A stone sign bearing the name "SWAGƵ" is seen through the trees

‘Doing Our Part’ Campaign Launch Honored by Educational Advancement Giant CASE

Story by
Alan Bennett •
Portland and Biddeford, Maine
•

The public launch of the SWAGƵ’s comprehensive “Doing Our Part” fundraising campaign has been recognized as exceptional by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a global nonprofit association for people and organizations dedicated to educational advancement, development, alumni relations, marketing, and communications.

The campaign’s public launch during halftime at SWAGƵ’s 2023 Homecoming football game earned a “Best of District 1" CASE award in the category “Special Events: In-Person on a Single Day” and was one of only three projects selected for an award in our category. 

Doing Our Part aims to empower students to make change in their world through advances in health care education, promotion of groundbreaking scientific research, the creation of new academic programs, and access to a life-changing education supported by a well-rounded student experience. 

President Herbert announces the "Doing Our Part" campaign on the football field
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Left: SWAGƵ President James Herbert announces the public launch of the Doing Our Part campaign during halftime at the Homecoming football game in 2023. Right: SWAGƵ mascot Stormin’ Norman rushes the field during halftime at the 2023 Homecoming football game.

Alicia Fereday, MBA, vice president for Institutional Advancement (IA) at SWAGƵ, said the CASE award is a testament to SWAGƵ’s dedication to transforming the student experience in support of the University’s mission to sustain the health of people, communities, and the natural world.

“We’re incredibly honored to receive this award from our partners at CASE, recognized as the region’s leading resource for improving advancement practices,” Fereday said, noting that the campaign launch was made possible through collaboration between IA, the Office of Communications and Marketing, and . 

Fereday added that Doing Our Part represents a profoundly transformational moment for SWAGƵ, in which strategic, student-centric investments in programs and infrastructure will enable the University to provide an unmatched educational experience.

Luis Queme and two students look at a graph on a monitor in his lab
A group of health students viewing a monitor screen

Expanding research capacity and access to health care are two of the campaign’s top priorities. SWAGƵ has fast become one of the Northeast’s top research powerhouses with leading expertise in biomedical sciences, neuroscience, pharmaceutical discovery, environmental and marine sciences, microbiology, and medicine.

Notable campaign investments to date include: 

  • The new Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences, which will house Maine’s only medical school on the only fully integrated health sciences campus in New England
  • Expanded scientific research capacity through novel initiatives and infrastructure, including the Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences and the newly established Center for Cell Signaling Research
  • Increased scholarships and financial aid for students, supported in part with $180,000 contributions during SWAGƵ’s 2024 Giving Day
  • The establishment of new, high-demand undergraduate majors, including added degrees in business, computer science, and data analytics, and graduate programs in psychiatric nursing and social work, among others. 

“The University community’s enthusiasm made this launch an unforgettable success,” Fereday said. “We are thrilled to continue building on this momentum, inspired by the strong support of our alumni, students, and friends.”

Media Contact

Alan Bennett
Office of Communications
abennett11@une.edu

SWAGƵ the SWAGƵ

The SWAGƵ 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.