• Transforming USM Campaign Completed
• University Undertakes Integrated Marketing Plan
• University Undertakes Integrated Marketing Plan
• Wright Express Hosts Golf Tourney to Benefit USM Scholarships
• Botman Named USM President
• Wood Visits Snowe in Washington, D.C.
• New Insurance Track Created
• USM Artist-in-Residence Gideon Bok
• Morin Wins New England Wrestling Championship
  
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Botman Named USM President

The University of Maine System’s Board of Trustees appointed Selma Botman, Ph.D., as the next president of the University of Southern Maine, at a March 10 trustees meeting in Portland. She begins her appointment July 1.

Selma Botman, Ph.D.

“Dr. Botman is an excellent fit for USM,” Chancellor Richard Pattenaude said. “She possesses exceptional academic and leadership skills gained during her impressive 20-year career in higher education, as well as a deep commitment to students and their success.

“She understands USM’s importance to the people and organizations of southern Maine,” he said. “I’’m very enthusiastic about the strengths and benefits she will provide to USM and our state as the University’s next president.”

Botman, 57, replaces Pattenaude, who served as USM’s president from 1991 to 2007, when he was appointed to his current post. She comes to USM from New York, where she was executive vice chancellor and university provost at the 230,000-student City University of New York (CUNY).

CUNY offers learning opportunities at every level, from certificate courses to the Ph.D., in a single integrated system. At CUNY, Botman oversees university policies governing the academic programs of CUNY and its 19 colleges and more than 100 research centers.

“I am honored to become part of the University of Maine System,” Botman said. “I particularly look forward to working with the superb faculty and staff and the wonderful students at the University of Southern Maine.

“USM plays a critical role in the future of southern Maine and it has a special responsibility to educate the next generation of Maine’s leaders, teachers, nurses, lawyers, business executives, and professionals,” she said. “I am tremendously excited by the prospect of working with the community toward realizing that future.”

Botman earned a master’s degree in Middle Eastern studies and doctoral degree in history and Middle Eastern studies, both from Harvard University. She also earned a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and bachelor of philosophy from Oxford University.

Prior to joining CUNY, Botman held senior administrative and faculty positions within the University of Massachusetts System and College of the Holy Cross.

She will succeed Joseph S. Wood, who has been serving as USM’s interim president since July 2007. Wood, who assumed the presidency after trustees named Pattenaude as University System chancellor, will return to his prior position as USM’s provost and vice president for academic affairs.

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