King lauds retiring Senior College co-founder

At Midcoast Senior College’s annual meeting and luncheon June 14, Jack Thompson’s commitment to lifelong learning in Maine was lauded by independent U.S. Sen. Angus King Jr. and other community members. Thompson was retiring after 67 years of teaching.

Before more than 220 members, sponsors and guests in Thorne Hall at Bowdoin College, King’s state director, Edie Smith, read the letter in which King congratulated Thompson for his years of service to the college, which he co-founded in 2000.

Maine Senior College Network Program and Midcoast Senior College also presented a special plaque to Thompson. MSC President Anthony Belmont thanked Thompson for his dedication and his roles as teacher, board member and long-time volunteer. “With more than 500 enrollees to two dozen courses each semester, the College has grown under the guidance of Mr. Thompson,” said Belmont.

Co-founder Nancy Wheeler sent a personal letter of appreciation, which was read during the ceremony to express her gratitude and enjoyment of the years she worked with Thompson.

Thompson’s long history of teaching adult learners that reaches back to his years as a doctoral student at Columbia. Following that, he worked for the Ford Foundation, served in the American Embassy in Indonesia, and taught modern Russian history for many years at Indiana University. Thompson spent time in Russia as a researcher and traveled the world extensively while teaching history to American undergraduates in overseas programs. With expertise in military history, Thompson also taught at the Air Force Academy and the Air War College

“It is obvious that as we lurch into the 21st century, Senior College helps provide perspective and accumulated knowledge on such issues as the environment, the economy, and human rights,” said Thompson.

Mid-Coast dental student chosen for inaugural service program

A Brunswick resident was among a half dozen fourth-year dental students at the University of New England who completed 12-week clinical rotations across northern New England.

Dustin Nadeau was in the inaugural group known as Key Oral Health Scholars, who were the first participants in the Key to Oral Health program, a joint initiative of UNE and KeyBank. The Key to Oral Health program is designed to address the shortage of dental health providers in Aroostook and Penobscot Counties, two geographic areas of demonstrated oral health need.

The Key Oral Health Scholars were chosen for their commitment to serving rural and underserved areas of Maine and their residents. Each awardee received a comprehensive package that included scholarship support, housing stipends, travel assistance and dedicated funding to engage the community in a robust service project. The program’s long-term goal is to encourage UNE dental students to return and build practices in these underserved areas upon graduation.

Graduates

University of Vermont

Alexander Romac, of Bath, Bachelor of Science in business administration

Corinne O’Connor, of Brunswick, Bachelor of Arts in psychology

Dean’s lists

Bentley University

Meaghan Harper, of Bath

Marist College

Kathryn Eldridge, of Brunswick

Mount Ida College

Michele Richards, a veterinary technology major from Brunswick

Jack Thompson, co-founder of MidCoast Senior College, at left, was recently honored by state and local dignitaries, including College President Tony Belmont. More than 200 people attended retirement ceremonies for Thompson at Bowdoin College.

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