Class Notes (Latest Edition)
Class Notes - Pony Express - June 2022
1970’s
At the 217th commencement of Bowdoin College this spring, Thomas College president Laurie Gagnon Lachance ’79, a 1983 graduate of Bowdoin, was bestowed an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters She also delivered Greetings for the State, which is customarily offered by a representative from Maine. Lachance talked about how the rich histories of Maine and Bowdoin College are “inextricably linked.” The “bold and visionary leadership” of Bowdoin graduates, she said, has “shaped the unique character and heritage of Maine for over two centuries and played a hand in shaping our nation as well.”
1990’s
Tricia Prouty Mercer ’90 has been named president of the Northern Light Inland Hospital and Northern Light Continuing Care, Lakewood located in the Waterville area. In this role, Tricia will also serve as a Northern Light Senior Vice-President. Tim Dentry, Northern Light Health’s President and CEO said, “Tricia has excellent healthcare experience and we’re excited that she is already part of the Northern Light team, having served as Associate Vice-President of our Medical Group Operations since 2019. She has had great success with improving access to care, enhancing provider engagement, and she is a proud Mainer who is dedicated to community involvement.” Tricia shared, “I look forward to joining the Inland/Lakewood family and continuing to help Northern Light meet its mission to improve the health of the people and communities we serve. Tricia is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and earned an MBA in Healthcare Management.
The Piscataquis County Economic Development Council has announced Angela Snow Arno ’96 as its new leader. Angela is well-acquainted with the work and mission of the PCEDC after serving on their Board of Directors for 7 years and remaining an active member of the council. Angela stated, “. . . as a Piscataquis County native, I know first-hand that whether we are looking at opportunities for attracting new growth or continued sustainability of our local assets, this county is a great place to live, work, and play.” She looks forward to working with the PCEDC board and the entire council in continuing the meaningful work that has been done over the past decades.
Bethany Engstrom ’97 is an artist, curator and educator living and working in Belfast, ME. Her work explores the perception of experience and space through objects, installation, audio, and video. She received a BA in Art History from UMO in 2002 and her MFA from there in 2011. In 2014, she received her PhD in Intermedial Collaborative Practices from UMO. Her work has been exhibited in the Newport Art Museum in Newport, RI, Cove Street Arts in Portland, ME, Waterfall Arts in Belfast, ME, and the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland, ME. She is an adjunct Assistant Professor in Intermedia at UMO, a part-time lecturer in visual arts at the University of Maine @ Augusta, and was the former Associate Curator at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art
2000’s
Ashley Marden ’05 and her wife Heidi Marden welcomed a daughter, Annie James Marden into their family on 2/15/22.
A baby girl Peyton Ann was born to Anna Perkins Dolbeare ’07 and her husband Justin. She joins her five-year-old sister Autumn. Peyton and Autumn’s grandparents are David and Elizabeth Sherman Perkins ’79.
2010’s
Rachel Cody ’12, has been promoted to the position of Proposal Development Engineer at Ensign, Bickford Aerospace and Defense Co. in Hartford, CT, where she has been employed since 2016.
On 8/22/21, Abby Simmons and Kaleb Faloon, both of the Class of 2015, were married. The couple resides in Charleston, ME, and Abby is a wound nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bangor.
A 2022 graduate of the University of Maine @ Presque Isle, Nate Church ’16, a member of the UMPI baseball team, was named the recipient of the NAC Senior Scholar-Athlete Award. Nate graduated with a 3.976 GPA with a degree in exercise science. He will continue his education in pursuit of an advanced degree in physical therapy from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH.
Ethan Poland and Brianna Adkins, both of the Class of 2017, were wed on 5/29/21. Ethan is a graduate of the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, summa cum laude. Brianna graduated from Pace University in 2021 with a degree in communications.
Both members of the Class of 2018, Gabrielle Jolin and her sister Charlotte each graduated from the University of Maine @ Farmington summa cum laude. Gabrielle received her BS in Secondary Education with a concentration in English, and Charlotte received her BS in Elementary Education.
Austin Bickmore ’18 graduated summa cum laude from Thomas College this spring and earned his BS in Accounting. He is continuing his studies to attain his MBA in 2023. He is employed at Nicholson, Michaud, & Nadeau CPA’s in Waterville.
Nic Daneman ’19, an engineering major at Ohio State, recently received a summer internship with NuScale Power, a company that designs and markets small modular reactors.
