UNE honored for economic development at Portland Regional Chamber's annual awards ceremony
The University of New England President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., on Sept. 16th accepted the 2010 Robert R. Masterton Award for Economic Development on behalf of the University at the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce's 156th annual dinner and community awards ceremony.
More than 500 people attended the event at the Holiday Inn by the Bay.
In accepting the award, President Ripich said these are exciting times for the university, which has established a new College of Pharmacy in Portland and plans to open a college of dental medicine in Portland in 2012. Ripich stated, "My vision for the College of Pharmacy was to be in the top 25 percent of U.S. schools in federal research funding. I expected this would take five to seven years. And now, just a little over a year since opening, the College is ranked in the top half of all Colleges of Pharmacy in federal research dollars. We're bringing federal dollars to Maine; we're beginning to generate contracts with companies in Maine and the region for services; and we're educating badly needed pharmacists right here in Portland."
In addition to UNE's recognition, Richard Connor, publisher of MaineToday Media, received the Chamber's President's Award; MaineHealth was recognized for leadership in the private sector; and Gov. John Baldacci for leadership in the public sector. President Ripich added, "It's an honor for the University of New England to be recognized alongside so many other outstanding leaders who are making tremendous contributions to our state."
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 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.