Notable UMaine Alumni

Manette Ansay '87 is a critically acclaimed novelist. Ansay continues to write despite a disorder that causes her difficulties in both reading and writing at a computer. Her novel, Vinegar Hill was personally chosen for the Oprah Book Club by Oprah Winfrey.

Stephen King '70, nicknamed the "King of Horror," has become an American literary icon publishing a slew of highly successful novels with no signs of slowing down. King's books have sold well over 100 million copies worldwide, and many have been made into movies, including Carrie, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Green Mile.

Donald Holder '80 won a Tony Award for his innovative lighting design for the Broadway production of the "The Lion King." Holder owns a successful museum and architectural lighting business and works on lighting designs for plays, musicals, museums, and businesses.

John Brier '88 created the company BroadcastAmerica.com, a leading internet entertainment network that combines radio and TV programming with the Web. Brier's services allow people to watch and listen to news, weather, sports, and music from their home computers while increasing the reach of media to larger audiences.

Peter Brooks '88 is looking for a cure for cancer. He has developed a tumor-shrinking drug that shows great potential, is researching how to stop blood flow to tumors and how tumors utilize the body's collagen to their advantage. Brooks is well recognized in his field, receiving numerous awards for his cancer research and the support of many health foundations and businesses.

Kathleen Wynne '81 is a marine mammal specialist at the University of Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program. Wynne uses her M.S. Wildlife Management degree in her research about the causes for large population declines in Harbor seals and Stellar seal lions in Alaska. Her field guide to Atlantic Ocean marine mammals and turtles and her approach to including the fishing industry in her research have helped the scientific community to move toward a better understanding of marine ecosystems.

Paul Kariya '96 was the highest scorer for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks his rookie year. But before he played for the NHL, Kariya got his start at the University of Maine; he is the first and only freshman to receive the Hobey Baker Award recognizing him as the nation's best college hockey player. He also led the UMaine hockey team to win the national championships in 1993. The following year he helped Canada win the silver medal at the Olympics. Kariya played 9 strong seasons with Anaheim and recently joined the Colorado Avalanche.

Bernard Lown, M.D. '42 is a dedicated advocate of world peace, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985 in recognition of his efforts. Along with his dedication to a more peaceful world, Lown is a pioneer heart surgeon who developed innovative new methods to prevent sudden coronary death.

Francis Crowe '05 was an engineering marvel of his time. He built 19 dams in the western United States—more than any other man in history. His most notable project was the Hoover Dam, which is still recognized for its enormity and historical significance today.

William Treat '40 began his career as a judge first in the municipal courts and later in the probate courts where he introduced many new procedures. He helped establish a new bank and was influential in developing banking policy. Former President Bush chose him as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations where he was deeply involved with Human Rights issues.

Olympia Snowe '69 has used her Political Science degree to take her through Maine's government system to the U.S. Congress and Senate, making her the first woman to serve in both houses of a state legislature and both houses of the U.S. Congress. Snowe joined the most powerful committee in Congress in 2001, the Senate Finance Committee, which granted her a very influential role in national legislation.

David Lamb '62 has traveled to more than 120 countries as a journalist in order to get firsthand, award-winning coverage for his stories and increase his expertise on Arabic and Islamic culture. He has covered breaking news in a number of revolutions and both Vietnam and the Persian Gulf Wars earning him the title of distinguished reporter of the Los Angeles Times, where he has worked for 34 years. He has been nominated eight times for the Pulitzer Prize.

Edith Patch '10 was the first woman president of the Entomological Society of America. Her knowledge of the potential dangers of pesticides was far advanced of others in the field. She is also known for authoring many children's books that helped to increase youth's interest in scientific topics.

Robert Chandler '29 is internationally recognized for developing the "miracle rice' which vastly increased Asian rice production and prevented a looming famine. He is a recipient of the World Food Prize for his extensive work in increasing world food supply.

Colby Chandler '50 became CEO of Kodak and transformed how the company was run, allowing it to thrive because of his changes. His approach to streamlining the business and his involvement with government in President Reagan's Export Council was innovative and influential.

Linden McClure '89 works for Hewlett-Packard Company as a research and development engineer designing technical workstations and chipsets for microprocessors. He has also contributed to projects and space missions for NASA as lead engineer on embedded systems and assisting in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Matthew Kenny '88 has a passion and drive like few others. He has opened seven successful restaurants in both New York and Maine. He has written two cookbooks, been featured in many well-known magazines, was a guest on the "Today Show," and is known as one of New York's "celebrity chefs."

Peter Buotte '88 with a French degree and a background in art and teaching, recently served with the U.S. Army Reserve #411 Civil Affairs Unit working to reopen schools in Baghdad. He was in charge of planning how to rebuild the schools to ensure a safe environment for students and help them return as soon as possible.

Wendy Semonian '92 graduated with a degree in International Affairs and Russian. She is the publisher of the Boston-based magazine The Improper Bostonian, which covers art, events, restaurants, movie reviews, celebrity interviews, and more. She utilizes the opportunities created by running a magazine to give back to the community through social and charity events

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