What a great day!
Celebrating Excellence: UMF Spotlights Three Inspiring Graduating Seniors
B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies: Self-Designed and Outdoor Recreation Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
Paloma Shelton 鈥� San Francisco, Calif.
B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies: Self-Designed and Outdoor Recreation Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
Paloma Shelton graduated Magna cum laude in the 名媛直播 Class of 2025 as a university honors scholar with a double major in Outdoor Recreation Business Administration and a self-designed major in Sustainability and Artificial Intelligence. Paloma was a varsity athlete on the alpine ski team and served as captain for two seasons. Her honors thesis, Redefining Readiness: Higher Education鈥檚 Role in an AI World, led to strategic work with both UMF and the University of Maine System on AI implementation in higher education. Next for Paloma is living in New York City and working at Umbrage, a craft-based digital studio building end-to-end digital products.
Clyde Mitchell, UMF Professor of Business
“Paloma came to UMF to be part of the competitive alpine ski team. She is still passionate about skiing, however her people skills, positive nature and drive helped her pivot to become a student leader, and an expert in marketing and AI. Initially she worked for the UMF marketing team, specifically in creating social media content, continuously developing her skills. In the summer 2024, she took the bold step of competing for an elite marketing internship position with a leading fortune 500 company in marketing in New York, which she successfully landed. This helped her narrow her career aspirations to technology product development and promotion. As a driven and motivated person, she had already embraced AI, and soon became recognized as a leading AI expert, and currently serves on the University of Maine’s System AI steering committee along with the Vice chancellors for finance, innovation and academic affairs. She completed her last academic courses this semester, while juggling a position with a New York based technology company that develops AI solutions for leading Wall Street companies. We expect to continue to see great things from Paloma.”
B.A., Biology and Psychology, Magna Cum Laude
Maria Oliveira 鈥� Portsmouth, N.H.
B.A., Biology and Psychology, Magna Cum Laude
Maria Oliveira graduated in the UMF Class of 2025 in the Pre-Professional Program with a bachelor鈥檚
degree in Biology and Psychology, Magna cum laude. She came to the 名媛直播
looking for a close college community where she could do research and pursue the medical field. With
the help of Johnson Scholars, a UMF TRIO program that helps first-gen students be successful, she
started in her pre-professional studies. During her time at UMF, she has had multiple opportunities for
research and pre-professional internships. She worked as a lab assistant on Dr. Timothy Breton鈥檚
National Science Foundation research project, interned at Maine Behavioral Health Organization (MBHO)
in Skowhegan, worked to help create an internship pilot at Franklin Hospital in 名媛直播 and co-
authored an article for a scientific publication. She has been accepted to work with the Roux Institute next
year while she applies to medical school. In addition to her studies, Oliveira has worked as a community
assistant in a residence hall for three years. 鈥淚 am so grateful for my UMF experience. It nurtured me and
gave me the confidence and space to grow,鈥� said Oliveira.
Timothy Breton, UMF Professor of Biology
鈥淢aria was an absolutely fantastic research assistant, doing top quality work in the lab on multiple advanced pieces of scientific equipment. I remember her expertly sectioning tissues on the cryostat and spending hours with me finding color signals on the confocal microscope. She also spend a summer in my lab on a Maine-INBRE summer fellowship continuing the project, which led to her presenting two posters at regional conferences and being second author on a scientific publication. She is clearly driven to excel and I have no doubts about her success in a future medical career.鈥�
B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies – Anthropology, Summa Cum Laude
George Miller 鈥� Redlands, Calif.
