From mass customized learning and zebrafish to storytelling and jogging for justice, students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle will showcase their academic research, scholarly work and community service on Wednesday, April 10, during University Day. The theme of this year’s event is Linking Generations through Teaching and Learning.
University Day is an event that heightens students’ awareness of the work being done by peers in all of the disciplines represented on campus. The annual campus event allows students to better understand how disciplines interrelate and how the academic work they do applies to the local and global community. It is also an opportunity for students to experience a professional conference format. No regular classes are held during University Day, but in their stead, students are encouraged to attend student-led presentations and talks held during six sessions throughout the day.
University Day officially kicks-off on Tuesday, April 9, with a Distinguished Lecturer Series presentation by Dr. Richard Keeling, a nationally recognized expert on transformative change for higher education and the co-author of the recently published book We’re Losing Our Minds: Rethinking American Higher Education. Dr. Keeling will speak at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center on The Future of College: Rethinking American Higher Education. His presentation is free and open to the public.
The next day, more than 100 students will offer more than 40 talks and presentations, covering areas of study as wide ranging as athletic training, criminal justice, social work, education, special education, business, biology and literature. Many of the presentations address the connections between learning and the community.
The very successful morning poster session, which made its debut at last year’s University Day, returns again this year. The poster session, taking place in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Campus Center from 8 to 9 a.m., will feature more than a dozen and a half posters by UMPI students, showcasing the research they have done in environmental studies, biology, geographic information systems, education, physical therapist assistant, and social work. Students will be present to discuss their posters and answer questions. Beverages and snacks will be available. The posters will remain on display throughout the day for public viewing.
In addition, the International Students Club will host its Culturefest 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Pullen 210. Members of the club will deliver presentations on China’s Education System at 10:45 a.m. and China’s History and Culture at 2 p.m. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., there also will be a Student Clubs and Organizations Fair. Campus groups will have displays on the second floor of Folsom and Pullen Halls.
To add to the community spirit of the day, the University will open its doors to the public. The University Day committee has invited students from local high schools, and community members are welcome to attend all sessions.
During lunch, Cory LaPlante will be presented with the Distinguished Recent Alumni Award. LaPlante, a member of UMPI’s Class of 2005, graduated from the University with his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He now serves as owner and CEO of Northern Prosthetics and Orthotics and also was just named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur for 2013, for both Maine and the New England region. LaPlante is co-founder and Past President of the Prosthetic and Orthotic Society of Maine and he co-founded the Aroostook Amputee Support Group. LaPlante is a graduate of Van Buren District Secondary School. He also completed his post graduate education in prosthetics from the University of Connecticut, where he graduated as salutatorian.
A complete schedule of University Day activities can be found at www.umpi.edu/uday.