Meet Husson's Six Past Presidents

Chesley H. Husson, Sr. 

Deceased

As Husson’s first president, Chesley H. Husson transformed Maine School of Commerce from a corporate structure to Husson College, a non-profit, private education institution of higher learning. 

He purchased the Bangor branch of the Maine School of Commerce in 1933 and two years later was named president of the corporation. At the time, the school was located in downtown Bangor.

In 1947, the school’s name was changed to Husson College. At that time, the facility only had about 250 students and a handful of faculty. But its founder had big plans. 

During the next two decades, Chesley Husson or “Chief” as he was known, purchased approximately 500 acres of dairy farm property off Broadway in Bangor and then transformed that land into One College Circle. Classes began on the newly opened Husson College campus in the fall of 1968. At that time, the map consisted of Peabody Hall, Newman Gymnasium, a dining commons and three dormitories arranged around the famous bell tower. 

Just two years later, Husson had to step down as president of the school after suffering a series of strokes. He died in February of 1972, at the age of 68. 

Husson’s son, Paul, also dedicated much of his career to Husson University, serving as the school’s director of admissions, a founding director of the International Center for Language Studies (ICLS) and the director of alumni affairs. 

Paul Husson passed away in 2022. 

Dr. Barkev Kibarian

Deceased

Dr. Barkev Kibarian, stepped into the presidency role at Husson College in 1970. Kibarian, who was of Armenian descent, came to the Bangor school after serving as the president of Emporia College in Kansas. 

Husson’s second president helped guide the school toward regional accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). That’s the highest level of accreditation any college or university can attain. 

During his three years as Husson College president, Kibarian worked to develop a positive and aggressive admissions program, implement a statewide adult education program and develop better communication between the Husson Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students.

Kibarian also successfully petitioned the Maine State Legislature for authority to grant Associate in Science degrees. And as part of an initiative started by his predecessor, Chelsey Husson, Kibarian began conferring honorary degrees. 

Franklin A. Peters

Deceased

Husson’s third president, Franklin A. Peters was a member of the teaching faculty when he was appointed acting president in 1973 by the Board of Trustees. The following year, Peters was named president. 

President Peters completed the organizational realignment started by his predecessor, Dr. Barkev Kibarian. He also oversaw the completion of the school’s accreditation process. Initial accreditation was granted for three years, followed by a five-year renewal in 1978. 

Towards the end of his tenure as president, Peters obtained authorization by the Maine State Legislature for Husson to begin awarding Master of Science in business degrees. President Peters also secured several federal aid programs to help Husson students pay for tuition. 

When Peters retired in 1978, he was named president emeritus and chair of the Husson College Board of Trustees. 

Delmont N. Merrill

Deceased

Delmont Merrill graduated from the Bangor Maine School of Commerce in 1948 with a Business Education Teacher diploma. He returned to Husson College in 1953 as an instructor. The following year, he became the first candidate to qualify for the Bachelor of Science degree at Husson, which he earned cum laude. 

In 1973, Merrill was named vice president for administrative affairs. Five years later, he was given a new title — president of Husson College. 

As Husson’s fourth president, Merrill is credited with initiating the first major endowment drive at Husson. He also established a baccalaureate nursing program in conjunction with Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Merrill implemented computer information systems in both the administrative and academic departments. And, he helped the Master of Science in Business program become accredited.

President Merrill’s wife, Betty hosted an annual Faculty Wives Tea each fall at their home in Brewer. 

In addition to being a tenured professor at Husson, Merrill was the director for the school’s Department of Physical Education and Health. He also coached both the Husson Men’s Basketball and Baseball teams and was the Maine State Basketball Commissioner. 

Merrill served in the president’s role until 1986. 

Dr. William H. Beardsley 

Dr. William Beardsley is the only school president to be both president of Husson College and president of Husson University. 

Just months after arriving at Husson College in 1987, Beardsley and his administration successfully addressed a financial crisis at the school. In 1993, he led an effort that resulted in a full 10-year reaccreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). As Husson received accreditation for more academic programs, the number of doctorally prepared faculty doubled under Beardsley’s leadership. 

Husson College grew physically as well. A capital campaign in 1994 led to construction of the G. Peirce Webber Campus Center and Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business. After receiving a $1 million gift from Harold Alfond, the Winkin Stadium and Alfond Field were built. Additional gifts led to construction of the Robert O’Donnell Commons and the Beardsley Meeting House, as well as new spaces within buildings including the W. Tom and Bonnie Sawyer Library, Clara Swan Center and Richard and Alice Trott Fitness Center. 

During his time as president, Husson acquired the New England School of Communications and built the Wildey Communications Center to house the broadcasting school. 

But the biggest transition during Beardlsye’s tenure was in October 2008 when Husson College officially became known as Husson University. 

Beardsley stepped down as president in 2009. That same year, the Beardsley Meeting House, which houses the Cyr Alumni Center, Darling Atrium and Gracie Theatre, opened its doors to the Husson community. 

Dr. Robert A. Clark 

Dr. Robert Clark became the 6th president of Husson University in January 2010.

Born and raised on a farm in Albion, Maine, Clark returned to his roots after living and working all over the world. His background in both finance and education parlayed into Husson University being recognized as having the lowest tuition and fees of any private college in New England. 

During Clark’s tenure as president, both Husson’s campus and curriculum grew. The College of Science and Humanities, College of Health and Pharmacy, College of Business and the School of Technology and Innovation were all established. Also the New England School of Communications became fully integrated into Husson. 

Husson’s online studies programs also grew exponentially. During President Clark’s tenure, online degrees in business, psychology and other undergraduate studies as well as online MBA, MSN and other graduate programs were created. 

During President Clark’s leadership came the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. After extending spring break by a week, Husson worked to pivot to online learning in March 2020, transitioning close to 1,000 classes to virtual instruction in just four days. Students returned to campus in Fall 2020, but the pandemic continued to alter how the university operated until vaccines became available in 2021.

Also in 2021, Harold Alfond Hall became the new home for the signature College of Business. Ribbon cuttings were also held for the Darling Living Learning Center, Wadleigh Academic Center and Ronan Center for Financial Technology. 

President Clark retired in June 2024.