Page 38 - The Bell Tower - Fall 2014

“The nursing program at UMFK is outstanding; the success of students passing
NCLEX speaks for itself. I am proud to say that I graduated from UMFK; I say that with pride and deep emotion.”
I am a life time member of the Alumni Association and although I have not been actively involved with the associa- tion, I have had involvement with the Foundation for many years and believe in the mission of the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
The nursing program at UMFK is outstanding; the success of students passing NCLEX speaks for itself. I am proud to say that I graduated from UMFK; I say that with pride and deep emotion. Deciding to include UMFK in our estate plan was easy based on what the university did for me. “Giving it forward” is what brings comfort in knowing that we can pass our success to others.
I graduated from UMFK in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Our school of nursing at the time was affiliated with the University of Southern Maine since UMFK’s nursing program had not yet been accredited. That year 10 nursing students graduated and I was the first to receive my diploma.
I have lived in Fort Kent most of my life and have raised my children there. Being a Licensed Practical Nurse and employed at NMMC, I had for many years the aspiration to continue
my education and become a Registered Nurse. This goal was near impossible until local politicians and leaders of Fort Kent and surrounding communities campaigned and succeeded in bringing nursing education to the St. John Valley. I immedi- ately grabbed at the opportunity and enrolled in the program that same year. My experience as a student was challenging and rewarding. I evolved from a timid, insecure person to a self-assured individual with a true directive.
After graduating from the university in 1985, I continued employment at Northern Maine Medical Center and with experience in multiple areas of nursing I was given the posi- tion of director of nursing in 1987. My career would not have evolved to the degree that it did had it not been for the university in our community.
I am now retired from nursing and live with my husband Bob in Lakewood Ranch, Florida during the winter months (October through May). We still reside in Fort Kent in the summers. I work side by side with Bob in our businesses; we enjoy traveling and being with family and friends. Retirement is not in our vocabulary but enjoying a slower pace of life is great.