FARMINGTON – On the steps of Merrill Hall, beneath a flawless autumn sky, visitors from around town and across the state wished the University of Maine at Farmington a happy anniversary.
The Charter Day Commemoration recognized the 150th anniversary of the school, harking back to its establishment in 1863 as the Western State Normal School. Representing the state’s first institution of public higher education, the school was formally established by the Maine Legislature on Oct. 9 of that year, with the signing of a charter document.
Wednesday, that event was celebrated with a gathering just beyond the front steps of historic Merrill Hall which drew Governor Paul LePage, local and state officials as well as more than 100 residents, students and passersby.
LePage congratulated UMF and newly-inaugurated President Kathryn Foster, noting that the college’s roots were grounded in historically significant times, as the Civil War raged across the country. Since that time, LePage said, UMF in its various incarnations had offered an excellent program that put students first, something he said was important for Maine’s future. Teachers were called upon not just to teach academics, LePage said, but provide mentoring for young people.
“That’s why teachers are so important,” LePage said, “Teachers provide the mentoring.”
LePage also cited some of UMF’s accolades: being cited as a top secondary education option by U.S. News & World Report for 16 years running, having four of the previous six Maine Teacher of the Year awards go to UMF graduates and providing “good value” for students in a time in which mounting student debt was increasingly becoming an issue.
Calling 150 years “a good start,” LePage drew applause when he said that Maine looked forward to the college’s next 150 years.
Other speakers included Sen. Tom Saviello, who read both the governor’s and the Maine State Legislature’s proclamations congratulating the university and naming Oct. 9, 2013 “UMF Charter Day,” as well as graduate and now executive director of governmental/external affairs for the UMaine system Ryan Low and Gerald Cayer, executive vice president of the Franklin Community Health Network and member of the UMF Board of Visitors.
Foster’s remarks focused on Grace Louise Griffith, of the Class of 1903, who provided the anniversary’s motto: “Firmly may it stand; well may it thrive.” Griffith had used the words in a speech describing her class’ gift to the university, a maple tree.
Paul Mills, local attorney and historian, presented a lively presentation of the school’s earliest days, as the legislature, governor and an appointed committee sought two locations for the state’s first public first institutions of public higher education. Noting the region’s strong connections to education and agriculture, Mills said that Farmington and Hampden were selected as the west/east locations for the two schools, but the governor only approved one, and the Western State Normal School was born.
Following his presentation, Mills also presented a final “caveat,” as he put it: “An anniversary is a milestone,” he said, “but it is not a destination.”
Here’s to the next 150! Happy birthday, UMF.
Gen. Pershing stood on that same spot after WWI. But no one from UMF cares. Shame….
Broke – why do you think nobody from UMF cares?
A great event – thanks to all who put it together.
And here is an amazing coincidence: “Foster’s remarks focused on Grace Louise Griffith, of the Class of 1903, who provided the anniversary’s motto: “Firmly may it stand; well may it thrive.” Griffith had used the words in a speech describing her class’ gift to the university, a maple tree.”
Out of the thousands of students in the last 150 years, they found this quote from an essay Grace wrote , not knowing that Grace Griffith married and became Grace Roberts, mother of Gwilym!
Very interesting to hear about the Grace Griffith/Gwilym Roberts connection, but it makes sense–what a splendid contribution by both mother and son to the history of the college. And linking institution and maple tree is fitting.
Happy Birthday, UMF!
General Pershing?