ORONO – Some 1,993 University of Maine degrees were awarded at two commencement ceremonies on the weekend. The Class of 2005 is the largest in UMaine’s history. An estimated total of 11,000 graduates, family members and friends attended the events, which featured a commencement address by author and UMaine graduate Stephen King.

Students graduated from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, Public Policy and Health, the Division of Lifelong Learning, the College of Engineering, College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture and the College of Education and Human Development.

King, who graduated from UMaine in 1970 and received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater in 1987, spoke at both events.

Lisbon Falls native Dusty Lavoie is the UMaine Class of 2005 valedictorian. An education major, Lavoie will teach English at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield beginning in the fall. Engineering physics major Tyler Dunn of Skowhegan is the class salutatorian. He plans to enroll in a doctoral program at Boston University.