"The college of our hearts always..."

Everyone should feel that way about their Alma Mater.  I really do.  And that line is part of the University of Maine's school song - the Maine Stein Song.

I transfered to the University of Maine halfway through my sophmore year.  I had started out at American University in Washington, DC - where I now live.  I was not really looking forward to going back to my state university - but it was probably one of the best things I have ever done.

The University of Maine really is a family affair for us.  My parents both got degrees there.  All of my siblings did, except my brother (who went to the U of Maine in Farmington) and now the next generation of our family is up there.

So this morning we headed north to Orono to meet up with Chris and Sarah.  We started with a tour of their apartments.  Chris' pad looked a bit more...masculine...

And Sarah's looked a little more...livable (Sorry Chris)...

We had breakfast at a UMaine mainstay - the Governors...

As kids we used to love going there when my father was getting his Masters.  It's still good eats and cheap eats - just what a college town needs.  Here we are...

We finally made it to campus.  We skipped the football game...

and went to the Field House for the big craft fair instead...

Then I got a personal campus tour from Sarah...

Me in front of my dorm - where my father had also lived...

Little Hall - where I had my german and french classes...

Stevens Hall - where I had my international relations and poly sci classes...

The library (and the birthday girl)...

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And finally - the Maine Black Bear...

Comments

[Mel]

I think I've been back to Orono at most once since I graduated nearly two decades ago (I also transferred there after my second year). I'll never forget graduation day in Alfond Stadium, though. Olympia gave the commencement address, starting with, "I know nobody wants to hear a long speech, so I'll keep this brief." And then launched into what could have passed as a filibuster effort.

[Susan]

James- I was just up there for a football game a couple of weeks ago. Isn't it great? I broke out into a sweat at Little Hall just thinking about Frau Delphendahl berating me. Aaah but Herr Zollitch and those BLUE, BLUE EYES! And those forearms! We went to Pat's of course and did a quick tour. We went up to Knox to see Emily's old dorm--- Sarah and Chris's places look MUCH nicer than it did up there. Come to think of it, they look better than any place I EVER lived in college! Way to go!