We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of our good friend and colleague Roger “Chick” Pouliot. The timing of his death, just after the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Lewiston-Auburn College of the University of Southern Maine, is particularly poignant.
The lengthy effort to locate a campus of the university in Lewiston-Auburn featured vital roles by countless individuals, both within government and in the private sector. But the truly extraordinary dedication and tireless commitment which Pouliot demonstrated in the effort to locate a university campus in this area deserves special recognition.
During his service in the Maine House of Representatives, Pouliot approached every member of the Legislature (as well as the governor) often to discuss the critical need for people in this region to have access to a college education. Even when the initial proposal for a downtown campus was locally rejected, he tirelessly fought for the presence of the university in this community and successfully persuaded a new governor and Legislature to establish Lewiston-Auburn College.
Pouliot was a kind and generous man who was fiercely proud of this community and the people he represented. He earned the respect of his legislative colleagues due to his sincerity, integrity and political courage.
Although all of us have special memories of him, his finest hour as a public servant came during his advocacy for Lewiston-Auburn College and his contributions to this community cannot be overstated.
Paul Gauvreau, Gregory Nadeau and Paul Dionne, Lewiston
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