The Graduate Community Celebrates First Anniversary in New Location: First Annual Stodder Day

March 26, 2010

 March 26th, 2010 marked the first anniversary of the Graduate School’s move to Stodder Hall.  In the previous six years, the Graduate School offices were divided between Alumni Hall and Winslow Hall.

 Plans to bring the Graduate School back together and combine the Graduate Student Government offices (previously in the Memorial Union), the Graduate Student Center and Graduate Student Residence Hall (previously located in Estabrooke) to a newly renovated space began in 2003.  With support from support from the University’s Senior Administration and Housing/Auxiliary Services, Stodder Hall was designated as the home of the Graduate School, Graduate Student Government, the Graduate Student Center and Graduate Residence Hall.

 In August 2008, graduate students along with Community Coordinator, Julie-Ann Scott and Faculty – in – Residence, Dylan Dryer moved in to the upper levels of Stodder Hall, while construction of the ground level began.  Construction was completed in late-April of 2009 and all offices prepared to make the move in Mid-March.

 When asked about the new space Dean and Associate Provost for Graduate Studies, Dan Sandweiss said “looking from the outside, the new Graduate Center in Stodder Hall is a clear symbol of the importance of graduate studies for UMaine and throughout the State. From the inside, having everyone including the Graduate Student Government together in this marvelous facility has led to more efficient service to the graduate community. We are very grateful to the Administration for giving us the new Stodder.”

 Patrick Spinney, the Graduate Student Government President agrees that “the Graduate Center provides a wonderful space for students to work, learn, share, socialize and present their work.  We have moved into a brand new space this year.  For the first time, the Graduate Center, Graduate Student Government, Graduate School and Graduate Residence Hall are located in the same building.  A former residence and dining hall, Stodder Hall has been completely renovated to help further the needs of graduate studies at the University of Maine.”

At present, the ground level of Stodder Hall houses the Graduate School’s staff offices and two conference rooms, a gallery space and Graduate Commons used for various graduate education functions, the Graduate Student Government offices and the Graduate Student Center.  The upper levels currently house resident graduate students and non-traditional undergraduate students, as well as overnight room rentals for commuting and prospective students and a suite for special guests of the Graduate School.  Associate Dean Scott Delcourt noted that "the Stodder Graduate Center provides an excellent public face for those interested in graduate study at the University of Maine.  A number of prospective students have remarked on the generous size of the residence hall rooms and the various services offered "in-house" through the Graduate School and Graduate Student Government."

 The Graduate School is open Monday through Friday 8 – 4:30.  The Graduate Student Center is available to all graduate students 24 hours a day with swipe key MaineCard access.