University of Maine at Fort Kent

Infobox University
name = University of Maine at Fort Kent
"Université du Maine à Fort Kent"


established = 1878
type = Public
faculty= 75
president= Richard W. Cost
city = Fort Kent
state = Maine
country = USA
students = 1339
campus = Rural, 54 acres
mascot= Bengal Tiger
website = [http://www.umfk.maine.edu/ www.umfk.maine.edu]

The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), founded in 1878, is a public liberal arts university serving 1339 [ [http://www.umfk.maine.edu/aboutumfk/facts/ University of Maine at Fort Kent website, Quick Facts] ] students in Fort Kent, Maine. It is a member of the University of Maine System. The campus also bears an official name in French, "Université du Maine à Fort Kent", in recognition of the strong Franco-American heritage in this region of the state.

The school offers undergraduate degree programs in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Education, Natural and Behavioral Sciences, and Nursing.

History

In 1878 Maine governor Selden Connor signed an act establishing a teachers school in the northern border region of the State (then known as the Madawaska territory) in an effort to Americanize the French settlers of the area [ [http://www.umfk.maine.edu/aboutumfk/history/ University of Maine at Fort Kent website, History] ] . This became known as the Madawaska Training School.

In 1955 the name was changed to Fort Kent Normal School to more accurately reflect its location. The name would change three more times, beginning in 1961 to become Fort Kent State Teachers College, then Fort Kent State College, and finally the University of Maine at Fort Kent in 1970.

Today, UMFK serves as the center of Franco-American study in the State [ [http://www.umfk.maine.edu/french/ University of Maine at Fort Kent website, The French Connection] ] .

Academics

The University of Maine at Fort Kent has a Carnegie Classification of Baccalaureate College. Its academic programs are structured within four divisions: Arts and Humanities, Education, Natural and Behavioral Sciences, and Nursing.Today the school is continuing to expand its offerings, its newest offerings including Electronic Commerce, and Information Assurance and Security.

Athletics

UMFK is a member of the NAIA Sunrise Conference, competing in Basketball, Soccer, Cross Country, Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Golf and Volleyball.

Because of its location, the school has strong ties to national, and international Biathlon competition. Specifically, UMFK has agreements with the Maine Winter Sports Center, and the United States Biathlon Association to accept nominated biathletes at reduced rates [ [http://www.umfk.maine.edu/biathlon/ University of Maine at Fort Kent website, Biathlon and the University] ] . UMFK also assists with the organization of Biathlon events hosted at the nearby 10th Mountain Ski Center such as the 2004, and upcoming 2009, IBU Biathlon World Cup.

References

ee also

*University of Maine System
*Fort Kent, Maine

External links

* [http://www.umfk.maine.edu/ Official site]