The University of Maine: Department of Franco American Studies



Student Profiles \| Staff Pages

Current Students within the Franco American Studies Department

Courtney Guay is from Bangor, ME and is currently working in the Franco American Studies Department as a Work Merit student. She is a senior Psychology major with minor in Music and Sociology. She became interested in the Franco American Studies courses because she wanted to learn more about her heritage, whereas both sides of her family are from Canada. On campus, Courtney spends her free time actively participating in Tau Beta Sigma, the national honorary band service sorority (she is their Vice Presdient of Service this year) and Psi Chi, the national honor society for Psychology majors and minors (she is the Vice Presdient this year). She will be graduating this May but in the meantime Courtney will be keeping myself busy her last year by working on the maintenance of the website as well as a newsletter about the Franco American Studies Department's happenings. Keep your eyes and ears open! It's going to be a great Spring Semester!

Recent Graduates with the Franco American Studies Minor

Allison Ouellet is from Addison, ME, which is in Washington County. She became interested in Franco American Studies because her father's family is French and she wanted to learn more about what being Franco American meant. After her first course, she decided to minor in the topic since there was such a broad range of interdisciplinary courses to choose from. This minor also complimented her major which was Anthropology. Allison graduated from the University of Maine in December of 2002. She is now attending graduate school in Colorado where she is pursuing a Masters Degree in Museum Studies. During the summer, when she is not in school, she helps run a blueberry crew downeast. Some of her hobbies include sewing, writing, reading, and watching movies. We wish you the best of luck, Allison!

Steve Michaud is originally from Fort Kent, ME in Aroostook County, the largest county of the state by land area. He became interested in the Franco American Studies program as his family is of Acadian descent. The vast majority of the Fort Kent population is of French descent, so he is no stranger to the culture. Over his years in college, he began to have a greater appreciation of his culture, and wished to learn more about the history behind his ancestors' migration to Maine. After the first course, he was intrigued by the rich history of the Franco American community, and chose to minor in Franco American Studies. Steve received his New Media degree from the University of Maine in May of 2003. Steve says he would like to remain in the state of Maine working as a web and graphics designer, as well as repair and build computers on the side. Some of his hobbies include watching Sci-fi movies and shows, reading, sketching, and fencing. Good luck in your future endeavors, Steve!

Brooke Plourde graduated in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in French and a minor in Franco American studies. She will be returning to UMaine in August 2004 to pursue a masters degree in French, with a concentration in North American French. Being a Franco american herself, Brooke has been very interested in Franco culture and heritage, and has a special interest for the French language spoken by francos in Maine. She really enjoyed taking FAS classes for the minor, and learned a great deal about herself and her family from classes such as FAS 101 and FAS 202. She is currently working in France as an au pair for the 2003-2004 school year, in the hopes of improving her French and learning more about French culture.