UPDATE From: President Richard L. Pattenaude
Number 7, March 2004
> Process Begins to "Transform USM"
> USM Faculty Honored for Service Learning
> Earmark Proposals Submitted to Congressionals
> Bowled Over By Science Smarts
> Women's Basketball Team Sets New Record
Your input is very much wanted on plans to transform USM
into a more sustainable university. As I mentioned in an earlier
email, a draft of the current plan has been posted on my Web
site at: www.usm.maine.edu/pres/index.html#transform.
Additionally, we will hold forums for discussion on campus
-- most notably, the USM Cafe from 8:30 to 11 a.m., Monday,
March 15, at the Field House in Gorham. I'm expecting much
lively discussion. This is a critical time in our evolution,
and we need to hear every voice. If you are unable to attend
the cafˇ, I encourage you to email me your thoughts or questions
at pattenau@usm.maine.edu
^top
The Maine Campus Compact recently recognized several USM
faculty for outstanding work in the field of service learning.
LAC Associate Professor Bumper White received the 2004 Donald
Harward Faculty Award for Service-Learning Excellence for
his work developing the Collaborative Learning and School
Success Professional Development School Program. The program
places education students in partner schools with a mentor
teacher to help them gain valuable everyday experiences in
the classroom. Carol Doane, from the College of Nursing and
Health Professions, and Rob Sanford, of the Environmental
Science & Policy program, were awarded honorable mentions.
Congratulations to all.
^top
I traveled to Washington last week to present our proposed
federal earmarks to Maine's congressional delegation. It was
a positive meeting, and one I hope will lead to continuing
conversations on USM's unique programs and regional importance.
We have seven very strong proposals on the table for FY05,
with requests totaling over $7.5 million. Proposals include:
expansion of USM's Toxicology Center; modernization of Gorham's
science labs and GIS infrastructure; establishment of an aquatic
phytoremediation lab at LAC; development of a technology commercialization
initiative; a jobs and training program for refugees and immigrants;
support for expanded nursing classrooms and labs; and bricks-and-mortar
for the new Muskie School facility.
This process began several months ago with the establishment
of the Earmarks Advisory Council, which includes representatives
from every college and school. The group began the difficult
process of reviewing the original 23 earmark requests, evaluating
them for their relevancy to our development plan, as well
as our programmatic and facility needs. We also considered
their compatibility with the Congressional appropriations
process, and their affinity with the interests/expertise of
our congressional delegation.
^top
USM saw a major jolt of brain power when the Gorham campus
hosted the Northern New England Science Bowl on February 28.
The event brought 18 teams of high school science students
from the region to compete in a round-robin style question
and answer forum, with prizes awarded by Sen. Susan Collins.
Newton High School in Massachusetts walked away with the top
prize -- a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete for the national
title -- but not without a tough fight from Maine's four teams;
Bangor High placed third.
The caliber of these students was incredible and I was delighted
to welcome them onto our campus. I also had the pleasure of
announcing a new scholarship, Coach's Choice, given to the
coach of the winning team to award to a student from his or
her school to study math or science at USM. Many thanks to
Rob Sanford and Bob Kuech for staging this aspiration-raising
event at USM for the fourth consecutive year; and my thanks
to our Corporate Partners for sponsoring the event.
This has been one of the most exciting seasons of women's
basketball at USM in recent memory. The Huskies will bound
into tonight's NCAA game with a 24-game winning streak, a
school record. They won their 15th Little East Conference
Championship last Saturday, earning them their 10th straight
appearance in the NCAA tournament. The team has been ranked
second among Division III schools in the nation behind undefeated
Bowdoin College for several weeks. They'll pair up in the
first round of the playoffs against Husson College.
The statistics don't stop there. Coach Gary Fifeld recently
was named LEC Co-Coach of the Year, the 10th time he has won
or shared that title since joining USM. I'm sure I speak for
the entire campus community when I say: "GO HUSKIES"
^top
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