The University holds its Commencement Exercises each year on a Saturday in May, typically the second Saturday of the month at 10 a.m., honoring students who completed their course work in the fall or spring of the current academic year, or who will finish their course work in the summer.

Many distinguished speakers have delivered commencement addresses during UMPI’s graduation ceremony, including Tony-nominated actor John Cariani, the former U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago John L. Estrada, Maine U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, former Maine Supreme Court Justice Leigh Saufley, nationally-acclaimed writer Cathie Pelletier, and folk singer-songwriter Ellis Paul.

UMPI also has recognized several honorary degree recipients. The University has bestowed Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees upon many deserving individuals, including:

  • Daniel Ladner, a much-loved educator and advocate for music and the cultural arts
  • Laurence A. Park, a well-known farmer and conservationist who is part of a long legacy of Park family members who have been integral in the life of the campus
  • Dave and Roberta Griffiths, dedicated public servants and long-time pillars of the Presque Isle and University communities
  • Don and Linda Zillman, past UMPI president and first lady

Did you know?

For those who aren’t able to join us in person for graduation, the University provides a live stream. Just go to any page of the umpi.edu website and look at the top of the page for the link to the livestream, which will be available starting at 9 a.m. on graduation day. You can also directly access the livestream by visiting www.umpi.edu/livestream. Once graduation is over, the video is available for viewing on our YouTube video page.

Another special component of the event is the pinning of all marching graduates with a special symbol of campus. Each graduate receives a lapel pin depicting a snowy owl with its wings outstretched in flight. Meant to symbolize how each of them is spreading their wings and soaring on to great heights, graduates are asked “Where will your wings take you?” They have the opportunity to share their stories—about contributions they make in their career fields, ways that they serve their communities, and adventures that they have around the world—on the website https://www.umpi.edu/alumni/yourwings/. All alums, not just the current year’s graduating class are encouraged to add their stories on this site.

Graduation Photo Galleries

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