Libra Foundation CEO Owen Wells to speak at UMPI commencement

PRESQUE ISLE – Owen H. Wells, president and chief executive officer of the Portland-based Libra Foundation, which was founded by philanthropist Elizabeth Noyce, will address the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s 93rd graduating class during commencement exercises.

More than 230 degrees will be conferred. Wells also will receive an honorary degree. The graduation will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11, in Wieden Gymnasium at UMPI.

Wells graduated from the University of Maine in 1965 and received his doctorate of law from George Washington University School of Law in Washington, D.C., in 1968. Wells was a partner and director of the Portland law firm Perkins, Thompson, Hinckley & Keddy. He is a charter fellow of the Maine Bar Foundation and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

His corporate board memberships include the Maine Bank Corp., Maine Bank & Trust, and JSC Corp., for which he serves as chairman of the board. His nonprofit activities include serving as trustee and chairman of the board of the Maine Medical Center, trustee of the DLF Charitable Foundation, and former service as president of the Cumberland Bar Association, president of the Portland Museum of Art, chairman of the President’s Advisory Council of the University of Maine, and president of the board of overseers of Berwick Academy.

His publications include “Investing in Maine’s Higher Education,” “Maine Choices: 1995” and “The Maine Center for Economic Policy.”