PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Dr. Raymond Rice, a 20-year professor and administrator at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, is the institution’s newest president following a vote by the University of Maine System Board of Trustees.
Meeting in Presque Isle Monday, May 22, trustees unanimously approved a resolution appointing Rice as UMPI’s president. Rice, who joined the College of Arts and Science faculty at the university 20 years ago, has been serving as the interim president and provost of the university since July of 2016.
He will continue to serve as provost, or chief academic officer, as well. The UMS trustees’ resolution includes further details regarding the terms of the appointment approved on May 22.
University of Maine System Chancellor James H. Page recommended the Board of Trustees issue a search waiver and appoint Rice president following a series of campus and community visits. The overwhelming sentiment from students, staff, the faculty, and community leaders is that UMPI has maintained its continuity of direction and institutional momentum under Rice’s engaged leadership.
The waiver is a rare move, the chancellor said.
“A search waiver for a campus leader is seldom requested or granted,” said Page. “Struck by the consistency of message and exceptional support for President Rice’s inclusive and inspirational leadership, it was my great pleasure to recommend a direct appointment to the Board.”
“I am both humbled and honored to receive such support from both the campus and our community in continuing the important work underway here in a permanent capacity,” said Rice. “It is no small thing to find an academic home like UMPI, where you stay because you know each and every individual at this institution is dedicated to, and capable of, making a profound difference in our students’ futures.
“I feel very privileged to lead the University of Maine at Presque Isle as we provide for the hopes, dreams, and futures of our students, our region, and the people of Maine,” Rice added.
Expressions of support for Rice came from several campus organizations.
UMPI Board of Visitors Chair Carl Michaud said, “. . . I would like to announce that we fully support the appointment of Ray Rice as the new university president.” Michaud also wrote, “Ray’s leadership has allowed for the continued growth of proficiency based education. The university’s enrollment has increased and the financial issues have changed and the budget is close to being balanced.”
In a written statement to trustees, the UMPI Student Government Association said of Rice, “We have personally seen him engage with students in a warm and welcoming manner, play an active role in student activities, foster goodwill on campus, organize several thoughtful initiatives and work alongside several faculty members to better the experiences of all students. He has time and time again shown himself to be an outstanding individual and overall exceptional person who understands the needs of the students and faculty alike.”
Faculty also provided an endorsement of Rice’s appointment, formally voting in early May to request a search waiver for the UMPI presidency. Professor Carolyn Dorsey, chair of the Faculty Assembly, and Professor Allen Salo, assistant chair, wrote in a letter on behalf of their colleagues, “Since Dr. Rice’s appointment to interim president in June of 2016, he has unified this campus around our differentiated mission of proficiency-based education. His efforts have continued to showcase UMPI on local, state, and national levels.”
Rice became UMPI’s interim president following the July 2016 departure of former President Linda Schott, who had accepted a position at Southern Oregon University.
