LEWISTON – The University of Southern Maine/Lewiston-Auburn (USM/L-A) will host an open house from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 10. Faculty and staff will be on hand to provide information on programs, admissions and financial aid. Student guides will be available for tours and to answer questions.

“We are very pleased to announce this open house,” said Roger Philippon, assistant dean at USM/L-A. “We strongly encourage everyone who has an interest in pursuing their education with us to attend, be they new or transfer students, traditional or nontraditional. Come and see us and bring along a friend or your family.”

The Lewiston Auburn campus opened its doors as a commuter institution in the fall of 1988 to serve the higher education needs of residents of the Androscoggin County area.

The campus now serves more than 1,300 students, making it the fastest growing campus in the University of Maine System. Since opening in 1988, the campus has completed two expansions to its facility, and a third is in the planning stage.

USM/L-A offers programs in nursing, kindergarten through grade eight teacher education and occupational therapy. In addition, the following interdisciplinary baccalaureate degree programs are offered: arts and humanities, leadership and organizational studies, natural and applied sciences and social and behavioral sciences. Graduate programs are also available in leadership studies and literacy education.

We have quite a mix of students on our campus,” said Philippon. “Many attend part-time, some are undeclared majors and some take classes with us before they move on to one of the programs based on our Portland/Gorham campuses. Most students find that our convenient class schedule really meets their needs.” Most classes meet once a week, starting at 9 a.m., 1, 4 or 7 p.m.)

The open house will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, at USM/L-A, 51 Westminster St. It will include light refreshments and door prizes. Directions are available online at www.usm.maine.edu/lac/info/directions.html. For more information, call the campus at 753-6500 or e-mail at [email protected].