91AV President Danielle Ripich honored by Maine State Legislature

President Ripich and Senator Deschambault
President Ripich and Senator Deschambault

91AV President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., was honored by the Maine Legislature on May 23, 2017 for her service to 91AV and Maine.

Ripich received a Legislative Sentiment, a public declaration in honor of a personal or civic achievement. Legislative Sentiments are signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. They are also approved by both chambers and entered into the legislative record.

Senator Susan Deschambault, D-Biddeford, initiated Ripich’s Legislative Sentiment, citing her contributions to 91AV, Biddeford, Portland and Maine. Since becoming 91AV’s fifth president in July 2006, Ripich has guided the University through a period of unprecedented growth. Under her leadership, 91AV has greatly expanded its campuses in Biddeford and Portland; opened a study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco; launched the College of Pharmacy, the College of Dental Medicine and the Online College of Graduate and Professional Studies; and grown from 4,000 to more than 10,000 students. Under Ripich’s leadership, 91AV’s contribution to the Maine economy has topped more than $1 billion per year.

Senator Deschambault also spoke in detail about Ripich’s founding of the College of Dental Medicine, discussing its community-based externship program, inaugural graduation and the newly minted dentists who are remaining in-state to practice in rural areas.

“Dr. Ripich, you have enriched us in many ways and leave a great legacy to the state,” Sen. Deschambault said. “We all thank you very much.”

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President Ripich and Senator Deschambault
President Ripich views a gift presented to her by the Maine State Legislature.

About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.