UMA Senior College Instructors
Acker, Charles
Chuck holds a PhD in Clinical and Physiological Psychology from UCLA to help him in his understanding of belief systems and mind-body relationships. He worked with key UMA personnel to bring Senior College to Augusta.
Baker, R. Kenny
Kenny has worked in the trade industry for almost 25 years. His work has involved helping business, non-profit, and professional people increase their customer base, conserve their cash flow and increase their profit margins. Mr. Baker has held positions in sales, marketing, and management. Several years ago he started an innovative trade exchange that grew to over 600 members. For the past 6 years he has been an independent consultant teaching the benefits of trade through workshops, lectures, and consultation. His goal is to educate people to the many advantages of trade thereby enhancing their quality of life.
Balderston, Betty
Betty is the Statewide Coordinator for the Maine Medicare Education Partnership with Legal Services for the Elderly in Augusta. MMEP is a federally-funded program whose mission is to educate Mainers about Medicare and MaineCare issues, including errors, fraud and abuse. Prior to her current position, Betty worked for 25 years with Central Maine Power Company, and has over 15 years of experience as a community volunteer with a variety of non-profit organizations in the central Maine area. She is an alumna of the University of Maine at Augusta and the Kennebec Leadership Institute.
Bamforth, Richard
Richard is a Bowdoin alumnus with graduate degrees from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Boston University. A retired pastor and teacher, he has offered six different UMASC courses on Russian art and literature, Scottish lore, History, and Christian Art.
Bazinet, Suzanne
Suzanne, a Registered Dietitian, combines her love of teaching with a solid background in nutrition education. She obtained her B.S. degree at Orono and a Masters at the University of Florida. Her professional experiences include hospital, university, and state government settings.
Bond, Robert
Bob is a former professor of forestry economics and forest policy. He has a Ph.D. in forestry economics from SUNY, College of Forestry at Syracuse University. He taught at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for 21 years and then became the Director of the School of Forest Resources at Penn State University in 1978. Following retirement in 1988, he returned to manage forestland in Massachusetts, in which he held a half interest since 1956. He and his wife moved to Maine in 2000. In spring 2008 and 2004 he taught courses at Senior College.
Bookey, Ruth
Ruth brings her wealth of experience in drawing and painting along with her classroom teaching skills to move "beginners" to aspiring artists very quickly.
Bookey, Ted
Ted is published in many literary journals and is the author of three collections of poems. He taught English Literature at Long Island University and has conducted poetry workshops for students of all ages.
Crisci, Lenann
Lenann has been a health care professional for 35 years. She has been enjoying the practice of T'ai Chi as a student and teacher for over 10 years. She loves sharing her passion for this ancient art.
Day, Chet
Chet has degrees in math, physics, EE and computer science, and business administration. He retired in 1995 from computer communications research for the Bell System to Fayette, Maine. He is Co-chair of the Arts and Presentations Committee of UMA Senior College (UMASC), volunteers who do a monthly concert series sponsored by UMASC and UMA College of Arts and Humanities. He is a member of the UMASC Board of Directors. He and Deena have four grandchildren.
Day, Deena
Deena majored in English Literature with a graduate degree in Library Science. She retired in 1996 from Pequannock Township Public Library in New Jersey and moved to Fayette, Maine where she served as the volunteer school librarian in the Fayette Central School for five years. She is a member of the Arts and Presentations Committee of UMA Senior College (UMASC), volunteers who present a monthly concert series sponsored by UMASC and UMA College of Arts and Humanities. She is a member of the UMASC Board of Directors. She and Chet have four grandchildren.
Erdman, John
John holds a Ph.D. in chemistry and worked for DuPont in R&D and Manufacturing of synthetic rubber and plastics. Taking advantage of an early retirement program, he moved to Orono, Maine where he operated an engineering/machining company that designed and built specialty machinery and scientific equipment. Computer aided drafting and design programs were routine tools used in the business. In retirement, in the course of designing furniture and home shop projects he discovered the world of 3D design using Google's free software SketchUp and has become experienced in its use. Other interests include: computers and technology, digital photography, Cape Breton fiddling, and hand building Windsor chairs.
