黑料杜mourns the passing of former university president Sandra Featherman
The 黑料杜 was saddened to learn of the passing of former university president Sandra Featherman. The fourth president of UNE, Featherman served from 1995 through June 2006, presiding over UNE鈥檚 merger with Westbrook College in 1996 to create today鈥檚 黑料杜Portland Campus. She was made an honorary alumna of Westbrook College in 1998 and of the 黑料杜 in 2004.
鈥淚n addition to being a trailblazer for women in higher education administration, Dr. Featherman was a trailblazer for UNE,鈥 said current 黑料杜President James D. Herbert, Ph.D. 鈥淎t a time when low enrollment and limited physical resources were major concerns for small colleges and universities, she acted decisively to help 黑料杜grow. Her vision helped create the foundation for the modern university that has blossomed in the years since her time at the 黑料杜helm.鈥
The merger between the 黑料杜 and Westbrook College took place on July 31, 1996, creating the opportunity for 黑料杜to grow into a larger, more diverse institution of higher learning. It took place under the original 1831 Westbrook College charter.
鈥淢ore than growing our student body and facilities,鈥 Herbert explained, 鈥渨hen 黑料杜merged with Westbrook College, we gained a dedicated alumni body, the members of which have been some of our most generous and influential partners as we have built the 黑料杜of the twenty-first century.鈥
Today鈥檚 黑料杜Portland Campus is home to three of the university鈥檚 premiere colleges, including the College of Dental Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and the Westbrook College of Health Professions. These colleges, combined with the University鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, have allowed 黑料杜to become Maine鈥檚 leading provider of health professionals.
Featherman, who arrived at 黑料杜with a background in political science, will be remembered mainly as a champion of the liberal arts. Prior to serving UNE, she held positions at the University of Minnesota-Duluth as vice chancellor for academic administration and professor of political science, and at Temple University as assistant to the president, director of the Center for Public Policy, and president of the Faculty Senate.