UMM honors former president

MACHIAS – Amid the celebration of the 93rd commencement at the University of Maine at Machias on Saturday, a sad occurrence was remembered. President John Joseph collapsed moments before the graduation ceremony and died of a heart attack just a year ago.

Joseph was honored alongside 82 students who received bachelor’s degrees and 10 others who received associate degrees. The flowers decorating the Reynolds Center were placed in memory of Joseph, the UMM president whose three-year tenure provided a visionary direction for the university.

“He led this campus to a vision for the future and inspired all of us,” said Sue Huseman, the acting president.

Faculty, graduates and their families and friends were quiet as Huseman announced a musical tribute to Joseph and the senior class. Gene Nichols, one of the associate music professors, then sang “Happy Trails to You.” That was the song Joseph had planned to serenade the senior class with at last year’s commencement. The graduates got it this year instead. Nichols received a standing ovation.

Roxanne Quimby, the Winter Harbor environmentalist and businesswoman, addressed the graduates, speaking extemporaneously and drawing anecdotes from her past as the founder of Burt’s Bees, the natural cosmetics company that has sales of $50 million a year. She identified the three things humans dislike most, all of which ring true in her own life: waiting, making decisions and enduring change. Then, after noting she had never before spoken to a group so large, she finished with a grin and thumbs up.

Quimby received a Distinguished Achievement Award “in recognition of her significant achievements as an environmentally conscious entrepreneur.”

Francis Schumann, a retired surgeon, received the other Distinguished Achievement Award. Huseman noted that Schumann has spent the last 20 years making Machias a better community, including spearheading the capital campaign to restore the town’s Porter Memorial Library.

“The world needs individuals of your caliber and your training,” Schumann told the graduates. “With your capable hands, guide us along. We love you, trust you and thank you.”