Feagin, Tom
After a stint in the US Public Health Service, Tom Feagin practices in Augusta, New Orleans and Memphis, gradually shifting from internal medicine to geriatrics to hospice care. He became progressively more interested in doctor-patient communication and end-of-life decision-making over a period of 33 years, and is proud to have founded the Mid-south Center for Biomedical Ethics.
Finkel, Kathy
Kathy is a creative book artist, printmaker and painter. Her book works evolve from her passion to create books as vessels, keepers of secrets, sanctuaries and protectors of personal journeys. She has studied art at the University of Maine at Augusta, Maine College of Art, and continues to explore imaginative use of materials in her creative pursuits.
Flynn, Jackie
Jackie is a graduate of the University of Maine's College of Engineering. Jackie began her career in public health education and prevention with the "Move More Diabetes" program as an enrollee then quickly transitioned into the Lay Health Educator role as a volunteer. She is a trained Living Well leader and Master Trainer. She has co-facilitated many Living Well workshops. Jackie has been involved in health education, promotion and prevention for more than five years with an initial focus on chronic disease management and diabetes care.
Foust, Earnest
One of Senior College's favorite transplants is Ernie Foust who comes to UMA from Kutztown State University, one of fourteen state universities in Pennsylvania. He began his career as a high school English teacher then moved to the university level. His MA came from the University of Iowa and further study came from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His interests are wide and varied, from blacksmithing in his shop behind the barn to fishing in the Millinocket area. He and his wife of fifty-six years live in an 1831 Federal house in Pittston with their youngest son, his wife, and two young granddaughters. They have four grown children, seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Ernie has taught several courses for Senior College and enjoys teaching something new and different.
Grossbaum, John
John holds a B.A. from Columbia College, an LL.B. from Harvard Law School, and an LL.M. from George Washington University Law School. He was an Administrative Judge on the Department of Defense Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals for more than 25 years. He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy and retired from the Naval Reserve as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. During his Navy career he participated in several Law of War workshops at the Army JAG School, and has taught classes on the Law of War in the University of Maine Senior College system.
Hartzler, Phyllis
Painting is a physical discipline that focuses and refines Phyllis' spiritual awareness. Communicating with others through her art brings great joy and satisfaction. Having painted most of her life, she enjoys trying different media including watercolor, oils, acrylic and pastel. Phyllis' education includes a B.A. from the University of Chicago, one year at the Art Institute of Chicago plus many workshops, classes and private instruction over many years. She has taught watercolor and drawing at the YWCA, evening classes in the New Castle County Public School System in Wilmington, DE and at the Center for Creative Arts in Yorklyn, DE. For many years she taught watercolor at the Methodist Country House, Wilmington, DE. Phyllis' last teaching position was at the Methodist church in Wilmington, DE. She painted landscapes, flower gardens, still life, portraits and figures. She has received eleven awards for her work and has been in many juried shows including the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, Philadelphia Sketch Club, The Delaware Art Museum, and the Chester County Art Association, West Chester, PA. Becoming a member of the Kennebec Valley Art Association, she has been accepted in two Juried shows. Cohen Community Center, Hallowell has been exhibiting her paintings for several years.
Katz, Harriet
Harriet Katz is on a campaign to bring back the card game Canasta. She was a Higher Education Officer for the Community College of the City of New York and supervised the payroll department. When Harriet went to Florida to visit her sister, Flo, she found the afternoon heat too much. Her sister insisted she learn to play Canasta. When home, the pace of life with husband, children and work allowed no time to play cards. But each year in Florida, she got another Canasta lesson. Upon retirement, she and her husband moved to Maine where she "loves to volunteer". Soon Canasta and now Mah-Jongg interest her. As Harriet says, "cards are stimulating for the mind as well as keeping eye-hand coordination sharp." She also volunteers at the hospital "Smiley Program" showing children the intricacies of a microscope and the joy of science.
