Read the Summer 2012 issue - the University of Maine Alumni ...

Summer 2012 

Black Bears 

Making 

A Difference 

George ’71, ’82G and Sylvia Brackett Ritz ’74 

President Ferguson 

Comments on his first year 

Career Award 

Journalist David Lamb ’62 

Game Changer 

Recollections of the 

’93 ice hockey team

THEY’RE WORTH IT. 

Sanford “Sonny” Miller 

and Joanne Banks 

Miller ’59 established 

the Sanford and Joanne 

Miller Onward Program 

scholarship at the University 

of Maine Foundation in 

2005 to support students in 

need, especially those who 

were seeking a new start for 

themselves. The Onward 

Program was a perfect fit. 

The Onward Program began 

in 1970 as a way to make the 

University of Maine more 

accessible to students who, 

for academic and economic 

reasons, might not otherwise 

attend college. 

For information about 

establishing a scholarship, 

please contact: 

Jeffery N. Mills 

President/CEO 

University of Maine 

Foundation. 

Two Alumni Place 

Orono, Maine 04469-5792 

207-581-5100 or 800-982-8503 

75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 202 

Falmouth, Maine 04105 

207-253-5172 or 800-449-2629 

www.umainefoundation.org 

“Sonny was a quiet philanthropist who 

believed strongly that education was the 

key. He dedicated his life to helping 

others succeed.” 

— Joanne Banks Miller ’59 

photodrake@aol.com

Twelve Reasons 

to support your 

Alumni Association 

Tradition: Your Alumni Association 

was established in 1875 — by alumni — 

to support alumni and UMaine. 

Alumni Programs: The ALUMnI 

FUnD supports alumni programs, 

communications and events. 

Students: The UMAA supports and 

advises UMaine students and helps 

them develop relationships that last 

forever. 

Scholarships: The Alumni Association 

helps to raise nearly $300,000 each year 

for class scholarships and UMaine 

projects. 

Connect: The UMAA helps you 

connect, reconnect, and stay connected 

to the UMaine community. 

Career Services: The Alumni Career 

Services program helps alumni make 

employment connections by extending 

all the career services available to 

currently enrolled students to alumni 

(for a reasonable fee). 

Find A Friend: Who do you want to 

find? Classmate? Roommate? 

Professor? We can help. 

MAINE Alumni Magazine: Read 

intriguing stories about fascinating 

people, places, and things related to 

UMaine. 

Alumni Chapters and Events: The 

UMAA directly supports regional 

alumni chapters and affiliated groups 

with planning, mailings, and events. 

Your Home Away From Home: Your 

Alumni Association creates memorable 

experiences with Homecomings, 

Reunions, and other campus events. We 

welcome alumni back to Orono and 

Buchanan Alumni House, your “home 

away from home.” 

Advocacy: The UMAA is independent 

and speaks with the voice of nearly 

100,000 alumni voices as an advocate 

for you and the University of Maine. 

You: As an alumnus/alumna, you are 

the UMaine Alumni Association. 

Remember, 52% of every dollar that funds 

Alumni Association activities, programs 

and services comes directly from alumni like 

you. 

THE DIRIGO SPIRIT LIVES HERE! 

This is one of my favorite times on campus. Everything 

is green and the gardens at Buchanan Alumni House 

were particularly beautiful at the 10th anniversary celebration. 

This spring, from the inauguration of our 19th 

president to commencement to Reunion Weekend, the 

emphasis has been about one thing: leadership. How 

will UMaine capitalize on its tradition of leadership and find 

courage to confront the challenges ahead? 

We graduated nearly 2,500 students the first weekend 

of May, one of UMaine’s largest classes ever. They 

were enthusiastic and eager to get on with the next 

phase of their young lives and to go out and make a 

difference. Honorary degrees were presented to alumni George Sakellaris ‘69, president 

and CEO of the energy company, Ameresco, and Owen W. Wells ’65, vice chair of the 

board of trustees of the Libra Foundation, a philanthropic organization. Owen spoke to the 

students about the multiple kinds of success. He told them that success to him means 

being part of progress toward important goals. We all look to these new graduates to fulfill 

their leadership potential. As a society, we need their energy, ambition, motivation, and 

fresh thinking. 

