Famous Alumni

THE ARTS

Manette Ansay '87 is a critically acclaimed novelist. Ansay continues to write despite a disorder that causes her difficulties in both reading and writing at a computer. Her novel, Vinegar Hill was personally chosen for the Oprah Book Club by Oprah Winfrey herself.

Stephen King '70, nicknamed the "King of Horror", has become an American literary icon publishing a slew of highly successful novels with no signs of slowing down. King's books have sold well over 100 million copies worldwide, and many have been made into movies. Well known titles include, Carrie, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Green Mile.

Donald Holder '80 won a Tony Award for his innovative lighting design for the Broadway production of the "The Lion King". Holder owns a successful museum and architectural lighting business as well as working on lighting designs for plays, musicals, museums, and businesses. Although he graduated with a degree in Forestry, Holder has integrated his other diverse interests to shape his career, illustrating how people are not limited by their degree studies.

David Lamb '62 has traveled to more than 120 countries as a journalist in order to get firsthand coverage for his stories and increase his expertise on Arabs and Islam. He has covered breaking news in a number of revolutions and both Vietnam and the Persian Gulf Wars earning him the title of distinguished reporter of the Los Angeles Times.

Wendy Semonian '92 graduated with a degree in International Affairs and Russian. She is the publisher of the Boston-based magazine The Improper Bostonian, which covers art, events, restaurants, movie reviews, celebrity interviews, and more. She utilizes the opportunities created by running a magazine to give back to the community through social and charity events.

BUSINESS

Colby Chandler '50 became CEO of Kodak and transformed how the company was run, allowing it to thrive because of his changes. His approach to streamlining the business and his involvement with government in President Reagan's Export Council was innovative and influential—making everything he influenced a success.

Matthew Kenny '88 has a passion and drive like few others. He has opened seven successful restaurants in both New York and Maine. He has written two cookbooks, been featured in many well-known magazines, was a guest on the "Today Show", and is known as one of New York's "celebrity chefs".

Raymond H. Fogler '15 was president of W.T. Grant Company for many years. He was an Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Eisenhower. He was tapped by a Maine governor to help guide the state's education direction. He was part of all major fundraising campaigns, helping to build such major facilities as the Memorial Union, Fogler Library, Maine Center for the Arts and Alfond Arena. In 1962, Fogler Library was named for Raymond Fogler for his service to the University. It is estimated that more than 30 members of his family, including his seven children, have graduated from the University of Maine. 

EDUCATION

Peter Buotte '88 with French degree and a background in art and teaching, recently served with the U.S. Army Reserve #411 Civil Affairs Unit working to reopen schools in Baghdad. He was in charge of planning how to rebuild the schools to ensure a safe environment for students and help them return as soon as possible.

Charles V. Stanhope '71 is the director of development at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. He spent his whole career with the Library of Congress. He's currently second vice president of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. In the past he has hosted an Honors (University of Maine) alumni event at the Library of Congress, providing a tour of the facility. He's a former University of Maine Singer and proud of it.

ENGINEERING/TECHNOLOGY

John Brier '88 created the company BroadcastAmerica.com, a leading internet entertainment network that combines radio and TV programming with the web. Brier's services allow people to watch and listen to news, weather, sports, and music from their home computers while increasing the reach of media to larger audiences.

Francis Crowe '05 was an engineering marvel of his time. He built 19 dams in the western United States—more than any other man in history. His most notable project was the Hoover Dam, which is still recognized for its enormity and historical significance today.

Linden McClure '89 works for Hewlett-Packard Company as a research and development engineer designing technical workstations and chipsets for microprocessors. He has also contributed to projects and space missions for NASA as lead engineer on embedded systems and assisting in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Bridget Ziegelaar Johnson '96 graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She received a MA in Science, Technology & Public Policy and a concentration in Economics from George Washington University in 1999. As part of a fellowship with the school's Space Policy Institute, she interned at NASA headquarters in Washington, DC as a research associate. She is an extravehicular activities flight manager at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Houston, Texas. She is in charge of spacewalks. Her first full-time job with NASA was as a space station thermal systems controller. She started with NASA in 2000.

Douglas "Doug" B. Hall '81 is the founder, chief inventor and CEO of Richard Saunders, International Eureka! Ranch. The company specializes in creating new products and jump-starting old ones. Corporate clients included: American Express, Ford, Nike and Walt Disney. 1981 to 1990 he was a master marketing inventor for Proctor & Gamble. In 1990, Procter & Gamble asked Doug to head up their invention team. Surveys indicate that the average American home uses 18 products or services that Doug and his team have invented or re-invented. In March 2006, he became a panelist for a new television show called "The American Inventor." He has been named by Inc. Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, A&E Top 10 and Dateline NBC as "One of America's Top Innovation Experts." Doug and Dr. Russ Quaglia write a nationally syndicated column called Great Aspirations by Two Dads.

