2024
The University of New England recognized the achievements of two remarkable Maine women at the 62nd Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony on Friday, June 14, 2024.
Andrea Cianchette Maker, J.D., president of FocusMaine, and Patricia “Trish” Riley, M.S., were bestowed the Deborah Morton Award in a formal ceremony held in the Arthur P. Girard Innovation Hall on UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences.
Established in 1961, the Deborah Morton Award recognizes Maine women who have distinguished themselves through their careers, public service, and leadership in civic, cultural, or social causes.
Inductee Speeches
2022
On June 10, 2022, members of the University of New England Deborah Morton Society gathered for the 60th Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony held at Innovation Hall on the Portland Campus. The award recognizes outstanding women who have achieved high distinction in their careers and public service, or whose leadership in civic, cultural, or social causes has been exceptional. This year’s award recipients are as follows: Lise Pelletier, Former Director, Acadian Archives at University of Maine, Fort Kent President, Maine Acadian Heritage Council; Hannah Pingree, Director, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future; and Julia Sleeper-Whiting, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Tree Street Youth Center.
President James Herbert with the 2021 awardees. Left to right: Julia Sleeper-Whiting, President Herbert, Hannah Pingree, Lise Pelletier
2021
The University of New England is pleased to announce the four newest members of the Deborah Morton Society. The award recognizes Maine women distinguished by their careers and public service, or whose leadership in civic, cultural, or social causes has been exceptional. The 2020–2021 awardees are Linda Cross Godfrey, president of Atlantic Leadership Center; Nancy Grant, lifelong bicycle/pedestrian/trail advocate; Susan Hammond, executive director of Four Directions Development Corporation; and Janet Mills, governor of Maine.
2019
The 58th Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony continued the University of New England’s tradition of honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of outstanding Maine women. Over the past 57 years, the award has continued to help further the importance of women in our society and serves as encouragement to young women across our state to reflect Morton’s values and service-focused attitude. This year’s award recipients are as follows: Susan Corbett, Chief Executive Officer, Axiom Technologies, Elizabeth McLellan, Founder and President, Partners for World Health, and ZamZam Mohamud, Community Leader, Lewiston, Maine.
2018
On June 15, 2018, members of the University of New England Deborah Morton Society gathered on the Portland Campus for the Society’s 57th Annual Convocation. Established in 1961, the Deborah Morton Award recognizes Maine women who have distinguished themselves through their careers, public service, and leadership in civic, cultural, or social causes. The Society welcomed three new members at this year’s event: Anita Stewart, executive and artistic director of Portland Stage; Peggy Rotundo, director of strategic and policy initiatives for the Bates College Harward Center for Community Partnerships; and Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., distinguished president emeritus, University of New England.
2017
The 56th Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony took place on September 19, 2017 at the Eleanor DeWolfe Ludcke ’26 Auditorium, UNE Portland Campus. The event paid tribute to three new inductees: Mary L. Bonauto, civil rights project director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD); Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank; and Dr. Betsy M. Webb, superintendent of the Bangor School Department.
2016
The 55th Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony took place on September 20, 2016 at the Eleanor DeWolfe Ludcke ’26 Auditorium, UNE Portland Campus. The event paid tribute to three new inductees: Dr. Susan H. Hunter, president of the University of Maine; Gilda E. Nardone, executive director of New Ventures Maine; and Eileen F. Skinner, former president and chief executive officer of Mercy Health System of Maine.
2015
The 54th Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony took place on September 22, 2015 at the Eleanor DeWolfe Ludcke ’26 Auditorium, UNE Portland Campus. The event paid tribute to four new inductees: Patricia E. Ryan, former executive director of the Maine Human Rights Commission; M. Michelle Hood, FACHE president and CEO of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems; and Barbara M. Trafton, former Maine State Senator.
Watch the Award Convocation
To watch presentations made by past Deborah Morton Award recipients go directly to the Deborah Morton Awards playlist on YouTube.