FARMINGTON – Under sunny skies Saturday, approximately 420 University of Maine at Farmington seniors participated in the school’s 154th commencement ceremonies.

Graduates, family and friends filled a campus parking lot on High Street during a festive afternoon showcased by decorated mortorboards and at least one student who wore a Superman cape over his robe. There were 501 total graduates, but not all participated in Saturday’s ceremonies.

Alan G. Kuniholm, architecture graduate of Kansas State University, a principal of Portland’s PDT architects and architect of UMF’s new “green” Education Center, delivered the commencement address on the importance of creativity as a way to achieve success.

The commencement address marked UMF’s commitment to sustainability and to graduating environmentally responsible students. Kuniholm enforced the longstanding notion to “Think globally and act locally.”

Kuniholm told students that “it’s OK to have feelings of uncertainty; it comes with exploring new territory.” He concluded his speech by encouraging students to, “Be your own author, create your own journey and be yourself.”

UMF President Thedora J. Kalikow recognized student Mallory Cyr, a creative writing graduate who was born with a digestive disorder that has affected her growth. Calling Cyr a success story, Kalikow said she has “used hard lessons that life taught her as part of the creative process.”

Cyr was involved in campus advocacy programs, has spoken to policy-makers, and has been the impetus for many changes while at UMF, including the installation of handicap push buttons at nearly all campus doors.

Dean B. Bennett, UMF professor of science education, and Steven K. Katona, former president of the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, were awarded honorary degrees by Kalikow for their work in promoting science programs at the school. Katona, for instance, has been integral in recruiting more international students to attend UMF, Kalikow said.

Senior class speaker Alexander B. Pringle, who graduated with a degree in political science and social science, congratulated his fellow graduates and asked them to remember the people who helped them become university graduates.

Pringle recognized that, “Though it may not always feel like it, Maine is in fact a community,” and cited examples of strangers helping to dig out a car buried by a snowstorm. He ended his address by saying, “It is our turn now to take a place in our community. It is our turn to make a difference. It is our turn to lead.”

Graduate Michael Wayne Hughes was honored for earning four degrees – in philosophy and religion, English, mathematics, and political science/social science. Hughes also graduated summa cum laude, earning a grade point average of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale.

After the ceremony, a reception was held in the South Dining Hall.