UMaine Announces Million-Dollar Gift; Prominent Alums Receive Stillwater Society Presidential Awards
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — The University of Maine announced a million dollar gift on Friday night at its annual recognition dinner for top philanthropic donors. The Stillwater Society Dinner, held at Buchanan Alumni House, also featured the recognition of four distinguished alumni couples for their dedication and long-term support of their alma mater.
President Robert Kennedy announced the new $1 million gift from UMaine alums H. Allen (Class of 1954) and Sally (Class of 1955) Carroll Fernald of Camden, co-chairs of Campaign Maine, UMaine’s largest-ever private fundraising campaign. The Fernalds’ gift, which will support the arts and academics at UMaine, brings the campaign total to over $60 million in just two years. UMaine’s goal is to raise $150 million by 2011.
“(Allen and Sally’s) long-term generosity has positively affected this university for many years, and their great accomplishments — and the way they live their lives — have brought honor to their alma mater,” Kennedy said.
“Sally and I first met at the University of Maine and all three of our children have UMaine degrees, so it is a place that means a great deal to us,” says Allen Fernald. “Like so many of our friends, and countless others we have encountered in our personal and professional lives, we know that this wonderful university helped put us on a path to a successful and rewarding life. We continue to gain great satisfaction from watching UMaine grow and adapt to meet the needs of its students and our state, and we are pleased to participate in helping the university’s leaders chart the course for UMaine’s future.”
The alumni couples receiving UMaine’s prestigious Stillwater Society Presidential Awards were:
– Richard (UMaine Class of 1959) and Anne (Class of 1961) Collins of Key Largo, Fla.
– William and Betsy (Class of 1955) Leitch of Newtonville, Mass.
– Philip (Class of 1964) and Susan (Class of 1964) Morse of Glens Falls, N.Y.
– Thomas (Class of 1968) and Sally Savage of Key Largo, Fla.
“Each of these individuals represents what is best about our university, and each has made a personal commitment to its greatness,” said UMaine President Robert Kennedy in announcing the awards before an audience of 225. The Fernalds received Stillwater Society Presidential Awards in 2005.
The Stillwater Society was created in 2000 to recognize people who have made significant financial contributions to UMaine. Currently there are 525 individuals in the society, including 21 new members inducted Friday evening.