ORONO – Peter Hoff, in his final speech as president of the University of Maine, said Monday that he “felt blessed” to have had the opportunity to lead the flagship campus.

“Being president was far and away the most wonderful experience that could possibly have come my way,” he told more than 130 faculty, staff and administrators who gathered at the Buchanan Alumni House to celebrate his seven years as president.

Hoff, who will step down Aug. 15, resigned last month, citing a desire to “take on new challenges.” He has accepted a five-year position as UMS professor researching higher education issues.

“I tried to make the most of every day,” Hoff said. “I came with a vision that others shared – to make the state once again proud of the land grant, research, flagship university. We’ve made incredible progress toward that.”

Hoff’s accomplishments took center stage during the festivities as administrators and higher education leaders praised him for helping to increase enrollment, research, fundraising and construction.

Hoff called his finest achievement the creation of the office of advancement when the alumni association merged with the offices of public affairs, development and marketing.

“It created a public face for the university without taking away the independence of the alumni association,” he said.

Hoff was always approachable, said Allen Fernald, who serves on UM’s board of visitors, recalling how Hoff would help students move in to their dorms and cheer at hockey games wearing a Black Bear jersey.

“Peter never wanted to be known as anyone else but Peter,” said Fernald.

Hoff’s thoughts were always on the students, said Gary Cran, chairman of the president’s development council.

“The best day in the life of a president is graduation,” Cran said Hoff told him.

Hoff’s wife, Dianne, assistant professor of educational leadership, was also praised at the event.

Hoff said he hoped his successor would have “wisdom and compassion to take the university to its highest levels.”

He said the “big challenge” for the state’s land grant, flagship campus is to “remain true to its ideal conception of itself.”

Whether it’s making hiring decisions, shaping the curriculum or plotting the spaces in the parking lot, “it all comes back to what is our ideal sense of oneself,” he said.

People have speculated that Hoff was asked to step down because of his dissatisfaction with the University of Maine System’s proposed reorganization plan. He has refuted that notion.

Robert Kennedy, executive vice president and provost, has been named UM’s interim president. John Mahon, business professor, will take over as provost.