Thomas College Announces Two New Board of Trustee Members Web Director | October 16, 2019

WATERVILLE, MAINE, October 2019 — Thomas College is excited to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Trustees: Joseph Moore and Michael D’Appolonia. The addition of these experienced, innovative leaders will help move the College forward with its mission of preparing students for success in their personal and professional lives and for leadership and service in their communities.

Joseph Moore served as President of Lesley University in Cambridge, MA from 2007 until his retirement in 2016.  Previously he was President of the State University of New York’s Empire State College from 2000 to 2007.  His thirty-five years in higher education also included serving as Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, and Director of Planning and Academic Affairs in the Office of the Chancellor for the Vermont State Colleges. He has been a member and officer of numerous higher education associations. 

Moore earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; his master’s degree at the University of New Hampshire; and his doctoral degree at the University of Vermont.  He lives with his wife, Beth Chiquoine, on the central coast of Maine.

Michael D’Appolonia is a retired chief executive officer with more than 40 years of operational, financial and executive management experience encompassing both domestic and international operations. Most recently, D’Appolonia served as President and CEO of Kinetic Systems, and before that as President of Nightingale & Associates.

D’Appolonia earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Pennsylvania State University. In addition to his executive management experience, D’Appolonia has served as a member of the board of directors for a number of public and private companies. He lives with his wife, Betsey, on Long Lake in Harrison, Maine.  

“We are ecstatic to have two such accomplished and strategic individuals join our Board of Trustees,” said Thomas College President Laurie G. Lachance. “I have already seen evidence of their deep knowledge in higher education – for Joseph – and in strategic leadership – for Michael. The addition of these two members will only strengthen our existing talented and successful board, and I have no doubt that they will contribute to the growth of our College and our incredible, hard-working students.”

About Thomas College: Celebrating its 125th anniversary, Thomas College offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in programs ranging from business, entrepreneurship, and technology, to education, criminal justice, and psychology. Its Guaranteed Job Program, the first of its kind in the nation, is built on students’ academic, career, and leadership preparation. Thomas is also home to the Harold Alfond® Institute for Business Innovation and the Center for Innovation in Education. In 2017, Money Magazine ranked Thomas 23rd of all colleges and universities in the country for adding the most value to their degrees, and data reported by the New York Times ranks Thomas in the top 15 percent of all higher education institutions in the U.S. for upward mobility of its graduates. For more information, visit wwwold.thomas.edu or contact MacKenzie Riley Young at pr@thomas.edu or 207-859-1313. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.