51品茶mourns the passing of former university president Sandra Featherman
The 51品茶 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 51品茶Portland Campus. She was made an honorary alumna of Westbrook College in 1998 and of the 51品茶 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 51品茶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 51品茶grow. Her vision helped create the foundation for the modern university that has blossomed in the years since her time at the 51品茶helm.鈥
The merger between the 51品茶 and Westbrook College took place on July 31, 1996, creating the opportunity for 51品茶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 51品茶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 51品茶of the twenty-first century.鈥
Today鈥檚 51品茶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 51品茶to become Maine鈥檚 leading provider of health professionals.
Featherman, who arrived at 51品茶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.