/

Farmington welcomes 14th UMF president

5 mins read
Chancellor James Page gives UMF President Kathryn Foster the presidential medallion.
Chancellor James Page gives UMF President Kathryn Foster the presidential medallion.

FARMINGTON – Students, educators, residents and visiting dignitaries packed the University of Maine at Farmington Fitness and Recreation Center Friday evening, to officially welcome the university’s 14th president.

While President Kathryn A. Foster has served as UMF’s lead administrator since 2012, when she replaced longtime President Theodora Kalikow, Friday’s ceremony represented a chance for Foster to be congratulated and formally installed as president. A series of speakers, representing a wide variety of groups associated with the university, all spoke to Foster’s openness, sense of humor and the speed with which she was able to integrate into the town and university. Marjorie Murray Medd, who sits on the Board of Trustees, said that Foster’s “flair and energy” had “wowed” the board, while Professor Steven Quackenbush, representing the UMF faculty, said that “she shares our commitment to lifelong learning.”

Foster was introduced by the University of Maine System chancellor, James Page, who served as the master of the inaugural ceremony. Page presented Foster with the Presidential Medallion of the University of Maine at Farmington, telling her to “preserve, protect and enhance” the institution’s commitment to education. Then, acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Page declared Foster the 14th president of the university, bringing the crowd to its feet.

A native of New Jersey with 30 years of experience in public higher education and regional policy and practice, Foster was previously a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C., where she was on research leave from the State University of New York at Buffalo, her academic home from 1993 to 2012. At the State University of New York, Foster was Director of the University at Buffalo Regional Institute, an award-winning research and policy unit informing regional issues. Prior to assuming the directorship in 2005, she served as chair of the University at Buffalo Department of Urban and Regional Planning, where as a faculty member she taught graduate, undergraduate and honors courses.

Foster’s address focused on the future of the university in the context of a changing educational system, calling any allegation that the local system was resistant to positive change “balderdash.” Citing UMF’s changing academic programs, the use of technology and the school’s geothermal project as examples, Foster said that UMF was even now engaged in strategic planning. While not going into specifics, Foster said that changes could include further embracing the use of digital technology, altering traditional education schedules and increasing internship and traveling opportunities for students, as well as continuing to develop partnerships with other colleges, both in and out of the UMaine system.

Foster framed future changes with some history from the college, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Between 1965 and 1968, she noted, the college dropped ‘Teachers’ from its name, expanded its programming, doubled its enrollment and staff, added buildings to the campus, joined the UMaine system and planned the Roberts Learning Center.

“Farmington,” she told the audience, “we’ve got this.”

The ceremony also featured a two-part composition, created by Professor Philip Carlsen: “Distance” and then “Proximity,” both preformed by The Portland Brass Quintet. Wesley McNair, the Poet Laureate of Maine and a professor emeritus of UMF, read from “My Town.” The ceremony was attended by approximately 50 delegates from colleges located across the country, as well as hundreds of students, UMF educators and alum, as well as local area residents.

Nearly 50 delegates from institutions across the country attended the ceremony.
Nearly 50 delegates from institutions across the country attended the ceremony.
President Kathryn Foster enters the inaugural ceremony.
President Kathryn Foster enters the inaugural ceremony.
Visiting dignitaries included former UMF President Theodora Kalikow.
Visiting dignitaries included former UMF President Theodora Kalikow.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

2 Comments

  1. Nice pics Ben !
    Great ceremony .
    I wish Kate the best , she has a challenging road ahead with the current fiscal climate.
    Her success is ours as a community.

  2. Kate gave an excellent address! She is a terrific asset to this college and to our community!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.