The University of Maine has approved the establishment of the Kenneth W. Saunders & Henry W. Saunders Professorship in Engineering Leadership and Management.
The professorship was funded by a gift from Henry Saunders of $250,000 to the University of Maine Foundation, in memory of Mr. Saunders’ son, Kenneth, who passed away in January 2014. The purpose of the monetary gift is to provide the school of Engineering with the means to provide engineering students with a strong background in leadership and management skills
The professorship will go to an existing or adjunct faculty member in the college, who will be tasked with teaching leadership and management skills to Engineering students as well as promoting leadership education both within and outside of the classroom.
According to Patricia Cummings, Associate Vice President of Development in the College of Engineering, distributions from the endowment will help engineering students go beyond technical competence to prepare for leadership roles in their fields.
“[Henry Saunders] is helping engineers look ahead, becoming prepared not just for their technical careers, but for management and leadership skills which will be useful in their futures,” Cummings said.
As described on the University of Maine Foundation’s website, the main focus of the professorship will be to educate students about leadership and management skills. Distributions from the fund may be used for other related purposes as well, including student support, research, public service, travel expenses and other activities related to teaching leadership to students and the public.
Most engineering students, Cummings said, start in a technical field, but many often find themselves applying in career positions where they have to become leaders.
“Eventually, many of our students have to manage other people,” she said. “Henry is looking for ways to make it so when our students leave, they aren’t just technically confident, but confident in their relationships as well.”
Kenneth Saunders was a scientist at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces before he passed after a very brief bout of pneumonia. He received numerous awards for his work and academics throughout his life, including two New Mexico State University Research Achievement Awards for his work with rocket telemetry at White Sands Missile Range.
After Kenneth’s passing, Henry and his wife Marjorie Saunders established the professorship with the purpose of advancing the Engineering program in ways that will make a difference to society. Both were avid believers in the importance of quality leadership in all aspects of society, particularly engineering.
“Henry was inspired to channel his loss into a lasting legacy that will be endowed in the University of Maine Foundation,” Cummings wrote. Henry and Marjorie Saunders are both UMaine class of 1950 alumni.
A selection committee to choose the Saunders Professor will be formed by the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost, Dr. Jeffrey Heckler, who will also administer the fund with the Dean of the College of Engineering. The ideal recipient of the professorship will be someone with a passion for leadership and a desire to prepare students for management roles.
Consistent with University policy, the Saunders Professor will be appointed for a five-year term, with the possibility for further terms. The award money will be managed by the University of Maine Foundation.