University of New England

Nexus
Never Give In

By Jacque Carter
Vice President for Academic Affairs (Interim)
(Excerpts from his remarks at President Featherman's farwell gathering on May 17, 2006)

When I was asked to say a few brief opening remarks in honor of Sandra Featherman’s presidency at UNE, I was for a rare moment in my life – without words. I felt a bit like Miguel de Cervantes in his struggle to write a fi tting prologue to his novel – Don Quixote – in that many times I, too, took up my pen to write it – and many times I put it down, not knowing what to say! If I may be so bold as to borrow slightly from the ancient words of more gifted writers…Surely “I did not want to exaggerate the service I am doing by introducing to all of you so notable and honored a university” president.

Instead of regaling you with stories of great accomplishment, I thought I would tell you a few things about Sandra Featherman that you may not know – a few snapshots of moments over this past decade where my life and hers crossed paths – and where I quietly learned much more than numbers or awards can teach about this person we honor today.

There was the time nearly 10 years ago, when I found myself – surprise! – disagreeing with President Featherman on an issue I brought to her in my role then as member of the faculty assembly. She was steadfast in her opposition. I recalled as I left her offi ce how she must have been a student of Winston Churchill, for she embodied his famous quote: “Never give in – never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in.”

However, a few hours later in my office I received a call from her, where to my surprise at the time, she said she had given more thought to the faculty’s position and decided in the end to change her mind. I then knew for sure she was a student of Churchill, for his quote was not quite fi nished, in that he did say “never, never, never give in,” but he ended, “except to convictions of honor and good sense.” Sandra exhibited both that day. It was then I realized that she was a leader.

Next there was the time when we were having dinner in the St. Francis Room to honor a speaker on campus. During the dinner an issue regarding the precise meaning of some important language in the U.S. Constitution came up, and a debate of sorts ensued. To my surprise, Sandra quoted the appropriate article in the Constitution from memory to end the debate like a thunder clap…or so I thought. But this was a faculty dinner and there was still some uncertainty in the group. So to my amazement she pulled out the Constitution itself, which she kept on her Palm Pilot in her purse. Later I learned from her that she keeps a copy of the Constitution on her bedside table so as never to be out of reach of it. It was then I realized she was a true academic, a political scientist and constitutional scholar.

Then there was the time where Sandra and I were at a meeting in Ellsworth, Maine, when on the way home our car broke down on the highway just in time for a New England snowstorm. After a long night in the lobby of an auto-repair shop in a town whose name I can no longer fi nd on a map, we found ourselves having dinner – not at Windows on the Water – but at a local truck stop replete with blue-plate specials and honkytonk juke boxes. Over homestyle meatloaf and mashed potatoes it was there I learned of just a few of the sacrifi ces that she made behind the scenes in her life to provide for the well-being of her children, her husband, and people of all shapes, sizes and character that worked for her and with her in academia. Kind and generous actions that most of us will never know about but are certainly very real for those whose lives were made better in countless ways. It was then I realized she was among many things, most importantly, a decent and good human being.

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