This site uses javascript to implement some of its functionality. Please enable javascript in your web browser to ensure full functionality is available.
skip to content
University of Maine at Fort Kent

Latest News

Enrollment & Advancement Center • University of Maine at Fort Kent • 23 University Drive, Fort Kent, ME 04743

Eminent Historian of French Settlements to speak at UMFK Commencement

May 6, 2014

Note: this is an archived news release. As such, the information provided may no longer apply.

NR14040

Pulitzer-Prize Winning Author and Historian, David Hackett Fischer, will attend the University of Maine at Fort Kent's 132nd Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 10 at the University's Sport Center to address the graduating class and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

The UMFK Commencement Ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. UMFK President, Wilson G. Hess, will preside over the day's ceremonies. Approximately 185 degrees will be conferred. UMFK also is honored to have the presence of the University of Maine System Chancellor James H. Page in the platform party during Commencement.

Fischer is a University Professor and the Earl Warren Professor of History at Brandeis University, in Waltham, Massachusetts. His major works have tackled everything from large macroeconomic and cultural trends to narrative histories of significant events, to explorations of historiography.

He is well-known for two notable works: Washington's Crossing(Pivotal Moments in American History) and Albion's Seed.In 2008, he published Champlain's Dream,an exploration of Samuel de Champlain, the French explorer and founder of Quebec City.

Most recent book published, Fairness and Freedom: A History of Two Open Societies: New Zealand and the United States.

In 2012, Fischer presented on the UMFK campus, on his book Champlain's Dream. Fischer's appearance was part of the University's Presidential Lecture Series.

Fischer received a B.A. from Princeton University and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University. He is an honorary member of the Society of the Cincinnati and Trustee Emeritus at the College of Atlantic.

George R. Dumond, from Fort Kent, will be honored during the afternoon's ceremony with the University's Distinguished Service Award for his many years of service to the campus community, local community, and to our Country. Dumond is a financial professional at The Prudential Insurance Company. He was an event organizer for the 2004 and 2011 International World Cup Biathlon, which were held in Fort Kent at the 10th Mountain Ski Center.

Currently, Dumond serves as president for the Maine's World Acadian Congress Regional Coordinating Committee and as International co-president for the 2014 World Acadian Congress.

He served on the UMFK Foundation and was honored as Fort Kent "Citizen of the Year" in 2006.