UNE gets $75K from LLBean to expand Trailblazers outdoor recreation program
Photo / Courtesy, University of New England
UNE's Trailblazers program includes coastal explorations, wellness activities and adventure-based experiences in Maine and elsewhere across northern New England.
The University of New England has received $75,000 from L.L.Bean Inc. to support the development of the school's Trailblazers outdoor recreation program on the Portland and Biddeford campuses.
The gift, which includes $50,000 in cash and $25,000 in in-kind equipment donations, will allow UNE to create more of its outdoor pre-orientation sessions and to expand its outdoor gear loan inventory.
“We are incredibly grateful for L.L.Bean’s support,” said Jen DeBurro, UNE dean of students and vice president of student affairs. “This gift allows us to create new opportunities for our students to explore Maine’s beautiful landscapes and provide more students with the experience of connecting with each other before orientation, fostering an inclusive and supportive community, which is a core part of our mission at UNE.”
The Trailblazers program encourages first-year students to be active in the Maine outdoors. The program offers various experiences to help students transition to college by forming friendships and building confidence through activities, such as coastal explorations, wellness activities and adventure-based experiences.
“With the expansion of Trailblazers, we can continue to foster strong bonds and a sense of community among first-year students, which are essential elements for navigating the new challenges of college life,” said DeBurro, discussing the importance of on- and off-campus outdoor activities to "foster students’ academic success and personal growth."
UNE’s Outdoor Recreation Office offers various other programs and resources, including the Nor’easter Bike Share, which provides free student bikes at multiple campus locations and an equipment room with gear for camping, skiing and aquatic activities.
“By expanding the Trailblazers program and gear loan options, we aim to provide our students with more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, which has been shown to improve mental health and overall well-being,” said Bob Eagle, director of campus center operations and recreation.
UNE is home to Maine's only medical and dental colleges, in addition to offering other health care degree programs. The university is currently relocating its College of Osteopathic Medicine from the UNE Biddeford campus to the one in Portland, where a health sciences center is being built.
More than 6,500 UNE students attend classes at the campuses in Biddeford, Portland and Tangier, Morocco, and online.
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