UMM announces 2020 alumni awards

The University of Maine at Machias has recognized two alumni for outstanding professional achievement and service to the community. Leigh Alley of Jonesport is the 2020 Young Alumnus Award recipient and Jo Ellen Scribner is this year’s Distinguished Alumna. 

Alley earned a bachelor’s degree in English from UMM in 2002 and has since earned four graduate degrees, including a doctorate in education from the University of New England. 

She is executive director of the Maine affiliate of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, a nonprofit organization that develops resources and services for educators in over 129 countries, and a part-time faculty member at the University of Maine at Augusta.

Scribner, who earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation and tourism management from UMM in 1996, has served the campus community as an administrator and educator for over 30 years. Since 2011, she has managed UMM’s Career and Alumni Relations Center, and Office of Student Accessibility Services. 

Scribner became the area manager for the Washington County branch of Special Olympics Maine in 2012. In partnership with UMM, Scribner coordinated the development of an aquatics and basketball program for Special Olympians.

The alumni awards will be formally presented in a virtual Recognition Ceremony at 1 p.m. May 30. For more information, visit machias.edu/academics/commencement.