Kaplan University’s nursing students stage mock casualty training exercise with local police, fire

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Local police and fire departments, in collaboration with students from Kaplan Univer­sity’s  bachelor’s in nursing program, participated in a mock mass casualty training exercise late last month on the University’s Augusta campus.

The day-long event provided an opportunity for emergency personnel to evaluate response time and effectiveness when dealing with similar situations and allowed them to identify areas for improvement in their approach.  The mock scene involved evaluating preparedness, responsiveness, and community coordination while helping students achieve course objectives in community and public health nursing.

Fire and rescue personnel participate in a mock disaster response. Internet photo

Fire and rescue personnel participate in a mock disaster response.
Internet photo

Nearly 100 participants played important supporting roles in the training, but only a handful of leaders knew of the details providing a very realistic experience.

Lieutenant Kevin Lully of the Augusta Police Department said, “On behalf of the Augusta Police Department and City of Augusta, we are pleased to be able to share in this type of proactive and team-oriented networking.  The utilization of police and fire services, incorporated with the eagerness and energy of Kaplan University students resulted in a very dynamic and diverse training.  Although this particular training event has been in the planning stages for the past couple months; given recent national events, the timing could not be more appropriate. We look forward to our on-going partnership with Kaplan in the future.”

As part of the Community Health Nursing course at Kaplan, students learn the various roles nurses play in the community including collaborating with community partners, evaluating processes/procedures relating to community needs, and educating based on needs of individuals as well as communities.

Dr. Shannon Packard, director of nursing for Kaplan University’s Maine BSN program, added “The amount of planning and collaboration that goes into an event like this really affords students an opportunity to implement the nursing process from a different perspect­ive.  Collaborating with community partners, planning and implementing within a group also strengthens teamwork skills, leadership skills, and communication skills.  All necessary skills within the nursing profession.”

Kennebec Historical Society to hear Lincoln Paine on Kennebec History

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In this talk, maritime historian Lincoln Paine will use the history of the Kennebec River as a lens through which to examine Maine and American history since the pre-Columbian period. Examining the different ways that people have approached the Kennebec over time provides us with a new way of reading and understanding the history of the United States and its people. Abenaki culture was deeply informed by the way that people related to the Kennebec, which also helped shape patterns of exploration and settlement by early European settlers and the subsequent commercial and industrial development of the late colonial and post-independence period.

While the Kennebec has often been viewed in terms of its importance to navigation – both for shuttling goods and people between the hinterland and the sea, as well as for shipbuilding – it has also been a source of industrial power, a conveyor belt for the lumber industry, a source of harvested ice, and latterly a showcase for environmental restoration. In this respect, the many uses of the Kennebec offer a periodization of history that affords us a more nuanced appreciation of how Maine and the United States developed.

Lincoln Paine is a maritime historian, author, editor, and curator whose books include the award-winning The Sea and Civilization: A Maritime History of the World (2013), Down East: A Maritime History of Maine (2000), and Ships of the World: An Historical Encyclopedia (1997).

The Kennebec Historical Society October Presentation is free to the public (donations gladly accepted) and will take place on Wednesday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Augusta City Center, located at 16 Cony Street in Augusta.

Students earn degrees from the University of Vermont

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Some 2,329 students were awarded a variety of bachelor’s degrees during the University of Vermont’s 215th commencement ceremonies on May 22, in Burlington, Vermont. Approximately 502 advanced degrees were awarded by the UVM Graduate College, and 106 took the oath of Hippocrates following the awarding of their M.D. degrees at ceremonies of the UVM College of Medicine.

The following local students were among the graduates:

Allyson Drummond, of Augusta, graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science in zoology.

Ryan Holm, of Whitefield, graduated with a bachelor of arts in Chinese.

Brenden Wood, of Vassalboro, graduated with a bachelor of arts in Russian.

Local students named to spring 2016 dean’s list at Stonehill College

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The following local residents have been named to the Spring 2016 Dean’s List at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts.

Justin A. Davis, of Palermo, a member of the class of 2019 and a political science and international studies major.

Jenna M. Fongemie, of Augusta, a member of the class of 2016 and a biology major.

Colleen O’Donnell, of Waterville,  member of the class of 2018 and a biology major.

Margaret M. Priest, of Augusta, a member of the class of 2017 and a political science and international studies major.

Kennebec Historical Society’s annual meeting program: “Historic Bridges of Maine”

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The story of Maine’s Historic Bridges is more faceted than you might think.  Why are bridges located where they are?  Who built them?  Why do they look the way they do?  Amanda Taylor, architectural historian, will provide a presentation based on the publication Historic Bridges of Maine: 350 Years of Bridge and Roadway Design.  She will discuss the unique ways in which Maine’s bridge builders overcame geography and environmental influences to provide travel throughout the state.  The talk also showcases several specific historic bridges in Maine and detail how their builders chose creative solutions to difficult crossings and how technology changed design and construction.

The speaker, Amanda Taylor, is an architectural historian for Kleinfelder, an international engineering and architecture firm with an office in Augusta.  In recent years, she has documented historic resources related to the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge in Kittery, Masse Saw and Grist Mill in Vassalboro, and Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Freight House in Belfast.  She has spent much of the last four years completing historic resource surveys throughout Maine.

