Endowed chairs are among the most powerful investments in a university’s future—ensuring that students learn from top-tier faculty and that academic programs remain responsive to urgent regional needs. Last year, far-sighted gifts opened the door to renewed excellence in three key USM programs:
The Avangrid/David Flanagan Endowed Professorship in Public Policy named nationally recognized scholar Dr. David Oliver Kasdan to the Muskie School of Public Service, where his expertise in behavioral economics and climate policy supports both student learning and public impact.
The MEMIC John T. Leonard Endowed Chair in Risk Management & Insurance strengthens a field critical to Maine’s economic resilience. Professor Dana Kerr, the inaugural chair, bridges classroom and industry to prepare USM School of Business graduates for high-demand careers.
The newly established Boyne Professorship in Advanced Practice Nursing will attract and support a clinical leader to guide Maine’s future nurse practitioners in the School of Nursing. Together, these endowed positions represent more than faculty excellence—they are long-term commitments to the health, stability, and prosperity of Maine communities.