While many of us wring our hands over the chaotic political behavior on parade this election season, it was encouraging to recently see two leaders of southern Maine institutions visibly demonstrating what vision, collaboration and determination can do.

Last Tuesday, University of Southern Maine President Glenn Cummings told hundreds of members of the Portland Regional Chamber of plans for transforming the Portland campus with student housing, a graduate center and a significant street closure. He also announced the launch of a center to assist Maine businesses in exporting their products to global markets – a major key to Maine’s economic vitality.

In addition, Cummings ticked off one positive statistic after another about student enrollment, retention strategies and Portland’s appeal to out-of-state students. As a leader, he is building coalitions to fulfill a vision of a dynamic, responsive university.

Later in the week, Mark Bessire, director of the Portland Museum of Art, told a large audience of corporate partners that “Portland and the museum are on fire.” He noted that 5,000 more visitors came through the PMA doors this September than did during the same month last year. The PMA is on the map nationally and globally as a destination for museum lovers.

He also showcased the recent and future renovations that are ongoing at the same time the museum presents one stunning and thoughtful art exhibition after another. The most recent is a body of work by Henri Matisse.

While the world seems to have been turned on its head, we are lucky to have leaders like Cummings and Bessire as role models for accomplishing positive change.

Tony Payne

Falmouth

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