University of Maine at Farmington

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University of Maine at Farmington
Established 1864
Type Public
President Theo Kalikow
Students 2,349
Location Farmington, ME, USA
Campus Rural
Athletics 11 varsity teams
Mascot Beaver
Website www.umf.maine.edu

The University of Maine at Farmington, established in 1864 as Maine’s first public institution of higher education, is a public liberal arts college, offering programs in teacher education, human services and arts and sciences as a part of the University of Maine System. The school is also at times referred to as UMaine Farmington or UMF for short.

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[edit] History

In March 1863, a Normal School Act passed into law, and that fall, Farmington was chosen from a list of possible locations for the first normal school, making the University of Maine Farmington the first public institution of higher education in the State of Maine.

Many early graduates attended the school for its liberal arts offerings alone. Among these were the Stanley brothers, famous for building the Stanley Steamer automobile; and John Frank Stevens, engineer of the Panama Canal. Interest in the liberal arts continued unabated until the college offered its first degree programs in the liberal arts in 1971. By the 1974-75 school year, nearly 300 students were enrolled in liberal arts majors.

[edit] Academics

The University of Maine at Farmington has been ranked among the top schools in the liberal arts and comprehensive college categories by U.S. News & World Report in its College and university rankings for ten consecutive years (1998-2007). The University's enrollment cap of just 2,000 students enables UMF to offer a 15:1 student/faculty ratio and an average class size of 19.

UMF offers majors in Art, Biology, Business Economics, Community Health/School Health Education, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education, English, Environmental Planning and Policy, Environmental Science, Geology/Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Geography, History, International Studies, Mathematics, Music/Arts, Philosophy/Religion, Political Science/Social Science, Psychology, Rehabilitation, Secondary Education (with concentrations in Biology, English, Language Arts, Mathematics, Mathematics/Computer Science, Physical Science, Science, Social Science), Sociology/Anthropology, Special Education (with concentrations in Emotional Disturbance, Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation), Theater/Arts, or Women's Studies. With the approval of the Arts and Sciences Committee, students may choose to design their own academic program through Interdisciplinary Studies or an Individualized Major.

UMaine Farmington's programs in education are nationally accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Also, Kiplinger's Personal Finance has named UMF one of the 100 best values in public colleges as well as the best value in Maine.

[edit] Athletics

The UMaine Farmington Beavers compete in the NCAA Division III North Atlantic Conference, which also includes Bay Path, Becker, Castleton State, Elms, Johnson State, Lasell, Lesley, Mount Ida, and Maine rivals Husson, Maine Maritime, and Thomas. The school's official colors are maroon and white, though black is traditionally employed as a complement.

UMaine Farmington has eleven varsity teams, including men's teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, and soccer, and women's teams in basketball, cross country, field hockey, soccer, softball, and volleyball. There are also club teams in cheerleading, competitive skiing, women's lacrosse, ice hockey, men's and women's rugby, swimming, and men's and women's ultimate[1]. Recent NAC champions include men's cross country (2003-2005), women's basketball (2004, 2006), women's cross country (2004-2005), women's field hockey (2003-2004), women's soccer (2003), and women's softball (2005); recent NCAA tournament appearances include women's basketball (2006), women's field hockey (2004), women's soccer (2003), and women's softball (2005).

In addition to the outdoor athletic fields and Dearborn Gymnasium, UMF has a Fitness and Recreation Center that houses has a cardio fitness area with machines; a fully-equipped and supervised weight room with free weights and weight machines; four multipurpose courts; a 1/8 mile walking/jogging track; and a 25-yard swimming pool for the use of UMF students and members of the area community.

[edit] External links


North Atlantic Conference
Bay Path • Becker • Castleton • Elms • Husson • Johnson • Lasell • Lesley • Maine Maritime Academy • MassPharm • Mount Ida • Simmons • Thomas • WNEC
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