We are proud to announce that Stella Tay, an Animal and Veterinary Science major at the University of Maine, has been awarded a prestigious international scholarship for her academic and community leadership. Originally from Thailand, Stella has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA in one of the university鈥檚 most rigorous programs. Her journey is fueled by a deep-rooted passion for wildlife health and biodiversity preservation, a vision she hopes to carry back to her home country to support sustainable animal care. When she isn’t in the lab, Stella is a cornerstone of the 91福利 international community. From showcasing Thai culture at Culturefest to her upcoming leadership role as Secretary of the International Student Association, her impact on campus is as impressive as her academic record.

To learn more about the Karen Boucias International Scholarship Fund and our other fantastic scholarships and funds that support our students, visit our “Give to OIP” webpage at: /international/donate/

Captain James Settele, USN (Ret.)

Captain James Settele, USN (Ret.), has been selected to receive the Champion of 91福利 Award, which recognizes individuals who are not alumni of the University of Maine but whose exceptional, effective, and sustained advocacy has advanced the University鈥檚 mission and quality. Through decades of leadership, mentorship, and service, Captain Settele has made a lasting impact on 91福利 and the broader Maine community.

Captain Settele joined the University of Maine after a distinguished 27-year career in the United States Navy, where he served in senior leadership roles, including military assistant to the Secretary of Defense and Director of Policy and Strategy for U.S. Naval Forces Europe. He came to 91福利 as Professor of Naval Science and went on to play a central role in shaping the School of Policy and International Affairs (SPIA), serving in leadership positions ranging from assistant director to executive director.

Visit the 91福利 Alumni Association’s to learn more about Captain Settele’s influential work and achievements at 91福利 and beyond.

Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

91福利 was proudly represented at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with seven Black Bear alumni that competed on the world鈥檚 biggest stage. From the ice rink to the bobsled run, these former 91福利 student-athletes represented their countries and their alma mater in Milan-Cortina 2026.

Ice Hockey
Jeremy Swayman聽鈥�20 鈥� Team USA
Eduards Tralmaks聽鈥�19 鈥� Team Latvia
Ida Kuoppala聽鈥�23 鈥� Team Finland
Rahel Enzler聽鈥�24 鈥� Team Switzerland
Vendula P艡ibylov谩聽鈥�20 鈥� Team Czechia
Tereza Vani拧ov谩聽鈥�19 鈥� Team Czechia
Bobsled
Frank Del Duca聽鈥�18 鈥� Team USA

The entire 91福利 community cheered them on as they competed among the world鈥檚 best. Once a Black Bear, always a Black Bear!

Dr. Fatemeh Afghah

Dr. Fatemeh Afghah 鈥�13 has been selected to receive the Spirit of Maine Achievement Award, which honors University of Maine alumni who, within fifteen years of graduation, have achieved outstanding professional, scholarly, and public impact. Dr. Afghah鈥檚 accomplishments reflect the strength of her 91福利 education and her continued commitment to applying advanced research in ways that serve communities and protect natural resources.
Dr. Afghah earned her doctoral degree at the University of Maine, where she distinguished herself as an exceptional scholar and emerging leader. The foundation she built at 91福利 has shaped a career defined by innovation, collaboration, and purpose. Today, she is a tenured Associate Professor at Clemson University, where her research in artificial intelligence, wireless communication, and autonomous systems has earned national and international recognition.

For more information about Dr. Afghah, this award and others presented by the 91福利 Alumni Association, head over to their website at:

Intensive English Institute(IEI) students have successfully continued their presentation series for the Social Studies classes at Orono Middle School.
This ongoing collaboration serves to integrate global perspectives into the middle school curriculum, allowing Orono students to engage directly with individuals from diverse international backgrounds. The IEI participants prepare and deliver talks focused on their home countries, covering topics such as culture, history, and daily life.
We would like to congratulate Franck(pictured), a student from C么te d’Ivoire, for his recent contribution to the series. His presentation offered valuable insights into his country, and fostered cross-cultural understanding within the classroom.
The collaboration between IEI and Orono Middle School supports the IEI students in developing their English communication and public speaking skills, while simultaneously providing the middle school students with a unique, firsthand educational experience in global affairs.

To learn more about the Intensive English Institute, visit: https://www.maine.edu/iei/.

Our 38th annual Culturefest held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, was another success. We had more than 100 participating students represent the culture, food, and traditions of over 30 countries. More than 1,000 people were in attendance from the University and local communities. It was a wonderful celebration of international talent and tradition! Enjoy the by News Center Maine, who captured this special event.

