Pendse named 2021 Distinguished Maine Professor
Hemant Pendse
Hemant Pendse, an internationally recognized leader in forest bioproducts research, has been named the University of Maine 2021 Distinguished Maine Professor.
The annual Distinguished Maine Professor Award honors a UMaine professor who exemplifies the highest qualities of teaching, research and public service. It is sponsored by the University of Maine Alumni Association and its classes of 1942 and 2002.
Pense was nominated for the award by College of Engineering Dean Dana Humphrey. The selection process is conducted by a 17-person committee of alumni, current and retired faculty, and a representative of the student body. Each nominee is evaluated on three criteria related to UMaineâs land-grant mission: teaching performance based on peer and student evaluations; the quality and productivity of the nomineeâs research, scholarship, and creative activities; and the nomineeâs contributions of profession
February 1, 2021
On Thursday, Jan. 28, the University of Maine Alumni Association in collaboration with the Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a virtual talk about Black studies in 21st century higher education. This talk was part of UMaine’s Cultural Affairs/ Distinguished Lecture Series and was moderated by Lauren Babb, a chemistry Ph.D. student and staff advisor at BSU. John Bracey, Ph.D. and Sonia Sanchez, Ph.D. two individuals who were responsible for initiating the movement for Black studies in the 1970s, presented the talk. The goal of the talk was to reflect on their respective journeys of commitment to racial studies and racial justice, as well as discussing the present movement of “racial reckoning.”
The University of Maine will observe Black History Month with a series of virtual events hosted by the Black Student Union in partnership with the Office for Diversity and Inclusion and Fogler Library, among others.
Raising of the Black Lives Matter flag will be livestreamed at noon Feb. 1 on the Mall in front of Fogler Library, or in the Memorial Union Bangor Room in inclement weather. Black Lives Matter flags will also be flown at the New Balance Student Recreation Center and the Maine Bound Adventure Center.
Monthlong events include an Indoor Sprint Triathlon for Social Change, hosted by the New Balance Student Recreation Center, and an online Racial Justice Challenge sponsored by Fogler Library.
Impact of Black studies to be discussed Jan. 28 via Zoom
Speakers Drs. Sonia Sanchez and John Bracey initiated the movement for Black studies in the 1970s.
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ORONO In honor of Black History Month, the University of Maine Black Student Union and the University of Maine Alumni Association will welcome Dr. Sonia Sanchez and Dr. John Bracey to discuss the importance and impact of Black Studies in 21st century higher education at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, over Zoom, according to a news release from UMaine News.
“Black Studies in 21st Century Higher Education” also will be livestreamed on the UMaine Alumni YouTube channel.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr s legacy during a pandemic
Maine leaders give ways to celebrate and honor Dr. King’s contributions, as many events have been canceled or gone virtual this year. Author: Hannah Yechivi (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 8:06 PM EST January 17, 2021 Updated: 4:17 PM EST January 18, 2021
MAINE, USA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader who fought for equality and human rights for African Americans in the 50s and 60s through peaceful protests. King s primary message was love, Love thy neighbor as yourself, the language he used was the language of brotherhood and sisterhood, says Tess Chakkalakal, American and African American literature professor at Bowdoin College.