ORONO — The University of Maine has named Robert Dana as speaker for its undergraduate commencement ceremonies, and Graham Carr as the Graduate School commencement ceremony speaker.
Undergraduate ceremonies
Dana (’80) shaped the success of nearly half the students who have graduated from the University of Maine during its 160 year history. For a quarter of that time, he worked in support roles for student health and life. Five months into his retirement, Dana will send off the undergraduate class of 2025 during their commencement ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on May 11 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
“Robert dedicated his career to creating a kind, caring and compassionate campus community where students could nurture their curiosity and pursue their new horizons. I’m honored he will be joining us at the 223rd commencement ceremonies,” said UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “For 40 years, he celebrated the triumphs of all students and helped them navigate and learn from their differences.”
In 1985, Dana joined UMaine as the program coordinator for substance abuse services. By 2002, he was promoted to dean of students, later adding vice president for student life and inclusive excellence to his title. Dana graduated from UMaine with a degree in psychology, received a master of education from Boston University and earned a doctorate in human development counseling from Vanderbilt University before returning to Maine.
Residence life, multicultural student affairs, non-traditional and commuter student services, fraternity and sorority affairs, the UMaine Police Department, campus recreation, campus activities and veteran’s services were some of the many programs Dana oversaw. He was responsible for student affairs fundraising; served on the Executive Cabinet and Provost’s Council; and has taught courses in the Graduate School and College of Education and Human Development.
For much of his career, Dana served as the primary advocate for students — whether that meant being lifted like a trophy in 1993 after winning the hockey championship or maintaining a sense of community during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. As about 1,800 undergraduate students prepare to leave UMaine, some to return and further their education, he will reflect on the memories they share and what his experiences have taught him about success and life. The class of 2025 will be the last Dana has watched step onto campus for the first time and leave with new friends, experiences and tools to build their careers.
“I was blessed to be filled with the joys and expectations of students while helping them transition their experience. Spending time every day with students was like fuel in my tank, and because of who students are and their enthusiasm, experiences and openness, no two days were ever alike,” Dana said. “It is a high honor and privilege to wish our graduates success and joy in all their endeavors.”
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Graduate ceremony
The president and vice chancellor of Concordia University, who more than 40 years ago received his Ph.D. from UMaine, will send off the graduate class of 2025. Carr (‘83) is the speaker for UMaine’s Graduate School commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. on May 10 at the Cross Insurance Center.
Concordia is one of the top North American universities under 50 years old. Its two Montreal campuses are home to 50,000 students from more than 150 countries. Carr’s previous leadership positions at Concordia included provost and vice president of academic affairs; vice president of research and graduate studies; and dean of graduate studies.
“When Dr. Carr moved from his home in Canada to the University of Maine in 1979, he fully immersed himself in the cultural and historical study he was undertaking as a doctoral candidate. His dissertation shed light on how Canada’s geographical proximity to America shaped English-Canadian literary culture in the early 20th century,” said Ferrini-Mundy. “His desire to understand the driving force behind cultural development has served him well in his many leadership roles at Concordia University, situated in the multicultural city of Montreal. We are honored to welcome Dr. Carr to Maine for our Graduate School commencement ceremony.”
Born in Quebec, Carr earned a Ph.D. in history from UMaine. He is a professor in Concordia’s Department of History, alongside his leadership roles, and his ongoing research focuses on Cold War cultural history.
While at UMaine, Carr focused on both Canadian and American history, as well as Canadian-American relations and U.S. and Canadian literature. He said studying in a different country broadened his cultural and social horizons.
“I benefited from outstanding mentors and fellow students at the University of Maine, who encouraged my desire to work across disciplines and hone professional skills,” Carr said. “It’s an honor and privilege to return to the university and meet the next generation of graduates who have ambitions for success and to make a difference in the world. At a moment when the pace and impact of change has never been more accelerated or seismic, graduate education, regardless of one’s discipline or program of study, is a uniquely formative opportunity to develop advanced knowledge, skills and expertise.”
Additional information on UMaine’s 2025 Commencement is available online.