Our other big occasion was Reunion Weekend, May 30 to June 2. Several hundred 

alumni from the honored Classes of 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967 participated in off-campus 

activities to celebrate their milestones. About 400 alumni came to join us on campus for 

more fun and to renew their connections with classmates and the university. A highlight 

was the All-Alumni Dinner where President Paul Ferguson shared with everyone his 

vision for the future of UMaine, detailed in the Blue Sky Project Report. This innovative 

approach to tackling the very real challenges facing the university and the State of Maine 

certainly impressed the alumni present. You’ll find some features of that vision in the presidential 

interview in this issue. After you read that, I urge you to go to the university’s 

Website at www.umaine.edu and review the Blue Sky Report. 

Finally, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the opening of Buchanan Alumni House 

along with the retirement of Amos Orcutt ’64 of the UMaine Foundation. Amos was a 

driving force behind the design and construction of Buchanan Alumni House. It was also a 

chance to re-introduce Jeffery Mills ’82, former president of the UMaine Alumni Association 

and now president of the UMaine Foundation. It was a chance for the architects, engineers, 

and builders of the project to recall some of their experiences in making Buchanan 

Alumni House a reality. One story was about the search for a mosaic artist able to create 

the Great Seal of the State of Maine with its motto: “Dirigo” (I lead). It was a long and difficult 

search for someone skilled enough to create the detail in the seal, but it was worth it. 

From the foyer of Alumni House, that seal with the word “Dirigo” continues to challenge 

people who enter to tap their leadership potential. 

Be well! Be a Black Bear! 

Todd D. Saucier ’93, ’97G 

President & Executive Director

Editor 

Susan Mullaney ’59H 

Associate Editor 

Abigail Zelz 

Editorial Assistant 

Betty-Jo Watt 

Editorial Interns 

Scott Burian ’14 

Mallory Lavoie ’12 

Mellissia Richards ’02, ’12 

Jennifer Stoudt ’12 

Design 

Jim Frick ’44H 

Mike Mardosa ’73 

Publisher 

Todd D. Saucier ’93, ’97G 

Alumni Association Officers 

Samantha Lott Hale ’02, Chair 

nathan P. Briggs ’02, ’05, 

Treasurer, Chair-elect 

Kurt Marston ’74, ’79G, 

Immediate Past Chair 

Todd D. Saucier ’93, ’97G, Secretary 

UMAA Board of Directors 

Perry R. Clough ’63 

Elizabeth A. Downing ’77 

Robert D. Fitta ’83 

Calista W. Hannigan ’89G 

Andrea C. Hauck ’97, ’04G 

H. Arnold James ’72 

Christine Born Johnson ’82 

Kristen A. Lainsbury ’97 

Michael D. Lynch ’88, ’89G 

Lindsey A. Mayo ’05 

Jay P. McCloskey ’70 

Erin K. McCormick ’05G 

Richard L. Mcneary ’65 

Erin E. Merrill ’05, ’07G 

Leonard E. Minsky ’50 

Shirar W. Patterson ’01, ’03G 

Emma J. Pope-Welch ’06, ’08G 

John P. Poulin ’94 

Sharad Rathnam ’01 

Jon F. Sorenson ’86 

Paul M. Tomassini ’91 

Seth A. Woodcock ’99 

MAINE Alumni Magazine is published twice 

per year by the University of Maine Alumni 

Association for alumni and friends. The 

editorial office is located at One Alumni 

Place, Orono, ME 04469-0001. Telephone: 

(207) 581-1147 or 1-800-934-2586. Email: 

susan.mullaney@umit.maine.edu. 

Thanks to our editorial interns for their contributions to this issue. 

(l to r) Mellissia Richards, Scott Burian, Mallory Lavoie, and Jennifer 

Stoudt helped develop story ideas, researched and wrote articles and 

book reviews, and coordinated getting photos to go with the articles.

MAINE 

A l u m n i M a g a z i n e 

Volume 93, number 2 Summer 2012 

12 

20 

8 

8 

12 

16 

Maine Lines 

The Dirigo Spirit Lives Here 

President Paul Ferguson discusses his first year as 

UMaine’s 19th president and his Blue Sky vision for 

UMaine’s future. 

