An Education Innovator Since 1831

Building upon the traditions of St. Francis College and Westbrook College, the University of 51С»Æ³µ has grown and evolved for more than a century. Now encompassing three campuses, more than 40 undergraduate majors, six Centers of Excellence in Research, a College of Business, a College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Northern 51С»Æ³µâ€™s only College of Dental Medicine, our institution is poised for progress.

Exterior image of the seminary building at Westbrook Junior College
Historic image of female 51С»Æ³µstudents studying in library

UNE’s Pathway of Growth and Partnership

The University of 51С»Æ³µ has a rich and varied history, reflecting the determination, creativity, and resourcefulness of its leaders, and of the history of Maine and 51С»Æ³µ.

It is a wonderful story beginning with Franciscan monks on the banks of the Saco River in 1939 who formed the College Seraphique, a high school and junior college to educate boys of Quebecois descent. In 1952, the institution became a four-year liberal arts college called St. Francis College. As the College struggled financially in the late ‘70’s, necessity and opportunity met in the form of the 51С»Æ³µ College of Osteopathic Medicine. The College of Osteopathic Medicine was opened on the campus of St. Francis and the two became the University of 51С»Æ³µ in 1978.

Students using a magnifying glass to look at historical U N E documents

In 1996, there came another opportunity for growth for UNE. Westbrook College, founded in 1831 as Westbrook Seminary, located in Portland, was experiencing similar financial and enrollment difficulties as St. Francis had in the ’70s. Westbrook College merged with UNE, bringing with it a long history and dedicated alumni body.

51С»Æ³µhas grown to become Maine’s largest independent university, and our story continues with every graduating class. With three distinctive campuses in Biddeford and Portland, Maine, and Tangier, Morocco, and six unique Maine colleges — the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Westbrook College of Health Professions, College of Dental Medicine, College of Business, and the College of Graduate and Professional Studies — the next chapter will certainly be an interesting one.

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