As one of the local events that were part of the Declaration of Independence Tour, Farmington hosted “a lively panel discussion and Q&A featuring UMF professors Jim Melcher and Michael Schoeppner, Executive Director of Maine Historical Society Steve Bromage, and Maine Policy Scholar Trinity Slate. Presenters will offer insights and perspectives on the Declaration of Independence from the fields of history, political science and anthropology.”
It was informative and thought-provoking. I was most impressed by Trinity Slate who is an anthropology major with a political science minor. Trinity was well-spoken and provided interesting insights. It was great to see my former colleagues from my days at UMF. The moderator was Chris O’Brien, who is now Executive Director of the Margaret Chase Smith Library. We were “rookies” together when we both joined UMF as new faculty in 2007. I served on several committees with Jim Melcher and I shared students and advisees with both Jim and Michael. In the exhibition and at the panel discussion, I got to exchange hugs with other UMF colleagues who were in attendance: Karol, Ann-Marie, Janie, Misty, Stan, and others.
After the panel discussion, the Farmington Historical Society held a reception for the panelists, FHS members, and invited guests. The munchies were yummy, the music delightful, the company great, and the conversations enlightening.
