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BIDDEFORD, Maine

University of New England "Moving Forward" with $60M campaign

The University of New England announces the largest fundraising campaign in its history.

UNE’s $60 million “Moving Forward” campaign builds on the tremendous positive momentum the university has attained since launching its ambitious Vision 2017 strategic plan five years ago, under the leadership of President Danielle Ripich. Vision 2017 has a simple but bold mission: “The University of New England will be nationally recognized with programs of excellence and innovation in health professions and the arts and sciences.”

The campaign has been in a quiet phase since the rollout of the strategic plan, anchored by several notable contributions, including $10 million from the Harold Alfond Foundation and $2.3 million from Northeast Delta Dental. More than $40 million in gifts and pledges have already been secured to date.

“After I came to UNE eight years ago, we created a vision for a great university that prepares students for the 21st century. I am amazed how much of that vision has already come true,” says President Ripich. “Thanks in large part to the generosity of so many who have invested in this institution and its promise, UNE is uniquely poised to transform the lives of our students and the lives they touch after they graduate.”

The $60 million “Moving Forward” campaign focuses on three core themes of opportunity, innovation and place:

  • Opportunity—$20 million to provide scholarship support, expand internships, improve access to meaningful student/faculty research, and support global learning experiences;
     
  • Innovation—$25 million to build on UNE’s strengths in health professions education, interdisciplinary research and the next generation of marine science programs with innovative educational infrastructure; and
     
  • Place—$15 million to support student learning by building intentional spaces that foster group dialogue, case-based study, emerging technologies and connection. UNE’s Portland Campus-based Alumni Hall, the university’s historic treasure, will be restored as one of the campaign’s primary achievements.

Robert McAfee, M.D., HON’94, trustee emeritus and campaign chair, says, “UNE’s mission has always focused on improving the human condition through education, with students at the center. The ‘Moving Forward’ campaign not only affirms that mission, but also builds on UNE’s strong momentum to secure a solid foundation to continue its important work for many years to come.”

The university is reaching out to the community—alumni, organizations, and individuals touched by UNE—to help tell its story at une.edu/movingforward. These stories and compelling videos conveying UNE’s significant impact will be posted on the UNE website throughout the campaign, which ends May 31, 2017.

UNE’s last campaign, “UNEqualed Vision” concluded in 2003 and raised $16 million.