Profile: Jonathan Lee

Hi everyone, my name is Jonathan Lee and I am from Madawaska, ME.  I am currently a senior at UMaine and will be graduating in May.  After school, I will be working for Sappi in Skowhegan, ME.  I am thrilled to be attending the TREE Trip and want to thank everyone who has been involved with setting up our tours as well as everyone that has contributed to our cause financially.  I know personally I am looking to broaden my knowledge of the pulp and paper industry from this TREE Trip.  I am really looking forward to the cultural experience as well.

When I'm not on the golf course in the summer, I can be found running or playing some sort of other sport.  I'm usually on the go as I don't like being lazy (even though you need a day like that every once in awhile).  In the winter I enjoy skiing and ice fishing.  I also do quite a bit of hunting in the fall.

Meet Katrina Lessard

Hi everyone!

My name is Katrina Lessard, and I am a junior chemical engineering major from Corinth, ME. I am
so excited to be apart of this trip to Germany/Austria and have been counting down the days until we leave. But before we get into that, I just wanted to introduce myself and give you guys some background.

As I mentioned before, I am currently a junior chemical engineering major. I have completed one semester of coop at Sappi Technology Center in Westbrook and can't wait until I can start my second semester. I worked on maintenance of the pilot coater, updating network diagrams, and a research project. It was a great experience and I'm excited to be able to continue my work. I'm currently active in the UMaine chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers as well as TAPPI/PIMA.

We have a lot of locations already planned for the trip, and I can't wait to tour all of them. It is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will treasure. Seeing how the industry works across
 the globe is going to be a unique learning opportunity and I'm excited
 to observe the culture in Germany and Austria.

Thank you guys for all of your support! I look forward to updating you guys on our progress!

Profile: Devin Weaver

Hello everyone,

First off, I am very excited to have the chance to go on this amazing trip. I am counting down the weeks till we leave, but now I am gonna tell you a little bit about myself.

My name is Devin Weaver, and I am a junior chemical engineer from Essex Junction Vermont. I currently have completed one semester at a Co-op at Sappi Fine Paper in Westbrook, ME as a project engineer. This was such a great experience and can't wait to go back for a second term this summer. I am involved with many clubs around campus such as: Tennis Club, American Institute of Chemical Engineering, and lastly I am the president of the University of Maine Trap & Skeet club.

As the itinerary has been filling in I am getting more excited to see the different parts of the industry and see how they differ from ones back here. I also can't wait to see the culture differences as well.

One thing I can tell you already is German isn't that easy !

Auf Wiedersehen !

Plane Tickets Purchased

We have officially purchased our plane tickets and are scheduled to depart on Tuesday May 12.  We will have a layover in Istanbul and then continue to Munich.  We will be returning on May 27 to Boston, MA.  Special thanks to the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation for fronting some of our costs for these tickets!

14 Students Have Been Selected To Partake On Adventure

The decision for who will be coming on the TREE trip in May has been made!  The selection process was based on several key factors including participation, attendance, and seniority as well as overall interest and involvement in the pulp and paper industry.  It must be noted that the decision was extremely tough as everyone who has shown interest has been instrumental to the success of this trip.

The group has also acquired Rosetta Stone: German Edition so that we are not "completely" lost when on our trip.  This should provide us with some awesome knowledge as well as a few laughs considering our strong English accents.

As always we thank those who are helping us set up our tours in Europe.  It would not be possible without you.  We will be uploading our route as soon as it is finalized!

In Full Swing...

TREE has really hit the ground running since the new year.  Currently students are working to make contact with possible locations to tour in the Austria and Germany areas.  The students route will take them from Munich, Germany to Graz, Austria for the first leg of their excursion.  The students will then return to Munich for the weekend and will travel to Ludwigshafen, Germany and attend several tours on the way.  The students will then return to Munich for their final weekend before flying back home.  Currently efforts are being made to tour facilities belonging to the following companies:

• BASF
• Andritz
• Sappi
• Voith
• Glatfelter
• Xerium
• UPM
• SHW
• Shaefer Rolls

If you have a suggestion for a tour or if you are interested in making a donation please contact Jon Lee at jonathan.lee@maine.edu.  Tour slots are filling and we are trying to accommodate as many companies as we can.

Thank you to everyone who is involved in organizing this pulp and paper safari.  Without your continued efforts, this trip would not be possible!

50/50 Winner!!!

Congratulations to Scott Hoffses of Presque Isle, ME for being the lucky winner of the 50/50 raffle.  Our group of students were able to sell $2,540 worth of tickets!  A very big thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and for your continued support.  We will begin updated our blog as we get closer to our departure date of May 14!

We appreciate all your support!