About - Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

imrc / im·merse / iˈmərs / [verb] : to involve oneself deeply in a particular activity or interest

IMRC Center Prototyping Lab

What is the IMRC Center?

The Innovative Media Research and Commercialization (IMRC) Center is an interdisciplinary research and experiential learning facility located within Stewart Commons at the University of Maine. First opening in 2013, the IMRC Center was constructed with funding support from the Maine Technology Institute, The University of Maine, and the Intermedia MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Program.

The IMRC Center’s workspaces encompass research and prototyping laboratories, maker spaces, performance environments, and classrooms. The high-performance research, design, media production, and prototyping tools offered in these spaces, as well as access to in-house technical training and vocational guidance, are provided to welcome, support, and engage all learners. Unique teaching, learning, and mentorship opportunities offered by the IMRC in collaboration with Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE), Experiential Programs Innovation Central (EPIC), the Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR), and other University partners are essential to creating new knowledge and applying innovative research and scholarship to enrich lives.

As a CORE entity and a University Center, the IMRC is positioned within a thriving community of research, art, media, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and creative innovation. Looking to the future, the IMRC Center is currently working to increase transparency, consistency, and accessibility of service experience, and also to apply and navigate successful change and relationship management while working with various constituencies to realign IMRC Center processes and goals with the University of Maine’s plan for Strategic Vision and Values.

Photo of Audio Engineer in the recording studio at the IMRC Center

IMRC Center Audio Recording and Production Lab

Essential Function Guidelines

As essential functions, the IMRC Center provides:

1. experiential research and interactive learning environments to stimulate academic inquiry, promote pursuance of scholarly merit, and foster unique teaching, learning, and mentorship experiences through close collaboration with Coordinated Operating Research Entities, Experiential Programs Innovation Central, Center for Undergraduate Research, and other university partners

2. access to high-performance research, design, media production, and prototyping tools and state of the art workspaces, as well as in-house technical support, training and vocational guidance

3. independent learning platforms that encourage initiative in decision-making, accountability for results, and learning from mistakes and successes through reflection, critical analysis, and synthesis

4. unique opportunities for students to explore, build and advance service relationships with peers, faculty, staff, the greater University community, the state of Maine, and the world

5. new and creative job placement pathways and vocational opportunities for students cultivated through experiential research, design, technology, and innovation

6. commercialization resources for external clients, government, industry, and NGOs, often through close collaboration with the Foster Center for Student Innovation

IMRC Center Front Entrance Area

IMRC Center Media LibraryIn collaboration with Intermedia MFA program

IMRC Center Graduate Student LabsIn collaboration with Intermedia MFA program

IMRC Center Advisory Committee

Drew Hooke, Operations Manager, IMRC Center – Chair
Alexandra Rose, Graduate Assistant, Intermedia
Beth Wiemann, Director, McGillicuddy Humanities Center; Professor, School of Performing Arts Music Division
Brett Ellis, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Christopher London, Laboratory Operations Manager, School of Forest Resources
Daniel Puhlman, Assistant Professor of Family Studies
Ellie Markovitch, Lecturer, Communication and Journalism
Giles Timms, Assistant Professor of Art
Jon Ippolito, Professor of New Media
Kathleen Toole, Administrative Coordinator, Experiential Programs Innovation Central (EPIC)
Matthew Hodgkin, Lecturer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Megan Tardif, Director, Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE)
Michael Call, Facilities Manager, Coordinated Operating Research Entities (CORE)
Mindy Pelletier, Program Manager, Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR)
Merrilee Schoen, UMaine Graduate Student Government
Myles Moore, Vice President, Student Entertainment, UMaine Student Government