Education News: MMA online master’s program accreditation; Camden native hosts UMaine benefit concert; student blogging opportunity
Maine Maritime Academy earns accreditation of online master's program in international logistics management
CASTINE — Maine Maritime Academy’s online Master of Science in International Logistics Management has achieved full accreditation status through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). It is the first accreditation of an online degree program for Maine Maritime Academy and the Loeb-Sullivan School.
"External validation is a critical achievement for our online graduate logistics program," said Vice President for Academic Affairs, David Gardner in a news release. "Our students are working professionals whose employers will often reimburse tuition costs only for an accredited program."
Associate Dean of the Loeb-Sullivan School of International Business and Logistics, Donald Maier, added in the news release: "This is a perfect program for working people, and the only program of its kind in the Northeast. We're currently serving students from Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas, and we have a Turkish student enrolled who is working in Brazil. Since trade is global, delivering our curriculum to students wherever they're working is essential, and accreditation better positions our program among others worldwide."
The accreditation review took about one year to complete, and included data collection, policy and procedure audits, and curriculum assessment.
According to NEASC, accreditation relies on voluntary, peer-review and self-study processes, undertaken by schools and colleges in regular review cycles.
The goals are effectiveness, improvement and public assurance. Founded in 1885, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., is the nation's oldest accrediting association, serving more than 2,000 public and independent schools, colleges and universities in the six states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont and American/international schools in more than sixty-five nations worldwide. For more information, visit www.neasc.org.
Morgan Cates of Camden to host student-run benefit celebrating UMaine with 150 years of American music
ORONO — In recognition of the University of Maine's 150th anniversary, more than 75 students in the School of Performing Arts will bring to the stage selections from the Great American Songbook in a concert that aims to raise awareness of the school and funds for outreach programs.
"150 Years of American Song: A Celebration of the University of Maine" will feature performances by a full big band, string orchestra and singing groups, as well as 13 featured vocal soloists. The musicians will perform classic songs made famous by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Michael Buble.
The student-run production takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 in the Collins Center for the Arts. Proceeds benefit the UMaine School of Performing Arts student initiatives and outreach programs.
Ben McNaboe, a fourth-year music education major from Yarmouth is the show's music director and conductor.
Morgan Cates, a fourth-year business administration major from Camden, will host the event.
In January 2014, McNaboe led a similar student-produced fundraiser, "An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein Classics," that featured a 60-piece pops orchestra and 40 vocalists. The musicians performed to a sell-out crowd at the 500-seat Hauck Auditorium and raised about $10,000, according to McNaboe in a news release.
"The money raised from this fundraiser goes directly to outreach student initiatives in the School of Performing Arts that both get our students off campus and into communities near and far, as well as bring community members and younger students to our campus for enrichment programs through our courses and performances," McNaboe said, adding that the event will support two tours in 2015 that will reach schools and communities throughout Maine and parts of Canada.
When determining a theme for the show, organizers sought music that would be appreciated by audience members across generations.
"Much like the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, the big band music of the American Songbook has a similar timelessness to it. We see this even more today through artists like Michael Buble who are actively working to preserve and keep this music present," McNaboe said. "This program features so many wonderful songs and many that everyone in the audience is sure to recognize."
The concert will feature a special guest artist, UMaine alumnus and Broadway performer Merritt David Janes, who is currently on a national Broadway tour of The Phantom of the Opera. Janes graduated from UMaine in 2004 with a degree in music education and concentrations in voice and trumpet.
"DJ has experienced much success since leaving UMaine, and it's a great opportunity to have an artist of his caliber perform on stage alongside our students," McNaboe said. "It's just an unbelievable experiential learning experience for us all."
While on campus, Janes will teach a free master class on musical theater that is open to the public. University and area high school students will perform for and be coached by Janes at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 in Minsky Recital Hall.
"The performance quality of last year's show was really remarkable," McNaboe said. "What we did last year was raise the bar. We showed ourselves and our faculty that we could produce a full-fledged pops concert. We showed we were able to pull off something truly amazing, make a difference in our programs in SPA, and reach the community like, I believe, never before."
Tickets for "150 Years of American Song: A Celebration of the University of Maine" are $25, $12 for students with a valid MaineCard. Tickets are available at the Collins Center box office, by calling 581.1755 or online. For more information about the performance or to request a disability accommodation, call 581.1755. The event's snow date is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24.
Teens To Trails seeks student adventure bloggers
BRUNSWICK — Teens To Trails (T3) is looking for the next Henry David Thoreau or Rachel Carson. High school students all over Maine are enjoying outdoor experience as members of their Outing Clubs, but these adventures are rarely chronicled for people beyond their immediate family and friend circle.
T3 is starting a Student Adventure Blogger initiative to share the magic of the Maine woods and coast with the world through the written word.
T3 is accepting applications for three Student Adventure Blogger positions. Each blogger will create a blog entry once a season to give readers a sense of what the Maine backcountry is like throughout the year for those who would brave the elements to experience the wonder of the natural world.
The blog will be featured on the T3 website and will be updated once every month.
Applicants for the position should be 9th, 10th, or 11th graders willing to commit to one year of writing for Teens To Trails. The application and a description of the position can be found on the T3website at www.teenstotrails.org/StudentBloggers.
The deadline is January 16. For more information and questions, contact Charles Fear at charles_fear@teenstotrails.org.
Teens To Trails is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization engaging Maine teens in the outdoors. T3's mission is to establish an Outing Club in every Maine high school community, thereby promoting fun outdoor adventures, healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship. T3 provides financial support through its Grants To Clubs program, offers a free Outing Club Guide and consulting, and hosts a number of events with the sole purpose of giving every teenager in Maine the opportunity to have a meaningful relationship with the natural world.
Executive Director Carol Leone was recognized this past spring as a Champion of Change by the White House for her work striving to give all Maine teens the chance to have a live changing wilderness experience. For more information on how to support Teens To Trails and other exciting opportunities like the Student Adventure Blogger, visit www.TeensToTrails.org.
To access T3's promotional asset library or media kit got to teenstotrails.sitedrop.com.
