Campus Currents: Robert Kennedy
The Amethyst Initiative, which proposes the lowering of the national drinking age, has been circling the country since July. University of Maine President Robert Kennedy declined to sign the petition.
Regardless of Kennedy’s motives for not signing the initiative – whether he disagrees or simply feels it is not the place of a college official – we applaud his lack of support for the movement.
Not many people want to be bothered while working out at the new fitness center on-campus, but University of Maine President Robert Kennedy does. “Not many come up to me at the Rec. Center and say hello,” he said, sounding disappointed.
Kennedy moved to Maine in 2000 to become the provost.
I would like to compliment the University of Maine Student Government for organizing the recent debate on LD 1196, An Act to Extend Civil rights Protections to All People Regardless of Sexual Orientation. Although I was unable to attend, I understand that there was an overflow audience.
On Friday, Robert Kennedy was installed as the 18th president of the University of Maine at a 3 p.m. ceremony at the Maine Center for the Arts.
Numerous University of Maine System officials attended the event.
After Chancellor Joseph Westphal performed the investiture, Mary Rumpho-Kennedy, a biochemistry and molecular biology professor at UMaine and wife of the new president, introduced her husband to the audience.
The Reign of Kennedy Begins
On Aug. 15, 2004, Robert Kennedy took the helm of Maine’s flagship university. Stepping in for former President Peter Hoff, Kennedy took charge and continued to execute the strategic plan he developed as provost in 2001. Dubbed a “roadmap for success,” his plan ushered a 23 percent increase in doctoral students.
When Peter Hoff resigned last summer as president of the University of Maine, the school set out to find someone to take his place. Although it went through a national search for the right person, it actually did not have to look far.
On April 15, Robert Kennedy was selected as UMaine’s next president.
While serving as interim president for the University of Maine this spring, Robert Kennedy traveled to Florida on a fundraising mission. What he didn’t know going into the trip is he would experience something that would convince him the permanent presidency was the right job for him.
Robert A. Kennedy has been named president of the University of Maine. According to a press release, University of Maine System Chancellor Joseph W. Westphal made the announcement on Friday, making Kennedy the 18th president of the university.
Kennedy has been serving as interim president since August, after Peter Hoff resigned from the position.
Students who attended the final open meeting for the presidential search had the opportunity to question Interim President Robert Kennedy regarding issues facing the University of Maine in upcoming years.
Kennedy took over the presidency several months ago, upon the resignation of former President Peter Hoff.
University of Maine Interim President Robert Kennedy is currently engaged in an effort to boost enrollment from southern Maine.
Recently he has been traveling around the state to spread the word about the UMaine.
“[The University of Maine] is the flagship campus in the state of Maine.
Bangor Daily News