Ladd, Lincoln
Lincoln did his graduate work at the University of Virginia and Duke. He taught at North Carolina State University at Greensboro, helped to start the English and Foreign Language departments at Maranacook Community School in Readfield, and has been a part-time instructor at the University of Maine at Farmington.
Lindholm, Ann
Ann and her husband, Lloyd, have been in the antique business a number of years and always enjoyed their trips to find unique and interesting things for their trade. As time went by, they began to notice fewer quality antiques were available as more desirable items began appearing on eBay. Reluctantly, Ann learned what eBay was and how it operated. She acquired knowledge wherever she could. In order to help others, she obtained a certificate of Education Specialist trained by eBay. She is an accomplished businesswoman as well as a patient and helpful teacher.
Littlefield, Jacqueline
Jacqueline is the Education Outreach Coordinator for the Holocaust and Human Rights Center (HHRC). As the Education Outreach Coordinator, Jackie is responsible for conducting workshops and professional development training on the Holocaust and human rights for educators throughout the state of Maine. She came to this position after having taught public school for 29 years, ten as a middle school language arts teacher where she taught a unit on the Holocaust using literature and technology. Jackie attended the HHRC summer seminar for educators at Bates and has journeyed to Poland four times to visit the concentration camps and other historic sites. In recognition of her Holocaust work she received a Mandel Teacher Fellowship from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1999 and a Joseph Zola Fellowship from the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford in 2000. Jackie was named Maine Holocaust Educator of the Year in 1999.
Mahoney, Gerry
Gerry is a retired Special Agent of the FBI with a B.A. in Philosophy and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He has always been interested in history and its impact on today's events. He is a member of the Kennebec Historical Society in Augusta and Row House, Inc. in Hallowell. He is chairperson of the Hallowell Riverfront Development Committee and Vice-Chair of the Hallowell Conservation Commission. His writings include "Ardent Spirits" - The Franklin Debating Society and A Social History of Hallowell, ME, In The Early 19th Century. He and his wife, Wendy, reside in Hallowell.
Michelson, Joseph
Dr. Michelson is definitely a man of letters. He is a prolific writer; everything from a story for Humpty Dumpty Magazine to books on various aspects of ophthalmology. He is a staff surgeon at Togus V.A. and a Clinical Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology, at Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary at Harvard University. In addition, he has written two paperback novels about Judaism. He enjoys helping others understand the "American Melting Pot." This historian is passionate with a good command of the subject matter.
Miller, Dorcas
In her wide and varied career, Dorcas has been a teacher, Outward Bound instructor, (river rafting) Maine Guide, environmental advocate, book editor, and free-lance writer. She is the author of four natural history identification guides, as well as eight other books about nature and outdoor adventure. She is currently working on a mystery novel set in Portland in 1910. In their spare time, she and her husband are rock climbers.
Munroe, Ken
Ken Munroe, Handwriting Analysis, is a graduate of the Naval Academy and holds a graduate degree from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology. After retirement and many trips to Tucson, Arizona, Ken became interested and involved in handwriting analysis (HWA). (Tucson is one of the "hotbeds" of handwriting analysis!) He was lucky enough to study under Professor Ron Laufer, one of the leading professors of this field of study. In addition, Ken holds two certificates in handwriting analysis from an HWA institute in San Diego, California.
Perry, Katy
Former "Our Towns" T.V. hostess, Katy Perry, is a true "Mainer". Her writing career began as a widow while living in Whitefield raising four sons. She started her broadcasting profession at station WRDO in Augusta where she did a daily interview show. She is author of both children's and nonfiction books and continues writing for weekly area newspapers. Besides her writing and interviewing, Katy enjoys teaching, bringing the joy of living to people of all ages.
Prugh, Duane
Duane is a retired Electrical Engineer and Computer Consultant. He loves the outdoors and has, for many years, been interested in the technical aspects of structures and their history. His avocation has become lighthouses, covered bridges, waterfalls, and gorges. At the drop of a hat he will act as a guide to those interested in learning about them.
