The Heart of the North: What UMaine is Known For
9/5/2025
Photo Credit: Izzy Bouchard
Experience the heart of the North when you stay at Hotel Ursa
Whether you're venturing north to expand your horizons or returning home to where it all began, the University of Maine is more than a college, it's a place that leaves its mark. And at Hotel Ursa, located right on campus, we invite you to experience it all firsthand. As UMaine celebrates its 150th anniversary, there’s no better time to visit, explore, and reflect on what makes this flagship institution a pillar of Maine’s identity.
A Flagship of Discovery
Founded in 1865, the University of Maine is the state's land and sea grant university and its only public research institution granting doctoral degrees. Known for its top-tier faculty, hands-on learning, and commitment to sustainability, UMaine brings together the best of New England: academic rigor, community connection, and a profound respect for the natural world. It’s a place where engineering students work on cutting-edge climate research, forestry students learn among the trees, and aspiring writers find their voices in the shadow of literary legends.
A Campus That Feels Like a Community
From student-led organizations to residence hall traditions, the sense of belonging runs deep here. The Division of Student Life plays an active role in fostering connection and ensuring that every student has the chance to thrive, both academically and personally.
UMaine’s Orono campus buzzes with activity year-round, from theater performances at the Collins Center for the Arts to outdoor treks along the DeMeritt Forest Trail System. It’s a space where students and visitors alike feel inspired to grow, engage, and discover something new.
For the Love of the Black Bear: UMaine’s Bear Pairs
Some students leave with a degree. Others leave with a partner for life.
"Bear Pairs" are couples who met at UMaine, maybe in class, maybe at the Bear’s Den, or maybe just wandering the quad. These love stories are celebrated by the UMaine Alumni Association and supported through the Bear Pairs Scholarship, helping future generations create their own memories on campus. We think that’s worth celebrating.
The Bear Pair Sweethearts Package at Hotel Ursa
To honor the couples who found more than a diploma at UMaine, we’re offering the Bear Pair Sweethearts Package, a nostalgic nod to college sweethearts and lifelong love.
Package includes:
- $50 gift card to Pepper's Landing
- A sweetheart's welcome amenity
- 10% off breakfast at MajorMinor Cafe
Whether you're returning for a reunion, showing your kids around, or reliving your own Black Bear love story, we invite you to stay, reminisce, and reconnect right where it all began.
Plan Your Stay for the 150th Celebration
Hotel Ursa is proud to stand at the heart of the UMaine campus during this milestone year. As the University of Maine Alumni Association celebrates 150 years of community, discovery, and tradition, we invite you to join in the festivities with a stay rooted in pride and nostalgia.
Special Anniversary Offer:
Stay two nights and get the third night for $1.50, a tribute to 150 years of Black Bear excellence. This exclusive rate is the perfect way to extend your visit, reconnect with campus, and celebrate a legacy that continues to shape Maine and beyond. Advanced Purchase Rate. Book your stay 21 or more days in advance and enjoy 15% off our Best Available Rate. This pre-paid, non-refundable offer is perfect for those who love to plan ahead and secure the best deal.
Book The 150th Anniversary Rate