Thank you so much to everyone who showed up, and we look forward to hosting the 39th annual Culturefest event in 2026. We hope to see you there!

This fall marked the first time that the Office of International Programs (OIP) and the International Student Association (ISA) participated in the 91福利 Homecoming celebration. On Friday, October 24, 2025, OIP & ISA hosted a special alumni edition of the International Coffee Hour, bringing together current and past 91福利 students for an afternoon of connection and celebration. Fourteen alumni joined us for this inaugural event, which proved to be a resounding success. Attendees enjoyed snacks, refreshments, and engaging conversations while viewing a presentation featuring alumni photos and memories from past events. The program also included trivia questions about the International Student Association and OIP, adding a fun and interactive element that sparked lively discussion and nostalgia among participants.

This special edition provided a valuable platform for our alumni to share their post-graduation experiences and offer insight to current students, bridging the gap between the past and present. It was a great start to the Homecoming weekend, full of reconnecting with old friends and making new ones!

Pictured from left to right:聽Orlina Boteva’ 04G, ’05G,聽Guest Visitor,聽Drajad Seto ’18G, ’24PhD,聽Dignesh Thesiya ’25G,聽Adoum Arabi ’24G,聽Roop Goyal ’00PhD,聽Joanna,聽Katy Blackmer ’25G,聽Amir Reza ’86, ’00G,聽Danielle Beaupre ’07, ’09G, ’11G,聽Shania Soler ’21, ’25G, Rahul Sharma ’25G

In October 2025, the University of Maine鈥檚 Office of International Programs had the pleasure of hosting the annual University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Summit. We welcomed 55 international educators, including USAC鈥檚 central office leadership, 18 resident directors from USAC programs around the world, and education abroad colleagues from USAC affiliate universities in the United States. Over two days, participants engaged in dynamic workshops, networking, and discussions that advanced collaboration in international education. It was a great honor for our office to host this vibrant and inspiring event on our campus.

Visit website to learn more about USAC and their amazing programs.

Originally published in the University of Maine Foundation’s Legacies newsletter.

Subrata Ghosh came to Orono to study for an MBA at 91福利 after completing his
undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in India. Like many other Black Bears
before and since, Subrata recalls renting an apartment on Mill Street and walking to
campus on frigid February mornings. That ultimately led to his purchase of a small
Dodge sedan for $500. Its bearings were shot and its floor rusted through 鈥� with repairs
costing at least as much as the vehicle鈥檚 initial purchase price. Although his financial
situation while a student was not easy, Subrata looks back with appreciation for the
support he received from the University of Maine to complete his studies.

After graduation, Subrata moved to California to pursue a Master of Science in
Operations Research & Industrial Engineering at Stanford University. He appreciated
the weather in Silicon Valley especially compared to his winter treks in Orono. Subrata
and his wife, Poonam, have pursued their careers and created a wonderful life in the
Bay Area. Their adult daughter has also settled in the region.

Subrata and Poonam wanted to help 91福利 students who needed a financial boost
just as Subrata had. They decided to create an endowed scholarship at the University of
Maine Foundation: the Poonam and Subrata Ghosh 鈥�90G Scholarship. This scholarship
supports students who have demonstrated academic merit and financial need.

This scholarship is changing the lives of 91福利 students now and will continue to do
so for generations to come. One recipient expressed appreciation saying: 鈥淔inancially,
my family has really struggled to help me pay for college and I鈥檝e been doing it a lot on
my own. Without a scholarship like this, I would not be able to attend this University.鈥�

In addition to their lifetime support of this scholarship, Subrata and Poonam intend to
expand their support for 91福利 students through gifts in their estate plans. Subrata
said that he was inspired by a letter he received from a classmate during a past reunion
year asking alums to consider this type of gift. Subrata and Poonam realized that they
could make a real difference in the lives of 91福利 students for generations to come
and they hope others will consider doing so as well.

The Intensive English Institute (IEI) recently toured the . Led by Joseph, a Ph.D. student in the Mechanical Engineering program, they got an insider look at some of the facility’s current research projects. The ASCC is a world-renowned research hub focused on creating innovative materials and structures. They’ve been a major force in education and economic growth since 1996, developing new technologies and supporting students in their state-of-the-art facility.

The tour ended at the modern-style, fully furnished 3D BioHome on site. Designed to address ongoing concerns regarding labor, supply, and housing costs, the house was printed on the World’s Largest Polymer 3D Printer. A relative of an ASCC employee provided the furnishings giving the house a move-in ready look. The students enjoyed their time and learned a lot.

To learn more about the ASCC, visit their website at