B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies – Anthropology, Summa Cum Laude
“Recent graduate, George Miller (right), worked closely with UMF anthropology professor Lucas Kellett (center), on fall dig exploring historic Abbott School.” George Miller graduated Summa cum laude in the 名媛直播 Class of 2025 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Anthropology. A veteran who was interested in studying the hands-on subject he loved, Miller earned highest academic honors as the first in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Having recently moved to Maine from Redlands, Calif., Miller was impressed with how quickly UMF processed his application. 鈥淚 worked with a single individual from start to finish while applying and felt very appreciated and respected. That quality continued into the classroom with excellent teaching by expert faculty who became friends. I loved every bit of it,鈥� said Miller. In addition to restoring a historic home, he plans to continue working on his master鈥檚. 鈥淭his was a huge personal achievement for me. Someday I will share it with my son to show him he can accomplish anything,鈥� added Miller.
Lucas Kellett 鈥� UMF Associate Professor of Anthropology
George has been a welcome addition to the Anthro program with his deep curiosity and diverse life experiences from around the world. His perspective as a veteran and non-traditional student has offered so much to our classrooms of collaborative learning. George immediately took to field archaeology during the UMF Abbott Park excavations in the fall semester and after graduation is interested in continuing in a master鈥檚 program in archaeology. He always contributed keen insights to the class discussion in medical anthropology drawing from his own experiences serving in the military which enhanced the students’ and instructor’s understanding of course material. George has been such an incredible addition to the social side of the anthropology program as well supporting his peers and just being a super positive presence. He has been such a pleasure to have in our program and we will greatly miss him in the halls of Roberts Learning Center.
Dear Graduates, Families, and Friends,
We are excited to celebrate the achievements of our undergraduate and graduate class at this year鈥檚 Commencement Ceremony! Please find the key details below.
This is a momentous occasion, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with you. If you have any questions, please don鈥檛 hesitate to see the contact information below.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! 馃帀
Due to the weather forecast for Saturday, we will be moving indoors and holding three separate ceremonies in Dearborn Gymnasium to accommodate ALL students, faculty, families and loved ones.
By organizing the ceremonies in this format, we can accommodate all family members without excluding anyone from the ceremony. No tickets will be necessary for guests. This change allows us to comfortably welcome all who wish to attend while ensuring a meaningful experience for graduates and their supporters.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we work to ensure a safe and memorable Commencement for all.
THE MASTER’S DEGREE CEREMONY BEGINS AT 9:00 AM
- Students line up at 8:30 a.m. in Emery Community Arts Center
THE FIRST UNDERGRADUATE CEREMONY BEGINS AT 11:00 AM
- Students line up at 10:00 a.m. in Emery Community Arts Center
- Majors for Ceremony 1:
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Special Education
Elementary Education
Middle and Secondary Education
School Health Education
Secondary Education
Special Education
World Languages K-12
Health Promotion and Wellness
Professional Studies
Rehabilitation and Human Services
THE SECOND UNDERGRADUATE CEREMONT BEGINS AT 2:00 PM
- Students line up at 1:00 p.m. in Emery Community Arts Center
- Majors for Ceremony 2:
Actuarial Science
Art and Design
Bachelor of General Studies
Biology
Business Administration
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Earth and Environmental Sciences
English
Geography and Environmental Planning
History
Interdisciplinary Studies
Mathematics
Outdoor Recreation Business Administration
Political Science
Psychology
UMF proudly announces Dr. Nirav Dinesh Shah, former principal deputy director of the U.S. CDC, as the 2025 UMF Commencement Speaker.
The 名媛直播 is pleased to announce that Dr. Nirav Dinesh Shah, former principal deputy director of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and voice and face of the pandemic response in Maine during his time at the Maine CDC, will be the Commencement Speaker for the upcoming graduation of the UMF Class of 2025.
UMF will also proudly award Jonathan Moody, UMF alumnus and Maine鈥檚 2024 State Superintendent of the Year, an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.
This year鈥檚 UMF Commencement exercises will take place in-person on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 11 a.m., on the grounds of the Narrow Gauge Outdoor Venue behind the Narrow Gauge Cinemas in downtown 名媛直播.