The Kennebec Historical Society Annual Meeting Program is open to the public and will take place on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at the Viles Arboretum, located at 153 Hospital Street in Augusta.  The public program will be preceded at 5 p.m. by a potluck supper and at 6 p.m. by the society’s annual business meeting.  Any members that wish to attend the potluck supper are invited to bring a dish to share.  Please note that the annual meeting program is not the society’s monthly program.

Husson University announces spring honors

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The following students have been named to the Spring 2016 honors list at Husson.

Sebastian Atkins-Taylor, of Augusta,  is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in mass communications with a concentration in Journalism program.

Lelia Belanger, of Augusta, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in biology program.

Michayla Dostie, of Augusta, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Mary-Anne MacArthur, of Canaan, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s associate of science in paralegal studies and a bachelor of science in psychology program.

Owen Freeman, of Freedom, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in video production program.

Nicholas Maney, of Jefferson, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in video production program.

Christine Boucher, of Oakland, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in kinesiology-human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.

Mikhaila Necevski, of Oakland, is a freshman who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in health sciences program.

Megan Mahoney, of Palermo, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in elementary education program.

Alyssa Doucette, of Skowhegan, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in criminal justice and bachelor of science in psychology with a mental health rehabilitation technician/community (MHRT/C) certification program.

Anne-Marie Provencal, of Skowhegan, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in healthcare studies and master of science in occupational therapy program.

Anthony Toneatti, of Solon, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in live sound technology program.

Samuel Stevens, of South China, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in business administration program.

Samantha McLaughlin, of Starks, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Briana Oliver, of Starks, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in forensic science program.

Alyssa Willette, of Unity, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Caleb Cummings, of Windsor, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in health sciences program.

Christine Parrilli, of Winslow, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Kennebec Historical Society to present Flatiron building tour

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Cynthia Milliken Taylor will be speaking on the historic aspects of the Cony Flatiron Building, which was rededicated on July 28, 2015, the restoration efforts and the adaptive re-use for senior living. Cynthia has an architectural degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and 30 years of experience in redeveloping old and new buildings for seniors in Maine and New Hampshire. With an interest in improving the lives of many older people and an eye for quality design she has developed over 3,500 apartments and completed the financing and renovations of numerous historic buildings including the Inn at City Hall and the Cony Flatiron, in Augusta. Taking a leadership role in creative financing, construction and community building, she has tried to benefit those who live within and those who value their neighborhoods and cities through economic development. Please join us at Cony Flatiron for an historic presentation on the old and the new Cony High School.

The Kennebec Historical Society September Public Presentation is free to the public (donations gladly accepted) and will take place on Wednesday, September 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cony Flatiron Senior Residence, located at 110 Cony Street, in Augusta. Please note this is our monthly program and is separate from the program that will be held September 28 at the KHS annual meeting.

Cony High School flatiron building

A renovated hallway in the old Cony High School flatiron building, located near the west side traffic circle, will be the subject of the Kennebec Historical Society’s monthly program.
Contributed photo

Area students on Husson University’s presidents list

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The following area students have been named to the Spring 2016 presidents list at Husson University, in Bangor.

Lyndsay Weese, of Athens, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Shayne Brown, of Augusta,  is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a concentration in Marketing Communications program.

Sophia Ramirez, of Augusta, ME is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.

Tabitha Willman, of Augusta, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Care Management program.

Samuel Jandreau, of China, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Zoe Mather, of China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Tyler Rollins, of China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Undeclared program.
Courtney Smart, of Cornville, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Leah LaBree, of East Vassalboro, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism program.

Spencer Folsom, of Fairfield, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Tennyson Martin, of Fairfield, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Kyleigh Plourde, of Jefferson, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) Certification program.

Alexis Prescott, of Liberty, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

Makaela Michonski, of Norridgewock, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Amanda Saucier, of Norridgewock, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Darian Hughes, of Oakland, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology program.

Raina Rauch, of Palermo, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Kaitlyn Grover, of Skowhegan, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Cailee Manzer, of Skowhegan, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Ali York, of Skowhegan, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management program.

Christina Belanger, of South China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Meghan Farrell, of Vassalboro, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies program.

Destiny Silcott, of Windsor, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Logan Vashon, of Winslow, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

University of New Hampshire announces graduates

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The following local students graduated from the University of New Hampshire, in Durham, New Hampshire, during the commencement ceremony.

Julie Arbour, of Augusta, earned a BS in nursing.

Maxwell Brown, of Waterville, earned a BA in Spanish.

Sydney Crogan, of Winslow, earned a BS in business administration: marketing.

Leah Caverly, of Clinton, earned a BS in sustainable  agriculture and food systems.

Maxwell Kenney, of Fairfield, earned a BSENVE in environmental engineering: municipal, Cum Laude.

Jacob Withee, of Norridgewock, earned an MS in zoology.

Kallie Buzzell, of Oakland, earned a BS in nutrition and wellness.

Local students on UNH honors list

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The following local students have been named to the honors list at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire:

Highest honors: Kelly McCormac, of South China, Michaela Hinckley-Gordon, of Benton, Kellie Bolduc and Luke Violette, both of Waterville, and Maxwell Kenney, of Fairfield.

High honors: Julie Arbour, of Augusta, Taylor Ferguson, of Sidney, Bayleigh Logan, of Augusta, Sarah Wildes, of Winslow, Samantha Mestieri, of Fairfield and Adam Bovie, of Vassalboro.

Honors: Myrilla Hartkopf, of Albion, Andrew Marden, of Bingham, and Kyle McLain, of Fairfield.