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PORTLAND, Maine

Portland Chamber names UNE 2010 economic development leader

The University of New England (UNE) has been named the recipient of the 2010 Robert R. Masterton Award for Economic Development by the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce.  

The award will be presented at the Chamber's Annual Dinner and Community Leadership Awards Ceremony on September 16, 2010.

"We are thrilled to announce the University of New England as the winner of the Robert R. Masterton Award for Economic Development," remarked Godfrey Wood, CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber.  "We thank UNE for their longstanding commitment to the betterment of the Portland region."

The Robert R. Masterton Award for Economic Development is awarded to individuals, businesses, agencies, organizations, community or nonprofit corporations that have assisted in promoting or enhancing the overall climate of greater Portland.  Recent recipients include Donald Perkins, Peter G. Vigue, The Maine Turnpike Authority, and former UNE Board of Trustees chairman Paul "P.D." Merrill, posthumously. 

UNE President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., states, "It is an honor for UNE to be recognized for economic achievement by the Portland Chamber, and particularly meaningful to receive an award that has been bestowed on our friend and former UNE Board chair, the late P.D. Merrill."

UNE is an independent university with two coastal Maine campuses, in Biddeford and Portland.  It offers more than 40 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs and has more than 4,500 students and 1,000 employees. It is the leading provider of health care professionals in the state and is home to Maine's only medical school.

The University opened its College of Pharmacy on Stevens Avenue in Portland in September 2009 to a full inaugural class of 100 students. The economic impact of that College to the community exceeds $100 million. In recognition of its contributions to the city of Portland’s economic vitality, UNE was honored last November with the 2009 Downtown Portland Corporation Economic Achievement Award.

A 2010 economic impact report conducted by Planning Decisions, Inc. of Portland states that UNE's total economic impact on Maine is $560 million, supporting over 2,600 jobs. Moreover, the value of UNE's volunteerism and reduced cost health care services to the state is estimated to be more than $1 million annually.

About Robert R. Masterton

Robert R. Masterton served as president of Maine Savings Bank from 1970 to 1987 and was CEO of One Bancorp, and a key figure in the economic revival in Portland.  He was chair of the building committee for the Portland Museum of Art, a director and vice president of the Portland Community Chamber, and chair of the Chamber's Business Ethics division.

About University of New England

The University's mission is to provide a highly integrated learning experience that promotes excellence through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in education, research and service. UNE has five schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, Westbrook College of Health Professions, College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and College of Graduate Studies.   UNE has internationally recognized scholars in the liberal arts, sciences, health and medicine.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.