The University of Maine at Farmington goes by numerous names: UMaine Farmington, UMF, Farm-town and The Farm. No matter what name is used to describe this quaint public liberal arts school, the community knows what you are referring to. However, if this were 1864 the same image would not have appeared in their minds. UMaine Farmington not only goes by multiple names now, but throughout history it has gone through three others; Western State Normal School, Farmington State Normal School, and Farmington State Teachers College. UMF has gone through many changes over the past 152 years. These changes can be minimal, or quite large.
Historic Merrill Hall
According to Maine Memory Network, in March of 1864, after the Normal School Act passed into law. Farmington was chosen for the location for the Normal school. Intern the foundation of UMaine Farmington, the Farmington Normal School, was born. It was the state's first publicly-funded Normal School. And then first public university in the entire state! It wasn't until 1971, a little over 100 years later, the school became "the University of Maine at Farmington." This name changed occurred when the school joined forces with the UMaine System.
The Sign That Welcomes You
The University of Maine at Farmington is known for having a small campus. As of today there are around 1,800 students at UMF. There were only 31 Students enrolled at the Farmington State Normal school in 1864. The 31 students lived, dined, worked out, and went to class in Merrill Hall, the oldest building on campus. Now UMF has 34 buildings, 9 of which are dormitories. The dormitories on campus are named after people who helped improve UMF. What was a one building school has now transformed into many buildings and sports fields across 55 acres of land.
UMaine Farmington: Today
The main major of the original 31 students was liberal arts. As time went on, and with World War 2 approaching, many of the men went to enlist in the Army. With the declining enrollment and the need for educators across the state the school switched its program to train teachers. This intern changed the name of the school to Farmington State Teachers College. Years progressed and a vast amount of majors were introduced as the population grew again and twice as fast. Today UMF has over 40 majors! With progrssively more coming every year.
Many Majors
UMaine Farmington has expanded over the years and because of this has had to raise the price of tuition. When it was Farmington State Normal School it was publicly funded. It now costs in-state students $18,329 per year and Non-Maine Residents $27,417 per year. With great improvement comes greater price change. Great as in large, not as in the price is better.
Put A Price On Your Education
One of the first things you notice about UMF is the abundance of clubs. Back when the University of Maine Farmington was still Farmington State Normal School, there wereclubs as well. The general idea of those clubs were outdoors and the arts. Today UMF has 58 clubs! These clubs range from athletics, religion, A Capella, Disease Awareness, and dozens more. As the campus grows, so do the interests of its inhabitants.
UMF Club Fair
Still UMF is continuing to change and grow. More advancements have happened and will continue to happen. Those 31 students who attended Farmington State Normal School would have probably never imagined UMF would become such a nationally renowned University. Overtime change is inevitable and UMF is not an exception.