Shah is an American epidemiologist, economist and attorney. While in medical school, he worked for the Ministry of Health in Cambodia where his work included outbreak investigation and he aided in the response to the SARS and Avian Influenza outbreaks
Jonathan Moody, UMF alumnus, superintendent for MSAD 54 and Maine’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year will be honored at this year’s commencement ceremony as the recipient of an honorary of Doctor of Humane Letters.
A lifelong educator, Moody earned his Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Secondary Education from 名媛直播 in 1998. During his career, he has served as a coach, tutor, secondary teacher, middle school administrator, high school principal and is currently MSAD 54 Superintendent of schools serving the towns of Skowhegan, Canaan, Mercer, Smithfield, Cornville and Norridgewock.
Under his leadership and in tandem with the district鈥檚 partnership with Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KV-CAP), MSAD 54 envisioned and developed a first-of-its-kind-in-Maine elementary school that will provide early childhood programming for children ages 6 weeks old to three years and comprehensive educational programming to students in Pre-K through grade 5. Additionally, the Margaret Chase Smith Community School will provide technical center early childhood space for high school students and will be a learning lab for professional development as well as the support of pre-service teachers.
In addition to his role as Superintendent of schools, Moody serves on several boards that support the field of education. Currently Moody serves on the Board of Directors of the Mitchell Institute, is a member of the Redington-Fairview Hospital Board, is a member of the Early Childhood Advisory committee with Educate Maine and serves as an adjunct Instructor for the Educational Leadership program at 名媛直播. He is also a member of the UMF Board of Visitors.
He and his wife Shelly (Maine鈥檚 2011 Teacher of the Year, and Elementary Principal in RSU18) are proud alumni of UMF (鈥�98), where they both were scholar-athletes. He was a 2016 inductee into the UMF Athletics Hall of Fame. They are both active advocates for a strong educational system for students (PK-16) statewide. Together, they have three children, Jacob, Grace and Olivia.
Manu Ritchie, Senior Class Speaker
The 名媛直播 is proud to announce graduating senior Manu Ritchie of Eliot, Maine, as the student speaker for the 2025 Commencement ceremony. Ritchie is earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in Creative Writing and English.
Homeschooled from fifth grade through high school, Ritchie has been passionate about writing from a young age. Her flexible education allowed her to explore a wide range of creative and community-focused interests, including songwriting, volunteering at local food pantries and charities, and earning a black belt in Taekwondo. While in high school, she also got a head start on college through the Early College Program at York County Community College.
Drawn to the close-knit campus and the strength of UMF鈥檚 Creative Writing Program, Ritchie has thrived in the academic and creative community. In addition to writing realistic fiction and screenplays, she has been an active member of the UMF Honors Program, a Wilson Scholar, and a participant in the Film Club. Her campus involvement also includes singing with Strangers Sing a cappella and engaging with the Catholic Campus Ministry.
鈥淐oming to 名媛直播 was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e ever made,鈥� said Ritchie. 鈥淢y experience here has allowed me to grow in ways that I didn鈥檛 think possible, and I have become self-assured in my own ability to succeed.鈥�
After graduation, Ritchie plans to dedicate a year to her writing before pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in creative writing.
2025 Commencement Event Schedule
April 3, 2025 | 6:00 PM 鈥� 10:00 PM
Mario Kart Tournament for Seniors
The Landing
April 28 鈥� May 9, 2025
Senior Brick Decorating
April 30, 2025 | 6:00 PM 鈥� 8:30 PM
Cap Decorating for Seniors
The Landing
May 8, 2025 | 5:00 PM 鈥� 7:00 PM
Commencement Rehearsal
Narrow Gauge Cinema
Rain Location: Fitness & Recreation Center
May 9, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Senior Banquet
South Dining Hall
Regalia can be purchased in the
Frequently Asked Questions
To see the livestream of commencement visit our Commencement 2025 Livestream page or our .
Contact Us
UMF Commencement Committee
名媛直播
Merrill Hall
224 Main Street
名媛直播, Maine USA 04938
tel 207-778-7276
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
umfcommencement@maine.edu