Drops: “We got a little bit ahead of our neighbors.” — Richard Pattenaude
“It’s been a good year. We’ve got to wrestle with energy costs and health costs but we’re working on it very diligently.” — RP
Heads:
Pattenaude summarizes accomplishments
Pattenaude cites the University’s accomplishments and the work that remains
At a breakfast in September, President Richard Pattenaude declared this “a year of planning and dialogue,” setting goals for the University including continued work on University expansion and the 21st Century Campaign for Excellence. As the year draws to a close, many of these goals have been met.
Although there has been little publicity for the 21st Century Campaign for Excellence, Pattenaude said he is pleased with its progress. In September, the University hoped to reach fundraising goals by the end of this academic year. Although this goal was not met, Pattenaude said the project is approaching $20 million in funding, $1 million short of its goal. Goals of the campaign include providing money for scholarships and completion of the top three floors of the Glickman Library on the Portland campus.
In a recent interview, Pattenaude cited a tighter budget as a factor in delaying plans for the library.
“In the Legislature, money’s getting tighter and we are slowing our planning process a bit until we better know the outcome,” he said.
Bob Caswell, director of Media Relations, also noted that estimated fundraising money may not all be on hand yet. Although lacking specifics, Caswell said he believed the $20 million estimate likely included confirmed pledges and those that have not yet been finalized, in addition to cash gifts.
Among large gifts received this year were an anonymous $1 million gift to the Music Department and the Osher Foundation gift of $2.2 million for the former Senior College.
While the University has accomplished many of its planning goals, it has sometimes faltered in its attempts at dialogue.
The University’s expansion plan is moving ahead with a bioscience research institute already in the final planning stages, but there was some opposition from neighbors who felt their input was undervalued. However, redoubled efforts to keep open communication between the school and the community have resolved some of these issues.
“We got a little bit ahead of our neighbors,” said Pattenaude. “The last meeting [between USM and neighbors] I think was quite productive. I believe we’re moving ahead in a positive directions.”
Ed Suslovic, a neighbor who attended the University’s neighborhood meetings, agreed that progress has been made but remains wary.
“The last meeting about the bioscience building was an important step in the right direction but it remains to be seen whether Pattenaude and crew will come to view the neighborhood as part of the team or as a minor irritant that needs a bone thrown in their direction when they start to bark,” said Suslovic.
As long-term plans come to fruition, Pattenaude also highlighted faculty achievement this year. Ardis Cameron, director of the American and New England Studies Department received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as a Guggenheim fellowship; Stone Coast poet Steven Dunn received a Pulitzer Prize, and Kim Cook, an associate professor of criminology was granted a Fulbright award. The Women’s Studies Department has also received a Fulbright award which will be used to bring visiting scholars to campus next year.
While he is happy with the University’s growth and development this year, Pattenaude said he recognizes that challenges remain.
“It’s been a good year. We’ve got to wrestle with energy costs and health costs but we’re working on it very diligently.”
General Manager Meghan Conley can be contacted at: [email protected]