UMF held a special ceremony to recognize volunteers.
By Chuck McMahon
Special to the Sun Journal

FARMINGTON – More than 300 members of the UMF community were recognized recently for their outstanding work in community services.

Whether it was assisting in field research, meeting the many community needs or teaching a class, those recognized all received individual awards.

“We try and intertwine the community partners, students and faculty within our Reflective Service Learning program,” said student worker and special assistant to the program Amanda Coffin.

Students like Tara Faiola 20, of Foster, R.I., contributed by taking Health Education Planning. She, along with some of her classmates are working with the Strong public schools to develop a health education curriculum which will focus on reproduction health and alcohol and tobacco awareness.

Laurie Tranten and Assistant Director of Student Development Kirsten Swan of Farmington are credited with founding and running the Girls Talk and Teen Voices programs. The two programs are nationally recognized for their mentorship to young women.

Tranten has been nominated for the Maine Campus Compact Student Heart and Soul award, as well as, the National Campus Compact Howard Swearer award.

Associate Director of Service-Learning, Lucia Swallow, announced the names, while UMF President Theodora Kalikow distributed the awards.

“I’m thrilled the service learning office keeps growing every year and that we’ve reached a point when we can celebrate so much wonderful community partnerships on behalf of UMF,” Swallow said.

She praised the efforts of all involved and particularly the aid she received from students Coffin, 19, of Strong, Chelsea Goulart, 19, of Falmouth, Mass., and Angela Wintle, 19, of Belgrade.

Community partners include the Piece House, Franklin County Partners for Inclusion, Children’s Task Force, Western Maine Community Action, Dirigo Middle School’s Gear Up program and SAD 9 schools.

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