August 27, 2003
USM: 125 Years and Going Strong
The University of Southern Maine begins the fall semester
of its 125th year this Sunday, August 31, with 1,647 of its
nearly 11,000 students moving into dorms on the Gorham and
Portland campuses. That figure contrasts sharply with the
85 students of the Gorham Normal School's first class. President
Pattenaude will again be at the College Ave. entrance to the
Gorham campus from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. greeting new and returning
Gorham dormitory students and their families as they move
in.
USM is expected to maintain it's record-breaking enrollment
of more than 11,000 students in the 03-04 academic year. Final
enrollment figures will be available in October.
Demand for on-campus housing remains strong, with dorms completely
full again. In 2001, the university opened Philippi Hall,
the first new residence hall in Gorham in more than 30 years.
This year will find 1,350 students in Gorham, and nearly 300
students in Portland Hall on Congress St.
USM opened the 2002-2003 academic year with a record 11,382
students. That figure included 5,709 full-time students, and
2,365 graduate students, more than 50 percent of the graduate
students in the University of Maine System.
USM President Richard Pattenaude has attributed USM's development
to "new programs and facilities that respond to the needs
of Maine people, more aggressive student recruitment efforts
and our growing academic reputation."
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