If you want to fill the steins for dear old Maine, then you probably have been to the University of Maine. Filled with pride and spirit since 1865, The University of Maine is thousands of students' second home, including mine. The campus is charismatic in a way that makes you feel like you belong, and that you always will. Here's a few reasons why the University of Maine is a place to love.
1. The Campus
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same man who designed Central Park, The University of Maine's campus is filled with old brick buildings covered in ivy. Until the harsh Maine winter kicks in, the mall is usually buzzing with students reading underneath trees and trying to balance on the slackline. No matter the time of year, though, the campus is breathtaking.
2. The Buffalo Chicken Wraps from York Dining Hall
This doesn't really need a description, and if you go to the University and you've never had one, you should probably get it done sometime soon.
3. The School Spirit
There's something to be said for the fact that I've never experienced school spirit like The University of Maine's. Not only are the sports fans relentlessly dedicated, but I've never heard someone say that they weren't proud to be a Black Bear.
4. Movies in the CCA on Wednesday Nights
Going to the movies in your pajamas is always a fun thing, but when 300 students come in their pajamas to see the new "Star Wars" movie in the Collins Center, it's kind of epic.
5. The Community Service Motivation
When you get to UMaine as a freshman, one of the first things you do is a community service activity. Not only are the sororities and fraternities always doing something to help the community out, but a lot of the other students get involved and are excited to help, which is proving that us youngsters aren't so bad!
6. The Night Life
Sorry UMPD, but if Orono is known for a few things, the night-life is definitely one of them. If you're bored on the weekends (what am I saying, at Orono every night is a weekend) there's almost always a place to have some fun.
7. The Dedicated Professors
Wherever you go, there's going to be someone who isn't completely dedicated to their job, which is really hard when you're a student and that person just happens to be your professor. However, as a student that took seventeen credits in a semester and didn't have a problem with more than one professor, that's groundbreaking. The professors care and when they have the time, they answer questions that have might have already been answered and late night emails.
8. The Resources
The rainbow room, the counseling department, the advisors, UMPD, Cutler Health Center, and way more places where that came from. There's so many places on campus that are determined to make you feel comfortable and safe.
9. OHOP
Best pizza in the entire world delivered right to your dorm that delivers until ungodly hours into the night. OHOP was the MVP to my freshman year.
10. It's Hard to be Bored
There's clubs, activities, and places to go around Orono and Bangor that make it hard to be bored on the University's campus. Step outside, go to the Student Union, and you'll find something interesting on a flyer.
11. Location, Location, Location
What's more beautiful than Autumn and Spring in Maine? Well, lots of things, but Maine is pretty up there. It's gorgeous a lot of the time, and as if that wasn't enough, there's places to go around you that make it more exciting. Go into Bangor for a day of shopping or walk into "downtown" Orono for a burrito at The Verve.
12. The New Balance Recreation Center
The gym is absolutely state of the art. It's amazing to have such a resource on campus that can hold so many people to keep us Black Bears fit. Not to mention the hot tub and sauna really come in handy when winter hits.
13. Hockey
Standing in line for three hours in the freezing cold is totally worth the amazing student section seats in the Alfond Stadium. Fans screaming, pep band blaring, and the best and most dedicated hockey players in the world skating towards the win. There are no words to describe how amazing and full with adrenaline a UMaine hockey game can make you feel.
