Give Now

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Case for Support

LEARNING THAT LASTS A LIFETIME

CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES FOR THE COLLEGE

FROM ARCHAEOLOGY TO ASTRONOMY, printmaking to political science, statistics to Spanish, students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) pursue interests that span human knowledge. Those students contribute to new discoveries and groundbreaking analysis, mentored by faculty members who are leaders in their fields. Under the Vision for Tomorrow pillars, campaign priorities for the college include gifts to support and enhance this learning environment.

“I am so impressed by how our students take advantage of the amazing range of opportunities that UMaine offers. The generosity of alumni and donors plays an essential role in sustaining and expanding these opportunities.”

Emily A. Haddad, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor of English

Ensuring Access for All of Maine

A top priority for the college is to provide secure financial aid for incoming students through the First to Fourth Scholarship program. Although UMaine did not increase in-state tuition for most of this decade, college affordability is a top concern for most of our students. In the First to Fourth Scholarship program, students receive reliable support throughout their four years in CLAS so they can focus on learning rather than worrying about expense. Private investment in this program will make a UMaine degree in any CLAS major accessible to students, regardless of their means.

 

 

“Receiving this scholarship made me recognize the true degree to which people care about education. It truly means a lot to me to see students recognized for their hard work in school. The generosity of these scholarship donors is tremendous to see, and I hope I can show my sincere gratitude.”

Bryant Goodenough, Class of 2020

Fostering Student Success

Every undergraduate and graduate student can benefit from active, relevant learning experiences beyond the classroom. It’s in these experiences that students often discover their passions and gain the confidence to forge their own paths. CLAS priorities in this area include support for the following:

• Fellowships or supplementary funding for research and creative activity, including student participation in professional conferences and funding for thesis work
• Internships
• Study abroad
• On-campus interactive visits by guest artists, lecturers, etc.

Accelerating Discovery to Impact

Nationally and internationally recognized research and scholarship by CLAS faculty benefit Maine and UMaine students. In order to continue to attract and retain the best faculty, their remarkable work must be celebrated and supported. Examples of such include:

• Professorships recognizing and fostering outstanding achievement
•Faculty awards acknowledging and promoting accomplishments in research and creative activity, teaching and mentoring, as well as community engagement in fields across the college

Catalyzing Maine’s Economy

Signature investments in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for the arts and sciences will support new discoveries, turning knowledge into opportunities. CLAS students and community members especially benefit from investment that will help prepare tomorrow’s leaders with greater access to more of these resources:

• Laboratory instrumentation
• Musical instruments
• Planetarium projection equipment
• Theatre properties and other production needs
• Updated key facilities

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
HIGHLIGHTS

MCGILLICUDDY HUMANITIES CENTER

Lead gift center supporting student learning, faculty research and community engagement across the humanities

STEM EDUCATION

Faculty leading national research on how best to teach and learn chemistry, mathematics and physics

PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS

Exciting undergraduate programs in art education, studio art, art history, music education, music performance, theatre and dance, delivered in outstanding facilities

HANDS-ON LEARNING

• Faculty-led archaeological field schools in Croatia and Maine
• Programs in professional and technical writing
• Hundreds of internship and lab placements every summer
• A first-year seminar for every new student
• A capstone experience for every senior

MAJORS

• Anthropology
• Art Education
• Art History
• Chemistry
• Communication
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Physics
• English
• French
• History		 • Human Dimensions of Climate Change
• International Affairs
• Journalism
• Mathematics
• Media Studies
• Music
• Music Education
• Music Performance
• New Media
• Philosophy		 • Political Science
• Psychology
• Romance Languages
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Studio Art
• Theatre
• Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

 

BY THE NUMBERS

16 Academic departments and schools
11 Interdisciplinary centers and programs
35 Undergraduate degree programs
206 Faculty members
2560 Undergraduates
290 Graduate students
46% of total UMaine student credit hours taught
More than $6 million in external grants per year (average)
Only Phi Beta Kappa chapter at a public institution in Maine

More information about the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences can be found here.