Army Veteran Richarrd Mariello feeds his service dog Charlie a treat during University of Southern Maine's 138th commencement ceremony on Saturday at the Cross Insurance Arena. Mariello graduated with a degree in history. Charlie wore his own mortarboard that read "College life is ruff!"
More than 900 undergraduate and graduate students from University of Southern Maine marched during the commencement ceremony Saturday.
USM students wait in the basement of Cross Insurance Arena for the start of the commencement ceremony. From left: Ryon Sajnovsky, Angela Greene, Anna McInerney, Samar Ahmed and Marwa Abdalla.
Julia Whyel, right, fixes the tassel on Natalia Atkins' mortarboard while waiting in line for the start of USM's commencement processional.
University of Southern Maine nursing student Victoria Oulette hustles through a basement corridor at Cross Insurance Arena before the start of the 138th commencement ceremony Saturday.
Students at the end of the processional pause to look for familiar faces in the crowd during the University of Southern Maine 's 138th commencement ceremony on Saturday at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
Some of the hundreds of students taking part in USM's 138th commencement ceremony decorated their mortarboards with humorous or celebratory personal messages.
Former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell gives the commencement address Saturday during the University of Maine at Augusta graduation in the Augusta Civic Center. Mitchell declared that it was the “openness of American society” that allowed him, the son of a textile worker and a janitor, to receive an education and go on to become the majority leader of the U.S. Senate. He reminded the more than 500 graduates in attendance that they have a responsibility to help correct society’s ills and challenged them to speak up “in the presence of evil.”
Ashlie Myer, left, Gabrielle Willette and Angelika Demers pose Saturday as classmate Avery Chisholm snaps a photo of their decorated mortarboards before the start of the University of Maine at Augusta graduation ceremony in the Augusta Civic Center.
Anthony Guimond of Belgrade carries the ceremonial mace during the commencement procession at the University of Maine at Augusta graduation in the Augusta Civic Center. During the ceremony, an honorary degree was presented to Genie Gannett, the president and founder of the First Amendment Museum at the Gannett House in Augusta, and the granddaughter of Maine publisher Guy P. Gannett.
One of the many personal messages inscribed on graduates' caps Saturday during the University of Maine at Farmington commencement ceremony.
Dot White, 89, who was one of 400 graduates to receive diplomas from the University of Maine at Farmington, waves at the crowd after being introduced at the commencement ceremony Saturday.
Jeffrey Corwin, having received an honorary doctorate degree in sustainability science, gives the commencement address Saturday to the 2018 graduating class of Unity College in Unity. The Emmy Award winning environmental scientist told about 100 students receiving degrees that they face "incredible challenges with our planet," referencing climate change, extinction of species, pollution and the black-market wildlife industry. “That’s the bad news. But the good news is you. You are the solution.”
Students of the 2018 Unity College graduating class react to Jeffrey Corwin's story about a baby elephant during his commencement address Saturday. At far left is Gregory LeClair, who graduated with a degree in wildlife biology.
A family member adjusts Jacob Beaudette's gown Saturday after the 2018 commencement ceremony at Unity College in Unity. Beaudette, from Canton, New York, received a degree in sustainable energy management and will be looking for work next week when he returns home. Beaudette had engineered a solar-powered fan at the tip of his mortarboard to keep him cool during the ceremony in Tozier Gymnasium.
Graduates march to the Alfond Athletic Center during the commencement ceremony Saturday at Thomas College in Waterville.
Lindsey Allen, speaker for the graduate division, reflects on her experiences during her Thomas College commencement address Saturday.
Thomas College President Laurie LeChance becomes emotional as student speaker Lindsey Allen thanks her Saturday during the commencement ceremony at Thomas College in Waterville.
A joyful graduate acknowledges friends during the commencement ceremony Saturday at Thomas College.
Maine first lady Ann LePage joins in a standing ovation for commencement speaker Maj. Gen. John W. Libby at Thomas College in Waterville.
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