Husson University

Founded in 1898, Husson was originally named Shaw School of Business and was located on the second floor of a building in downtown Bangor. Enrollment was low until after World War II, when its reputation grew as a business school. In 1953 the Maine Legislature authorized the school, newly-renamed as Husson College, to grant Bachelor of Science degrees. It subsequently became Husson University in 2008.[7]

Today the University has four colleges, and two schools: the College of Business, the College of Health and Education, the College of Science and Humanities, the School of Pharmacy, and the New England School of Communications. The New England School of Communications, known by its abbreviation NESCom, was an independent school acquired[8] by Husson in 1997, and was separately accredited and operated semi-autonomously with control over its own tuition, hiring, admissions, and graduation requirements until 2014.

Since 2000, undergraduate enrollment has increased five to ten percent with each incoming class. In response, the University continues to add a significant number of new faculty to its ranks. Today, students graduate having trained both in the specialties of their chosen fields and in how those fields fit into a broader cultural context. Husson ranks 54th on U.S. News & World Report's ranking of top universities in the United States for social mobility.[9]

Husson University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). In addition, specific programs have their own professional accreditations or approvals:

• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) for their business programs.
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for their bachelor's and master's degree programs in nursing.
• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) for their occupational therapy programs.
• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) for their Doctor of Pharmacy program.
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for their Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling graduate programs.
• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) for their School of Physical Therapy.
• American Board of Physical Therapy Education Residency (ABPTRFE). The School of Physical Therapy is a member of this organization.
• State of Maine Department of Education has approved the school counseling and teacher education programs in the School of Education.
• National Board for Certified Counselors has approved the master's degree programs in clinical mental health and school counseling to provide continuing professional education and development.

The Husson University Campus in Bangor includes the Newman Gymnasium, the Winkin Sports Complex, Robert O'Donnell Commons (the College of Health and Education is located here), Peabody Hall (including the Sawyer Library and the Ross Furman Student Center), Harold Alfond Hall (opened in 2021, home of the College of Business and School of Law), the Dickerman Dining Center (renovated in 2012), the Dyke Center for Family Business, the Wildey Communications Center, the Beardsley Meeting House which houses the 500-seat Gracie Theatre, and the Darling Living & Learning Center which houses upperclassmen in suites and holds offices and classrooms on the ground floor. There are four residence halls: Hart Hall, Bell Hall, Carlisle Hall, and the Darling Living & Learning Center, a LEED Silver targeted student residence and academic building which opened in the fall of 2012. Two walking trails circle the outer perimeter and offer scenic walks through the Maine forest.

There are dozens of student clubs and organizations, such as Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Student Government, The English Society, Accounting Society, Criminal Justice Club, OPTS (Organization of Physical Therapy Students), OOTS (Organization of Occupational Therapy Students), the Organization of Student Nurses, Outdoors Club, Student Newspaper,[11] Husson University Theatre,[12] GAMERS, Q&A, Technology Club, Student Veterans Association, Running Club, Ski & Snowboard Club, Pep Band, Audio Engineering Society, Cru, and Husson College Republicans. The University also owns WHSN 89.3 FM, an alternative rock station operated by the New England School of Communications.

Husson currently has two active sororities and one fraternity.

Husson University teams are known as the Eagles. The university is a member of the NCAA Division III and fields twenty one varsity sports teams in the North Atlantic Conference (primary), Commonwealth Coast Football (football) and the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (swimming and diving). Sports offered include men's & women's soccer, men's & women's lacrosse, men's & women's cross country, men's & women's basketball, men's football, women's field hockey, men's and women's swimming & diving, men's and women's golf, women's outdoor track & field, women's indoor track & field, baseball, softball, and women's volleyball. Husson University also has three spirit teams including Cheer Team, Dance Team, and Pep Band.

• Tarren Bragdon, think tank founder and former Maine state legislator
• James R. Flynn, country music songwriter
• Phil Harriman, political commentator and former Maine state legislator
• George Hasay, former Pennsylvania state legislator
• Peter Lyford, Maine state legislator[13]
• Terry Morrison, businessman and former Maine state legislator
• Paul LePage, 74th Governor of Maine
• Edward Youngblood, banker and former Maine state legislator

• Official website