Subrata and Poonam Ghosh Giving Back

Originally published in the University of Maine Foundation’s Legacies newsletter.

Subrata Ghosh came to Orono to study for an MBA at UMaine after completing his
undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in India. Like many other Black Bears
before and since, Subrata recalls renting an apartment on Mill Street and walking to
campus on frigid February mornings. That ultimately led to his purchase of a small
Dodge sedan for $500. Its bearings were shot and its floor rusted through – with repairs
costing at least as much as the vehicle’s initial purchase price. Although his financial
situation while a student was not easy, Subrata looks back with appreciation for the
support he received from the University of Maine to complete his studies.

After graduation, Subrata moved to California to pursue a Master of Science in
Operations Research & Industrial Engineering at Stanford University. He appreciated
the weather in Silicon Valley especially compared to his winter treks in Orono. Subrata
and his wife, Poonam, have pursued their careers and created a wonderful life in the
Bay Area. Their adult daughter has also settled in the region.

Subrata and Poonam wanted to help UMaine students who needed a financial boost
just as Subrata had. They decided to create an endowed scholarship at the University of
Maine Foundation: the Poonam and Subrata Ghosh ’90G Scholarship. This scholarship
supports students who have demonstrated academic merit and financial need.

This scholarship is changing the lives of UMaine students now and will continue to do
so for generations to come. One recipient expressed appreciation saying: “Financially,
my family has really struggled to help me pay for college and I’ve been doing it a lot on
my own. Without a scholarship like this, I would not be able to attend this University.”

In addition to their lifetime support of this scholarship, Subrata and Poonam intend to
expand their support for UMaine students through gifts in their estate plans. Subrata
said that he was inspired by a letter he received from a classmate during a past reunion
year asking alums to consider this type of gift. Subrata and Poonam realized that they
could make a real difference in the lives of UMaine students for generations to come
and they hope others will consider doing so as well.