University Presidents

Dr. Khoury’s presidency has been defined by institutional transformation and visionary leadership. He designed and implemented the groundbreaking Enterprise Model, which completely reimagined Unity’s governance structure and educational delivery modalities. Under his leadership, Unity has achieved 10x growth while making sustainability science-based education more affordable, accessible, and flexible.

Dr. Mulkey’s term was marked by several milestones for Unity. Under his leadership, Unity pioneered the fossil fuel divestment movement, becoming the first institution of higher education in the nation to divest its endowment portfolio from fossil fuel investments. It was also under Dr. Mulkey’s leadership that Unity adopted its current sustainability science, transdisciplinary educational framework, and created its Honors Program. He also successfully fundraised for Unity, receiving both a $10M gift and the McKay Farm and Research Station during his time as President. In addition to this, he added to and improved the physical footprint of the Quaker Hill Road campus with the Heritage Livestock Barn, two LEED-certified suite-style residence halls, the Thomashow Learning Laboratories, expansion of the cafeteria, renovation of the fitness center, and updates to the Unity College Center for Performing Arts.

Dr. Thomashow’s term saw the building of the first college president’s house in the nation to earn a LEED Platinum certification and the first Passive House Certified building, TerraHaus. He also implemented an Academic Master Plan, the Unity 2020 Master Plan and received State of Maine approval for grades 7-12 teacher certification. In addition to these accomplishments, he accepted both the Unity Center for the Arts and Field of Dreams from Coral Clifford and the Clifford Family, integrated the Green Pledge into Commencement, and returned one of the Carter Solar Panels to Washington, DC to be displayed at Google’s DC headquarters for President Obama’s first inauguration and it later went to Smithsonian National Museum of American History. He also donated two more panels to the Solar Science and Technology Museum in China’s Solar Valley.

Dr. Glenn-Lewin’s term oversaw the addition of a greenhouse to Koons Hall as well as the construction of the Rock Garden that sits between the Thomashow Learning Laboratories and the Dorothy Webb Quimby Library on the Quaker Hill Road campus. It was during his term as President that Unity had its first Fulbright Scholar Award, which went to Dr. A. Jim Chacko. President Glenn-Lewin also pledged that Unity would purchase all of its electricity from “green sources”.

Mr. Hess’s term was marked by notable infrastructure improvements, and it was during his term that the Carter Solar Panels were originally brought to the Unity campus and restored to be placed on the roof of the dining commons, where they remained until 2005.

Dr. Caplinger’s term oversaw the implementation of Unity’s NOVA freshman orientation program and the tradition of Unity graduates receiving a tree sapling as a part of commencement began. It was also during President Caplinger’s term that the NORTHEASTER Magazine was launched, and Unity’s inaugural environmental career fair was held.

Dr. Wilcox’s term saw Unity’s Conservation Law Enforcement program formally become a four-year baccalaureate degree program, and he oversaw the building of the Amphitheater on the 90 Quaker Hill Road campus.

Dr. Conant’s term was marked by the first Founders Day Celebration and the installation of a wood boiler behind the gymnasium to reduce Unity’s heating oil consumption and reliance on fossil fuels.

Dr. Karstetter’s term saw Unity achieve full accreditation and participation in its first Woodsmen’s Team competition. It was also under his leadership that Unity’s first art gallery opened, and the Maine Tribal Unity Museum and Cultural Center was dedicated, as was Constable Hall, which was formally named for George Constable, one of Unity’s founders. Dr. Karstetter also expanded the footprint of Unity with the library and donation of 500 acres of land from Raymond and Eva Wing.

Mr. Reichel’s term was highlighted by having the first female enrolled in a forestry program in Maine.

Dr. Clair Wood was Unity’s first President, and his term included several milestones. Dr. Wood secured approval from the State of Maine to confer degrees, hosted Unity’s first commencement and graduating class, added a full suite of athletic programs to student activities, and built both the Tozier Gymnasium and Wood Hall, which was the first grant-funded project at Unity. It was also during his term in 1968 that Unity changed its name from the Unity Institute of Liberal Arts and Science to Unity College.