University of Maine

The University of Maine, established in 1865, is the flagship university of the University of Maine System. It is located in Orono, Maine just outside of Bangor, one of Maine's largest cities. The school has an enrollment of over 11,000 students and is known as UMaine for short, especially in athletics and with its Internet DNS address (http://www.umaine.edu). The school's sports teams are called the Black Bears and the school colors are blue & white.

History

UMaine was founded in 1862 by the Morrill Act, signed by president Lincoln. Originally named the Maine College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, the Maine College opened on September 21, 1868, changing its name to the University of Maine in 1897.

Related Topics:
Morrill Act - Lincoln - September 21 - 1868

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The College was the fourth to be established in Maine, after Bowdoin, Bates, and Colby. Originally intended as an agricultural college, the College also placed a large emphasis on engineering and the sciences.

Related Topics:
Bowdoin - Bates - Colby

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Tuition at the Maine College was free until 1879. In return, all students were expected to contribute 15 hours a week of labor, on which they were graded and received compensation in accordance with their grades.

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Near the end of the 19th century, the curriculum was expanded to place greater emphasis on the liberal arts. New faculty hired during this time included Caroline Colvin, chair of the history department, and the first woman in the nation to head a major university department.

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When the University of Maine System was incorporated, the school was renamed by the legislature over the objections of the faculty to the University of Maine at Orono (or UMO). This was changed back to the University of Maine in 1986. However, it is still inaccurately referred to as UMO by some Mainers.

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