The University of Maine Alumni Association was founded in 1875 just seven years after the university itself opened with 12 students and two faculty members.

Today, like other public land-grant institutions, the University of Maine is larger and far more complex with nearly 160 academic programs, a total enrollment of 11,222 and more than 700 faculty. The number of alumni reflects this growth. The University of Maine has 90,000 living alumni, 45,000 of whom live in Maine.

These alumni are closely watching how their alma mater equips itself for a challenging future.

While not as fashionable among academic institutions, the private sector prepares for the challenges that accompany change and growth by analyzing and promoting core values. As the University of Maine charts its future, searching for a new chief executive, we must not forget the institution’s core values, and how these values reflect those of the citizens of Maine. No single person is more vital to the University of Maine’s values than its president.

Past presidents, including legendary leaders like Harold Boardman, Arthur Hauck, Lloyd Elliott and Win Libbey, are an important key to the university’s future, and the future of the people of Maine. These individuals became known for their compassion, courage, and integrity.

Furthermore, they demonstrated such character during times of extraordinary difficulty, such as the years immediately following World War II when enrollment burgeoned as a result of the GI bill and other factors. Today, words describing an individual’s personal character is rarely exchanged among executive recruiters and system officials – instead, we hear all too often about “vision.” Unfortunately, this has meant that some academic leaders at our flagship institutions have focused on visions from other institutions, and visions for their next steps up the ivory tower.

Interim President Robert Kennedy practically glows as he talks about genomics, information science and new media. He should – he has been instrumental in promoting new programs such as these at the University of Maine. One cannot legitimately doubt his ability to lead.

What truly sets Kennedy apart, however, are his personal and professional values which, interestingly enough, reflect not only the “legends” of UMaine but also the everyday people of our state. Community leaders, faculty and staff, students, legislators, recognize Kennedy’s sharp intellect and boundless energy, not to mention his relentlessly positive outlook.

Other words, again all too rarely spoken today, also emerge after Kennedy has left a room – humility, integrity, compassion, and courage to name a few. Those who have spent time with Kennedy in the board room, at a social event, a museum exhibit opening, or at a hockey game know that he is genuinely interested in, and understands people – their families, their work, their hopes and their dreams.

Furthermore, he likes people here – in Maine. He and his wife, Mary, are strong proponents of the local schools and hospitals, breakfast haunts, and even the Maine winters.

Kennedy’s more tangible contributions to the University of Maine are obvious. He was instrumental in crafting the University of Maine’s first strategic plan that is carefully tied to resource allocation, developing a reward system for teamwork that has been missing for too long. His values, personality and professional background have positioned him well to forge exciting new ties with The Jackson Laboratory, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, MDI Biological Laboratory, and other organizations.

As UMaine provost, he helped lead key research and development initiatives such as the Target Technology Incubator in Orono, and the expansion of the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center and Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology. Kennedy also deserves accolades as an enthusiastic supporter of graduate education, the new Honors College, arts and culture, and athletics at UMaine.

One might ask, “Why is character, in addition to professional qualifications, important now?” It is critically important because the University of Maine and our state cannot afford to stand still. Now is the time to decide what Maine can and should be – and to create the brightest possible future for our state.

Much has been said and written about the “brain drain” that takes place as Maine youth leave because of a lack of opportunity here. Let’s hope that Bob and Mary Kennedy are not forced to become part of this disappointing trend, and instead remain to guide our flagship institution, continuing to exhibit the fine character of the leaders that came before them, and the people of Maine as a whole.

As former presidents and chairs of the University of Maine’s independent Alumni Association, other alumni leadership and members of its Development Council, we urge all the university’s constituents, students, staff, faculty, trustees and all the people of all of Maine to seize this opportunity to ensure true leadership. We appeal to the search committee and to the chancellor: stop the brain drain now.

The best next president of the University of Maine is already hard at work on your behalf.

This commentary was written by the following University of Maine alumni: James H. Goff, of Veazie, class of 1963; Henry L.P. Schmelzer, of Mount Desert, ’65; Ronald E. Bishop, of Cornelius, N.C., ’53; Sally G. Vamvakias, of Falmouth, ’63; Peter T. Gammons, of Mount Vernon, ’61; Nonni H. Daly, of Old Town, ’59; William S. Skoolicas, of Portland, ’80; Tom Patrick, of West Boothbay Harbor, ’62; Gary Cran, of Owls Head,’62; Gregory D. Jamison, of Holden, ’72G; Nancy M. Dysart, of Carmel, ’60; Sandra Blake-Leonard, of Bangor, ’65; H. Maxwell Burry, of Williamsburg, Va., ’57; and Maria R. Fuentes, of Hallowell, ’85G.