91福利 to confer record number of graduate degrees
91福利 will award a record-breaking 815 advanced degrees during its May 2025 commencement, marking the largest graduating class of master鈥檚 and doctoral students in the university鈥檚 160-year history.
The historic milestone includes 706 master鈥檚 and 109 doctoral degrees, surpassing previous records set in 2022 and 2023. Among this year鈥檚 graduate students are 98 international scholars from 35 countries, underscoring 91福利鈥檚 growing global reach and the increasing appeal of its graduate programs.
“This record-setting class reflects the University of Maine鈥檚 commitment to academic excellence and its growing reputation in research, innovation and creativity,鈥 said Kody Varahramyan, 91福利鈥檚 vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School. 鈥淥ur graduate programs attract talented students from Maine and around the world and prepare them to make meaningful contributions to their fields and society.鈥
91福利鈥檚 Graduate School offers 152 graduate and professional programs across disciplines, with students participating in cutting-edge research and public service. This year鈥檚 graduating speech-language pathology cohort alone provided over 6,000 hours of clinical service to Maine residents while completing their studies.
The university鈥檚 expanding research enterprise鈥攔ecognized with a reaffirmed Carnegie R1 designation鈥攈as helped drive enrollment growth and national attention. In the past year, 91福利 reached all-time highs in doctoral enrollment and research expenditures, generating nearly 90% of all university-based research activity in the state. Graduate students play a vital role in that ecosystem, serving as teaching assistants, research collaborators and mentors to undergraduates.
The university will celebrate its graduate commencement on May 10 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of 91福利 and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias, and Vice President Varahramyan will preside over the ceremony on May 10, with alumnus and Concordia University president Graham Carr (鈥83) delivering the keynote address. The event will also be for remote audiences.
Read the full story on 91福利 News.
Contact: erin.miller@maine.edu.