Notable Alumni of the University of Maine

The University of Maine (UMaine), a public land-grant research university in Orono, Maine, has a rich history of producing accomplished individuals across various fields. From celebrities to politicians, business leaders to athletes, UMaine alumni have made significant contributions to society. This article aims to highlight some of the most notable graduates and former students of the University of Maine.

Introduction to the University of Maine

Founded in 1865 as a function of the Morrill Land-Grant Acts, the University of Maine is the flagship of the University of Maine System. With an enrollment of approximately 10,878 students (fall 2024), UMaine is the state's largest college or university. The university's athletic teams, the Black Bears, are Maine's only NCAA Division I athletics program. UMaine offers more than 90 undergraduate major programs organized in five colleges: the College of Education and Human Development; the College of Engineering; the Honors College; the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences.

Prominent Alumni

This list showcases distinguished University of Maine alumni, loosely ordered by relevance. It includes individuals who have achieved recognition in their respective fields, regardless of whether they earned a degree from UMaine.

Stephen King

Perhaps the most recognizable name associated with the University of Maine is Stephen King. A 1970 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English, King is a world-renowned author, primarily known for his horror novels. He has also explored other genres, including suspense, crime, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. King has written approximately 200 short stories, most of which have been published in collections.

King's connection to UMaine remains strong. He frequently gives back to the community through scholarships for local high school and college students. The university has honored him by establishing a Chair in Literature position.

Tony Shalhoub

Tony Shalhoub is an American actor known for his roles in film, television, and theater. His breakout role was as Antonio Scarpacci on the sitcom "Wings" (1991-1997). He gained further recognition for his portrayal of Adrian Monk in the USA Network series "Monk" (2002-2009), winning three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Shalhoub also won a Primetime Emmy Award for his supporting role as Abe Weissman on Amazon's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."

Nicole Maines

Nicole Amber Maines is an American actress, writer, and transgender rights activist. She is known for her role as Nia Nal/Dreamer on The CW's "Supergirl." Maines was the anonymous plaintiff in the Maine Supreme Judicial Court case "Doe v. Regional School Unit 26," which ruled that barring transgender students from school bathrooms consistent with their gender identity is unlawful.

Rick Carlisle

Richard Preston Carlisle is an American basketball coach and former player, currently the head coach for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has previously served as head coach of the Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks. Carlisle is one of only 11 people to win an NBA championship as both a player and a coach.

Timothy Simons

Timothy Simons is an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Jonah Ryan on the HBO television series "Veep," for which he received multiple Screen Actors Guild Award nominations and one win. He has also appeared in films such as "The Interview," "Christine," and "The Boss."

Lois Lowry

Lois Ann Lowry is an American writer, author of several books for children and young adults, including "The Giver Quartet," "Number the Stars," and "Rabble Starkey." She is known for writing about difficult subject matters, dystopias, and complex themes in works for young audiences.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Jovan Belcher

Jovan Henry Allen Belcher was an American football linebacker who played his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He was a standout high school athlete before attending the University of Maine, where he played for the Maine Black Bears football team. Belcher was named an All-American twice in college.

John Tortorella

John Tortorella is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player, currently the head coach for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously coached the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vancouver Canucks. Tortorella led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship.

Paul Kariya

Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Known for his skill and speed, he played for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues.

D'Lo Brown

Accie Julius Connor, known as D'Lo Brown, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to TNA Wrestling as a producer. He is best known for his time with WWE and has also appeared in Ring of Honor, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Noah.

Lawrence Bender

Lawrence Bender is an American film producer. His produced films have received 36 Academy Award nominations, resulting in eight wins.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Paul LePage

Paul Richard LePage is an American businessman and politician who served as the 74th governor of Maine from 2011 to 2019. He previously served as the mayor of Waterville, Maine, and as a city councilor for Waterville.

Olympia Snowe

Olympia Jean Snowe is an American businesswoman and politician who was a United States Senator from Maine from 1995 to 2013. She was known for her ability to influence the outcome of close votes and was considered one of the most moderate members of the Senate.

Ben Bishop

Benjamin Manning Bishop III is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played for the St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings, and Dallas Stars of the NHL. Bishop is the tallest goaltender ever to play in the NHL.

Rudy Vallée

Hubert Prior Vallée, known professionally as Rudy Vallée, was an American singer, saxophonist, bandleader, actor, and entertainer. He was the first male singer to rise from local radio broadcasts in New York City to national popularity as a "crooner."

Steve Clifford

Steven Gerald Clifford is an American professional basketball coach and executive who serves as a front office advisor for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously served as the head coach of the Hornets and the Orlando Magic.

Jim Boylen

James Francis Boylen is an American basketball coach who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Nick DiPaolo

Nicholas Rocco Di Paolo is an American stand-up comedian, writer, actor, radio personality, and podcast host.

Jeremy Swayman

Jeremy Ryan Swayman is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Gary Thorne

Gary Francis Thorne is an American sportscaster. He was the lead play-by-play announcer for Baltimore Orioles games on MASN and has also worked for ESPN and ABC.

