Graduations slated at area colleges, universities

Seven area universities and colleges will hold commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 10.

Owen Wells, president of the Libra Foundation in Portland, will speak when Husson College in Bangor holds its 104th graduation ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in Newman Gymnasium.

More than 300 graduates will receive bachelor’s and associate’s degrees while 96 graduates will receive master’s degrees. Students from eight countries and 13 states will participate, including 19 from South Korea who are completing their baccalaureate degrees in nursing.

Also during the ceremony, Keun Pyo Hong will receive an honorary doctorate in education for her work in Korean nursing education.

Sen. W. Tom Sawyer Jr., R- Bangor, will be guest speaker at the 21st annual graduation of the New England School of Communications, an affiliate of Husson, at 7 p.m. at the Newman Gymnasium on the Husson campus.

Fifty-nine students will receive bachelor of science and associate of science degrees, and one certificate in broadcasting will be awarded.

The school’s Alumni Award will be presented to Tom Preble of Bradley, a 1987 NESCom graduate who is director of sales for five area radio stations in the Cumulus Broadcasting chain.

In honor of the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s centennial celebration, three alumni will address the 94th graduating class and receive honorary degrees during commencement at 10:30 a.m. in Wieden Gymnasium. More than 200 degrees will be conferred.

The speakers are Irvin Belanger, a 1965 graduate and veteran Caribou educator and state representative; Kathy Spangler, a 1979 graduate who is director for national programs at the National Recreation and Park Association; and Mark Wentworth, a 1976 graduate who is the counselor for press and culture in the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Romania.

Maine Maritime Academy will hold its 60th commencement at 9 a.m. beginning with the annual awards program in Delano Auditorium, Leavitt Hall. The academy will confer 141 bachelor of science, eight associate in science and three master of science degrees at an 11 a.m. ceremony in the Alexander Field House. Also, 34 graduates will receive associate in science degrees as part of educational programs with Bath Iron Works and General Dynamics Electric Boat.

The speaker will be shipbuilding executive Michael W. Toner, who will receive an honorary doctorate. He is executive vice president, marine systems, General Dynamics Corp. and president of General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Unity College will hold its 34th commencement at 1 p.m. at the campus on Quaker Hill Road. Degrees will be conferred on 114 graduates, with a reception following on the library lawn.

Delivering the keynote address will be Unity College professor emeritus David Purdy. Special citations will be awarded to Jay Espy, president and chief executive of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and Eleanor J. Brugger, a student at Mount View High School.

The University of Maine at Machias will honor its tradition in marine biology and environmental studies when Francine Cousteau, president of the Cousteau Society in Paris, delivers the commencement address at the UMM Reynolds Center at 2 p.m.

One hundred and twenty graduates will receive degrees, and Clara Neptune Keezer of Perry will receive the Distinguished Achievement Award for her traditional basket making. Cousteau, widow of famed underwater explorer and ecologist Jacques Cousteau, will receive the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the ceremony.

One hundred and ninety-nine students will receive degrees at the 121st commencement at the University of Maine at Fort Kent at 1 p.m. in the University SportsCenter.

James D. Irving, president of J.D. Irving Ltd., will give the commencement address and receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Irving is president of the international forest products company, which also manages environmentally certified woods in Maine and Canada.

UMFK senior class president Joy Gervais of Frenchville will also address graduates. Martin B. Bernstein and Sandra B. Bernstein will be awarded the 2003 Distinguished Service Award.