Kennedy to Step Down as UMaine President, Transition to System Appointment

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

ORONO, Maine – At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

March 17, 2010 News

Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571, joe.carr@umit.maine.edu

ORONO — University of Maine President Robert Kennedy announced today he will begin a 14-month process during which he will transition from his current role as president of the state’s land grant/sea grant university to a four year appointment where he will work on projects related to statewide economic development and educational opportunity. Kennedy became UMaine’s 18th president on April 15, 2005 after eight months as interim president. His total tenure of nearly seven years will be the second longest UMaine presidency in nearly 50 years.

“I am focused on the next 14 months and am working hard to continue our efforts to refine our operations in ways that will allow UMaine to optimally serve our students and the state well into the future,” Kennedy says. “We can all be proud of what has been accomplished in recent years, especially under difficult budget circumstances, but this is not a time for reflections on the past. UMaine is an outstanding university and I look forward to working hard over the coming months to help make it even better.”

After leaving the presidency, Kennedy will work on special projects for the University of Maine System for four years, concentrating on areas related to sustainability, alternative energy and federal initiatives. Initially, that work will focus on developing academic programming, along with research and outreach to create career and business opportunities in emerging fields related to energy.

Kennedy first came to UMaine in 2000, serving as executive vice president and provost. The Minnesota native has served in faculty and administrative roles at some of the nation’s leading public universities including the University of Iowa, Washington State University, The Ohio State University, the University of Maryland and Texas A & M, where he served as vice president for research and associate provost for graduate studies immediately before moving to Maine.

“Serving as UMaine’s president continues to be an honor and a privilege,” Kennedy says. “It is a singular institution with a great faculty, terrific students, a dedicated staff and legions of loyal supporters around Maine and beyond. I remain grateful for this opportunity, which has been the highlight of my career. The next academic year will be my seventh in this role and I am committed to finishing the work I started, hopefully having left the university a better
place.”

Kennedy’s UMaine tenure has been marked by notable achievements in several areas, including a sharp increase in private fundraising, growth in the size and scope of the UMaine research enterprise with current investments in excess of $100 million dollars and the creation of innovative academic programming in areas like biomedical science, innovation engineering and international policy. Kennedy has also spearheaded the development of collaborative educational, research and business initiatives allowing UMaine to partner with Maine institutions and businesses to share resources and maximize their impact on students and the state.

Of note are specific advances in composites technology pioneered in UMaine’s labs that include the “Bridge in a Backpack” program, and other composite applications that have led to significant recent public and private investment in Maine’s offshore wind power generation potential.

“Bob is an effective leader who has greatly strengthened the University of Maine during his service as provost and president,” stated Lyndel J. Wishcamper, chair of the UMS Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the trustees, I’d like to note that we are pleased he will continue to serve a leadership role in helping the system advance programs in sustainable energy research and education.”

Kennedy, who will turn 63 in September, says he approached University of Maine System Chancellor Richard Pattenaude in late 2009 to discuss the possibility of transitioning from the presidency next year. Kennedy and Pattenaude finalized the details late last week and the chancellor informed the University of Maine System Board of Trustees at the board’s Monday meeting.

“President Kennedy has had a very positive impact on the University of Maine – leading it to significant growth and improvement and he will be missed. I am pleased that we have another year to make full use of his considerable talents,” Chancellor Richard L. Pattenaude noted. “In September, we will organize a nationwide search so we may name a new leader before he completes his presidency in June 2011. After that, I look forward to working with President Kennedy in expanding our system-wide sustainability and alternative energy initiatives.”