Alumni Profiles 

Turning Tragedy Into Triumph 

George ‘71, ’82G and Sylvia Brackett Ritz ‘74 build 

schools and clinics in the Paraguayan jungle to honor 

the memory of their daughter, Andrea Renee Ritz. 

Peace Corps Changes Lives 

Serving 27 months overseas impacts third-world 

countries and the UMaine alumni who volunteer. 

18 

20 

The World Was His Beat 

David Lamb ’62 receives prestigious Alumni Career 

Award for decades of journalistic excellence. 

Maine Remembers 

Game Changer 

Maine alumna recalls the day the ’93 hockey team 

visited the UMass Medical Center’s pediatric 

intensive care unit. 

Plus 

Around the Campus 

Alumni Bookshelf 

Alumni news & Calendar 

Classnotes 

Weddings 

Deaths

Around the Campus 

Joe Genco named 

2012 Distinguished 

Maine Professor 

Joe Genco, professor of pulp and paper 

science and engineering, was recognized as 

the 2012 Distinguished Maine Professor 

(DMP). The annual DMP award recognizes 

outstanding achievements in teaching, 

research, and public service. 

Genco teaches many of the undergraduate 

core chemical engineering courses, all 

of the core pulp and paper technology 

courses, and advises all of the fifth-year 

pulp and paper certificate students. 

Students appreciate his enthusiasm, 

conversational teaching style, and the 

respect he shows for them. They admire his 

ability to explain complex concepts as well 

as his accessibility and efforts to ensure that 

they succeed. 

Schoodic International 

Sculpture Symposium 

on campus 

The University of Maine’s steam 

plant parking lot on College 

Avenue will become an open-air 

sculpture studio late this summer. The 

fourth annual Schoodic International 

Sculpture Symposium, an artist-in-residency 

program, will take place in late July 

through the end of August. The program 

brings together artists, visitors, and 

communities to create public sculpture in 

eastern Maine. Using Maine granite, the 

selected eight sculptors from Maine, 

Taiwan, new Zealand, the netherlands, 

and other countries will create six large 

sculptures for placement in public sites in 

Maine. Three of the completed sculptures 

will be located on the UMaine campus: at 

Buchanan Alumni House, nutting Hall, 

and Fogler Library. 

Giving hope, 

shaving heads 

By Mallory Lavoie 

For the second year, students had an opportunity 

to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation 

charity on Maine Day. The charity supports 

research on childhood cancers. 

This year, 99 male and female students 

had their heads shaved in support of the 

cause. “I wanted to do something for these 

kids,” said student Katelyn Dufour. “I wanted 

to give them a fighting chance and give them 

hope.” 

Before the event, participants raised 

money through both online and cash donations. 

This fundraiser proves that sometimes 

making a difference can be as simple as shaving 

your head! 

International and 

study abroad programs flourishing 

By Jennifer Stoudt 

During the 2011-2012 school year, a record number of 423 international students 

studied at the University of Maine. Besides this influx of international students, 

about 120-150 UMaine students study abroad each year. 

Orlina Boteva ’04G, ’05G, advisor for the study abroad program, and a native of 

Bulgaria, studied at the University of Maine during her undergraduate career. Boteva has a 

passion for broadening the minds of UMaine students and helping them think internationally. 

She states, “My hope is that every student at UMaine will have an international experience 

during college. It can start with getting involved in International Coffee Hour, 

Culturefest, or International Dance Festival, and culminate in spending a semester or year 

abroad. It’s amazing to see the growth that happens in a student in just four months spent 

abroad. Sometimes I feel like students have spent years away from campus when I hear 

how eloquent, mature, and worldly they have become.” 

2012-2013 TUITION RAFFLE WINNER: 

Ethan Hibler ’15, a second-year civil 

engineering student from Turner, ME, is 

the lucky winner of this year’s tuition 

raffle. Ethan said, “This news was a good 

way to end a really good year.” Above, 

Ethan is congratulated by Todd Saucier 

’93, ’97G, UMAA president and executive 

director (left). 

4 MAInE Alumni Magazine

ASB provides service opportunities 

By Scott Burian 

Alternative Spring Break (ASB), a 

student-run organization, provides 

opportunities for students to 

participate in service projects both in the 

U.S. and overseas. This year ASB provided 

seven spring break and two winter break 

trips for students. 

