Retired political science professor at UMaine dies

BANGOR – A memorial service is scheduled for July 21 for Eugene Mawhinney, a former University of Maine political science professor and adviser to hundreds of students during his three decades at the Orono campus.

Mawhinney, who was 84, died during the weekend at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Bangor. Mawhinney taught political science and prelaw at UMaine and advised more than 800 students who went through the law program at the school.

Mawhinney joined UMaine’s History and Government Department in 1959 and became chairman of the Department of Political Science when it was established in 1966. A prelaw adviser for 17 years, he retired in 1990.

UM Professor James Warhola, chairman of the UM political science department, remembered Mawhinney as “an outstanding colleague – very helpful, very collegial.”

He also was devoted to his students. “He was very demanding,” Warhola said. “He taught constitutional law and there were students who said some of his courses were harder than those they had in law school.”

Amy Fried, UM associate professor of political science, called Mawhinney “a real gentleman – professional, but very warm.”

“His legacy is the many students with whom he worked who now are lawyers, judges, state legislators and active citizens in the state,” she said.

Kassie Stevens Walker, director of major gifts for the Maine Center for the Arts and a graduate of the University of Maine Law School, was aware of his reputation for helping prospective lawyers.

“Any student who planned to go to law school knew that he or she had better see him first,” she said.

Walker served with Mawhinney on an alumni committee that each year selected a faculty member to be honored at graduation.

“When you worked with Gene you really got a sense of the dignity and honor that characterizes the members of the greatest generation,” she said.

Gov. John Baldacci called Mawhinney “a real leader on legal issues” who “had a unique way of looking at problems and offering solutions.”

Mawhinney was given the Distinguished Maine Professor Award in 1982; in 1987 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Maine Bar Association.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 21, at the Church of Universal Fellowship in Orono.