HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-09 Proclamation
RECOGNIZING DR. WILLIAM H. BEARDSLEY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS
RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF HUSSON UNIVERSITY
WHEREAS, Bill’s long and varied career has included service as state planner and aide to the
Governor of Vermont, as Vice President of Bangor Hydro Electric Company, and in
various positions in the State of Alaska Department of Economic Development; and
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WHEREAS, he began his career at Husson as its 21 President and Chief Executive Officer in
1987 at a time when the College offered only Associate and Bachelor of Science
degrees in business and nursing and was $115 million in debt; and
WHEREAS, Bill has strengthened university finances, expanded enrollments, established schools
of health, education, pharmacy, and science and humanities, and brought the New
England School of Communications, the Eastport Boat School, and Unobskey College
under the Husson umbrella; and
WHEREAS, this year, Husson has added major facilities, officially changed its name from Husson
College to Husson University, and will graduate its first doctoral students, all of which
reflect Bill’s strategic vision and dynamic leadership; and
WHEREAS, Bill has also served terms as president of the Maine Higher Education Council and the
Maine Independent College Association; and
WHEREAS, Bill plans to continue to chair the Maine Development Foundation, serve on the board
of the Finance Authority of Maine, and devote greater time to expanding the Maine
economy;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GERRY G.M. PALMER, JR, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, on
behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Bangor, do hereby offer our thanks and appreciation to
William H. Beardsley for his contributions to Husson University and for the expanded role he has led
it to assume in our community and our economy. We extend him our best wishes as he leaves the
University, and we look forward to continued close collaboration with him in his future ventures.
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Given this the 9 day of November 2009.
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Council Chair Gerry G.M. Palmer, Jr