UPDATE From: President Richard L. Pattenaude
Number 2, October 2004
> Conversations and Collaboration
> Raising a Skywalk
> Osher Map Library Celebrates its 10th
> Foundation Welcomes Officers, Member
> Mark Lapping Named First Distinguished
Faculty
> Writing a Success Story
> Passing with Flying Colors
> A Best Northeastern College
> Ticket to Ride
By now you've have heard and read about the University of
Maine System Board of Trustees' approved plan to integrate
USM and the University of Maine at Augusta. As I noted in
my recent letter to faculty and staff, although USM did not
initiate the plan, we now face the task of joining the USM
and UMA communities under one umbrella. The process will not
be quick or easy--many questions must be answered before we
can reach our goal. However, the process presents a great
opportunity for us to build upon the strengths of both institutions.
As we begin the work toward this goal, UMA President Charlie
Lyons and I want to emphasize the two principles we agree
must guide our work. First and foremost, we must proceed carefully
and in a collaborative fashion, honoring and respecting the
work of all faculty and staff. Secondly, we will keep the
best interests of students and the community at the center
of all discussions.
By encouraging conversation and collaboration between the
two universities at all levels--administration, boards, faculty,
staff and students--we can begin to shape our blueprint for
creating a seamless education system that better serves our
region--from Waterville to Kittery--and the educational needs
of the people who live here.
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USM Raising a Skywalk
Over the last several years, USM has worked hard to add or
improve facilities provide safe and healthy environments for
learning and living. Toward this end, I am happy to report
that great progress is being made on the construction of the
Abromson Community Education Center. And soon, the look and
feel of the eastern side of campus will change dramatically
with the addition of a covered pedestrian skywalk over Bedford
Street.
Installation of the 160-foot, enclosed glass skywalk is scheduled
on Sunday, October 24, from 6 to 10 a.m. The early Sunday
morning installation was scheduled to minimize traffic disruptions.
Once erected, the skywalk will connect the new Abromson Community
Education Center and the parking garage to a landscaped plaza
between Luther Bonney and Masterton Halls.
The skywalk, to be named the Alumni Skywalk, will remain
unavailable for use until construction of the Center is complete
in March. However, once open, the walkway should dramatically
improve pedestrian safety and increase accessibility to the
parking garage and the Abromson Center.
Special thanks go out to Bob Blackwood '78, '82, a long-time
supporter of USM and senior vice president of Norway Savings
Bank, for leading the effort to raise $500,000 from alumni
in support of this project.
^top
In celebration of its 10th anniversary this fall, USM's Osher
Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education is
kicking off a yearlong public exhibition and lecture series.
As I noted in the last issue of Update, the Map Library--thanks
to the vision of benefactors Harold and Peggy Osher and the
Smith family--has maintained a steadfast commitment to share
cartographic treasures dating back to 1475 with students of
all ages, scholars and the public. Today, the Map Library
features more than 60,000 rare maps, among them: the first
modern printed map, a 1475 hand-colored map of the Holy Land;
a 1494 copy of a letter by Christopher Columbus; a 1614 map
of New England by Captain John Smith; and a land survey by
George Washington.
I hope you will join me in celebrating one of our University
treasures by taking part in one of the many Map Library anniversary
events. A public celebration of the 10th anniversary kicks
off at 6 p.m., Tuesday, October 26, with the opening of the
exhibit, "Treasures III," and a lecture by Earle Shettleworth,
Jr., director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.
As is the case with most Map Library events, the exhibit and
lecture are free and open to the public. For more information,
visit www.usm.maine.edu/maps.
^top
The USM Foundation recently elected two new officers to
its Board of Directors. Elaine D. Rosen, former Unum Life
Insurance Company of America president, has been named foundation
president. Christopher Emmons, Gorham Savings Bank president
and CEO, has been elected vice president. Additionally, the
USM Foundation has welcomed actor and USM alumnus Tony Shalhoub
to its membership.
As a private, non-profit group, the USM Foundation takes
on the important task of receiving and managing donations
made to the University. We are grateful to these individuals
for providing their time and talents to help ensure the continued
success of USM and our students, faculty and staff.
^top
I am proud to announce that Mark Lapping, professor of public
policy and management at the Muskie School of Public Policy,
is the first recipient of the University of Southern Maine
Distinguished Professor award. MarkÕs appointment, among the
highest presented at USM, was first announced by Provost Joe
Wood at the annual Faculty Breakfast in August.
The Distinguished Professor award recognizes exceptional
contributions to scholarship, teaching and service. When thinking
of our first Distinguished Professor appointment, Mark came
immediately to mind. Since returning to his role as a full-time
faculty member following his tenure as provost, Mark's scholarly
work has grown in amount, impact and reputation. I hope you
will join me in congratulating Mark on earning this prestigious
honor.
^top
Writing a Success Story
We are very pleased that we are achieving record participation
in the USM Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing program. This
year, the Stonecoast is operating at full capacity and in
January, the program expects to graduate 21 additional students.
Also notable is that Dr. Annie Finch, the program's new director,
and the program's administrative staff recently moved their
offices to 120 Bedford Street in Portland. More information
about the Stonecoast MFA program is available at www.usm.maine.edu/stonecoastmfa/
^top
Passing with Flying Colors
Once again, LAC's Master's in Occupational Therapy (MOT)
program has announced a 100 percent pass rate for members
of its 2004 graduating class who have taken the National Board
for Certification in Occupational Therapy exams. This is the
eighth year in a row that the MOT program has seen a 100 percent
student pass rate on this exam. Congratulations also are in
order for MOT program faculty and staff for their support
of the success of our students. This is a great example of
a program that is helping us to transform USM into one of
AmericaÕs best public, regional universities.
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A Best Northeastern College
For the second year in a row, USM has been named a 2005 Best
Northeastern College in the Northeast Region by The Princeton
Review. As a Best Northeastern College, the publishers have
identified USM as a stand out university within our region.
Last year, the northeast region included a 547 colleges
and universities in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut,
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. At that
time, The Princeton Review said, "USM's price tag would be
much higher if dollars were equated with the faculty's dedication
to the students. The result: A wellspring of educational opportunity."
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Ticket to Ride
Given the number of vehicles parked in and around our campuses,
IÕd like to take a moment to remind faculty and staff of USMÕs
participation in the Greater Portland Transit District (METRO)
Cooperative. Under the terms of the program all faculty, staff
and students are eligible to ride one-way, anywhere the METRO
travels for 50 cents a ride.
In the year 2002, 17,395 USM riders took advantage of this
program. Last academic year, rider totals increased slightly
to a cumulative of 17,399 riders. I want to thank those of
you who took advantage of this service. Despite the construction
of our new parking garage on the Portland campus, we should
continue to do all we can do to alleviate traffic pressure
on our parking lots and our neighborhoods streets.
^top
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