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BIDDEFORD, Maine

UNE MARC volunteer receives Governor's Exemplary Service Award

University of New England Marine Animal Rehabilitatioin Center (MARC) volunteer Michael Huitt received the Governor's Exemplary Service Award on April 21, 2009 at the 22nd Annual Governor's Volunteer Service Awards in Augusta in recognition of his community service efforts.

After finishing a career of 30 years with Brockway-Smith, Huitt retired and started volunteering at UNE's MARC in June 2007. Huitt, a non-traditional volunteer, would spend over 40 hours per week scrubbing, cleaning, folding laundry and caring for the animals.  Huitt has volunteered over 500 hours for MARC.

"Volunteerism is simply people helping people," states Huitt.  "My experience at MARC has allowed me to meet many wonderful people with passions and disciplines far different from anything I have ever enjoyed before.  They have become my friends, and together, we save the lives of so many innocent little creatures.  Their acknowledgment of my contributions as the recipient of the Governor's Exemplary Service Award is heart warming."

As a volunteer with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Huitt participates in the rescue of numerous marine animals, which he then drives to the MARC facility on UNE's Biddeford Campus. Once arriving on-site with the animals, he assists with medical examinations.  His efforts to help rehabilitate come full-circle when he is able to join in on the release of healthy animals back into the ocean.

Huitt's work ethic, desire to never stop learning, and his positive attitude make him a role model for the entire staff and fellow student volunteers.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.