President's Message

President Robert A. Kennedy   Links related to this story

As the University of Maine’s research enterprise approaches the annual $100 million mark, a goal we set for ourselves just a couple of years ago, we are seeing the momentum and critical mass that signify real institutional strength. This issue of UMaine Today features an array of stories that, considered together, demonstrate the strong foundation on which this growing enterprise is built.

Clarissa Henry’s zebrafish research and the microscopy discovery by Sam Hess and Michael Mason represent basic research — that fundamental work that advances human knowledge and upon which all practical discoveries depend. Mick Peterson is helping to move an entire industry, horse racing, in a new direction with his biomechanics research. The scholarly achievements of artist Owen Smith and philosopher Doug Allen offer us perspective and insight, and a better understanding of the world in which we live.

All of this work occurs in a comprehensive liberal arts and science-based community, where creativity is encouraged and carefully nurtured. When undergraduate and graduate students are involved and collaborations are fostered, as we see in this UMaine Today issue, our faculty achievements reverberate throughout the community in important ways.
The initiative, innovation and inspiration of our faculty and students make UMaine’s goals possible and our foundation that much stronger.