UM honors House clerk, professor 462 degrees conferred during commencement

ORONO – Notable graduates of the University of Maine include scientists, engineers, professional athletes, members of Congress, a Nobel Prize winner and perhaps the world’s most-read author.

On Saturday, 462 students were awarded degrees at the 197th commencement, joining the ranks, if not matching the professional achievements yet, of graduates who have preceded them.

About 2,500 people attended the midmorning ceremony held at the Harold Alfond Sports Arena. UM President Peter Hoff presided over the event, which was marked by the conferral of an honorary doctor of science degree on retired engineering professor Richard “Dick” Hill.

An energy specialist, Hill, 82, taught mechanical engineering at UM from 1946 to 1992. Hill delivered the commencement address on the world’s energy future.

At the conclusion, Hoff remarked, “I hope today’s graduating class enjoyed every kilowatt-hour of their education.” The comment drew an appreciative laugh.

Joseph Mayo, Class of 1982, received the Outstanding Graduate Award from the UM Alumni Association. Described by Alumni Association President Jeffrey Mills as a dedicated, spirited, Mayo became a legislator and, eventually, clerk of the Maine House of Representatives.

Stricken two years ago with Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive neurological ailment, Mayo must now use a wheelchair. He retired as House clerk two weeks ago. Mayo has started a scholarship fund for family members of people with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

One hundred forty-three of the students received graduate degrees and 20 received doctorates.

Robert A. Kennedy, vice president of academic affairs, conferred the honorary degree on Hill.

A graduate of Syracuse University, Hill is regarded as an institution on the UM campus.

He delivered his address with so much energy that his waving arms and body movements produced some high-pitched feedback on the sound system.

At other times, he stood several feet away from the microphone, making it difficult for some to hear his speech.

Yet Hill’s ability to communicate was not lost on the audience in the arena, which was filled to about two-thirds capacity. “You can see why he was such a good teacher,” said one young man in the audience who listened intently to Hill’s speech.

During his talk, Hill noted that one coal miner can produce enough coal in one hour “to keep a Maine household in electricity for 10 years.” Hill rebutted those who forecast a conversion to renewable energy sources.

The reason that will not happen is “not because renewables are difficult, awkward and expensive, which they are. It’s because coal miners are awful good at what they do,” Hill said.

Hill reflected on the advice he received from a faculty colleague when he arrived at the university in 1946.

“The old professor tapped me on the chest and said, ‘There are only two rules: Don’t lie to ’em and don’t bore ’em. Anything beyond that is like money from home.'”

Owen Smith, a professor in the UM art department, delivered the Celebration of Academia address. He urged the graduates to realize that the joy of learning “is part of your life and … can continue to be an important part of your life for the rest of your life.”

“My charge to you is to know the unknowable, see the unseeable and hear the unhearable. I know you can do it. All it takes is your mind,” said Smith, the recipient of the 2000 University of Maine Presidential Outstanding Teaching award.

December commencements have become a tradition at the University of Maine. Started more than two decades ago, the ceremony is much smaller than the spring commencement. Unlike the spring ceremony, class valedictorians are not named and most student honors and awards are not given out.