ASB trips are run by site leaders and 

projects include working with underprivileged 

youth, children’s hospitals, AIDS, 

Killam Foundation supports 

United States - Canada student exchange 

By: Mallory Lavoie 

The Killam 

Fellowships 

Foundation, a 

non-profit organization, 

is dedicated to fostering Canada and 

U.S. relations by providing scholarships to 

American and Canadian undergraduate 

students so they can participate in a semester 

or year-long educational exchange in the 

opposite country. Studying abroad is an 

opportunity for University of Maine 

students to experience a whole new culture, 

learning environment, and way of life. 

Graeme Cunningham, manager of strategic 

development and partnerships, explains 

that the Killam Fellowships Program is merit- 

environmental work, Habitat for Humanity, 

endangered animals, and homelessness. 

Students are responsible for fundraising to 

help cover the costs of the trip. 

This year eight members of the Catholic 

Student Association volunteered for 

Bridgeport, Connecticut’s, Habitat for 

Humanity program. Sophie Ouellette 

reported, “I put up insulation, dug holes 

for a porch, moved a lot of furniture in 

warehouses, and helped build a wall.” 

based. It makes awards to students who 

possess outstanding academic credentials, 

with above-average grades, previously 

granted scholarships, fellowships and 

internships, or other recognition. They 

seek students who show ambassadorial 

qualities, strong interpersonal skills, 

compassion, and community engagement. 

University of Maine student, Sarah 

Denslow, was awarded a Killam Scholarship 

to attend the University of Ottawa for 

the 2011-2012 school year. She is a thirdyear 

international affairs and French 

double major and a sister of Alpha 

Omicron Pi, Gamma chapter. 

Jeff Mills named head 

of UMaine Foundation 

Jeffery n. Mills ’82 has been named 

president/CEO of the University of 

Maine Foundation, succeeding 

Amos E. Orcutt ’64, who retired after serving 

the organization for 22 years. 

“Jeff has extensive experience as a 

nonprofit fundraising and alumni relations 

leader in higher education,” said Ellen 

Greig Stinson ’68, chair of the Foundation 

board of directors. “I believe Jeff is truly the 

right person to lead the Foundation and 

take it to the next level.” 

Mills has been vice president of University 

Advancement at Monmouth University 

in West Long Branch, nJ, for the past 

seven years. He is returning to UMaine 

where he previously served as vice president 

for University Advancement and 

president/CEO of the Alumni Association. 

In both positions he worked closely with 

the Foundation. 

A Maine native who graduated from 

the University of Maine, Mills earned an 

M.Ed. in higher education administration 

and Ph.D. in educational leadership and 

policy studies from Arizona State University. 

At Monmouth, Mills was a member of 

the committee responsible for the investment 

of the university’s $125 million 

endowment and plant funds. He increased 

overall fundraising to the highest levels in 

university history, which led to Monmouth 

University winning the 2009 CASE- 

WealthEngine Award for Educational 

Fundraising. 

SUMMER 2012 5

Alumni Bookshelf 

Our Breast Cancer Journey: 

How to Kick Cancer’s Ass 

Corey ‘97, ‘98G and Michelle Lefevre Joyce ‘97 

Corey and Michelle 

Lefevre Joyce provide 

a painstakingly realistic 

account of the 

battle they went 

through together, 

dealing with breast 

cancer. Michelle, a 

former Division I 

softball player for 

UMaine, discovered 

a lump in her breast on 

new Year’s Eve in 2009, and a week later 

received the devastating news that it was 

cancerous. Corey, obviously devastated by 

his wife’s diagnosis, sought literature for 

advice on how to cope. They both realized 

there was no literature that offered a pragmatic 

insight in dealing with cancer, and 

there was no material published about 

easing the grief of a spouse. During 

Michelle’s eight-month ordeal, which 

included many surgeries, a partial mastectomy, 

and weeks of chemotherapy, Corey 

found writing to be a therapeutic outlet. 

Although publishing a book was never the 

couple’s original intention, Michelle’s 

matter-of-fact attitude, and Corey’s blunt 

and satirical writing proved to be entertaining 

as well as a great resource for 

others battling cancer. 

- Review by Jennifer Stoudt ‘12 

Scuba Gold 

Ben Thomas 

’56, ’61G 

From the first 

few pages des - 

crib ing the 

sighting of a 

German sub - 

marine in the 

Gulf of Maine 

to a race 

against the clock in the final 

pages, Scuba Gold is a fast-paced book of 

scuba diving, espionage, and young love. 

When a member of a diving team finds 

a gold pendant in Casco Bay off Portland, 

Maine, the discovery makes news around 

the globe. Two people with conflicting 

interests arrive in Portland to search for the 

remainder of the treasure lost in Casco Bay. 

Lee Thomas McCall, a young woman from 

western Montana, is seeking the pendant 

for her family as a lost heirloom. German 

military officer Heinrich von Brockner is 

seeking the pendant for more sinister 

reasons. A member of the team is 

murdered shortly after the find, team 

leader Matt Banner is the prime suspect, 

and there is a race against the clock to find 

the missing pendant and clear his name. 

Thomas uses his knowledge of the 

Casco Bay area to describe the region. 

His research into scuba diving will 

appeal to scuba diving enthusiasts, 

while his story of conspiracy and espionage 

will appeal to those hooked on 

conspiracy theories. And for those who 

enjoy reading of young hearts and 

passions, well, there is a little of that too. 

- Review by Mellissia Richards ‘02, ‘12 

Dreams of Wolves: 

Adventures in the Carpathian 

Mountains of 

Transylvania 

Alan E. Sparks ’80 

Eleven years ago, 

Alan Sparks ’80 

had a bit of a midlife 

crisis. He qualified 

for a voluntary 

early retirement 

package from the 

large telecommunications 

firm where he 

had been employed for nearly 21 years. His 

original plans of unwinding from “40 years 

of continual effort and stress” rapidly 

changed. Within 10 months of retirement, 

he lost his two best friends and spent a few 

months drifting. The drifting eventually led to 

Zarnesti, a small village in Romania, and the 

Carpathian Large Carnivore Project (CLCP), 

deep in the heart of Dracula Country. 

Sparks dove into the project, which 

entailed tracking wolves through deep 

snow and rough terrain, while interacting 

with the team he joined and immersing 

himself in the community. The book transports 

you to a place where religion is ruled 

by superstition and death is not hidden 

away and whispered about. Sparks 

describes the daily activities of the CLCP in 

detail, and describes the history of the area, 

combined with rich scientific history and 

information. His interactions with the 

wildlife, the community, and the wolves of 

the CLCP show not only a fascinating 

place, but how a jarring change of scene 

can help a man heal. 

-Review by Mellissia Richards ‘02, ‘12 

The Dam 

Committee 

Earl Smith ’62 

The Dam Committee 

is a captivating, 

comical mystery 

novel based in a 

small, fictional 

Maine town 

called Belfry. Anyone who is 

familiar with small town life in Maine can 

identify with the setting, the characters, 

and the lifestyle. Earl Smith, former dean at 

Colby College and public relations journalist, 

writes a humorous novel about a 

murder mystery that takes place in this 

small town. 

Smith says, “If the book has any attraction, 

it is because people who live in Maine 

can easily identify with the characters.” 

Smith uses colorful characters to bring his 

story to life. The plot unfurls when two 

friends, Harry, a neat and somewhat unsettled 

man; and nibber, the exact opposite; 

witness a murder scene. And then they 

discover a suitcase full of money. Smith’s 

first novel brings humor and life to his fictitious 

small town. 

-Review by Mallory Lavoie ‘12 


GET CONNECTED. 

RE-MAINE CONNECTED! 

REUNION 

Play in the Black Bear Invitational 

Connect with classmates 

Tour the campus 

HOMECOMING 

October 19-21, 2012 

UMaine Football Game 

Buchanan Alumni House Reception 

UMAA Craft Fair 

 

CHAPTERS & 

ALUMNI INTEREST GROUPS 

Stay connected with alumni 

Chapter & AIG events 

Networking opportunities 

Learn what’s happening at UMaine 

No alumni group in your area? 

Contact Chris Corro 

Director of Alumni Programs 

christine.corro@umit.maine.edu 

or 1-800-934-2586 

BLACK BEAR ROAD TRIP 

UMaine & UMAA come to you! 

UMaine guest speakers 

Events across the country 

Meet alumni in your area 

WANT MORE INFO? 

Visit our website at 

www.umainealumni.com

MAINE Lines 

by Susan E. Mullaney, CBC, '59H 

The Dirigo Spirit 

is alive and well 

When Paul W. Ferguson 

arrived on campus in 

July 2011, he looked 

forward to a new challenge. 

Morale appeared low in some quarters. 

Skepticism seemed high in others. The economic 

downturn impacting all public universities 

across the nation had taken a toll on UMaine. 

He was assuming the helm of one of America’s 

historic land- and sea-grant public universities, 

the backbone of the nation’s 20th-century 

progress and economic growth. Alumni, 

students, faculty, and citizens were looking to 

him with high expectations to develop a bold 

new vision and strategy to help the university 

realize its potential as a 21st-century public 

research university. They wanted a reaffirmation 

that “the college of our hearts always” still 

has what it takes to be a leader for the new 

century. 

Paul Ferguson fully appreciated the scope of 

the challenge and embraced the opportunity to 

bring his style of leadership to Maine to address 

the issues facing the university. He understood 

that UMaine has a strong foundation, a tradition 

of leadership, high-quality people, and a 

sense of place: solid starting materials. And, in 

his 25 years in higher education, he had developed 

an approach that has served his previous 

institutions well in achieving a record of 

success: “First, you ask the right questions. 

Then you listen closely.” 

MAInE Alumni Magazine sat down 

with President Ferguson recently to talk about 

his first year and the high expectations he has 

faced. 

A conversation with 

Paul W. Ferguson, UMaine’s 

19th president 

On the “Dirigo Spirit” and 

what it means to UMaine’s future 

UMaine’s tradition for producing leaders 

in all fields—from government to business 


to the arts and sciences—is noteworthy. The 

state and university’s seal with its motto, 

“Dirigo” or “I lead,” is a call to personal 

responsibility and initiative. The seal harks 

back to an earlier century when the state’s 

economy depended on agriculture, forestry, 

and fisheries for its prosperity. The seal 

depicts the independence, self-reliance, and 

determination that are the heritage of all 

Mainers. It recalls a time when members of 

rural communities were literally each other’s 

keepers, reaching out to those who needed 

help. This is the heritage of the University of 

Maine, where young people transform into 

the next generation of business and political 

leaders, educators, engineers, healthcare 

providers, researchers, artists, and many 

other professionals who sustain our society. 

This heritage was the reason for our theme 

of Leadership Week and the presidential 

inauguration. 

Leadership Week in April, which 

concluded with the presidential inauguration, 

was envisioned from the beginning as 

a celebration, not only of outstanding leaders 

past and present, but a celebration of 

this transformational process of education 

that develops new leaders for today and 

tomorrow. We were looking to establish 

something that could extend years beyond 

the inauguration of the 19th president. 

Student engagement is a critical component 

of the educational process. It is more 

than just classroom learning. It is the 

opportunity to develop connections not 

only with classmates and professors, but 

also with alumni who can provide additional 

opportunities for learning and experience. 

So for me, leadership development 

is, and needs to be, occurring in every 

corner of this university community. 

About his special perspective 

as a Black Bear parent 

Having our daughter, Jenny, here as a 

student was a wonderful value–added 

experience for me as a new president. At 

commencement, while we were 

celebrating the achievements of almost 

2,500 students from all disciplines, Grace 

and I knew personally many of those 

crossing the stage as Jenny’s friends and 

classmates. For those who may have 

visited the President’s House, we’ve had 

great times of candor and engaging 

conversations about their experiences 

and their hopes. There has been an 

atmosphere of mutual respect that has 

contributed deeply to my views on many 

topics and initiatives. These are 

wonderful young people and they 

should know that we continue to be 

committed to them. They may have 

graduated, but as alumni, they remain 

important members of the Black Bear 

family. 

His thoughts about reemphasizing 

the public good in public universities 

UMaine is one of the historic land-grant 

universities created by the Morrill Act that 

was signed by President Lincoln. As Doris 

Kearns Goodwin reminded us in her talk 

during Leadership Week, Abraham Lincoln 

was an entirely self-educated man. He 

probably spent a grand total of 12 months 

in a classroom his entire life. Yet Lincoln 

believed strongly in the transformative 

nature of education and its power to 

impact lives. At the time, an education at 

Harvard or any of the other historic private 

universities was a privilege only for the 

privileged. The Morrill Act was passed to 

provide greater access to higher education 

for all citizens, based on the principle that 

education and research could be a driving 

force for equality and economic development. 

