Dear Colleagues,

As we wrap up classes before spring break, I am pleased to write with my monthly update.

One February highlight was certainly a visit from Sen. Susan Collins and U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, for the unveiling of another exciting new technology development at UMaine's Advanced Engineered Wood Composites (AEWC) Center. Led by the center's director, Habib Dagher, and Larry Parent, the senior R&D program manager, students and engineers have developed blast-proof wood building construction technology. The design and technology, created for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, allows for the modular construction of buildings with protective properties for use near combat situations. The patented technology also has potential implications for building construction in areas where there is severe weather, such as hurricanes. Once again, the AEWC faculty, staff and students have succeeded in creating an innovative product, satisfying a pressing need and providing terrific educational opportunities for our students.

It's activity of that nature that has led to the steady growth of UMaine's research enterprise over the past several years. I'm pleased to let you know that, for the first time, UMaine is now ranked in the top 100 (94th to be exact) among all public universities for the amount of research conducted. This is an important milestone, and it signals the increasing value and scope of UMaine research. This achievement is only possible because of the creativity of our faculty, the hard work of our staff and the enthusiasm of our students who take advantage of the opportunities to participate in research while studying at UMaine.

The results of another interesting research project will soon become public and I expect this work will gain a good deal of attention. Professors Elizabeth Allan and Mary Madden, both in UMaine's College of Education and Human Development, have recently completed the largest-ever survey looking at the nature and extent of hazing at colleges and universities. More than 11,000 undergraduate students representing 54 colleges and universities responded to the survey. They will present their preliminary findings in March at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) annual meeting.

Another February highlight was the recent visit to UMaine by Sen. Hillary Clinton. It was quite an amazing day, as Sen. Clinton's visit, coupled with Sen. Barack Obama's appearance in Bangor, put our part of the state in the national spotlight. I very much appreciate the efforts of the Student Recreation Center Staff, along with folks from the Division of Student Affairs and the UMaine police department -- among others -- in making sure that the event was a success. State Rep. Emily Cain, a UMaine graduate who works in the Honors College, did a wonderful job introducing Sen. Clinton at the event.

It is also notable that UMaine experts -- particularly political scientists Amy Fried and Mark Brewer -- have been called upon by journalists from all over the U.S. to provide their commentary on the presidential election and other matters of critical importance. Amy and Mark were even quoted in the same New York Times story a few weeks ago. Amy, Mark and all the other UMaine experts who share their insights and perspectives with reporters really play an important role in helping convey the quality and value of the University of Maine.

Several other faculty members deserve accolades for recent achievements. As always, this is just a small sampling of the great work being done by UMaine professors and others in our community.

Music professor Phillip Silver, along with Noreen Silver, presented a Feb. 9 concert featuring the music of Leone Sinigaglia, an Italian Jewish composer who died at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. Phillip developed this performance, which will also be the basis of a CD recording to be made this summer, through a UMaine faculty research grant. He is doing extraordinary work in bringing attention to -- and preserving the work of -- composers persecuted during the Holocaust era.

Bob Steneck, a professor in UMaine's School of Marine Sciences (SMS), has been noted several times recently for his research, which has been published in the most prestigious academic journals. A recent paper in the journal Science measured the impact of humans on marine ecosystems. This survey, which involved 19 researchers, shows a dramatic impact on the world's oceans. Bob was involved in a Boston news conference, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, to discuss the article and the findings.

I also noted the Prof. Bob Lehnhard from the UMaine College of Education and Human Development gave an on-campus presentation about his health and fitness book, "The Backside of 50." Work like Bob's provides great information and service to the public, and it reflects well on UMaine. It's also important to point out that the presentation was presented by UMaine's Healthy U employee wellness program, and its new director, Erin Whitehouse. That group is doing great work in providing programming and other services to help our community maintain healthy lifestyles.

Congratulations to Yifeng Zhu and Bruce Segee, UMaine professors of electrical and computer engineering, who were recognized at the Maine STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Summit for their work in creating access to UMaine's supercomputers for Maine middle-school students using classroom laptop computers. There is growing appreciation for the importance of these critical disciplines statewide, and UMaine people are very involved in numerous important initiatives that will help young people learn and excel in those academic areas.

