UPDATE From: President Richard L. Pattenaude
Number 3, November 2004
> USM and UMA Discussion
> Dedication of the Mitchell Center
Scheduled
> Osher Foundation Names OLLI National
Center
> Lee Gift Supports Muskie
> Anthem Contributes to Abromson Center
> Nominations Accepted for Honorary
Degrees
> Call for 05-06 Convocation Themes
> Communication & Media Studies New Name
In the last several weeks, we have taken the first few steps
on our long journey to integrate USM and the University of
Maine at Augusta (UMA) into a single regional university.
While we are in the very early stages of the implementation
process, I am encouraged by the remarkable synergy that exists
between our communities. UMA and USM faculty and staff alike
share a deep commitment to serving the educational needs of
our region. The level of communication that is developing
between campuses also encourages me.
As we move ahead with the planning phase, I hope you will
continue to share your feedback with your respective deans,
vice presidents and department leaders, or with me. Your ongoing
input, as well as the input of our counterparts at UMA, is
essential to our success as we identify issues and opportunities
that affect our process and recommend next steps.The details
of the integration plan will emerge from our discussion over
the next several months. Initially, we have agreed upon a
timeline for the planning phase. That timeline and other information
soon will be posted on my Web site.
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USM Dedication of the Mitchell Center
Scheduled
December marks the completion of the 20,000-square- foot
addition to the John Mitchell Center in Gorham. From the new
Products Testing, Digital Arts and Industrial Power/Automation
laboratories to the added classrooms and offices, the expanded
home for ASET offers innovative space for learning and conference
facilities to support a critical sector of our Maine economy-
engineering and technology.
I hope you'll join me December 10 at 1:00 p.m. in the new
John Mitchell Center lobby for dedication festivities. This
truly momentous day will be filled with tours, food, and celebration,
marking the opening of the facility that will allow us to
expand our academic offerings and services in support of Maine
manufacturers. Watch your e-mail for upcoming event details.
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Thanks to the leadership of USM's Osher Lifelong Learning
Institute (OLLI) and the Bernard Osher Foundation, USM can
now help to address the learning needs of older learners at
a national level. OLLI has been named the national center
for a network of 48 such institutes throughout the nation.
The Bernard Osher Foundation designated the USM Institute
the National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes
and donated sufficient endowment funds to support OLLI programs
that will allow the institutes to coordinate activities. The
USM Institute will disseminate information on effective programming
for adult learners; publish a national research journal; and
plan a biennial national conference. I want to thank Kali
Lightfoot, her colleagues, and the volunteers at OLLI who
have made our program one of the best in the nation. To learn
more, visit www.usm.maine.edu/mcr/news/releases_04-05/OLLICenter.htm.
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Lee Auto Malls has made a $250,000 gift in honor of community
and business leader Shep Lee to fund The Shepard Lee Community
Hall in the new home of USM's Edmund S. Muskie School of Public
Service. The Shepard Lee Community Hall will provide meeting
space that can be used for classes as well as for workshops
and forums. In 2005, planning will begin for construction
of a new home for the Muskie School on USM's Portland campus.
Given his longstanding commitment to ensuring Maine's economic
and social vitality, it is appropriate that Shep Lee's generous
gift be used for a facility to enhance civic education. More
information is available at www.usm.maine.edu/mcr/news/releases_04-
05/leegift.htm.
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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has contributed $250,000
to USM's Joel and Linda Abromson Community Education Center.
"As a major health insurer, we believe that our company has
a responsibility to do everything we can to improve the health
of Maine communities. We are excited to support a facility
that will expand USM's capacity to deliver a rich array of
continuing education programs that will assist health professionals.
This contribution also recognizes our longstanding partnership
with USM, which offers Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield associates
a wide range of courses and training opportunities," said
Jim Parker, general manager of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue
Shield.
The Abromson Center on the Portland campus, which is scheduled
for completion in early 2005, includes a classroom building;
the 500-seat Hannaford Lecture Hall; a covered pedestrian
skywalk over Bedford St.; and the 1,200-car parking garage.
In recognition of this gift, the main lobby of the classroom
building will be named the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Lobby. For more information on the Abromson Center, please
visit www.usm.maine.edu/ua/cec.
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Nominations Accepted for Honorary Degrees
Each year, USM has an opportunity to recognize individuals
for their exemplary accomplishments and/or contribution by
presenting them with an honorary degree from USM. Typically
made at our May commencement, honorary degrees are awarded
to individuals with a national or regional reputation for
their intellectual, scholarly or creative achievement with
special emphasis on original contribution in their field of
competence, or to individuals who have attained significant
recognition for unusual, high public service. With exception
of certain nationally known persons, all nominees are expected
to have strong connections with Maine.
Anyone interested in submitting a nomination for honorary
degree should send his or her nomination to Lindy Briggette
in my office by no later than November 19, 2004. All nominations
should include a cover letter that includes a brief rationale
for the nomination, a description of the nominee's connection
to USM and any relevant biographical information.
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Call for 05-06 Convocation Themes
Once again, it's time to begin planning for the next Gloria
S. Duclos Convocation. To kick off the process, the Office
of the Provost has issued a call for theme proposals to guide
the 2005-06 agenda. Named for the late Gloria S. Duclos, longtime
USM professor of classics and Honors Program founder, Convocation
provides a yearlong opportunity for faculty members to organize
a set of related events of significant interest to the University
and the general community during alternate academic years.
Any full-time faculty member may submit a proposal for consideration.
All proposals must be received in the Provost's office by
Friday, December 3. The theme will be announced to the University
community during the first week of spring 2005 semester. For
more information on proposal criteria, please visit the Provost's
Web site at www.usm.maine.edu/prov/convocation/index.htm.
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Communication & Media Studies
New Name Last, but certainly not least, the Office of the
Provost is pleased to announce that the Communication Department
housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, is now named the
Department of Communication and Media Studies. Richard L.
West, professor of communication, is chair of the department.
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