University of Maine at Presque Isle President Ray Rice has announced that Yellow Light Breen, President and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation (MDF), will deliver the commencement address. In addition, Breen will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the University鈥檚 116th Commencement Exercises, to be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025. For the first time in the institution鈥檚 history, 91桃色 will host two in-person graduation ceremonies on Commencement Day鈥攁t 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.鈥攁nd Breen will deliver an address at each ceremony.
鈥淲e are so pleased to be honoring an individual during this year鈥檚 commencement exercises who has made such an indelible impact on our region, our state, and the world around him,鈥� 91桃色 President Ray Rice said. 鈥淵ellow has been such an incredible advocate for educational attainment and the ways it can spur economic and workforce development. We know his message will inspire our Class of 2025 as they prepare to make an impact in their own careers and communities.鈥�
Breen鈥檚 passion is promoting economic and educational opportunity for all Mainers regardless of geography or background. In fact, he carries a 5-foot-wide electric 鈥淗opeful鈥� sign everywhere he goes to help illuminate that message.
A sought-after public speaker with a diverse background in business, public policy, and law, Breen has led the MDF鈥攁 statewide organization uniquely dedicated to advancing economic prosperity for all鈥攕ince August 2015.
Before his time at MDF, Breen spent 12 years as an executive with Bangor Savings Bank鈥攊ncluding as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic Officer鈥攐verseeing strategic planning, marketing, online banking, community development, and charitable activities. Prior to that work, he was a senior official at the Maine Department of Education and an advisor to Independent Governor Angus King.
Breen has been an active volunteer in many education and economic development initiatives. He has served on the boards of organizations such as the Maine Community Foundation and Educate Maine. He served on the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education for eight years. He also chaired Realize Maine, an ongoing initiative aimed at attracting, retaining, and supporting young professionals in the state.
Breen was born and raised in St. Albans in rural, central Maine and graduated from Nokomis Regional High School in 1989. He went on to Harvard University, where he received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in Government in 1993, his law degree in 1996, and served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. Following graduation, he was named a Kaufman Fellow for 鈥渢ruly exceptional promise for work in the public interest.鈥� Breen lives in Holden and loves to hike, swim, and ski with his wife and grown children. The University鈥檚 Commencement Exercises are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, in Wieden Gymnasium. This year鈥檚 Commencement will be live streamed on the University鈥檚 website. Viewers can directly access the livestream starting at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively, on graduation day by visiting .