With Nov. 4 fast approaching, I want to express my enthusiastic support for Michael Shaughnessy as our candidate for the Maine House of Representatives from District 111. Michael and I have been faculty colleagues at the University of Southern Maine for more than 20 years.

Although we serve a different population of students- he as a professor of art, and I as a professor of communication and media studies-Michael has a well-deserved reputation across the university as a hard working, capable person who thinks imaginatively to accomplish positive change.

Michael served as chairman of the art department for a number of years, where he demonstrated his ability to use limited resources to benefit students and faculty alike. Under Michael’s leadership USM introduced an art and entrepreneurial studies major combining business and art courses.

This new degree is now bringing students to USM from out of state, providing much needed revenue to the university in these troubled economic times, in addition to providing new opportunities for Maine students. I know how difficult it is to convince a large institution to embrace new ideas. Michael’s success in this venture is a testimony to his imagination and his perseverance.

Although faculty at universities are expected to engage in some form of community service in addition to teaching, conducting research, and serving on department and university committees, Michael takes community service more seriously than any professor I know. I am continually amazed at, and deeply appreciative of, the energy and effort he expends to help make Windham and Maine an exemplary place to live. I believe he will bring that same determined spirit and creative vision to the Legislature. Join me in voting for Michael Shaughnessy on Nov. 4.

Rebecca Bryant Lockridge

Windham