University of New England

Former Governor John McKernan speaks at
UNE commencement

UNE also honors twin brothers -
renowned genetic scientist
Victor McKusick and former
Maine Chief Justice Vincent McKusick

PORTLAND, Maine - Former Maine Governor John McKernan gave  the commencement address at the University of New England's College of Arts and Sciences and College of Health Professions Commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

The University awarded more than 800 associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, human services, education, management and the liberal arts. Thousands of family members and friends gathered to witness and participate in UNE's 38th Commencement Ceremony.

Honorary degrees were presented to twin brothers Vincent and Victor McKusick. Among his many achievements, Vincent McKusick served as chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, and Victor McKusick is the recipient of this country's highest science honor, the National Medal of Science, for his work in the field of genetics.

John McKernan
Commencement Speaker and Recipient of a Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree

John McKernan served as governor of the State of Maine from 1987 to 1995 and prior to that, served two terms representing Maine in the U.S. Congress. Much of his work stemmed from his interest in issues surrounding education reform. As governor, McKernan won national recognition for his leadership and innovation in education and human resources. The National Alliance of Business honored him in 1993 with the first annual School-to-Work transition award and in 1989 by naming Maine State of the Year. He was also recognized as Outstanding Governor in 1992 by the American Society for Training and Development. 

While serving as governor, McKernan served as member of the Secretary of Labor's National Advisory Commission on Work-Based Learning and also chaired Jobs for America's Graduates, a nationwide school-to-work transition organization. In 1993 he replaced President Clinton as the Governors' Representative to the Scholastic, Inc. Advisory Board and in 1994, chaired the National Education Goals Panel. He also authored "Making the Grade," a book on youth apprenticeship.

After his term ended as Maine's governor, McKernan continued to work on issues of education reform, serving as chairman of the National School-to-Work Advisory Council in Washington, D.C. and of the International Advisory Board of the Center for Career Development in South Portland, Maine. He now serves as executive chairman of Education Management Corporation and chairman of its Board of Directors.

Victor McKusick
Honorary Doctor of Science Degree

Victor McKusick is the recipient of this country's highest science honor, the National Medal of Science, for his work in the field of genetics. He is widely regarded as the father of medical genetics for demonstrating the link between gene inheritance and disease. A world-class physician, research scientist, medical historian and teacher, his career has spanned many disciplines since he received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1946. He is honored there as the namesake of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins.

McKusick published the first edition of Mendelian Inheritance in Man, a compilation of inherited disease genes that has become a basic scientific reference, and has served as editor or co-editor of several prestigious publications. He is a member of several National Academy of Sciences committees and has received numerous honorary degrees and prestigious scientific awards. McKusick is member of the University of New England's Board of Trustees, serving on its Academic Affairs and Research and Development committees.

Vincent McKusick
Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree

During Vincent McKusick's fourteen years as chief justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, his work resulted in significant improvements in the structure and operation of all courts. He was involved in Maine's pioneering Mediation Program and its Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program. He served on rules committees appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court and co-authored two editions of the classic work on Maine Civil Practice. For his public service in the courts, he has received numerous prestigious awards and in 1991, Cumberland County's newly expanded courthouse was named in his honor.

For over thirty-five years, he has been involved in legal pursuits at the national and international levels, serving on the governing board of the American Bar Foundation, and others, and he continues to serve on the boards of several other law organizations as well. In 1990, McKusick's fellow chief justices elected him president of the National Conference of Chief Justices and chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for State Courts. He has led groups of state and federal judges on "People to People" visits to both China and the former Soviet Union.

For more information on commencement, visit the Graduation website.

(Press release posted May 8, 2008)