What Students Really Say About Farmington


Did you come to Farmington knowing you wanted to major in Geology?
No, I actually came in as an Environmental Science major. My faculty advisor, Dr. Eastler [Professor of Geology] was the one who first got me excited about Geology. He opened my eyes to the world and let me see things in a totally different way and inspired me to become a Geologist. I had a class with him and we’d talk after class. He was a pretty big influence, along with the other professors in the Geology program.

So what is the UMF Geology program like? What's a strength of the program?
A major strength of the program is the tight community. The professors know everything about the students in the program and what’s going on in their lives. If it looks like you’re upset of lagging behind, you’ll have two or three of professors on your back. They bend over backwards to help you.

Is there anything that sets Farmington's Geology apart from other majors?
Again, it’s a pretty tight-knit family and everyone in the program knows everybody else. We even have kids who are not even in the program just come and sit in on some of the classes. It happens all the time in Geology because the classes are so interesting. I’ve sat in on quite a few classes and kids from all different majors just sit in and listen to the professors. That might set it apart. We had a student I thought was in our class, and I asked him if he had done an assignment, but turns out he was just sitting in on the class [laughs]. It really happens.

You said Dr. Eastler is your faculty advisor and you go to him for academic advice?
Yes. I but don’t go to just him. I can go to anybody in the Geology department. I went to Dr. Reusch [Assistant Professor of Geology] the other day for one thing and Dr. Eastler for another.

Have you had a favorite class or a favorite experience?
We go outside all the time! and I mean ALL the time! The labs are the best part. We ’ll go canoeing, climbing mountains, all over the place — around the country and around the world. The only way to learn Geology is to get out there and to start looking at stuff. My professors keep stressing that you can’t learn this stuff just from books. We go places, that’s for sure. Every lab we’ve had was fun.

Last May Term, most of the Geology majors went on a trip across the country with a couple of professors — the Grand Canyon and a bunch of other places. Now that it’s cold we’re inside and we’re doing sandbox models with tectonic plates.

UMF's Geology program seems to have the coolest May Term courses.
You’re right. And they’re dirt cheap, too, because the professors have connections and they know how to make it inexpensive for us. For about $500 we’re going to go cross-country again this May Term and spend time in Pacific Northwest, I think at Glacier National Park. It should be fun!

I hear the Farmington area has to offer in terms of Geology, is this true?
Definitely. Geologically-speaking, Farmington is in a really interesting spot. We’re right between two continents that collided. You can see all kinds of stuff around here in terms of rocks and folds and things of that sort. In terms of Farmington’s Geology, the Sandy River is pretty cool. It meanders all over the place and changes the topography of the land every year and there’s an ongoing study of where it is going and how it is moving. Dr. Eastler has been doing that research for I don’t know how many years.

We have all kinds of mountains around here without crops that you can go up and look at. We did a study on Bald Mountain and we’re the first ones to do it. We’re studying the mountain to get a feel for the area and found that this mountain could determine how part of Maine was formed, which would be contrary to what everybody thinks.

What are you looking for?
We’re looking for a certain type of rock and fold for a Structural Geology class. This is a top class in the program — when you get into the meat and potatoes, the heavy stuff … but it’s all pretty heavy. It’s definitely a challenge. You'll get challenged in Geology. But I love the challenge and I love the support I get.

It seems to me like even the professors chose Farmington for the location.
It seems like they did. It’s a really interesting stop without getting into it. It is either a sliver of another continent or an uplift of the continent that crashed into us.

As student from out of state, how did you first find out about UMF?
Through a friend of mine, who was already going here. She graduated, but I’m still here! I love it here.

Did you visit?
Yeah. I visited a few times to see the campus and to get a feel for the atmosphere. I liked it, so I decided to pack it up and come over here.

What were your first impressions of Farmington?
It’s so lively and spirited and everybody was very welcoming. Everybody seemed to take me in with open arms.

What do you like about UMF now that you’ve been here for a while?
I like the faculty here and how they go the extra mile for you. I’ve had professors on several occasions go above and beyond just for me … it makes you feel like you’re valued. That’s what I love. I’ve had different professors give me books in areas they think I’m interest in. They know my life! A few professors even know where I’m from and know people I know. They genuinely seem to like me.

Are you planning on going on to grad school?
Yes, definitely — in Geology. One of my professors made the statement, and it’s a pretty bold one, that he can get me into any graduate school I want within reason and I won’t have to pay for it. That was the kicker to get me into Geology. The professors always seem to go the extra mile. I wish UMF offered a graduate program in Geology — I would definitely stay.

You’re obviously outdoorsy, did you come to UMF because you like to ski or hike?
Actually I live on a ski mountain. I haven’t gotten a chance to go skiing, but I do enjoy the outdoors. I enjoy hiking, skiing, biking and jogging. There are a lot of good trails to jog around here. I definitely enjoy the outdoors. I guess you could say that was a factor in coming here.

Would you recommend Farmington to a friend?
Actually, my sister is transferring here next semester because I recommended her to. You can’t beat the price. If it was any other college, I don’t know if I could afford it or get the quality education I get here. My sister is spending a lot of money on college and I said, “you should be coming to Farmington so you can get more for your money.” So she’ll be here next semester. So, yeah, I’d recommend it.