But while his undergraduate journey will reach a successful culmination in May,  he isn’t leaving the Pine Tree State right away.

A dual-degree student, pursuing studies in both physics and mathematics, Obertas’ decision to come to Orono came with significant (and life-altering) benefits beyond academics.

“91���� provided me with an opportunity to escape a war-torn country,” Obertas said. “It was an opportunity I couldn’t (pass up). I am grateful for it. 91���� gave me hope for a better future.”

Obertas noted his gratitude to the Office of International Programs, whose staff went above and beyond to help him adjust during the difficult first few months after his arrival from Ukraine. That gratitude was clearest when he was asked to describe 91���� in one word, as the answer was meaningful on many levels.

“Hope,” he said simply. “I am from western Ukraine so it’s not that bad compared to what some people have to endure, [but] before I came here, I was stuck in the middle of the Ukraine war with little good to look for in the future.”

As Obertas learned more about his new surroundings, he made many discoveries about the place and the people who live here.

“Perhaps it’s a cliché, but Maine is famous for its beautiful nature,” he said. “I have spent a lot of time hiking and skiing around. It is a great way to clear your head.”

He also learned that the kindness he received from the 91���� community doesn’t just exist on campus.  

“I found that Mainers are very charitable and supportive of the small local communities,” he said. “People go out of their way to help the little guy. An example would be the outreach program I took part in, traveling physics demonstrations organized by David Sturm intended to spark curiosity in children who would otherwise not have access to a good science education in their school curriculum.”

Obertas hit the ground running when he began his studies at 91����, taking advantage of the many research pursuits available to undergraduates.    

“I spent the first two years working in the thin film lab under Nicolas S. Bingham at FIRST studying artificial spin ice lattices,” he said. “I have also had an internship under Jack Buttcane in the math department optimizing Wigner D-polynomials. Both were wonderful experiences and taught me a lot, however I am not planning to pursue a career in research.”

Speaking on the faculty, Obertas made very clear how supportive his professors were and how special the relationships between faculty and students can be.

“I want to note that 91���� physics department has a unique culture of professor-student interactions who go above and beyond in supporting students,” he said. “Specifically, but not exclusively: Nicolas Bingham, Samuel Hess (who has the biggest heart in the world), Frank Dudish, David Sturm, who organizes physics demos to get children interested in science, and department chair John Thompson.”

As for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Obertas had plenty to say about its faculty as well.

“In the math department, Gilbert Moss was wonderful at helping organize the math club and was very supportive when I had troubles with anything, as well as Jacob Stripel (now working at the University at Buffalo), one of the most intelligent and thoughtful people I met here.” 

After graduation, Obertas intends to pursue a master’s degree in mathematics through the accelerated 4+1 program. After that, the sky is the limit. He plans to take actuarial exams and apply for jobs in that area, but he’s fairly certain that won’t be his final stop. In the end, just like so many of his peers who will be sharing the commencement stage with him, he’s excited to see what’s next.

“I am looking forward to where the road will take me,” Obertas said. 

Contact: Allen Adams, allen.adams@maine.edu

To help prepare students for opportunities in this rapidly expanding field, the University of Maine has approved a new minor in actuarial studies within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

The new minor creates a pathway for students interested in entering the actuarial profession, which uses mathematics and statistical analysis to help organizations manage financial risk. 

Actuaries evaluate investment strategies, develop insurance products, analyze large data sets and predict consumer behavior. The profession requires strong training in mathematics and statistics, along with coursework in accounting, finance and economics.  

“Many students had been asking about actuarial careers, and we are thrilled to be able to offer this new minor as a specialized credential that will be attractive to many employers,” said Andrew Knightly, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

The actuarial studies minor is designed to provide that interdisciplinary preparation.

“While the minor is open to all 91���� students, it was designed with our mathematics majors in mind,” Knightly said.  

Students completing a bachelor’s degree in mathematics are typically prepared to take the Society of Actuaries’ Probability exam. However, many have not completed coursework in finance, economics or accounting that would prepare them for the Society of Actuaries’ Financial Mathematics credentialing exam.

“Several 91���� alumni who were math majors have gone on to successful actuarial careers in the past decade,” said Gilbert Moss, assistant professor of mathematics who oversees the new minor. “The actuarial minor program came about as a way to help 91���� students who are already qualified to enter the actuarial workforce earn a credential that explicitly signals this to future employers.”

The program also aims to support currently enrolled students and working professionals seeking the additional coursework needed to begin and advance in actuarial careers.

A partnership with the insurance company Unum, which has an office in Portland, is expected to further strengthen the program. Unum has pledged to reimburse the cost of one attempt at Actuarial Exam P — the three-hour exam that typically serves as the entry point to the profession — for qualifying 91���� students. The company will also connect participating students with junior actuaries for mentorship.

Moss said the program brings together expertise from across the university.

“The Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the Maine Business School and the School of Economics collectively have the capacity to deliver the significant mathematical and statistical training, combined with basic coursework in finance, economics and accounting, to equip students for entering and advancing in actuarial careers,” he said.

While the coursework needed for actuarial preparation was already available at 91����, the new minor provides a formal credential that signals that preparation to employers and gives students a clearer pathway into the field.