Maine
Northeastern celebrates 215 graduates during commencement ceremony in Portland, Maine
The Class of 2025 included master’s degree recipients from 19 countries, nine U.S. states and 41 cities or towns across Maine.
When Emmanuella Wiafe lost her aunt to breast cancer, it ignited in her a need to understand the disease and “do something.”
“That pain turned to passion and purpose, what I personally call ‘PPA’ — ‘Pain turned into Passion and Ambition,’” said Wiafe, the student speaker at Northeastern University’s Portland campus commencement on Friday.
The Portland campus Class of 2025 included 215 master’s degree recipients who came to study at Northeastern from 19 countries, nine U.S. states and 41 cities or towns across Maine.
Wiafe came to Northeastern with a strong foundation in clinical diagnostics, quickly engaged in cutting-edge breast cancer research, launched the BioPILOT Lab with faculty, and participated in real-world collaborations with biotech startups across Maine.
Wiafe, who earned a master’s degree in biotechnology, said she found a welcoming and empowering community at the Portland campus that helped her grow.
“Beyond the titles and projects, what will always be a part of me is the sense of belonging and support,” she said. “I’ve learned that success isn’t just measured by what we achieve, but by the people who walk with us, challenge us and believe in us along the way.”
She reminded her classmates that the Portland campus shaped them and prepared them to step forward to lead, to build and to transform the lives of other people.
Wiafe will continue working as a research associate at MaineHealth, advancing work in oncology, cardiology and infectious disease, while preparing for a future Ph.D. in cancer biology and drug development.
L.L.Bean CEO Steve Smith, also speaking at Northeastern’s Portland campus, encouraged graduates to keep seeking meaningful experiences and develop new skills throughout their lives.
Smith, the fourth president and CEO of the iconic Maine-based company, used a backpacking analogy to share lessons from his own career journey and emphasize the value of regular reflection for career development.
“May your packs be full, your paths be purposeful and your impact be lasting,” said Smith, who previously held leadership positions at Walmart International, Hannaford and J. Walter Thompson.
Early in his career, Smith said he regularly evaluated the skills and experiences he wanted to gain to make himself better prepared and more resilient. He sought out transferable skills such as project management or public speaking as well as expert-level knowledge in merchandising and general management.
“As I’ve paused, emptied the pack and looked at the contents, I’ve also asked myself where do I want to go next,” Smith said. “And more deeply, I have looked for places where I find joy and motivation — and made sure that I am moving in that direction.”
He deliberately declined some promotions and moved laterally, pursuing roles in merchandising, supply chain and operations, to gain a holistic view of the business and leadership. This, he said, helped him develop qualities like resilience, fortitude, humility, empathy and transparency.
“I used my pack to be sure I was building a diverse, interesting set of skills and experiences that I would be able to use as my career progressed into bigger and more complex roles,” Smith said.
When he found himself in a job that didn’t align with his values, reflection helped him pinpoint the moments that had felt most fulfilling — ultimately leading him to L.L.Bean.
“That reflection led me to my current role that I have at L.L.Bean, where I could join great people in service of a very clear purpose and build the strategy and the culture to achieve our potential — all in line with my values,” Smith said.
As a founding partner of Northeastern’s Roux Institute in 2019, L.L.Bean has supported the university’s Portland campus from the beginning, Smith said, “back when it was still an ambitious idea to reshape Maine’s future.”
“The bold mission of the Roux Institute is no longer just aspirational — it’s alive in all of you, the Class of 2025,” he said.
Smith gave a shout-out to two graduates with L.L.Bean ties — Ganesh Venu Gopal, an L.L.Bean lead data engineer, and Chinonso Victoria, a co-op student. L.L.Bean has enrolled more than 20 employees in Northeastern programs, hired students and partnered with the university on experiential courses in supply chain management.
Smith praised the long-term commitment to Maine shown by David and Barbara Roux and the Harold Alfond Foundation, who partnered with Northeastern in 2020 to launch the institute. He was especially moved to learn that 80% of Roux graduates over the last five years have decided to stay and work in Maine.
“I hope you carry a piece of Maine’s beauty, soul and resilience with you wherever you go,” Smith told the graduates. “But let it remind you to pause, to reflect and to stay grounded in what matters most — things like community, integrity and purpose.”
Abby Bridges, who completed her master’s in analytics from Northeastern last year, welcomed the Class of 2025 to the university’s global alumni network of over 350,000 graduates in nearly 185 countries. Bridges now works as a data analyst and program evaluator at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health.
Two 2025 graduates from the College of Professional Studies — Sampson Boateng and Alexander Campbell Legore — were named to the Laurel and Scroll 100 Society of Distinction.
As a final gift, all Class of 2025 graduates received a scholarship to pursue one of six tuition-free graduate certificates in the future.
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BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.
The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.
Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.
“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.
The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.
“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.
The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.
The location is yet to be determined.
If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?
A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.
This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.
Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine
According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.
Wondering what’s in the burrito?
The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”
Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.
The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.
As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.
Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.
Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant
First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.
Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.
A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.
READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew
And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.
So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.
You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods
Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.
Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.
“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.
For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.
Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”
If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.
You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.
You can also call 941-2800.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
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