Peter G. Vigue of the Cianbro Companies will Deliver Husson University’s Commencement Address

Published on: April 25, 2018

BANGOR, MAINE – April 25, 2018 – Peter G. Vigue, chair of the board of directors of the Cianbro Companies, will deliver the commencement address to the Class of 2018 at Husson University’s 119th Annual Commencement Exercises at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. The graduation ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2018.

“Husson University has a long history of transforming student lives. With the completion of our new townhouses, the upcoming construction of our new Wellness Center, and plans to create a new state-of-the-art College of Business Building, our Bangor campus is transforming as well,” said Husson University President Robert A. Clark, Ph.D.

Clark continued, “Transformation is an ongoing process. As the leader of a world-class company, Peter Vigue understands that organizations cannot stand still in order to be successful in today’s competitive business environment. Similarly, Husson University continues to grow and evolve. We are constantly reevaluating our programs and developing new offerings. Husson is building new facilities and hiring knowledgeable faculty members who can help our students find career success in today’s global economy. With a commitment to continuous improvement, Husson University will become the nation’s leading professional educator.”  

About Commencement

Husson’s graduation ceremony will recognize individuals who have completed their degrees from Husson University’s College of Business, College of Health and Education, College of Science and Humanities, New England School of Communications (NESCom), and the School of Pharmacy. At this year’s Commencement, Husson will award degrees to 771 students. This includes 19 associate degrees, 521 bachelor’s degrees, 246 master’s degrees, and 80 doctoral degrees. 

The Cross Insurance Center is located at 515 Main Street in Bangor, Maine. Individuals traveling to graduation from outside the area who need help finding accommodations are encouraged to contact the Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau at (207) 947-5205.

The commencement ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. Guests not marching in the ceremonies are encouraged to arrive at the Cross Insurance Center by 10:00 a.m. Early arrival is recommended to avoid traffic congestion and to obtain choice seating. Tickets are not required. Those who arrive first, get to choose their seats first. 

Individuals with special needs should call (207) 941-7129 or email greenj@husson.edu so Husson University can make the appropriate arrangements. Those who cannot attend are welcome to view the ceremony via streamed video online. More information about the streaming video and ceremonies is available at www.husson.edu.

Commencement Academic Honors 

This year, three students from Maine are being named valedictorians. All three completed their degrees with a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA). They are:

• Chase Walton Allen of Brewer, Maine. He will be receiving a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• Weston R. Ranalli of Big Lake Township, Maine. He will be receiving a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• Kirsten Rose Wood of Madison, Maine. She will be receiving a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. 

Robbie C. Chamberland of Saint Agatha, Maine will be the Class of 2018’s salutatorian. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration while maintaining a grade point average of 3.983.

More Information about Peter G. Vigue

In addition to delivering the keynote Commencement address, Peter G. Vigue, the chairman of the board of the Cianbro Companies, will receive an honorary Doctor of Business degree in recognition of his leadership abilities, his dedication to employee health and safety, and his devotion to the people of Maine. 

Vigue graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1969 with a degree in marine engineering. After a brief stint in the merchant marines, he found his true calling in the construction industry. In 1970, he accepted an entry-level position at the Cianbro Companies in his hometown of Pittsfield, Maine. This town is now the current site of Cianbro’s Corporate Headquarters. 

Over the years, Vigue held a series of increasingly responsible positions, including field engineer, project engineer, area superintendent, project manager, purchasing director, and senior vice president of operations. In 1991, he became the president of the company; a position he held for more than 15 years.

He became CEO of the Cianbro Companies in 2000, and chair of the board of directors in 2008. In 2018, Vigue stepped aside as Cianbro’s chief executive officer to make room for the company’s next generation of leaders. He continues to serve as chair of the board of directors while also devoting time to the Cianbro Development Corporation.

Information About Dr. Susan J. Hunter

Another person who will receive an honorary doctorate is Dr. Susan J. Hunter. Hunter is the 20th president of the University of Maine and the president of the University of Maine at Machias, now a regional campus of UMaine. She was the University of Maine’s first woman president. 

She began her full-time career at the University of Maine in 1991 as a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences. Hunter is a cell biologist whose research focused on the structural and functional aspects of bone cell biology. She received grant support from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. 

Her administrative positions have included stints as the chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, associate provost and dean for undergraduate education, and five years as the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Just prior to her appointment as UMaine’s first woman president, Hunter also previously served as the vice chancellor for academic affairs for the University of Maine System.

About Husson University:

For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells, and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.