Rand, Robert
Robert earned a B.S. in Education from USM in Portland in 1971, and an MPA from UMO in 1982. Bob worked as a Statistician for the State of Maine, and a SEA BEE in the U.S. Navy. His hobbies are reading and writing mysteries. In addition, he enjoys taking Senior College courses. Bob is married to Mary Rand who works at the UMA Library.
Ray, Art
Art is a new instructor this Fall. He has taken courses at UMASC since Fall 2003 and is a member of the Curriculum Committee. Art is a graduate of the University of Maine in electrical engineering and retired after 35 years at CMP Co. His interests are sports and history and enjoys skiing and hiking.
Reinsborough, Elizabeth
Elizabeth was born in Northern Ireland. She has a B.Sc. from Queens University, Belfast, an M.Sc. in Conservation from London University and teaching credentials from the University of Maine at Orono. She has worked in a plant breeding program in Tanzania and taught Biology in Maine for 20 years. She has traveled extensively and has been interested in the National Park System for many years. She enjoys hiking and is a maintainer on the Appalachian Trail in the 100 mile wilderness.
Roberts, Carol
For the past eight years, Carol Roberts has been Executive Director of the International Association of Lemon Law Administrators, an organization for which she is eminently suited. She has worked as Director of the Maine Lemon Law under Maine's Attorney General. She has been a consumer mediator and is presently a member of the Consumer Federation of America. She has been a business owner, medical technologist and an adult ed teacher. She and her husband live in Winthrop.
Rosenberg, Peter
Peter is a graduate of Poughkeepsie High School, Princeton University Magna cum laude, and Tufts Medical School. After completing his training in Otolaryngology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, he served two years at Fort Bragg. He then had a private practice in Ear, Nose and Throat in Norwich, Connecticut from 1972 until 2004. Now he serves as Chief of the Otolaryngology Department at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Togus. Peter joined the Norwich Rotary Club in 1975 and is now the Secretary of the Augusta Rotary Club. His interests include piano, magic, stained glass, golf, tennis and food.
Sacks, Julian
Julian has been drawing and painting most of his life. Since retiring from the practice of psychiatry, art has become his primary occupation. Through the years he has studied art in New York, California, Boston and Maine. His work has been exhibited in many places throughout Maine including the Kennebec Valley Medical Center and Miles Memorial Hospital, and several galleries including the Harlow Gallery, Saltwater Artist Gallery, and the New O'Farrell Gallery. Although he works predominantly in watercolor, his interest extends to oil painting, pastel drawing and printmaking. Recent subjects have been landscapes and seascapes in Maine, Alaska, Arizona and Italy. He usually works directly from the subject, which he feels helps him create a more immediate and spontaneous quality in his pictures. He lives in Whitefield with his wife Marie. He is not only a gifted watercolorist but a gifted teacher also.
Sawyer, Janet
Janet started her professional career as a registered dental hygienist in 1980 upon graduating from Bangor Community College. She worked in a variety of settings and received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education in 1986. She started working in the dental public health field and eventually moved into the field of public health after obtaining her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Public Health in 2004. Janet has worked in the area of prevention since 1980. She has a real interest in promoting prevention and healthy behaviors within a community setting. One of Janet's assigned priorities at The Prevention Center is coordinating the Living Well programs. She is a trained Living Well leader as well as a Living Well Master Trainer.
Sherman, Leon
Leon Sherman (Muhammad Ashraf) has been a Muslim for 18 years, active with the Mosque and community in Sacramento, California. He moved to Maine when he retired 6 years ago. He has a second home in Malaysia. Sherman had a television show on Indonesia and is currently working on a book on the spread of Islam with emphasis on conversion and social history. This 'Yankee' attended Andover, then Columbia for a BA in History followed by an NYU Masters in History and studies for a PhD (ABD). He taught Western Civilization; as well as courses on history of Africa; of South and Southeast Asia; and Islamic Civilization. Sherman switched to a career in business earning two further Masters Degrees: Financial Planning and Management. He headed advanced sales for a major insurance company in NYC, later starting his own corportion "Financial Priorities". He also taught continuing education for CPA's, Financial Planners, and Attorneys.