Lofa Tatupu

Mosiula Mea'alofa "Lofa" Tatupu is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL).

Jimmy Howard

James Russell Howard III is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who spent his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Detroit Red Wings.

Chellie Pingree

Chellie Pingree has been a U.S. Representative for Maine's 1st congressional district since 2009. Her district includes most of the southern part of the state, centered around the Portland area.

Jeffrey C. Hall

Jeffrey Connor Hall is an American geneticist and chronobiologist. Hall is Professor Emeritus of Biology at Brandeis University and currently resides in Cambridge, Maine. He was a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2017.

Gustav Nyquist

Gustav Nyquist is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Matthew Kenney

Matthew Kenney is an American celebrity chef, entrepreneur, author, and educator specializing in plant-based cuisine.

Bernard Lown

Bernard Lown was a Lithuanian-American cardiologist and inventor. Lown was the original developer of the direct current defibrillator for cardiac resuscitation and the cardioverter for correcting rapid disordered heart rhythms.

Dustin Penner

Dustin Penner is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and Washington Capitals. Penner won the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007 and with Los Angeles in 2012.

Scott Darling

Scott Darling is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes.

Jeff Reinebold

Jeff Reinebold is an American gridiron football coach who is currently serving as the defensive tackles coach for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team. He has also coached in the CFL, NCAA, NFL Europe, and The Spring League.

Teddy Purcell

Edward Purcell is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers, and Florida Panthers.

John Baldacci

John Elias Baldacci is an American politician who served as the 73rd Governor of Maine from 2003 to 2011. He also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Harrison Browne

Harrison Browne is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played for the Metropolitan Riveters and Buffalo Beauts of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL).

Chuck Peddle

Chuck Peddle, an alumnus of UMaine’s College of Engineering, is considered the father of the personal computer industry. He led the development of the 6502 microprocessor, which was instrumental in the creation of affordable personal computers. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak credited Peddle's work with enabling the personal computer revolution.

Peddle's journey began after high school when he took a job on a road gang. Dissatisfied with this work, he enrolled at UMaine with the help of then-President Arthur Hauck, who recognized his potential and arranged a scholarship. Peddle's work at General Electric and Motorola led him to MOS Technologies, where he created the 6502 with a consumer price of $25, significantly lower than competing microprocessors.

His innovation made personal computers accessible and impacted countless embedded processor applications. Peddle's vision extended to gas pump credit card readers and hard drives within personal computers. Despite clashes with Commodore founder Jack Tramiel, Peddle continued to innovate, combining robotics with the biomedical industry later in his career.

Other Notable Alumni

Bruce W. Albiston ’72
Matthew R. McHatten ’90
Anthony “Tony” F. Paine ’96
Hon. George Z. Singal ’67
Eric M. Venturini ’06, ’15G
Betsy M. Webb ’08
Albert E. Andrews
Joseph E. Brennan
Patricia M.W. Caldwell
Linda Smith Dyer, J.D.
Edwin F. Gamble
Kenneth P. Hayes
John R. McKernan Jr.
Anne C. Rand
C. Everett Koop
Dana T. পরীক্ষার
Alfred A. Plourde
Maurice K. Goddard
Chandler C. Harvey
Robert A.্গি
Francis T. Crowe
Francis T. Doherty
Ronald A. MacKenzie
Paul Kariya
Kevin McMahan
Abram W. Clement
Joseph M. Fox
Howard R. Bowen
Kenneth W. Curtis
Paul H. Fortier
Arthur M. Johnson
Dale W. Lick
Gregory N. Brown
Frederick E. Hutchinson
John A. Rohrbach
Peter S. Hoff
Robert A. Kennedy
Paul W. Lovinger
Susan J. Hunter
Robert H. Bishop
Clark G. Reynolds
David C. Smith
Alvin C. Eurich
Edward D. Ives
Kyriacos C. Markides
Joanne P. McCallie
Charles L. Poor
H. Austin Peck
Richard M. Nixon
Joseph W. Mayo

Alumni in Everyday Life

Beyond the big-name accomplishments, UMaine alumni excel in everyday ways and places. They are a great asset to the surrounding community, supporting events, volunteering, and donating to the school and other causes.

Elaine Thomas, a Management and Music graduate, exemplifies this by dedicating her time to volunteer work and transitioning from an internship at Heart of Maine United Way to a full-time job. Waleed Rahmatullah, who studied Management, Business Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship, and Andrew Bustin, an MBA graduate, showcase how UMaine fosters diverse career paths.

Alumni Support

Many alumni remain active in supporting events on and off campus, volunteering, and donating to the school itself or other causes. The 2019 Foundation Annual Report celebrated notable alumni donors such as Bruce W. Albiston, Matthew R. McHatten, Anthony “Tony” F. Paine, Hon. George Z. Singal, Eric M. Venturini, and Betsy M. Webb.

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