Thanks to the University of Maine System board for appointing Glenn Cummings president of the University of Southern Maine.

Glenn was the best choice from the beginning, given his local, state and federal public service and leadership in educational advancement.

He began as a Gorham High School history teacher and earned a doctorate in education. Then he served as:

• A University of Southern Maine adjunct professor of micro- and macroeconomics.

• A Southern Maine Community College dean of institutional advancement.

• Director of Good Will-Hinckley, a magnet school focused on agriculture, forestry and sustainability.

• Deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education, helping to improve access to adult education and literacy training.

• Interim president of the University of Maine at Augusta.

He was also elected to the Maine House of Representatives, where he served as speaker and as majority leader and chairman of the state’s Joint Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.

In the Legislature, he sponsored the bill to create the state community college system and provided leadership for the passage of a bipartisan state budget; brokered an agreement on the largest economic investment bond package in the state’s history, and successfully led an effort to increase higher education appropriations.

It’s great to have local professionals selected for top local public leadership positions.

Gerald R. Mylroie

Cape Elizabeth

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