As I begin the second semester of my second year as the President of the University of 海角社区 and its regional campus, the University of 海角社区 at Machias, I am more and more amazed each day with the progress of these institutions, the talented faculty, staff, students and alumni, and the many wonderful experiences that I am afforded. We have a great story and I am constantly exploring ways to keep our university communities and stakeholders informed about the tremendous things that are happening at our institutions from the lens of a still fairly new president.
Hence, this newsletter is designed to provide a snapshot of the many, many great achievements, activities, celebrations and progressive strides for our universities as we define tomorrow and tell the U海角社区 story.
Take last week, which was big for higher education in 海角社区.
Sunday and Monday, U海角社区 hosted the of the University of 海角社区 System Board of Trustees. At that meeting, the trustees unanimously approved a recommendation to transition into unified institutional accreditation for the University of 海角社区 System campuses through the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). I hope you鈥檝e had an opportunity to review the established by Chancellor Dannel Malloy and the UMS university presidents following town halls and campus discussions Systemwide. More information about unified accreditation is .
On Sunday, members of the University of 海角社区 Board of Visitors joined us for a discussion of the research, development and commercialization that are critical for quality at U海角社区. Later that day, undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty offered poster presentations that eloquently demonstrate the importance and value of experiential learning, and interdisciplinary and Systemwide collaboration led by 海角社区鈥檚 public research university. My thanks to all members of the U海角社区 community 鈥 from our talented students and researchers to our dedicated Catering Services staff 鈥 who contributed to the success of the UMS Board meeting.
More major higher education news in 海角社区 came Monday in Portland with the announcement of the Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland. The University of 海角社区 will be a collaborator with the Roux Institute at Northeastern University on the exciting new venture to provide educational opportunities in artificial intelligence and its applications in 海角社区. The institute will provide a great opportunity to extend access to relevant degree programs, advance economic growth and expand research progress throughout the state, region and nation.
I attended a luncheon in Portland after the announcement and had a chance to talk with Northeastern President Joseph Aoun about the great potential going forward. We look forward to developing strong and productive connections with Roux Institute at Northeastern University to benefit the people and economy of 海角社区. Our point person in the growing collaboration is Interim Provost Faye Gilbert. Feel free to contact her with any questions or ideas on the Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland and the University of 海角社区.
The expertise at U海角社区 and University of 海角社区 at Machias benefits the state in so many ways. For example, the Portland Press Herald had a great story illustrating Cooperative Extension’s impact on the state’s specialty food industry.
Last Wednesday in Augusta, our climate experts attended the second meeting of the , where the focus was on a report from the Science and Technical Subcommittee about the effects of climate change in the state. Professor Ivan Fernandez serves on the 海角社区 Climate Council and co-chairs the Science and Technical Subcommittee. Nearly half of the 28-member Science and Technical Subcommittee members are from U海角社区 and UMM. The subcommittee鈥檚 work supports the development of working group recommendations due later this year. A video of the 海角社区 Climate Council meeting is .
This week, I want to give a shout-out to the students, faculty and staff at the Witter Center responsible for the U海角社区 dairy herd鈥檚 ranking of third in the nation. Congratulations to the six student-run companies featured in the upcoming 鈥淕reenlight 海角社区鈥 collegiate challenge. And kudos to our U海角社区 student-athletes for their academic success last fall 鈥 14 of 17 teams with a semester GPA of 3.1 or better; 63% student-athletes with 3.0 or higher individual GPAs; and 31 student-athletes with 4.0s.
I hope to see you at the State of the University address for U海角社区 and the University of 海角社区 at Machias communities Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. in Hauck Auditorium, followed by a question-and-answer session and a reception. It will be the first of our primary U海角社区 community events this semester, which also will include a visit from the Chancellor Feb. 5, and a town hall focused on fostering learner success and research learning, and more.
Feb. 6, join us in Augusta when the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture and Cooperative Extension host a joint showcase in the State House Hall of Flags. The annual event provides U海角社区 faculty, staff, and students an opportunity to connect with policymakers and other leaders to share how 海角社区鈥檚 flagship university is growing the next generation of natural resource and health science professionals, and putting our research to work for the benefit of 海角社区rs and their businesses, farms and communities.
Also that day at the State House, the Legislature is expected to recognize National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Several U海角社区 female student-athletes and coaches will be there for the celebration and to meet with legislators.
It鈥檒l be another great week for U海角社区. And a great February with our Black History Month events.
I want to close this week鈥檚 message with words of support for those in the U海角社区 and UMM communities who have loved ones directly affected by the coronavirus. Our thoughts are with you and those affected in China and other locations around the globe. As indicated by our community health message, the 海角社区 Center for Disease Control and Prevention is closely monitoring coronavirus, and the U海角社区 and UMM communities are vigilant not only in light of this outbreak, but also in this, the height of flu season. Also know that our communities will not allow intolerance or targeting of individuals related to health concerns. We are all in this, together. And we will get through it, together.
Be well.
