MACHIAS – Roxanne Quimby, entrepreneur and activist, will be the commencement speaker at the University of Maine at Machias on May 8, the university announced.

UMM President Sue Huseman said, in a statement, Quimby’s “extraordinary success as an entrepreneur, her interest in environmental issues, and her connections to Down East Maine make her a perfect choice for UMM.”

Quimby was a co-founder of Burt’s Bees, which manufactures natural personal care products.

As a conservationist, Quimby has drawn attention and sparked controversy with her purchases of extensive North Woods acreage in hopes of encouraging development of a national park in the area.