2023

On June 9, 2023, members of the University of New England Deborah Morton Society gathered at the Arthur P. Girard Innovation Hall on the Portland Campus for the Society’s 61st Annual Convocation.

Established in 1961, the Deborah Morton Award recognizes Maine women who have distinguished themselves through their careers, public service, and leadership in civic, cultural, or social causes.

The Society welcomed three new members at this year’s event Kathie Leonard, owner and CEO of Auburn Manufacturing; Melissa Smith, chair, CEO, and president of WEX; Cynthia Taylor, president of the Housing Initiatives of New England Corporation.

Read more about the 2023 awardees

President Herbert stands with the 2023 Deborah Morton Society inductees

President James Herbert with the 2023 awardees. Left to right: Cynthia J. Milliken Taylor, President Herbert, Melissa Smith, Kathie M. Leonard

Inductee Speeches

2023 Inductees

2022 Inductees

2021 Inductees

2022

On June 10, 2022, members of the University of New England Deborah Morton Society gathered for the 60th Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony held at Innovation Hall on the Portland Campus. The award recognizes outstanding women who have achieved high distinction in their careers and public service, or whose leadership in civic, cultural, or social causes has been exceptional. This year’s award recipients are as follows: Lise Pelletier, Former Director, Acadian Archives at University of Maine, Fort Kent President, Maine Acadian Heritage Council; Hannah Pingree, Director, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future; and Julia Sleeper-Whiting, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Tree Street Youth Center.

Read more about the 2022 awardees

President James Herbert with the 2021 awardees. Left to right: Julia Sleeper-Whiting, President Herbert, Hannah Pingree, Lise Pelletier

2021

The University of New England is pleased to announce the four newest members of the Deborah Morton Society. The award recognizes Maine women distinguished by their careers and public service, or whose leadership in civic, cultural, or social causes has been exceptional. The 2020–2021 awardees are Linda Cross Godfrey, president of Atlantic Leadership Center; Nancy Grant, lifelong bicycle/pedestrian/trail advocate; Susan Hammond, executive director of Four Directions Development Corporation; and Janet Mills, governor of Maine.

Read more about the 2021 awardees
 

President Herbert with the 2021 awardees. Left to right: Nancy Grant, Susan Hammond, President Herbert, Janet Mills.

2019

The 58th Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony continued the University of New England’s tradition of honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of outstanding Maine women. Over the past 57 years, the award has continued to help further the importance of women in our society and serves as encouragement to young women across our state to reflect Morton’s values and service-focused attitude. This year’s award recipients are as follows: Susan Corbett, Chief Executive Officer, Axiom Technologies, Elizabeth McLellan, Founder and President, Partners for World Health, and ZamZam Mohamud, Community Leader, Lewiston, Maine.

Read more about the 2019 awardees

President Herbert with the 2019 awardees. Left to right: ZamZam Mohamud, Susan Corbett, President Herbert, Elizabeth McLellan.

2018

On June 15, 2018, members of the University of New England Deborah Morton Society gathered on the Portland Campus for the Society’s 57th Annual Convocation. Established in 1961, the Deborah Morton Award recognizes Maine women who have distinguished themselves through their careers, public service, and leadership in civic, cultural, or social causes. The Society welcomed three new members at this year’s event: Anita Stewart, executive and artistic director of Portland Stage; Peggy Rotundo, director of strategic and policy initiatives for the Bates College Harward Center for Community Partnerships; and Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., distinguished president emeritus, University of New England.

Read more about the 2018 awardees

The 2018 award recipients with members of UNE's Board of Trustees. L-R: Cynthia Milliken Taylor, Peggy Rotundo, E. “Story” Cleland Landis, Danielle Ripich, Katherine Heer ’90, Anita Stewart.

2017

The 56th Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony took place on September 19, 2017 at the Eleanor DeWolfe Ludcke ’26 Auditorium, UNE Portland Campus. The event paid tribute to three new inductees: Mary L. Bonauto, civil rights project director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD); Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank; and Dr. Betsy M. Webb, superintendent of the Bangor School Department.

Read more about the 2017 awardees

President James Herbert, Ph.D., with the 2017 Deborah Morton Society awardees.

2016

The 55th Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony took place on September 20, 2016 at the Eleanor DeWolfe Ludcke ’26 Auditorium, UNE Portland Campus. The event paid tribute to three new inductees: Dr. Susan H. Hunter, president of the University of Maine; Gilda E. Nardone, executive director of New Ventures Maine; and Eileen F. Skinner, former president and chief executive officer of Mercy Health System of Maine. 

Read more about the 2016 awardees

President Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D., with the 2016 Deborah Morton Society awardees.

2015

The 54th Annual Deborah Morton Society Convocation and Awards Ceremony took place on September 22, 2015 at the Eleanor DeWolfe Ludcke ’26 Auditorium, UNE Portland Campus. The event paid tribute to four new inductees: Patricia E. Ryan, former executive director of the Maine Human Rights Commission; M. Michelle Hood, FACHE president and CEO of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems; and Barbara M. Trafton, former Maine State Senator. 

Biographical information on the inductees

President Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D., with 2015 awardees, Patricia E. Ryan, M. Michelle Hood, Barbara M. Trafton, and Deborah Morton Steering Committee Chair, Meg Baxter D.M.S. ‘07.

Watch the Award Convocation

To watch presentations made by past Deborah Morton Award recipients go directly to the Deborah Morton Awards playlist on YouTube.