The university will award honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to two leaders whose service and partnership have strengthened opportunities for UMA students and communities across Maine.
As the University of Maine at Augusta celebrates the Class of 2026 and closes its 60th anniversary year, the university will also recognize two leaders whose work has made a lasting difference for UMA students and communities across Maine.
At this year’s commencement ceremony, UMA will award honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to Major General Diane L. Dunn and Chad Everett Morris.
Their careers are different, but they share a common thread: both have used their leadership to serve Maine and help create opportunities for others.
Major General Diane L. Dunn: Leadership Grounded in Service
Major General Diane L. Dunn has spent more than three decades serving the people of Maine through the Maine Army National Guard and in public leadership.
As Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard and Commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, she is responsible for the readiness of Maine’s National Guard, the state’s emergency response, and support for veterans and their families.
Her leadership has also made history. She is the first woman to serve as Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard and the first woman to reach the rank of Major General in its history.
That example matters at UMA.
UMA serves many military-affiliated students, including veterans, currently serving National Guard members, active-duty service members, and their families. Many are building their next chapter through education.
Through her service and her leadership as vice chair of UMA’s Board of Visitors, General Dunn has helped keep the university connected to the needs of Maine’s military community, workforce, and students.
At commencement, UMA recognizes her distinguished service, leadership, and direct impact on the university and the people it serves.
Chad Morris: Building Opportunity from Classroom to Cockpit
Chad Everett Morris has helped shape aviation education in Maine.
A Navy veteran, pilot, and entrepreneur, Morris is the owner and CEO of Maine Instrument Flight and a key partner in UMA’s aviation program.
When he acquired Maine Instrument Flight, Morris made a clear decision that the success of UMA’s aviation program would be central to the future of his company.
That decision has had a lasting impact.
Through the partnership between UMA and Maine Instrument Flight, students can complete their training from first flight through instructor certification, gaining the skills and experience needed to launch careers in aviation. Many go on to serve as instructors and pilots across the country.
Morris’s leadership has strengthened UMA’s aviation program and expanded what is possible for students preparing to enter a high-demand field.
At a commencement that also marks the first graduating class of UMA Aviation Maintenance Technicians, his recognition reflects the growing role of aviation education in Maine’s workforce future.
UMA recognizes Morris for his service, partnership, and commitment to helping students move from classroom to cockpit.
A Commencement Moment Focused on What Comes Next
Honorary degrees are among the university’s highest recognitions. They honor people whose leadership, service, and contributions reflect the values of the institution.
This year’s recipients fit that purpose well.
Their stories speak directly to UMA’s mission: opening doors for students, building strong partnerships, and preparing people to serve Maine in meaningful ways. Through military leadership, emergency response, aviation, and workforce development, both honorees have helped create opportunities that reach directly into the lives of students.
For graduates preparing to enter careers, continue their education, serve their communities, or begin a new chapter, these recognitions offer a reminder that leadership often means making opportunity possible for someone else.
As the university closes its 60th anniversary year, we honor not only two individuals, but the service and partnerships that continue to shape what comes next.