David Whitten- General Manager of Harold Alfond Forum & Danielle N. Ripich Commons
“Nor’easter Nation is a great place to be and the campus life here at UNE is a great example of that. As the General Manager of both the Harold Alfond Forum and the Danielle Ripich Commons, two premier facilities on campus, I routinely witness the creative programming and academic and social engagement opportunities for our undergraduate students, in particular our First Years. Whether it be an evening spent attending a Cosmic Open Skate with friends at the Forum or carving pumpkins amongst fellow first-year students through the FYE programming offered by Jimmy Riley on the lawn of the Commons looking over the beautiful Saco River, there is always something fun to participate in. In addition to the extensive, first-class academic courses that our students are exposed to inside our labs and classrooms each day, these social aforementioned platforms provide the opportunities to form relationships and memories that you will carry with you well beyond your years spent on campus.
To maximize the experience at UNE, the key is a willingness on the behalf of the student to commit to new things and to push their comfort zone. Making new friends, securing an on-campus job, and attending athletic and social events are a key ingredient to obtaining this. Throughout the year, there are several events like Spring Concert, Bush Lecture Series, Homecoming, and The Annual Teddy Bear Toss Hockey Games that are “must” attend type events. The bonds made each day here at UNE are evidence of the commitment to excellence from the students, faculty, and staff!”
