Regional media cover UNE's commencement

A number of regional media covered UNE's May 21, 2011 commencement ceremony with news stories before the event, and the Maine Sunday Telegram on May 22nd ran a feature story with several photographs from the event. The Telegram story interviewed graduate Alexandra-Elena Panaitiu (photo at right), who was awarded a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and neuroscience. Earlier in the semester, Panaitiu had received the Jacques Downs Award for Academic Excellence, which meant that she would lead the turning of the tassel during the commencement ceremony. The story also identified graduate Tara Smith, a nursing major, in a photo.

The Telegram story noted that commencement speaker, U.S. Representative Michael Michaud had joked about a renowned Maine phrase, "you can't get there from here," during his address. He said many people repeated that notion to him as he pursued his career in politics, but he never let that stop him. Michaud was awarded an honorary doctor of laws.

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.