Houlton Center Graduation Recognition

UMA and UMPI Graduates Recognized at the Houlton Higher Education Center

A celebration was held on Thursday, May 11th at the Houlton Higher Education Center to recognize University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) and University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) graduates who had a connection to the Houlton Center. Family, friends, and staff were in attendance to honor seven graduates. The ceremony recognized each of the graduates and their educational accomplishments.

UMA & UMPI 2022-2023 Houlton Center Graduates
UMA & UMPI 2022-2023 Houlton Center Graduates

Fred Grant, owner of WHOU, WHOU.live, and Market Pizza, was the guest speaker, offering words of inspiration and congratulations. Grant also encouraged the graduates to be proud of themselves and their accomplishments of “finishing the race”.

Dr. Ray Rice, UMPI, also spoke providing words of congratulations on behalf of UMPI, as well as UMA and the University of Maine System. Rice spoke to the importance that the graduates remember that the Houlton Higher Education Center will always remain a place to feel like home for them and will always assist them with community connections.

Graduates in attendance included UMA graduate, Whitney Bridges (BS – Mental Health & Human Services) and UMPI graduates, Carla Sawyer (AA – Criminal Justice), Heather Carmichael (Bachelor of Liberal Studies – Early Childhood Education), Heidi Coleman (BS – Psychology), James Dobbs (BS – Environmental Studies), and Timothy Youngfellow (BA – Psychology). Additionally, Bridges and Youngfellow earned Certifications in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Technician (Bridges) and Social Media (Youngfellow), both from UMA.

After the gift presentations for the graduates, refreshments were served for all to enjoy.