Development is about fundraising and friend-raising, as it fosters connections with individuals\u2013 students, faculty and staff alike \u2013whose financial support fuels all of our efforts to make the university and the world in which we live and work better.\u00a0 This process requires us to build genuine, trust-based relationships in order to receive donations from individuals and businesses.\u00a0 These donations are then used as requested by the donor to support academic and major building projects.<\/p>\n
Did you receive a UMPI scholarship this year? If so, it\u2019s quite likely that your scholarship was paid through the university\u2019s foundation. The Foundation of the University at Presque Isle<\/strong> was founded in 1972, has a board led by more than 20 community members and has total\u00a0assets of more than $6 million.\u00a0 Through development and philanthropy, the university’s Foundation provides scholarship support to UMPI students every year\u2014this year totaling more than $150,000!\u00a0 Be sure to complete the scholarship application in December\/January for the next school year.<\/p>\n Have you ever noticed the names on the buildings across campus?\u00a0 These individuals and\/or their families and friends made major contributions to UMPI.\u00a0 For example, Park Hall was named for the Rev. George M. Park, who was the leading spirit for bringing the Aroostook Normal School (now known as UMPI) to Presque Isle in 1903.\u00a0 Park Hall was dedicated in 1969 on the site of the Park homestead, where five of the six Park youngsters grew up. This land was donated to the university by the Park family. \u00a0The Rev. Park\u2019s grandson, Laurence Park, is an active and frequent visitor to our campus. \u00a0He is quite the UMPI historian and loves to share his stories.\u00a0 The Park Scholarship is provided by the Park family to numerous UMPI students every year.<\/p>\n On Sept. 27, we will dedicate the Zillman Family Greenhouse, which will support our Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness and Environmental Sciences programs. \u00a0\u00a0The greenhouse will be used in formal courses, professional development, area grower demonstrations and undergraduate and faculty research to support a variety of local agriculture activities. The facility will include two research labs, a plant and soil classroom and a faculty office.\u00a0 Former UMPI President Don and Linda Zillman provided the leading gift to the greenhouse.\u00a0 We are very excited to have received donations and grants from many other sources as well for this project, including the Maine Potato Board, The County Federal Credit Union, Farm Credit East, the Maine Community Foundation, McCain Foods, Key Bank, Katahdin Trust Company, University Credit Union and a number of other companies and individuals.\u00a0 Join us Sept. 27 as we celebrate the dedication of the newest building on campus that will support our Ag economy in The County and beyond.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sponsored Research and Projects\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Through externally funded grants from state and federal agencies as well as foundations, UMPI is able to provide opportunities for faculty to engage in research and scholarly work and offer hands-on research and other experiential learning opportunities to our students.\u00a0 You should be sure to check out the undergraduate research program presented each fall by the science faculty to learn about the many exciting research projects our faculty are conducting, from earwigs and snails to birds and potatoes.<\/p>\n If you participated in the Upward Bound or Talent Search programs while in high school, you were a part of a federally funded grant project.\u00a0 UMPI is fortunate to lead both of these programs that provide college access services to high school students so that they can achieve their goals of attending college and earning a degree.\u00a0 We also have a Student Support Services program that provides tutoring and counseling support for our college students.\u00a0 The services for each of these programs is paid for through federal grants. \u00a0UMPI submits applications for these funds through a competitive process.\u00a0 If you were a member of UB or TS when in high school, you should definitely connect with our Student Support Services office in the CIL.<\/p>\n No matter what your program of study, hometown or year in college, I bet if you thought about it for a few minutes, it wouldn\u2019t take you long to realize that the many activities connected with University Advancement and External Relations have a direct impact on your college experience\u2026and we look forward to connecting with you as a student as well as when you graduate and become an alum! \u00a0Stop by the President\u2019s Office to say hello or learn more about careers in donor relations, grantsmanship and philanthropy.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/27\/2019\/09\/Greenhouse-banner-XL-web.jpg\")
<\/a>