PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle celebrated its largest ever graduating class on Saturday.
About 200 of the 513 graduates attended the university’s 115th commencement as faculty, family and friends packed the Wieden Hall gym. A video ceremony is planned in June for those who could not attend.
With references to the recent total solar eclipse and the mysteries of the universe,
speakers urged the new graduates to explore the world around them and enlarge their horizons while making the world a better place.
Maine author Cathie Pelletier served as commencement speaker. Contemplating nature and learning about the world a few birds or stars at a time helps enlarge one’s view of the world, she said, referencing Carl Sagan’s noted observations of earth as a “pale blue dot” in the universe.
People need to set technology aside sometimes, she said.
“Shut it all off now and then. Listen to the world. Look around you,” she said. “Those stars you see at night connect you to history. Knowledge of nature expands your knowledge of yourself.”
Pelletier has written 16 books and earned numerous accolades, including an unprecedented million-dollar advance for her book “Candles on Bay Street,” said campus President Ray Rice.
The soon-to-be graduates marched in to “Pomp and Circumstance,” provided by Anatole Wieck, UMaine professor of music, on violin and Colin Graebert, director of vocal music at John Bapst High School of Bangor, on piano. The two also played “Rise Up, Presque Isle,” written by musician and Presque Isle native Ellis Paul.
The early campus’ first small graduating class of 1903 couldn’t have foreseen how the campus would grow, Rice told the crowd.
“On this most auspicious of days we commend the Class of 2024, which we are truly humbled to say is our largest graduating class ever, for their dedicated pursuit of their academic goals,” he said.
Emily Cain of the University of Maine System Board of Trustees recalled her eclipse experience from Orono at 98 percent of totality. Seeing photos from farther north which saw 100 percent totality, she was amazed at the difference 2 percent made, she said.
“For most things in life, 98 percent is enough,” Cain said. “You did it — 100 percent of it. Make the most of this 100 percent effort you have made.”
Donna Lisnik, chair of the local campus’ Board of Visitors, along with Lea Allen, professor of English and faculty assembly chair, and Kimberly Jones, associate professor of business and Alumni Association vice president, also spoke.
Rice presented honorary degrees to Pelletier and to David McCrea, a Fort Fairfield educator and former state representative.
Following the presentation of degrees, Alondra Lopez-Aquina, Class of 2024 speaker, recounted her journey from her home in Los Angeles to far northern Maine, and encouraged her fellow graduates to remember they will always have a family and a place “north of ordinary,” the campus’ slogan.
Rice had a special surprise to cap off the festivities. Saturday was, after all, May 4 — which “Star Wars” fans know as “May the 4th be with you” day, a take on the movie series’ famous line, “May the Force be with you.”
Donning a “Luke Skywalker” wig, Rice grasped a glowing light saber. He and speakers, some with character wigs and their own light sabers, processed out as Wieck and Graebert played the “Star Wars” theme.
