Maine Perspective Front Page
Maine Businesses Donate to the William S. Cohen Center
The William S. Cohen Center for International Policy and Commerce at the University of Maine has received two $100,000 donations from Maine businesses.
The donations from Bath Iron Works and Peoples Heritage Financial Group are the first major contributions to the Center's $6.1 million fund-raising campaign.
"We are extremely grateful to both Bath Iron Works and Peoples Heritage for their generosity," says UMaine President Peter Hoff. "Their contributions will help build the Cohen Center as an educational, research and public service entity. Furthermore, their support will enhance the Center's intended role as an aggressive, resourceful and dynamic contributor to Maine's international policy and commerce strategies. We hope the significance of two leading Maine businesses taking the initiative in this campaign will encourage others to support this worthwhile venture."
The Cohen Center, named for the retired U.S. senator and current Secretary of Defense, was established in 1997. Its objectives are to enhance international business education through new and existing programs, to cultivate in-depth understanding of international business and global markets, to promote cultural understanding, and to serve as a national focal point for discussion and policy formulation on global competitiveness.
The Center is augmented by Fogler Library's Cohen Collection, the Senator's papers chronicling some of the most dramatic periods and events in recent American history.
The one-time gifts by Bath Iron Works and Peoples Heritage will cover the costs associated with archiving and maintaining the Cohen Collection, which consists of approximately 1,700 boxes of correspondence, reports, legislative documents, news releases and press clippings from Cohen's years in public service.
"With a world that grows smaller everyday, it is of paramount importance to understand the forces of change, be they economic, political or social," says William Ryan, chair and president of Peoples Heritage Financial Group. "We're pleased to support the Cohen Center in its efforts to further these goals."
The Center will achieve its goals primarily through educational outreach. It will draw upon UMaine academic resources and form partnerships with K-12 educators, industry, government and non-profit organizations such as the Maine International Trade Center and Forum Francophone des Affaires to offer programs, workshops and exchange opportunities.
"I have every confidence that the Center will serve as an outstanding tribute to Bill Cohen's deep and abiding interest in international policy and commerce," says Allan Cameron, president of Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics company. "Preparing the citizens of this state to succeed in a rapidly changing, global economy is no small task. We are fortunate that the University of Maine appreciates the magnitude of this challenge, and is committed to helping the citizens of this state move toward a promising future."