Student Spotlight: Julianne McLaughlin

Student Spotlight: Julianne McLaughlin

Julianne McLaughlin accepts her award. (Photo Courtesy of Julianne McLaughlin)

Julianne McLaughlin accepts her award. (Photo Courtesy of Julianne McLaughlin)

UMF’s representative this year in the Maine Policy Scholar Program, political science major Julianne McLaughlin, presented her extensive research on the implementation of proficiency based learning standards in Maine at the scholarship program’s annual graduation ceremony in Orono last week following an initial presentation at our own Michael D. Wilson Symposium. In her research, McLaughlin concluded that the conflicts surrounding the implementation of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are not due to a fault in the CCSS itself, but the result of other factors such as limited availability or easy access to resources for teachers and parents to utilize and understand the standards. She will be sending her final policy recommendations to Maine’s Commissioner of Education.

Seth Noonkester: The New General Manager Of Titcomb

By Sarita Crandall, Contributing Writer

“I am extremely excited for my new position,” Noonkester said. “I feel really motivated to make Titcomb successful and hold true to it’s values.”  Noonkester graduated from UMF in May 2015 and has been giving back to the community through his work with the town’s recreation department for the last two years. With his experiences and fresh ideas, Noonkester is ready to take on whatever comes his way in his new position.

Noonkester attributes a lot of his success to the ORBA program and how it’s run. The program has the components of a business major but with some recreation activities mixed in such as white water rafting classes. “You get an idea of how business works in common recreation activities that people enjoy,” Noonkester said.

An important requirement that Noonkester pointed out was that the ORBA program has their students find an internship so they’re acquiring real world experience rather than just reading about it in a classroom setting.

Professor Clyde Mitchell agrees with Noonkester saying, “Internships are very helpful in forming relationships, networking and ultimately getting jobs.” Mitchell tries to teach his students that making connections, stepping up, and taking opportunities are going to be the building blocks towards the career that they want.

Along with Noonkester’s new position at Titcomb, another UMF student and fellow ORBA major, Drew Bates, has been elected onto the Titcomb Board of Directors as Head of Terrain Parks. Bates was involved in the Snow Cats program at Titcomb and noticed that the kids always requested going to the Beagle—where the terrain park is located—and hopes to make the park friendly and challenging for all ages.

“I’ve heard Seth’s name tossed around a bit when I first came here and I knew he did his internship at Titcomb,” Bates said. “When the job opened up at Titcomb a lot of people were saying that it would be a young kid, like a UMF student. I wasn’t surprised that Seth got the job, he knows how Titcomb works and I like that he has a terrain park mind!” Bates said. “I am really looking forward to working with him and seeing how much we can do for Titcomb.”

One of the first events coming up for Titcomb will be a fundraiser for their education foundation; a golf tournament being held at Sugarloaf on June 6. Teams are made up of four players and any level of play is welcomed. Contact seth.noonkester@maine.edu for further questions.

Student Spotlight: Samantha Cote

Student Spotlight: Samantha Cote

Samantha Cote acknowledged for her winning design is the Partnership For Civic Advancement sticker competition. (Photo Courtesy of UMF Website)

Cote acknowledged for her winning design. (Photo Courtesy of UMF Website)

Cote's winning design. (Photo Courtesy of UMF Website)

Cote’s winning design. (Photo Courtesy of UMF Website)

 

 

 

 

Recent winner of the Partnership for Civic Advancement sticker design contest, UMF student Samantha Cote, was acknowledged at the Partnership’s Annual Recognition Dinner last month. According to the Partnership’s website, Cote’s design was chosen because it best conveyed the purpose of the organization while also incorporating UMF colors. Cote’s work was well received by the attendees of the event. Congratulations!

 

 

 

 

 

Student Spotlight: Math and Baseball, Senior Cabaniss Presents Findings at Symposium

Student Spotlight: Math and Baseball, Senior Cabaniss Presents Findings at Symposium

(Photo Courtesy of UMF Website)

(Photo Courtesy of UMF Website)

Fifth-year senior and former UMF baseball player Sean Cabaniss was recently featured on WCSH 6 for his research work developing a mathematical system for creating optimal batting line-ups. Cabaniss graduated last year with a degree in secondary education and returned this year to complete a second degree in math with a minor in coaching, according to WCSH 6. Using Major League Baseball (MLB) statistics Cabaniss has found that there are over 360,000 ways to arrange a lineup up of nine players. According to a UMF press release, Cabaniss has also relied on the use of mathematical Game Theory and the support of his faculty advisors to reach his conclusion. Cabaniss will be presenting his findings at UMF’s annual Michael D. Wilson Symposium on April 26. He hopes to eventually publish his work so that professional teams may benefit from his research.

UMF Student Spotlight: Community Health Students

UMF Student Spotlight: Community Health Students

Congratulations to UMF students Melissa Sawyer-Boulette, Ronie Morales, and Rhiannan Jackson, who, with the help of Community Health Education professor Dr. Kelly Bentley, recently secured a $5,000 grant for the Western Maine Homeless Outreach homeless shelter to help fund an 11-week daytime educational program. Amazing work, guys!

UMF Student Spotlight: Tom McGowan

UMF Student Spotlight: Tom McGowan

UMF student and Tip Whip representative Tom McGowan. (Photo courtesy of Tom McGowan)

UMF student and Tip Whip representative Tom McGowan. (Photo courtesy of Tom McGowan)

Thanks to the tremendous efforts of five UMF students, Tip Whip is now officially operating on campus! For those who don’t know, Tip Whip is an exclusive ride sharing service for UMF students, fully operated by UMF students. It’s kind of like Uber, but way cooler because you only pay the tip! A special thanks to UMF senior Tom McGowan for serving as the UMF Tip Whip representative on campus. Congratulations to all five students on this wonderful achievement!