2016 President’s Gala celebrates opportunity at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½
On June 9, 2016, more than 240 alumni, trustees, friends, faculty and staff who made leadership or legacy gifts to the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ were celebrated and honored at the annual President’s Gala. It was the best attended President’s Gala in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™s history, and it followed the historic re-opening of Alumni Hall on ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™s Portland Campus.
The Gala focused on the Year of Opportunity, highlighting the final year of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Moving Forward Campaign, an ambitious $60 million fundraising effort to invest in the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ student experience. During the Year of Opportunity, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ will focus on raising funds for scholarships, student research, and global learning to ensure that every student has the opportunity to have the most rewarding ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ experience possible.
President Danielle Ripich thanked the guests for their generous support of the University and the Campaign and discussed the future of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, noting the expansion of learning, knowledge, and opportunity that ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ will offer to all students. In addition to the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Pledge, made to current undergraduate students, President Ripich discussed the need to continue to expand the opportunities at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ to ensure that students are prepared for the futures they will face in the 21st century through global experiences and flexible learning platforms that are in sync with the information age.
President Ripich then introduced the guest speakers, Ian Corbett ’14, ’19, who graduated magna cum laude from the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ with a B.S. in medical biology and a minor in English and is currently a student at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™s College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Chelsea Toussaint ’08, ’10,’17, a dental hygiene alumna who is currently a student in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™s College of Dental Medicine. As Maine natives, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ undergraduate alumni, and current students of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ graduate schools, Corbett and Toussaint shared their stories of how opportunities they’ve received at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ have already impacted their lives.
To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions