University of Southern Maine

Commencement 2005

USM's Division of Community and Professional Education (CPE) is perhaps the most visible public arm of the University community. In fact, last year CPE recorded nearly 66,000 noncredit enrollments through its various outreach departments.

Sen. Snowe, who will be presented with a Distinguished Achievement Award during the ceremony, was elected to a first term representing Maine in the United States Senate in 1994. Now in her second term, Snowe became only the second woman Senator to represent our state, following the late Sen. Margaret Chase Smith. Snowe is only the fourth woman in American history to serve in both houses of Congress and the first woman in history to serve in both houses of a state legislature and both houses of Congress, having served in both houses of the Maine Legislature from 1973 to 1978.

Honorary degrees, among the highest recognition a university can give, will be conferred upon three community members in recognition of their distinguished careers and contributions to the community. This year's recipients are: Kirk Pond, chairman of the Board of Directors of Fairchild Semiconductor International; Bernard Osher, a Maine native, philanthropist and founder of the Bernard Osher Foundation; and Barbro Osher, president of the Bernard Osher Foundation.

Distinguished Achievement Awards also will be presented to David B. Hawkes '66, '69, of Falmouth, and Theresa Secord '81, of Waterville. Hawkes is owner and consultant with Triplehawk, Inc., a management consulting firm. Secord serves as executive director of the Maine Indian Basket- makers Alliance (MIBA).

Retired and retiring faculty members who will be honored during Commencement with emeriti status for exemplary scholarship and public service are: Janet Burson, associate professor of nutrition; William Coogan, associate professor of political science; Lois Hinckley, associate professor of classics; Stephen MacDonald, associate professor of mathematics; Waldeck Mainville, professor of mathematics; James Roberts, associate professor of political science; and Minor Rootes, professor of theatre.

The class of 1955, in honor of their 50th reunion, will have 24 representatives joining the procession of graduates marching in the ceremony. Among the students eligible for graduation is Aaron Keller, who will address this year's graduates and attendees as the 2005 Student Commencement Speaker. Keller, of Harpswell, is a chemistry major.

Parking for faculty and staff participating in Commencement is in the Anthem lot across from the Civic Center. Additional arrangements have been made to park at the Portland Club on High Street for individuals attending the post- Commencement luncheon and interested in walking to the Civic Center. Parking will also be made available on USM's Portland campus in surface lots and in the Parking Garage.

Shuttle buses will leave the Woodbury Campus Center for the Civic Center starting at 7:00 a.m., and will return to campus at noon.

Faculty and staff participating in the Commencement processions should arrive at the Civic Center for robing no later than 8:30 a.m. The ceremony will start promptly at 9 a.m.

For more information on USM's Commencement, please call 780-5106.

Graduates of the School of Law will be recognized at a separate ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

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