FARMINGTON – Wesley McNair of New Vineyard, recently retired from his position as director the creative writing program at the University of Maine at Farmington, has been selected for a residency fellowship at the Bellagio Center of the Rockefeller Foundation, on Lake Como in northern Italy.

As a Rockefeller Fellow, he will complete the manuscript of his seventh book of poems, “The Ghosts of You and Me,” forthcoming from David R. Godine, Publisher Inc.

This is McNair’s second residency at Bellagio, an international retreat for writers, artists, scientists and scholars from throughout the world. He will be in residence during March and April of 2005, accompanied by his wife, Diane. Following his residency the couple will tour various locations in Italy.

The recipient of grants from the Fulbright and Guggenheim Foundations, McNair has received two NEA Fellowships in poetry, an NEH Fellowship in literature, an Emmy Award and prizes in poetry from “Poetry, Poetry Northwest,” and “Yankee” magazines, among other literary awards. His poetry has appeared in more than 50 anthologies and in several books of poetry, most recently, “Fire.”

McNair is also the author of two volumes of essays and two edited anthologies. He will publish his new collection of poems and an anthology of contemporary Maine fiction late in 2005.

Two obtain credentials

BANGOR – The Penobscot Job Corps Center honored students after they completed the General Equivalency Diploma test and attained their credentials in November. Area students were Kerri-Ann Hibbard of Poland and Shane C. Hillery of Bridgton.

The Penobscot Job Corps Center is entering its 25th year of service and works with more than 500 students a year as they further their education.

The largely residential program offers opportunities to secure academic and vocational credentials and assists students with securing placement in education, employment or the military upon graduation. For more information, visit http://jobcorps.doleta.gov or call 1-800-949-1937, ext. 305.

Students going to Thomas

WATERVILLE- Several area students have been accepted at Thomas College starting in September 2005. They are as follows:

Rebecca Boudreau of Rumford, daughter of Gerard and Joline Boudreau, plans to major in marketing management.

Ashley Koscak of Casco, daughter of Michael Koscak and Valerie Williams, plans to major in psychology.

Jonathan Glatz of Durham, son of Garry Glatz and Catherine Gross, will major in international business.

Tracy Baillargeon of Lewiston, daughter of Paul and Ellen Baillargeon, plans to major in elementary education.

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