President Paul W. Ferguson
On virtually every page of this magazine, you will find examples of a striking and pervasive UMaine characteristic —the spirit of innovation. Despite its relatively small size, the University of Maine is a powerhouse because its faculty, students and staff are as creative as they are determined to make a positive difference in the world around us. This spirit is part of our culture, and it’s a key reason why UMaine’s people are so accomplished and so effective.
Moreover, the people of Maine are taking notice and our statewide collaborative efforts are capturing the attention of organizations like the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. Based in New York, that organization recently invested $3 million in a broad-based initiative, with UMaine at its hub, to accelerate our state’s economic growth. Blackstone has now made these investments in three states: North Carolina, New York and Maine. We are in good company, and that organization’s commitment speaks volumes about Maine’s innovation infrastructure and its commitment to knowledge-based growth.
Initiatives like this only work in states where there’s a dynamic research university fostering the collaborative efforts that maximize the resources necessary for success. At UMaine, we are proud to bring our innovative spirit and creativity to bear in helping catalyze these efforts.
Paul W. Ferguson
President
