt will be honored with the Distinguished Educator Award, which is presented to an alumnus/alumna who has received ongoing recognition as an outstanding educator. This recipient may also have shown active or supportive involvement with the Alumni Association, support of the University, a successful career that reflects well on the University, and outstanding leadership qualities.
Alumnus Michael Boies will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, which is presented to an alumnus/alumna who has made long-term contributions to the Alumni Association or the University, or who has received professional recognition that has reflected positively on the University.
Patrick Manifold graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Shortly after graduating from UMPI, Manifold signed with a professional sports agent, and in August 2013 he signed his first professional basketball contract with the Glasgow Rocks in Scotland. He has since played professionally in England, Australia (where he averaged a double-double and led the league in scoring with 25.3 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game), Germany, and, this past season, in Italy.
While at UMPI, Manifold was recognized as ‘National Player of The Year’ by the NCAA III Independents, and finished his U.S. college career with 1,351 points; enough to position him in the top 3 all-time scorers in UMPI’s more than 100 year history. Professional basketball is only part of Manifold’s success. He is the author of multiple motivational and educational books, including: Change Your Life, New Year New You, Happy Today, and his first children’s personal development book Be All You Can Be: The Cool Kids Guide To Success In School & Life.
Off the court, Manifold has chased his dreams all around the world living in seven countries on three continents. When he is not playing the game he loves, he is writing and speaking on a wide range of topics through social media and his full-service personal development company Manifold Motivation. He has shared his inspiring message of positivity and possibility with diverse groups around the globe. In addition, he hosts basketball camps and is the founder of a charity that helps worthy local causes, including the children’s hospital in his hometown of Great Yarmouth, England.
Timothy A. Watt graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He went on to earn his Master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of Southern Maine in 2005. After graduation in 1985, he was hired as a physical education teacher for MSAD #20 in Fort Fairfield where he would serve grades K-12 at multiple schools and in various capacities for 15 years. He has also served as coach of various sports teams at Fort Fairfield Middle/High School. These coaching positions include basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and soccer across over 30 individual seasons. Many of the teams he has coached have played in semi-final championship games and won Eastern Maine titles.
In 2000, Watt took on the role of Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Fort Fairfield Middle/High School. As the assistant principal, he handles most student disciplinary situations and holds himself to the ‘code of ethics’ that all student-athletes must sign. In his role as Athletic Director, he is responsible for all athletics at Fort Fairfield Middle/High School and spends countless hours preparing fields, making sports schedules and rescheduling, hiring coaches, washing uniforms, gathering student physical paperwork, monitoring home games, and traveling around the state in support of the district’s athletic programs. He still continues to teach physical education classes and coach district teams as needed.
Watt received special recognition for his contribution to the Aroostook League by the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administration Association in 2013 and 2018. He was also recognized for his 15 years of service to the Aroostook League by the MIAA in 2015. Closer to home, he has received multiple Apple Awards, a yearly award nominated by staff and selected by the MSAD #20 superintendent.
In his community, Watt has volunteered in numerous capacities for the Maine Potato Blossom Festival committee and has been a yearly fixture at the community Christmas dinner hosted by the Knights of Columbus in Fort Fairfield.
Michael Boies graduated from the University in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Recreation. He later received certification as a leisure professional (CLP) from the National Recreation and Park Association in 1996. Following graduation, he was hired as physical education teacher, coach and Athletic Director at Calais High School and held this positon until becoming the Parks & Recreation Director for the Town of Brownville in 1981. In 1985, he transitioned to the Town of Baileyville, where he currently holds the title of Parks & Recreation Director.
Boies was responsible for the start-up of, and currently maintains, the region’s Community Access TV station that serves the communities of Bailyville/Woodland, Calais, Princeton, Baring, and Robinson. The station has been serving the public for 20 years.
Boies’ service to community includes his work as Assistant State Commissioner for Cal Ripkin/Babe Ruth Baseball for more than 20 years and President of the Downeast Cal Ripken Baseball league for more than 30 years. He has also been a member of the President’s Advisory Board for Washington County Community College, the University of Maine at Machias Sports and Recreation Advisory Board, and President of the Down East Elementary/Jr. High School Cross Country League.
Boies has also provided radio play-by-play announcing for the local high school basketball games (Woodland & Calais) for more than 30 years, and served as an International Association of Approved Basketball Officials official for more than 30 years. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the St. Kateri Takawitha Parish Council (Catholic) and lector for Mass on Saturday and Sunday for more than 20 years. He received the Recreation & Parks Association Professional of the year award in 2002.
The Alumni Awards will be presented to Manifold, Watt, and Boise at the Sept. 29 Homecoming Alumni Hour. For more information about this event, please contact Craig Cormier at 207-768-9425 or craig.cormier@maine.edu.