The streets honor retired Athletic Director Al Bean and retired USM Police Chief Ron Saindon
The University of Southern Maine has named two Gorham Campus roadways after retired employees.
The University Way Ext. has been renamed Albert Bean Jr. Drive in honor of Al Bean, who retired in 2024 after 45 years working for the university. He served as Athletic Director for three decades.
A previously unnamed road in front of the Public Safety building has been named Ronald Saindon Drive in honor of Ron Saindon, who retired from USM in 2021 after nearly 30 years with USM Public Safety.
New street signs were posted this week.
“We’re honoring colleagues who have been fundamental to our campus community,” said USM President Jacqueline Edmondson. “By naming these streets, we create a lasting tribute to people who have given so much of themselves to our university’s wellbeing and success.”
The new street names were approved by the Town of Gorham.
Bean began at USM as a student-athlete in the mid 1970s before graduating in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in education and history and in 1982 with a master’s degree in education. He went on to become a USM assistant coach, sports information director, assistant athletic director, and interim athletic director. He was named permanent director of athletics in July 1995 and was just the third person to hold that title for the university. During his tenure, Bean oversaw construction of the Costello Sports Complex. Bean was also instrumental in the creation of the USM Athletic Development Council, Husky Golf Classic, William B. Wise Scholar Athlete Awards program, Husky Senior Honors Night, and USM’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He was also involved in the creation of the Husky Hall of Fame, of which he is now a member.
“It’s truly an honor to have my name as a permanent part of the University of Southern Maine,” Bean said. “It has been an incredible honor and a privilege to serve my alma mater for nearly 50 years and I sincerely appreciate this recognition. USM has been an important part of my life and I will always be a Husky. My sincere thanks to those who made this possible.”
Saindon started his law enforcement career as a deputy sheriff, municipal police officer and youth aid officer before joining USM Public Safety in 1992. He was later promoted to serve as the department’s first detective in 2000 and to detective sergeant in 2001, then was promoted to lieutenant in 2004 and to captain in 2018. He was appointed director and chief of police in 2020. Saindon earned a strong reputation for being fair, compassionate and progressive when it came to campus safety. He earned a number of accolades over the years, including the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award for study in the FBI’s distinguished and nationally recognized law enforcement leadership program.