Photos: Maine Coast Semester Celebrates 30 Years of Place-based Learning

Maine Coast Semester celebrated 60 memorable semesters of placed-based learning and friendship in August with a weekend full of faculty-led workshops, swimming and canoeing, farm chores, excellent meals, and LOTS of lively conversation and laughter. A rollicking 171 people, including alumni from 31 different semesters and former faculty going back to the semester’s start in 1988, joined the 30th-anniversary festivities. About half of them stayed on campus, in cabins or in tents on the archery field.

“The glow from this event is only now wearing off for me,” says Chewonki President Willard Morgan. “It was such a remarkable weekend of reunion, new learning, deep joy, and lasting reflection.”

Hearty thanks to all the Maine Coast Semester alumni who donated to the Chewonki Annual Fund to match a generous $60,600 challenge grant provided by Karen Abele Scheu (Semester 3) and the Abele Family Foundation. Karen’s leadership and commitment led the community to victory! To top off this achievement, Chewonki President Willard Morgan announced over the weekend that the Abele Family Foundation had increased its grant to $75,000. What a way to help Maine Coast Semester thrive! Thank you, one and all.

The spotlight shone brightly on Sue West, who teaches Art and the Natural World and is one of Maine Coast Semester’sfounding faculty. Susan Feibelman, semester school head, thanked and honored Sue for her inspired and inspiring teaching and the deep care she has always given and continues to give to her students.

Three cheers for Sue; Karen Scheu and the Abele Family Foundation; Noah Fralich and Norumbega Cidery; the alumni who shared their joy and energy at this great reunion;and all the staff and volunteers who helped make it possible.

Click here to view and download photos from the reunion
Password: mecoast2018

Click here to view and order prints of your favorite reunion photos
Password: alumnimecoast2018. Thanks to photographer Angie Devenney for capturing the sights and spirit of Maine Coast Semester’s 30th Anniversary Weekend.

Here’s a preview of some of our favorite shots: