University of Maine Foundation Celebrates 70 Years of Endowing Excellence

June 8, 2004 Archives

Contact: Amos Orcutt at 800.982.8503

ORONO – On June 9, 1934, the University of Maine Class of 1909 presented a check for $1,000 to the newly formed University of Maine Foundation.  The Foundation’s investment of that gift and the many gifts that followed has resulted in total assets exceeding $120 million today.  This includes $90 million of endowed funds that provide scholarships and other forms of financial support for University of Maine students, faculty and programs.

The Foundation will honor alumni, donors and friends with a special 70th anniversary celebration on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 at Buchanan Alumni House in Orono, Maine.  At the event, seven individuals, representing each decade of the Foundation’s existence will be honored with the first University of Maine Foundation’s Leadership Awards.  Those seven individuals are:

  • 1934-1944:  Stephen Wheatland

  • 1944-1954:  Raymond H. Fogler ’15

  • 1954-1964:  Mark R. Shibles

  • 1964-1974:  Vincent A. Hartgen

  • 1974-1984:  Alice R. Stewart ’37

  • 1984-1994:  Harold Alfond

  • 1994-2004:  George L. Jacobson

Dr. Frederick E. Hutchinson, Emeritus President of the University of Maine, chaired the committee that selected the seven honorees, from the UMaine family of alumni, friends and staff, “for their contributions in making significant changes at the University of Maine resulting in the University being stronger and better fitted to do its work.”

Robert W. Daigle, the Foundation’s Board Chair, will host the recognition program.  Daigle, President & CEO of Camden National Corporation, who holds an undergraduate degree from the University recently stated, “I am honored to be a part of the anniversary celebration and am grateful to all the donors, past presidents and chairs whose leadership, generosity and vision have resulted in our success.  The University of Maine Foundation provides more than $3 million annually in scholarship and other support to this state’s only land and sea grant college.  That support is possible only because of our thoughtful, generous donors.”

The University of Maine Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that exists to encourage gifts and bequests designed to nurture academic achievement, foster research and elevate intellectual pursuit at the University of Maine.  The Foundation’s offices are located at Buchanan Alumni House, Orono, ME and online at www.umainefoundation.