Campus Events and Media Releases

UMF Partners with Maine Outdoor Recreation Leaders Launching Visionary Program

Release revised Oct. 26, 2009

FARMINGTON, ME (October 21, 2009)--University of Maine at Farmington has
launched an innovative, new four-season Outdoor Recreation Program,
developed in conjunction with industry leaders throughout Maine, featuring
both academic and extra-curricular elements. This program continues UMF's
commitment to Maine's outdoor recreation arena and active partnership in
the state's continued economic development. The initiative will enable
students to invest their passion for the outdoors in pursuing rewarding
careers in the outdoor industry and acquiring life-long, healthy living
skills.

Theodora J. Kalikow, UMF president, is thrilled about the University's
comprehensive new program and the avenues it will create for students to
succeed in Maine's four-season outdoor recreation industry and beyond.
"This ground-breaking program will join Maine's most valuable resources for
the future--the potential of our young people and the nationally recognized
beauty of our woods, mountains and pristine waterways," said Kalikow.
"UMF's location in the heart of western Maine makes it a natural fit."

*UMF's Outdoor Recreation Business Administration interdisciplinary
concentration will premiere at Farmington in fall 2010 and will offer
students an extensive academic program to prepare them for a broad range of
industry-related jobs in today's workplace and successful careers in the
future. The curriculum for the new ORBA major was shaped by UMF in
collaboration with an advisory board of leaders in Maine's four-season
recreation industry. The program will help students to become analytical
and creative thinkers with the knowledge and skills necessary to cope not
only with the challenges of the outdoor recreation tourism sector, but also
with most business environments. Internship opportunities will also
introduce students to the practical realities of managing businesses in
this sector and provide the hands-on experience that employers seek.

An emphasis on business management and outdoor recreation tourism sets
Farmington's ORBA program apart from similar programs available in New
England. Students will have the opportunity to take classes on subjects
such as Retailing Operations, Financial Management for Recreation and
Tourism, and Human Resource Development and to become proficient in areas
such as sales, marketing, financial administration, retail and tourism
operations management. They will also be exposed to a broad range of
outdoor activities such as snow sports, river industries, camping, hiking
and adventure sports.

The program will also enable students to develop an understanding of the
importance of cultural heritage and knowledge of people and place in
attracting repeat visitors to Maine. According to the Maine State Planning
Office, in 2006, tourism generated one in every five sales dollars and one
in every six Maine jobs. "Maine's competitive advantage lies in preparing
our students to be the most qualified industry professionals," said Frank
Engert, UMF professor of business, "offering the best in outdoor
recreational opportunities."

As a complement to the UMF program's academic offerings, the
extra-curricular component will focus on current outdoor recreation
activities sponsored by the UMF Fitness and Recreation Center and on-campus
outdoor recreation clubs. Opportunities for participation in a wide array
of adventure, experiential learning and other outdoor activities will be
available to both the campus and local community at multiple skill levels.
Areas of interest include: Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding,
snowshoeing, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, golfing, geocaching, hiking,
biking, bouldering, camping, orienteering and more.

Jim Toner, director of the UMF Fitness and Recreation Center, said the
program's focus on four-season recreation will create even more
opportunities for the center to serve the campus and local community.
"We're excited about the FRC's partnership with the new ORBA program," said
Toner. "Our outdoor recreation offerings should complement this new program
nicely. This is the best of both worlds."

Additionally, an Outdoor Recreation Collaborative is being created that
will target its outreach efforts to building community partnerships and
wide-ranging outdoor recreational opportunities at UMF. This collective
effort will have a role in developing future training and instructional
programs, continuing education programs, and certifications in related
outdoor recreation and eco-tourism fields.

For more information, visit http://www.farmington.edu/majors/ORBA.php.


# # #

*Note: Revision refers to "Outdoor Recreation Business Administration
interdisciplinary concentration."

Media contacts:
Frank Engert, UMF professor of business, at 207-778-7412, or engert@maine.edu.
Sheena Bunnell, UMF professor of business economics, 207-778-7440, or
sbunnell@maine.edu.
Clyde Mitchell, UMF associate professor of business, 207-778-7413, or
clyde.mitchell@maine.edu.
Jim Toner, director of UMF Fitness and Recreation Center, at 207-778-7494,
or james.d.toner@maine.edu.


EDITOR'S NOTE: You will find photo at
http://www.umf.maine.edu/campus/docs/RP090-015.jpg

Photo Credit: UMF photo

Photo Caption: University of Maine at Farmington student Breanna Deluca
tries her hand at kayaking down the Kennebec River on a weekend excursion
with UMF's Fitness and Recreation Center.