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BIDDEFORD, Maine

UNE breaks ground on $20 million Harold Alfond Forum, ushering in a new era for athletics and student life

Under sunny skies and 80-degree temperatures, the University of New England formally broke ground on Sept. 26, 2011 on its $20 million 105,000-square-foot Harold Alfond Forum, an athletics and student life complex on UNE's Biddeford Campus. 

The Harold Alfond Foundation committed $10 million to UNE in December 2010 to create a state-of-the-art athletics and student life center, together with an investment in interprofessional healthcare workforce education.

The Harold Alfond Forum is being constructed adjacent to UNE's blue turf field and new residence hall off Pool Street in Biddeford.

Generosity and Vision

To a crowd of several hundred students, faculty, trustees, coaches and community leaders, UNE President Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D. stated, "We are standing here today because of the tremendous generosity and vision of a man who was committed to the values of service, quality, humility, and hard work - Mr. Harold Alfond.   It is because of his vision and his foresight that we are able to advance our vision for the university."

In 1995, the Harold Alfond Foundation donated $2.5 million to build UNE's first academic building, the Harold Alfond Center for Health Sciences, which remains the anchor for UNE's medical school, the only one in Maine.  Ripich stated, "Today, with those seeds having firmly taken root, we celebrate another milestone - the Harold Alfond Forum, reflecting the foundation's $10 million gift, our largest ever."

Calling it "a groundbreaking like no other," Gregory W. Powell, chairman and chief executive officer of the Harold Alfond Foundation, said, "UNE is unbridled in your enthusiasm for growth ... we are inspired by your progress. If Harold Alfond were here, he would be celebrating with us."

Ripich thanked the contractors partnering with UNE on the project who "share Harold Alfond's values ... and build on Maine's quality of life while also strengthening its economy," including John Ryan from Wright Ryan Construction, Neal Favreau from Favreau Electric, Tim Hussey of Hussey Seating, Chris Jordan and Mike Johnson of Johnson & Jordan, and Jim Shaw of Gorham Sand & Gravel.

UNE's Largest Gathering Space

The Harold Alfond Forum will provide the largest gathering space on both the Biddeford and Portland campuses.  The project includes a 105,000-square-foot athletics complex featuring an ice hockey rink with 900 seats; a basketball court with 1,200 seats; classroom space; a fitness center; and multi-purpose indoor practice courts that can also be used for performances and other events, with a combined seating capacity of 3,000.

Two UNE student-athletes also expressed their thanks: Michelle Oswald, of Jay, Maine, member of the UNE field hockey team, and Scott McManaman, of Nova Scotia, member of the UNE ice hockey team.  Oswald stated, "Harold Alfond's gift is immeasurable. It will enhance life-long wellness for many fortunate generations. It will be a source of pride within the university, and with the community. On behalf of the students at UNE = thank you."

In closing, President Ripich led the crowd in a cheer, "UNE, UNE, UNE ... Alfond!" before casting Nor'easter/Alfond emblazoned baseball caps into the air in celebration.  Members of the UNE Dance Team unveiled a ceremonial banner and invited everyone present to sign it.

Challenge Grant

The $10 million commitment from the Alfond Foundation includes a challenge grant. When UNE has successfully matched the $7 million Alfond gift with other donations in support of its mission, the foundation will gift an additional $3 million to be used for interprofessional health workforce education.

The facility is expected to be completed in fall 2012. 

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.