New University of Maine at Augusta President Michael Laliberte speaks Thursday in Randall Hall on the University of Maine at Augusta campus.

New University of Maine at Augusta President Michael Laliberte speaks Thursday in Randall Hall on the University of Maine at Augusta campus.

After giving a short welcoming speech, Susan Baker, who has been a science professor at the University of Maine at Augusta for 39 years, left, hands Michael Laliberte a bag of gear bearing the school logo Thursday in Randall Hall on the University of Maine at Augusta campus. Baker was a member the president search committee.