Graduate programs coming to Calais with Unobskey gift

Sidney and Nancy Unobskey have presented Husson College, centered in Bangor, with property and annual grants valued in excess of $1.5 million, the largest single gift in the college's history. The Unobskey Education Center in Calais, built by Sidney Unobskey's grandmother early in the 20th century, will now house Husson graduate degree programs and become a center for public, private and international higher education collaboration for the American and Canadian citizens of the lower St. Croix River valley. Formerly the Unobskey School, a part of the University of Maine System, it is now called Unobskey College and is an affiliate of Husson College.

Husson will offer graduate degrees in business education and criminal justice plus select undergraduate degrees. It will offer graduates of Washington County Community College a seamless transfer into Husson and potentially into graduate degrees without ever having to leave Calais.

The University of New Brunswick has signed a memorandum of understanding with Husson to deliver online and other courses, and Bangor Theological Seminary will offer initial courses in their Doctor of Divinity program with a focus on the St. Croix and New Brunswick markets. The New England School of Communications of Bangor is preparing to offer communications courses this fall.

University College of the University of Maine System started courses for the spring semester on January 22 at the center, and Husson is reaching out to the multiple campuses of the university with an offer to become involved.

"We are beginning to build a true collaborative center for international higher education in what we will now call Unobskey College. Sidney and Nancy Unobskey, through their generosity, passion, boundless energy and vision have made this possible. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts," said Husson President William Beardsley.

"The University of New Brunswick is very pleased to be working with Husson College to advance post-secondary educational opportunities in the St. Croix region. Brought about through the vision of Sidney Unobskey and the openness of President Beardsley, this cooperation will make a significant difference to the citizens on both sides of the border," said University of New Brunswick President John McLaughlin.

Governor John Baldacci also thanked Sidney and Nancy Unobskey for giving educational opportunities to students in Washington County through Husson College. "The Unobskeys' gift brings the promise of graduate education to Washington County and with it a host of opportunities for its residents," said Baldacci. "This is a wonderful example of public and private collaboration for rural Maine, and it develops international opportunities and cooperation."

Sidney Unobskey was born in St. Stephen and raised in Calais. A graduate of Yale University, he has spent his career in international urban development from New York to Singapore to Melbourne, Australia, to San Francisco. Nancy Unobskey pursued a parallel career in social services and the arts. They currently reside in San Francisco, California and Robbinston.

"Nancy and I love Washington County and Charlotte County, New Brunswick," said Sidney Unobskey. "Our dream is to see higher education institutions on both sides of the border working as one in what is becoming a creative economy. I have been engaged in a variety of economic and urban development initiatives around the world, and I am now fascinated by the concept of rural economic development centered on an international river basin and high education. We are so honored to be pursuing this dream with Husson through a facility that bears our name."

As of January 1, 2007, Unobskey College is located in downtown Calais. Husson College owns the building and will make the facility available to other institutions of higher learning at minimal fees. The degrees earned at the college will be granted by the institution that grants the degree. University College of the University of Maine System, with its ITV system, will be the sole occupant of the college through June 2007, at which time Husson and other institutions will also move in. Most new programs and courses are scheduled to start in September 2007.