University of Southern Maine

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Senator Olympia J. Snowe Addresses USM 125th Commencement

May 14, 2005

"America's success in this new century will require a re-commitment to the principles of cooperation, not confrontation ... civility, not hostility ... vision, not division," U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe told more than 1,000 graduates and some 7,000 guests at University of Southern Maine's Commencement, held Saturday, May 14, at the Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland. "Given that you will graduate into a world all too often defined by sharply drawn and polarizing lines, the task of maintaining that principle will be all the more difficult--but also that much more critical," she added.

Snowe, who was presented with a Distinguished Achievement Award for her contribution to public service, also stated that "public discourse in the nation's capitol--and in the nation itself all to often appears infused by a coarse partisanship, a raw ideology, a podium-thumping belligerence." In conclusion, she offered that the solution to society's problems "begins the old-fashioned way--with cooperation and collaboration. It embraces reasoned thinking. It respects diverging views. And it ends with leadership."

A graduate of the University of Maine, Snowe was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, becoming the first woman in American history to serve in both houses of Congress and both houses of the state legislature. With her election in 1994, she also became only the second woman senator to represent Maine, following the late Senator Margaret Chase Smith, who served from 1949 - 1973.

A graduate of the University of Maine, Snowe was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, becoming the first woman in American history to serve in both houses of Congress and both houses of the state legislature. With her election in 1994, she also became only the second woman senator to represent Maine, following the late Senator Margaret Chase Smith, who served from 1949 - 1973.

Keller came to USM with a bachelor's degree in German and philosophy from the University of Connecticut. While at USM, he majored in chemistry and hopes to become a high school science teacher.

During the ceremony, USM President Richard L. Pattenaude conferred honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees upon three individuals.

President and Chair of the Board of the Bernard Osher Foundation Barbro Osher received an honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree for her outstanding work helping to improve the lives of many in Maine and California through post-secondary student scholarships, and arts and humanities grants. Consul General of Sweden in San Francisco, Osher also has used her leadership skills in support of her native Sweden and the preservation of Swedish heritage as founder of the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, president of Positive Sweden/America, and owner and publisher of the 112-year-old newspaper Vertkusten.

Businessman, community leader, and patron of the arts and education Bernard Osher also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Through the foundation bearing his name, the native of Biddeford and Bowdoin College graduate has supported arts, education, environmental causes, and community projects, including funds for endowment of scholars throughout the world. The Foundation also supports selected programs in integrative medicine as well as a national network of Lifelong Learning Institutes on university campuses from Maine to Hawaii, including USM.

A third honorary Doctor of Humane Letters was conferred upon Maine business leader and Fairchild Semiconductor Chairman of the Board Kirk Pond. Pond's leadership guided Fairchild Semiconductor through the industry's first management-led buyout from former parent company National Semiconductor, public launch of the company on the New York Stock Exchange, and introduction of over 3,000 new products to market.

Pattenaude also presented Distinguished Achievement Awards for significant academic or professional achievement and a strong commitment to public service to Executive Director of the Maine Indian Basket Makers Alliance Theresa Secord ('81) of Waterville, and local business owner and consultant David B. Hawkes ('66, '69) of Falmouth.

Also honored during Commencement with emeriti status were retired faculty members Janet Burson, professor emerita of nursing; William Coogan, professor emeritus of political science; Lois V. Hinckley, associate professor emerita of classics; Stephen MacDonald, associate professor emeritus of mathematics; Waldeck E. Mainville Jr., professor emeritus of mathematics; James Roberts, associate professor emeritus of political science; and Minor Rootes, professor emeritus of theatre.

USM Senior Executive Director of Marketing and Brand Management Julia M. Cameron was recognized as the 2005 recipient of the Distinguished Professional Staff Award. USM Lewiston-Auburn College Administrative Assistant James F. Bradley was named the 2005 recipient of the Distinguished Classified Staff Award.

The ceremony opened to the march, "Processional for Spring," during which 25 members of the Class of 1955 entered the Civic Center.

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