"Believe
in ME…Maine"
By Rep. Susan W. Austin (R-Gray)
As state representative for portions of Gray, No.
Yarmouth and Pownal, serving on the Business Research
and Economic Development Committee I gain "good
news" through state forums, weekly summaries,
publications, and work sessions. This week I would
like to share this news with all of you!
*Attention Junior/Senior High School Students! ….Maine
Community College System's Progress Report update
on new transfer agreements:
SMCC, CMCC, YCCC and USM - finalized
MCCS and UMS (being finalized)
MCCS and UNE - finalized
MCCS and UMAINE - finalized
MCCS and Husson College (being finalized).
*The number of Community College students who are
transferring to Maine's other 7 universities has increased
by 21% in the last two years.
*UMaine Interim President, Robert Kennedy stated that
UM attracts 92% of all federal research funding that
enters Maine's academic institutions and is one of
only 4 % of all colleges and universities nationwide
to be classified as a doctoral research institution.
*UMaine has the largest number of graduate students
in their history, 2,273. That number is the largest
of any institution in Maine.
*The UMaine Honors College had an enrollment of 250
students just four years ago and has now grown to
approximately 700.
*The University of Maine and USDA are investing over
25 MILLION dollars in a top of the line cold water
marine aquaculture research facility in Hancock County.
*Facts from Commissioner McGowan of the Dept. of Conservation:
How many visitors are welcomed to Maine's 47 State
Parks yearly? Over 2 million! And Maine's Public Reserved
Lands (617,000 acres) are visited by another 500,000
people. Who provides fire protection for the most
heavily forested state (17 MILLION acres) in the country
and works closely with Maine State Game Wardens to
assist in enforcing snowmobile and ATV regulations?
Maine's Forest Rangers. Maine's unorganized territories
cover 10.4 MILLION acres. What Bureau does surveillance
over the inventory and condition of Maine's groundwater
supply? The Bureau of Geology and Natural Areas.
*March 2, 2005, Ali, Susie and Jill Stauble of Gray
Park, Gray, daughters of Raymond and Barbara Stauble
sang the National Anthem in the House of Representative's
Chambers. The girl's parents and grandfather were
our guests in the House Gallery as well. The harmonizing
and unique rendition by the sister trio made eyes
water with its superior quality! These very talented
young ladies are students at Westbrook High School.
