Media report on inauguration of Ferrini-Mundy, UMaine’s 21st president
The Bangor Daily News, News Center Maine, WABI (Channel 5) and WVII (Channel 7) reported Joan Ferrini-Mundy was inaugurated as the 21st president of the University of Maine in a March 29 ceremony at the Collins Center for the Arts. Ferrini-Mundy also leads the University of Maine at Machias (UMM), a regional campus of UMaine. Nine months after Ferrini-Mundy took office, the position became official in the ceremony that included performances from students and invited speakers. “With her leadership and talent already overflowing at the University of Maine, we will build the bridge between today and a new tomorrow for Maine students, businesses and our entire state,” said Gov. Janet Mills, one of the keynote speakers. “Her influence was felt far beyond the National Science Foundation. It’s her approach to problems, her inclusion of many in their solutions and her fearlessness in taking on everything,” said France Córdova, director of NSF and the other keynote speaker, referring to Ferrini-Mundy’s work as NSF chief operating officer before coming to UMaine. “I know that Joan has a great vision for research and development for the University of Maine. A vision that embraces all of the state of Maine,” Córdova said. James Page, chancellor of the University of Maine System, who plans to step down at the end of the academic year; and James Irwin, chair of the UMaine Board of Trustees, presented Ferrini-Mundy with the presidential medallion to officially inaugurate her, the BDN reported. “Being president is an honor that comes with sometimes daunting responsibilities and always meaningful rewards. I am very pleased to be here to connect, commit and converge with you,” President Ferrini-Mundy said. “It just couldn’t have been a more wonderful and meaningful day.” Ferrini-Mundy’s initial goal as president is to highlight how UMaine and UMM are key resources for the state, News Center Maine reported. “The most important thing for me is to be sure that the great work we do here is really getting the visibility nationally and internationally that we want for it to have, to be sure that we are getting the story out that we are making a difference in the state of Maine,” she said.