FARMINGTON — Four University of Maine at Farmington alumni and friends were recently honored for their significant contributions to the University, the community and the state of Maine at the annual UMF Alumni Awards Reception. Presentations were made by Ryan Low, class of 1997 and UMF vice president for administration, in the new Emery Community Arts Center to Charlotte Warren, mayor of Hallowell; Chandler Woodcock, commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Alison Hagerstrom, executive director for Greater Franklin Development Corporation; and Lou Hight, area businessman.

An alumna dedicated to public service, Warren was honored with one of this year’s Alumni Achievement Awards. Established in 1979, the award honors a graduate who has achieved distinction in his/her field, and therefore an honor to the University. Warren, class of 1994, is the mayor of Hallowell and dedicated to the belief that everyone should have a voice — and each voice should be heard. She was elected in November 2009, after serving as a city councilor for eight years, including city council president for two years. She also serves as associate director of the Maine Women’s Lobby and the Maine Women’s Policy Center and has worked for more than a decade with TRiO programs to increase the success of students involved with UMF’s Upward Bound program.

Presented with another of this year’s Alumni Achievement Awards, Woodcock, class of 1978, was recognized for the way he values education and service to others. Recently appointed by Governor LePage as commissioner of the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, he has also served in the Maine State Senate representing Franklin County. He taught high school for 25 years in Livermore Falls, Mount Blue and Skowhegan and led the Mount Blue girls’ varsity basketball team to two Class A State Championships as their coach.

A model of dedication to service to her community and her alma mater, Hagerstrom, class of 1973, was presented with this year’s Florence Hewey Archibald Service Award. For more than 25 years, this award has honored an individual or group for outstanding service to the University’s Alumni Association. Hagerstrom has been a loyal ambassador to UMF since she was asked to serve on the Alumni Council nearly 20 years ago. She is at the forefront of economic growth in western Maine serving as the executive director for the Greater Franklin Development Corporation and co-chair of the UMF Board of Visitors. This is her second award from UMF. In 1991, she received the Alumni Achievement Award.

A helpful contributor to UMF’s strategic directions, Hight was awarded this year’s Friend of UMF Award. Established in 1978, this award shows appreciation to a non-graduate who has provided outstanding support or service to the University and the western Maine region. A notable local businessman at the helm of a family business with more than 100 years of success, Hight is a thoughtful adviser and effective advocate for UMF and active participant on the University’s Board of Visitors. Throughout the past decade, he has offered important perspectives that have helped keep UMF vigorous.