UMF gives a warm welcome to the largest incoming class in the last five years

FARMINGTON, ME (September 2, 2025)—The University of Maine at Farmington gave a warm campus welcome to more than 425 new and first-year students, the largest incoming class in the last five years, as they arrived in Farmington over the Labor Day weekend.

Campus is reinvigorated each year as first-year, transfer, returning, graduate and adult completion students all choose a quality and affordable education at Farmington.

UMF President Joseph McDonnell chats with students as they arrived in Farmington over the Labor Day weekend.

New students and their families were greeted on Friday by members of the Admissions team, staff, faculty and student community assistants who helped them unload their cars, check into their residence halls and explore the UMF One Stop Shop where they could speak with people from around campus and get all their questions answered.

“Opening day is such an important milestone in the lives of students and their families and UMF is excited to welcome them to the campus community. We encourage students to engage with campus life, make life-long friends and find their passion. Farmington is a place where personal relationships matter and all students can feel supported and at home as they chart a path for their careers and future endeavors,” said UMF President Joseph McDonnell.

Incoming students are from all corners of the U.S. and two countries, a significant number saying they were encouraged by an alum to come to UMF. The number of applications and enrollment are up this year by more than 8%. The number of transfer students has more than doubled in just two years.

New UMF students enjoyed the beautiful morning as families helped them move into the residence halls.

Farmington is noted for the quality of its residential college experience. On campus housing retention at UMF, where students live in campus residence accommodations year after year, is the highest in 20 years at a record 74%. Some of this can be attributed to a more engaged community and new housing opportunities.

Themed communities are a popular living arrangement available at UMF where students can live among peers who share similar goals and interests. For the second year, UMF offers students a dedicated pet-friendly residence hall where students can apply to bring a small pet to help them feel more at home.

UMF roommates were quick to give their rooms a personal touch.

The historic and much-loved residence halls of Mallett and Purington have both undergone extensive upgrading with improved accessibility, updated facilities and new single-use bathrooms. There is also a special living learning community for veterans and active duty military.

In addition, UMF offers a new housing incentive that maintains a student’s current housing rate if they commit to campus housing the following year.

“The energy of move-in day remind us of the incredible community we are building here. It’s more than just a new semester; it’s about new connections and new opportunities. We’re thrilled to officially welcome our students home and watch them contribute their unique talents to our campus. For those of us in enrollment, this marks the end of the college search process we have worked through with these students and their families but just the beginning of their story with us here at UMF,” Assistant Vice President for Enrollment and Director of Admission, Lisa Ellrich.

More on University of Maine at Farmington

A nationally recognized regional public university, the University of Maine at Farmington is known for its commitment to teacher preparation, the creative arts, health and science, environmental studies, business and public service. Located in the heart of Maine’s four-season outdoor recreational region, UMF provides a challenging but welcoming academic community—here in Farmington and online—that prepares students for enriching professional careers, engaged citizenship and an enduring love of learning.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

Image: https://staging-umaine-far-bedrock-wp.spark451.io/app/uploads/2025/09/RP256-001.jpg
Photo Caption: UMF President Joseph McDonnell chats with students as they arrived in Farmington over the Labor Day weekend.
Photo Credit: UMF Image

Image: https://staging-umaine-far-bedrock-wp.spark451.io/app/uploads/2025/09/RP256-001B.jpg
Photo Caption: New UMF students enjoyed the beautiful morning as families helped them move into the residence halls.
Photo Credit: UMF Image

Image: https://staging-umaine-far-bedrock-wp.spark451.io/app/uploads/2025/09/RP256-001C.jpg
Photo Caption: UMF roommates were quick to give their rooms a personal touch.
Photo Credit: UMF Image