Office of the President

Maine Alumni Magazine Feature, Spring 2005
By Jim Frick

When Robert Kennedy was asked to take over as interim president of the University of Maine last summer, he wasn't sure whether he would be a candidate for the permanent position. But his experiences over the next eight months removed all doubt about his wanting to be the leader of the state's flagship campus.

That desire was realized in April when, after a national search, the University of Maine System chancellor and trustees decided the best possible UMaine president was already in the job.

"I approached the position this year, not as a caretaker, but as the president of the university," Kennedy explains. "Because of that, I think I got a really good idea of what a permanent presidency would be like. I realized how proud I was to serve this institution."

A big factor in his decision was the gratification that came from connecting with so many people around the state as well as alumni throughout the country.

"What was striking to me was the importance of the University of Maine in so many people's lives," Kennedy says. "That made an impression on me-it really influenced my decision."

It was quite obvious that Kennedy also made a big impression on the people of Maine. The outpouring of support for his selection came from all sections of the state and from a broad range of people and organizations.

"He had tremendous support from both off and on campus," noted Allen Fernald '54, a member of the search committee and chair of UMaine's Board of Visitors. "It was clear that Bob had connected with people-that made him a logical choice as the university's leader. But it was important to have a search to assure everyone that we have a leader of national stature."

Kennedy, who was "overwhelmed and humbled" by the support he received, believes that one reason he has connected so well with Maine folks is because he was raised on a farm, albeit in Minnesota.

"There are similarities between where I grew up and Maine," he says. "I was recently up in The County, and I could swear it felt like I was traveling in northern Minnesota. And the people are a lot alike too."

Another reason for the support was his deep understanding of the mission of a land-grant university.

"I'm really a product of land-grants," Kennedy says. "I've been affiliated with six different land-grant universities as either a student or a faculty member. The culture and mission of an institution giving back to the state is very ingrained in me."

As was noted by Chancellor Joseph Westphal in the official announcement of Kennedy's selection, "He has demonstrated that he has the confidence and support of key constituencies within and outside the university."
Among the most important of those constituencies are the state legislature, where Kennedy has earned considerable support, and Governor John Baldacci '86.

"He's a proven leader on campus and in the community," Baldacci said in a statement praising the choice of Kennedy as UMaine's new leader.

Of course, the ability to connect with Maine people wasn't the only reason Kennedy was the top choice. His five years at the university and eight effective months as interim president were also a factor.

"One major advantage Bob had over the other candidates was that he was ready to hit the ground running," Fernald says. "He knew the campus, the issues, and the state of Maine."

As chair of the board of visitors, Fernald got to know Kennedy when he served as the university's provost. What impressed him the most was his ability to get things done.

"He has tremendous energy," Fernald says. "I swear, I don't know when the man sleeps." Fernald also has praise for Kennedy's communication skills.
"He tells the UMaine story like no one else," Fernald said. "And that's saying something because there have been some pretty good storytellers in that office."

It's not just off-campus groups that the new Maine president impressed. Although faculty support for Kennedy was certainly not unanimous, it was broad-based and effective.

"We need stability, strong leadership, and a sense of fairness; and I believe Bob was quite simply the best person for the job," said associate professor of nursing and graduate program coordinator Carol Wood.

Wood got to know Kennedy soon after he arrived at the university to serve as provost and vice president of academic affairs. She says she was immediately struck by his quick grasp of the academic issues as well as by the more complex and diverse human issues on campus.

"I've closely followed his work since then," Wood added, "and my early impressions have been confirmed by Bob's concrete accomplishments in many areas during his time at UMaine."

When he was a student leader at UMaine, Matt Rodrigue '04 also had the opportunity to get to know Kennedy well. Rodrigue, a former president of the UMaine student government, continues to work with Kennedy as a member of the UMaine Board of Visitors.

"When I was student government president and Dr. Kennedy was provost, we worked closely together on a number of projects, most notably the new student recreation center," Rodrigue says. "That's where I really got to know him well. He became a mentor for me. He's a brilliant man and I learned a great deal from him."

Based on his experiences, Rodrigue thinks UMaine has a campus president who will be very "student friendly."

"It's unusual for the provost to have a great deal of interaction with students," Rodrigue notes. "But during his time in that job, Dr. Kennedy had a lot of interaction with undergraduates. He was great at coming to student events, and he really supported undergraduate activities."

Whether it's working with students, faculty, or off-campus constituencies such as alumni and the legislature, Kennedy knows he faces a demanding schedule and a daunting number of challenges.

One of his first priorities is to fill a number of important administrative positions that have been in limbo until a new university president was named. That will be part of a commitment in the coming months to spend more time on campus.

"This past year, I spent a lot of time traveling around the state," Kennedy explains. "That was important-to get out there and reconnect the university to the people of Maine. Now I want and need to spend more time right here on campus, having discussions with faculty, students, and staff, getting their thoughts on the directions that they think the university needs to go."

Another priority for the new president is laying the groundwork for another big fundraising effort that will begin this summer and extend through the next several years. He says the new campaign will be comprehensive.

"That's why I need input from the people on campus," he says. "My own thoughts are that the major focus will be on scholarships, professorships, and faculty positions. We need to keep this university affordable in order for all the people of Maine to have a chance to fulfill their aspirations."

Of course, getting more Maine students to have aspirations to go to college is a major issue in itself, and one that Kennedy plans to address during his presidency. He's optimistic that the development of community colleges in the state will help.

"A good many students are entering community college now with the hopes of transferring to a four-year school. And with the new relationship between the community colleges and the University of Maine System, that opportunity will be there."

In addition to working closely with community college leaders, Kennedy also has a very good relationship with University of Southern Maine president Richard Pattenaude. And UMaine's new leader doesn't share some UMaine supporters' fears that USM's growth is a threat to the flagship campus in Orono.

"We aren't in a major population center and the Portland region is growing faster than this area of Maine," Kennedy says. "But I really think it's a disservice and counterproductive to look over our shoulder all the time and see who might be gaining ground. That isn't what you do when you're number one, when you are the premier institution. I feel strongly that we need to be forward looking, not paranoid. We need to focus on the future and how we can better serve the state."

Kennedy believes that better service to the people of Maine will include even more partnerships with USM.

"Those partnerships, like the one we currently have in electrical engineering, only enhance our mission of serving the state," Kennedy adds. "I respect the important role USM plays in that region. But we are different institutions with different missions. Our mission is statewide."

One part of that mission that Kennedy feels strongly about is UMaine's breadth of academic offerings. Although his background is in plant science, he says it was the broad nuumber of offerings in the humanities and arts that attracted him to UMaine in the first place.

"It was a strong attraction for my wife Mary and me," he says. "And it's fundamental to the way this institution serves the region and the state. Cultural and arts offerings are a big part of what citizens expect from their flagship campus. If you look at land- grant universities around the country, virtually every one has strength in humanities, arts, and science."

As the Kennedys get ready to move into the President's House, the new university leader wants to make it clear that UMaine is not a stepping stone-that he and Mary are here for the long haul.

"We've developed a real love of this state and its people," he says. "We aren't looking beyond this position. On the other hand, I'm not here to retire either. I want to help this university reach its full potential. I sense alumni, faculty, and Maine citizens also feel there are goals and aspirations yet to be reached. My vision is for UMaine to expand its mission for the state, but also go beyond that and achieve a new level of national recognition and prominence."

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