Ursula Pritham from the UMaine nursing faculty has received a March of Dimes award to develop satellite prenatal care service at Bangor's Acadia Hospital. The concept is to provide care to pregnant women who are being treated for opiod addictions. This program, which involves collaborators at Acadia Hospital and Eastern Maine Medical Center's Center for Family Medicine, will also provide clinical learning opportunities for UMaine nursing students.

Director Tom Mikotowicz and his School of Performing Arts colleagues deserve great credit for their well-received production of "The Marriage of Figaro," UMaine's first-ever class opera. The performance has been linked, since last semester, with class activities in several disciplines, along with related presentations and discussions. This is a wonderful, creative example of a way to combine various aspects of the liberal arts education experience to enhance that experience for numerous students. An added benefit was the presentation of a high-quality opera performance for the benefit of our community and our neighbors. UMaine has a great tradition in opera education and performance, and I am proud of the result of this ambitious project.

UMaine's Dept. of Art is currently hosting an exhibit of the works of Maine artist John Whalley at the Lord Hall Galleries. The exhibition, featuring Whalley's drawings and paintings, will be in that beautiful space in Lord Hall through March 21. The art department's efforts in bringing such exciting exhibits to campus make a real difference in our community's cultural life.

On the subject of the arts, my congratulations to all those involved in UMaine's fourth annual International Dance Festival. The show, which features traditional costumes and dance performances by UMaine students, played to two sold-out audiences at Bangor High School's Peakes Auditorium last weekend. This program grows ever year, and this year's included more than 100 dancers representing 20 countries. Karen Boucias, Sarah Joughin and others associated with UMaine's Office of International Programs do a wonderful job in organizing this exciting annual event.

UMaine's artistic talent extends throughout our community. The UMaine Engineering Art Club held an awards ceremony in February, to celebrate the creativity of those involved in science and engineering pursuits at UMaine. For the fourth consecutive year, the club sponsored its "Art by Engineers" event and display throughout the month at the Engineering and Science Research Building.

Congratulations to the members of the UMaine chapter of the American Marketing Association, which has been named one of just eight semifinalists in the prestigious McGraw-Hill Higher Education Competition. The chapter entered the competition for the first time just last year, and they have already received impressive national recognition for their skills and educational preparation for the competition.

We were pleased to host Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe earlier this week, as part of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center Distinguished Maine Policy Fellows Program. Mr. Rowe is just the latest in a series of accomplished Maine leaders to visit campus as part of this program, which provides participants with an opportunity to learn about UMaine teaching, research and service. It also creates access for UMaine students to these important people, all of whom have a real impact on our state's government and society. Mary Cathcart from the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center does a wonderful job in arranging for these visits and the associated programming.

UMaine is now one of just 37 colleges and universities with a presence on iTunes U, the Web-based content distribution system that creates an interface where handheld media player users can access audio and video materials. UMaine educational, informational and promotional materials are available through this site, which is certain to grow in popularity and usefulness over time. You can find out more about it online at More information is online at http://www.umaine.edu/itunesu/default.htm. Staff members in the Division of Lifelong Learning, Information Technologies and University Relations worked very hard over several months to make this happen.

UMaine recently served as a wonderful community resource for those interested in viewing the lunar eclipse of a few days ago. Alan Davenport opened the university's Maynard F. Jordan Observatory to the public that night, and many people turned out go take advantage of this unique local resource. The observatory and the planetarium provide an important connection point to lots of neighbors who have an interest in stargazing.

The College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture hosted a Feb. 20 Witter Center meeting of the Standardbred Industry Advisory Council of Maine. UMaine plays an important role in that industry in Maine, and the relationship between the university and standardbred horse breeders helps to provide learning and research opportunities for UMaine students and faculty members.

UMaine's students continue to do wonderful things in our community. This week's television news, on Wednesday night, featured a story about UMaine student-athletes visiting local schools. Fraternity and sorority members, members of the UMaine Panhellenic Club and Intrafraternity Council, raised money recently through the second annual Greek Life Polar Bear Dip, to benefit the Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club. The members of Beta Theta Pi fraternity raised $4,000 to benefit Rape Response Services of Bangor with the groups 15th annual sleep-out last weekend.

Examples of that great work abound, and we will see a vivid example over the next two weeks when Alternative Spring Break participants fan out around the country to work on ambitious community service projects. UMaine students have participated in this terrific program for many years, and every one of them has benefited and grown in important ways through that experience. I will share more details about this year's activities in next month's message.

Sincerely,
 

Bob Kennedy

President