Wikipedia

Husson University

Husson University is a private university in Bangor, Maine, United States. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and as of Fall 2022 had a total enrollment of 3,065 students, including 636 graduate students in master's and doctoral programs.[2]

Husson University
Former names
Shaw School of Business (1898–1953)
Husson College (1953–2008)
MottoCharacter & Humility
TypePrivate university
Established1898; 126 years ago (1898)
Endowment$29.5 million (2020)[1]
PresidentLynne Coy-Ogan
ProvostVictor Brown
Academic staff
136[2]
Students3,065 (Fall 2022)[2]
Undergraduates2,429 (Fall 2022)[2]
Postgraduates636 (Fall 2022)[2]
Location
Bangor
,
Maine
,
United States

44°49′37.07″N 68°47′35.60″W / 44.8269639°N 68.7932222°W / 44.8269639; -68.7932222
CampusSuburban (208 acres)
ColorsCyprus Green & Barley Corn Gold[3]
   
NicknameEagles
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division III – NAC
MascotBaldwin
Websitewww.husson.edu

Husson University is one of four universities in the Bangor area (the University of Maine at Augusta,[4] the University of Maine, and Beal University are the others) and the largest private university in the region. Husson also offers a number of online programs. The university previously operated satellite campuses around the state. The last of these campuses, at Northern Maine Community College, was shuttered in 2021. Students were transitioned to Husson's online programs.[5]

History

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Founded in 1898, Husson was originally named Shaw School of Business and was located on the second floor of a building in downtown Bangor. Enrollment was low until after World War II, when its reputation grew as a business school. In 1953 the Maine Legislature authorized the school, newly-renamed as Husson College, to grant Bachelor of Science degrees. It subsequently became Husson University in 2008.[6]

Today the University has four colleges, and two schools: the College of Business, the College of Health and Education, the College of Science and Humanities, the School of Pharmacy, and the New England School of Communications. The New England School of Communications, known by its abbreviation NESCom, was an independent school acquired[7] by Husson in 1997, and was separately accredited and operated semi-autonomously with control over its own tuition, hiring, admissions, and graduation requirements until 2014.

Since 2000, undergraduate enrollment has increased five to ten percent with each incoming class. In response, the University continues to add a significant number of new faculty to its ranks. Today, students graduate having trained both in the specialties of their chosen fields and in how those fields fit into a broader cultural context. Husson ranks 54th on U.S. News & World Report's ranking of top universities in the United States for social mobility.[8]

Accreditation

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Husson University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). In addition, specific programs have their own professional accreditations or approvals:

Campus

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The Husson University Campus in Bangor includes the Newman Gymnasium, the Winkin Sports Complex, Robert O'Donnell Commons (the College of Health and Education is located here), Peabody Hall (including the Sawyer Library and the Ross Furman Student Center), Harold Alfond Hall (opened in 2021, home of the College of Business and School of Law), the Dickerman Dining Center (renovated in 2012), the Dyke Center for Family Business, the Wildey Communications Center, the Beardsley Meeting House which houses the 500-seat Gracie Theatre, and the Darling Living & Learning Center which houses upperclassmen in suites and holds offices and classrooms on the ground floor. There are four residence halls: Hart Hall, Bell Hall, Carlisle Hall, and the Darling Living & Learning Center, a LEED Silver targeted student residence and academic building which opened in the fall of 2012. Two walking trails circle the outer perimeter and offer scenic walks through the Maine forest.

Gracie Theatre

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The Gracie Theatre, located in the Beardsley Meeting House, is a 500-seat multipurpose venue. Opera singer Richard Troxell, comedian Bob Marley, and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra have all performed in the Gracie. The New England School of Communications has staged musicals (including West Side Story and The Who's Tommy) there and operates the theatre during other events.[9]

Winkin Sports Complex

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Winkin Sports Complex is home of the Husson University baseball, field hockey, and football teams.[10] The ballpark has a capacity of 3,000 people and opened in 2004.[11] It was formerly the home of Bangor Lumberjacks.