POLITICS

William Treat '40 began his career as a judge first in the municipal courts and later in the probate courts where he introduced many new procedures. He helped establish a new bank as well as being an important influence in banking policy. Treat's reach also extends into politics; Former President Bush chose him as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations where he was deeply involved with Human Rights issues.

Olympia Snowe '69 has used her Political Science degree to take her through Maine's government system to the U.S. Congress and Senate, making her the first woman to serve in both houses of a state legislature and both houses of the U.S. Congress. Snowe joined the most powerful committee in Congress in 2001, the Senate Finance Committee, which granted her a very influential role in national legislation.

John E. Baldacci '86 is the current Governor of the State of Maine. He served as a State Senator for 12 years. In 1994, following the retirement of George J. Mitchell, Baldacci won election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine's Second District. He was reelected to Congress in the elections of 1996, 1998, and 2000. He established a state funded health care program known as Dirigo Health.

Paul T. Conway '86 is Chief of Staff for the United States Department of Labor for Secretary Elaine L. Chao. Formerly he was Chief of Staff during the Bush Administration for the United States Office of Personnel Management, working for Kay Coles James. He was one of only 23 people selected from across the country to attend the American Campaign Academy and the only person from Maine chosen during the 1988 election cycle. Mr. Conway was the featured speaker at the Class of 2010 Convocation, September 1, 2006 

SCIENCE

Peter Brooks '88 is looking for a cure for cancer. He has developed a tumor-shrinking drug that shows great potential, is researching how to stop blood flow to tumors, as well as understanding how a tumor utilizes the body's collagen to its own advantage. Brooks is well recognized in his field, receiving numerous awards for his cancer research as well as the support of many health foundations and businesses.

Kathleen Wynne '81 G is a marine mammal specialist at the University of Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program. Wynne uses her M.S. Wildlife Management degree in her research about the causes for large population declines in Harbor seals and Stellar seal lions in Alaska. Her field guide to Atlantic Ocean marine mammals and turtles and her approach to including the fishing industry in her research have helped the scientific community to move toward a better understanding of marine ecosystems.

Bernard Lown, M.D. '42 is a dedicated advocate of world peace, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985 in recognition of his efforts. Along with his dedication to a more peaceful world, Lown is a pioneer heart surgeon who developed innovative new methods to prevent sudden coronary death.

Edith Patch '10 G was the first woman president of the Entomological Society of America. Her knowledge of the potential dangers of pesticides was far advanced of others in the field. She is also known for authoring many children's books that helped to increase youth's interest in scientific topics.

Robert Chandler '29 is internationally recognized for developing the "miracle rice' which vastly increased Asian rice production and prevented a looming famine. He is a recipient of the World Food Prize for his extensive work in increasing world food supply.

SPORTS

Paul Kariya '96 was the highest scorer for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks his rookie year. But before he played for the NHL, Kariya got his start at the University of Maine; he is the first and only freshman to receive the Hobey Baker Award recognizing him as the nation's best college hockey player. He also led the UMaine hockey team to win the national championships in 1993. The following year he helped Canada win the silver medal at the Olympics. Kariya played 9 strong seasons with Anaheim and has recently joined the St. Louis Blues.

Michael "Mike" T. Bordick '88 is co-owner of Frozen Ropes Training Center in Portland, Maine. Frozen Ropes has grown into the most recognized name in baseball and softball instruction. In 1990 he started a 20 year major league baseball career when the Oakland A's made it to the World Series. He stayed with Oakland through 1996 before joining the Baltimore Orioles. In 2002, he set major league records for a shortstop by playing 110 consecutive games without committing an error and handling 543 straight errorless chances. In 2006, he was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. After his major league career he returned to UMaine to finish his degree. He graduated this past May.

Mark P. Sweeney '91 is a baseball player for the San Francisco Giants. Formerly he played for the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers and California Angels. Mark received All-American honors while at UMaine, and he holds 21 school records. In 1996, he was inducted into the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame.

William "Billy" C. Swift '84 is a former pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. He also played for the Baltimore Orioles and the Rockies. He was a Cy Young Award runner-up in 1993. Billy is listed as one of Maine's Top 20 Athletes of the 20th Century.

Gary F. Thorne '70 is a sports announcer for ESPN, covering Major League baseball and the National Hockey League. He is a former New York Mets broadcast booth announcer. Gary is an attorney who practiced law in Bangor before moving to a full-time career in sports broadcasting that began with his coverage of the Black Bear hockey games. In 1992 he was presented with the Hall of Fame President's Award for outstanding achievement at the Maine Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

John F. Tortorella '81 became the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team in 2001. He led the team to their first Stanley Cup Championship, as well as its second consecutive Southeast Division Championship. He was the recipient of the 2003-04 Jack Adams Award as the National Hockey League's top coach. He is recognized as one of the top teaching coaches in the game. He spent three seasons with the Black Bears and was twice named an East Coast Athletic Conference All-Star.