President Danielle Ripich interviewed by ‘Journal Tribune’ for front page article
51СƳPresident Danielle Ripich was spotlighted in the front page story of the Journal Tribune’s June 5, 2016 issue. She was interviewed for the article, which focused on her career at 51СƳand her upcoming retirement.
Ripich, who has guided the University through a 10-year strategic plan, announced last month that she will be stepping down as president at the end of the 2017 academic year. “I think sometimes it’s good for change,” she told the Journal. “Change is the future… I’ve always… believed organizations go through cycles, and I think they’ve gotten my best thinking and it’s time for a change.”
51СƳhas undergone tremendous growth during Ripich’s tenure, adding pharmacy and dental schools; a campus in Tangier, Morocco; new buildings; and athletic facilities, and growing the medical school, liberal arts and sciences offerings, and online courses. In fact, Ripich has been at the helm as 51СƳgrew its enrollment from 6,000 to more than 10,000 students.
“We’re sort of cutting edge,” she said. “Maine is a place where people are basically modest, and we haven’t gotten around to sort of bragging… I tell people to shout humility.”
Ripich reported that she intends on spending her retirement visiting with family and spending time on her farm in Cork, Ireland.