News Releases

Commencement Bittersweet for USM President Pattenaude

May 4, 2007

The University of Southern Maine’s 127th Commencement, slated for 9 a.m., Saturday, May 12, will be a bittersweet one for the ceremony’s speaker. President Richard L. Pattenaude will give the Commencement address as he presides over his last Commencement as USM’s president before becoming chancellor of the University of Maine System on July 1.  The ceremony will take place in Portland’s Cumberland County Civic Center. Lori Royer of Lovell, who will graduate with a degree in business administration and a minor in music, was chosen to be the student commencement speaker.

Well over 900 graduates are will be marching at the ceremony, including USM’s first two doctoral recipients. Sharon Timberlake of Portland will receive a University of Southern Maine Doctor of Public Policy degree. Hong Xie, a Portland resident originally from China, will receive a University of Maine doctorate in biochemistry and molecular biology.  This program is collaboratively offered at USM through an agreement with the University of Maine.  Xie worked at USM with her advisor, USM Professor John Wise.

Lisa and Leon Gorman of Yarmouth will both be recognized with honorary doctorates of humane letters for their longstanding commitment to philanthropy, the education of Maine students and public service. Among their many philanthropic activities, the Gorman’s established a $1 million USM scholarship fund, known as The Gorman Scholars Fund, to help Maine citizens earn undergraduate and graduate degrees.  They, other family members, and L.L. Bean also established an endowed chair in memory of the late Leandro “Lee Surace, longtime L.L. Bean senior vice president and chief financial officer.

Other special awards include Distinguished Achievement Awards to Meg Baxter of Cape Elizabeth, and artist Robert Shetterly of Brooksville.  Baxter is president of the United Way of Greater Portland, and is being recognized for her exemplary leadership and commitment to community service. Shetterly, who drew the editorial page drawings for the Maine Times newspaper, and has painted over 100 portraits in the traveling series “Americans Who Tell the Truth,” is being recognized for his outstanding contribution to the arts.

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