The complex was named in honor of retired head baseball coach John Winkin.[12]

In 2003, the city of Bangor contributed $381,000 towards the building of the complex.[13] In 2004, the Lumberjacks played their only season at the complex. In May 2016, renovation were made which increased padding on the field at the cost of approximately $1 million.[14][15][16]

Student life

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There are dozens of student clubs and organizations, such as Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Student Government, The English Society, Accounting Society, Criminal Justice Club, OPTS (Organization of Physical Therapy Students), OOTS (Organization of Occupational Therapy Students), the Organization of Student Nurses, Outdoors Club, Student Newspaper,[17] Husson University Theatre,[18] GAMERS, Q&A, Technology Club, Student Veterans Association, Running Club, Ski & Snowboard Club, Pep Band, Audio Engineering Society, Cru, and Husson College Republicans. The University also owns WHSN 89.3 FM, an alternative rock station operated by the New England School of Communications.

Husson currently has two active sororities and one fraternity.

Athletics

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Husson University teams are known as the Eagles. They were known as the Braves until 2010.[19] The university is a member of the NCAA Division III and fields twenty one varsity sports teams in the North Atlantic Conference (primary), Commonwealth Coast Football (football) and the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (swimming and diving). Sports offered include men's & women's soccer, men's & women's lacrosse, men's & women's cross country, men's & women's basketball, men's football, women's field hockey, men's and women's swimming & diving, men's and women's golf, women's outdoor track & field, women's indoor track & field, baseball, softball, and women's volleyball. Husson University also has three spirit teams including Cheer Team, Dance Team, and Pep Band.

On November 30, 2023, the NCAA released a ruling from the Division III Committee on Infractions regarding an investigation of ethical conduct violations by a former Husson University swimming & diving head coach. The former head coach knowingly allowed an unnamed student athlete to participate in physical therapy and team activities while clocked in for work as a student assistant in late 2022. This violation resulted in $1,385 of benefits to the student athlete from 103 hours of unperformed labor. Husson University self-reported the violation in December 2022 after discovering the violation and cooperated with the investigation. The NCAA ruling levied a punishment of one year of probation on the school and fined the university $1,250.[20][21]

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Husson University | Information". National Center for Education Statistics | Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  3. ^ "Welcome Recruits/Quick Facts - Husson Athletics". Archived from the original on 2020-11-09. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  4. ^ "Bangor - Locations". Locations. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
  5. ^ Smith, Cam. "Husson University satellite campus at NMCC switching to online format". www.wabi.tv. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
  6. ^ HUSSON: About, Fast Facts
  7. ^ "NESCom History & Mission". Archived from the original on 2011-07-31. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  8. ^ "Husson University Overall Rankings | US News Best Colleges". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Director's Information - Gracie Theatre". Archived from the original on 2018-02-13. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  10. ^ "Winkin Sports Complex". Husson University Athletic Department. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  11. ^ "The Wink". Archived from the original on 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  12. ^ "Facilities". Husson University. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  13. ^ Gagnon, Dawn (September 23, 2003). "New site picked for Bangor police station". Bangor Daily News.
  14. ^ "WINKIN COMPLEX RENOVATION NEAR COMPLETION". July 6, 2016.
  15. ^ Mahoney, Larry (10 May 2016). "Renovations underway at Husson sports facilities". Bangor Daily News.
  16. ^ Mahoney, Larry (10 February 2016). "Husson plans new $1 million surface for Winkin Sports Complex". Bangor Daily News.
  17. ^ Husson Spectator
  18. ^ Husson University Theatre on Facebook
  19. ^ Russell, Eric (May 17, 2010). "Indian mascot talk reveals progress". Bangor Daily News. p. B1, B4.
  20. ^ Wright, Meghan Durham (November 30, 2023). "Former Husson swimming and diving head coach violated ethical conduct rules". NCAA.
  21. ^ "HUSSON UNIVERSITY STATEMENT ON NCAA INFRACTION". Husson University Press Releases. November 30, 2023.
  22. ^ "Peter Lyford's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  23. ^ "Joseph Underwood". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
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