Smith, Edna
Edna earned an Associate Degree from Boston University and her B.S. at UMA. After working at Central Maine Power Company for 25 years as an Accountant, Computer Analyst, their first Woman Manager and as Manager of Customer Operations, she decided to delve in the world of personal computers and digital cameras. She is a member of the Kennebec Valley Art Association and Camera Club. With her husband, the Reverend Roger Smith, she has traveled extensively, always with her camera.
Smith, Roger
The Rev. Canon Roger S. Smith served as a chaplain to an oil company in a Muslim country and became familiar with Islam and its impact on daily life. After attending Colgate University and the Berkeley Divinity School, Smith earned a doctorate at the Hartford Seminary. Fr. Smith has spent most of his ministry in Maine serving parishes in Rangeley, Fort Fairfield, Augusta, Portland and Readfield. He serves as chair of The Committee on Indian Relations of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine.
Spear, Sylvia
Sylvia's career has been about communication. She recently retired as a secondary level English teacher, and her earlier years as an educator included Title One/Chapter One Remedial programs at the elementary level. She graduated from The University of Maine at Orono and received her Master of Arts Degree from Vermont College. This busy educator is a Hospice Volunteer in the Waterville area and has worked with inmates at the Somerset County Jail as part of the RSVP-Thresholds Program for Health Reach and will be continuing that work in the spring. She also sits on the RSVP Advisory Board.
Stubbs, Lorraine
This very active retiree, Lorraine enjoys meeting new people and helping others enjoy the world around them. She began with a B.S. in chemistry and mathematics at Orono then an M.A.T. in environmental studies at Colby College. Her Doctoral studies in oceanography were done in Seattle at the University of Washington and then advanced to physical chemistry at Hope College in Michigan. She enjoys teaching various natural resource topics, gardening, fishing and hiking.
Sturtevant, Mary
Mary has a B.A. degree in zoology from the University of Maine (Orono). For over twenty-five years she was employed as a chemist by the State of Maine Public Health Laboratory. She volunteers with the Kennebec Land Trust, and as a school tour guide at the Pine Tree State Arboretum. She enjoys gardening, participating in a book discussion group, and learning about the natural world.
Todd, Jim
Jim practiced and taught psychiatry until his retirement in 1996. Since then he has been exploring his creative side. He became interested in fractals and chaos theory a year ago.
Wagley, Sally
Sally is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Northeastern University School of Law. She has extensive experience in the field of law and aging and has participated in the development of Maine laws affecting older people, publishing articles on these subjects. Her practice in a Winthrop law firm focuses on elder law, estate planning, estate administration, real estate, and bankruptcy.
Watson, Allan
Allan holds a Doctorate degree from the American College of Metaphysical Theology and a MSEd from the University of Southern Maine. He has served as a pastor for two churches and worked as a special education teacher and therapeutic foster parent for individuals with special needs for 36 years. All has authored multiple books, including a 5 book series, The Ambassador Code. He is also the editor of the monthly newsletter, Ambassador Advocate.
Weisheit, Gloria
Gloria has had two careers - teaching English for twenty years at University and high school levels, and then becoming a nurse and working mostly as a psychology certified nurse. Gloria's degrees are a BA and MA and all the course work for a Ph.D. She also has an ADN in nursing from UMA.
Whetstine, Jane
Jane calls herself "a late bloomer" as a 2005 graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington with a major in psychology. Currently, she is in a Master's program for counseling at the University of Southern Maine. As a Beacon Hospice bereavement coordinator, her duties include: in-services for Beacon's contracted facilities' staff as well as facilitating services of remembrance for the staff and families who have lost loved ones. There are other opportunities to serve the community such as facilitating grief support groups and education on grief issues. Having been a stay-at-home mom for many years, she home-schooled two of her grown daughters for 9 years and worked some outside the home as a part-time church secretary.