I focused on this topic in my inaugural 

address stating: “The public university has 

drifted, in part, away from its visible, interconnected 

partnership with the public 

sector. In turn, the state and federal government, 

as well as many citizens, have lost 

sight of the critical role that the public 

research university plays in preparing their 

children for successful careers, for enhancing 

the quality of life, for spurring imagination 

through the arts and humanities, for 

creating new knowledge to fuel new technologies 

and businesses, and for continuing 

to partner with the state to create jobs 

and promote ongoing economic development. 

“This result has been an uncertain relationship 

of uncertain mutual benefits lead- 

Some Points of 

Black Bear Pride 

• UMaine is among the top 100 public 

universities for research in the nation 

• UMaine is ranked in Tier 1 of 

America’s top national universities 

• The UMaine Honors College is one 

of the oldest in the country 

• The UMaine College of Liberal Arts 

and Sciences offers the state’s most 

comprehensive liberal arts 

experiences and is a major cultural 

hub for Maine 

• UMaine is the home to the Foster 

Center for Student Innovation and is 

the birthplace of Innovation 

Engineering 

• UMaine’s day-to-day operations and 

student and visitor spending 

contribute $780.9 million to Maine’s 

economy and support 9,951 full-time 

and part-time jobs. Every $1 invested 

by the state in UMaine is associated 

with $8 in total statewide economic 

activity. 

Facts are from The Blue Sky Plan, a 

draft of which can be found online at 

umaine.edu/blueskyplan. The plan provides 

a comprehensive overview of the future 

direction for the University of Maine. We 

urge all alumni to visit the university’s 

Website to read either the executive 

summary or the complete plan. 


MAINE Lines 

ing to a misunderstanding of the roles and 

impact of faculty and their workload, a 

limited understanding of operational challenges 

we face and the efficiencies we 

achieve, and of critical importance, the loss 

of mutual respect of the public and its 

university both fiscally and, yes, with 

emotional support and loyalty. I am not 

here to defend the status quo. I am here to 

defend this university’s importance to the 

State of Maine and to reemphasize the 

public good inherent in the mission of the 

public university. I ask you all to join me 

during our 150th anniversary in recommitting 

to the inherent, mutually beneficial 

partnership between the citizens of Maine 

and their university.” 

Thoughts on the Blue Sky Project 

The Blue Sky Project, UMaine’s new strategic 

process and plan, was intended to 

produce a vision, guiding principles, and 

strategies for a new UMaine. The process 

has been collaborative and very open. We 

have logged many miles traveling around 

the state to listen and gather input. We 

have received ideas from all sources — 

students, faculty, staff, alumni, business 

leaders, legislators, and friends of the 

university. The result of this inclusive and 

engaging effort is a new hope, a new optimism, 

and a new belief that we can reaffirm 

public higher education as a 

transformative force in the State of Maine. 

I believe we have achieved our goal of a 

bold yet pragmatic vision. It will take such 

a grand vision and a united effort to 

address the many challenges facing the 

State of Maine and our university. 

On why President Ferguson 

is so optimistic for the future 

of the University of Maine 

This first year has been characterized by 

many diverse and substantive highlights, 

such as student scholarly presentations and 

artistic performances, campus lectures from 

noted scholars, and Leadership Week. Also, 

exciting athletic events and team successes 

in and out of the classroom, significant 

research and stimulation grants for innovation 

engineering, sustainability science, 

biomedical sciences, the Humanities 

Center, and new partnerships such as with 

the Library of Congress and the Folklife 

Center, the GigU Consortium of 37 universities 

nationwide promoting high-speed 

communications, the Margaret Chase 

Smith Library and Museum, and the new 

UMaine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute 

Technology Research Center in Old 

Town. 

These are a few of many examples that 

represent the best of what is ahead for 

UMaine. One aspect of this first year that 

has been particularly positive is the Blue 

Sky process itself. At first, people were 

understandably skeptical due to issues of 

morale and budget, yet open to engagement. 

They were discussing issues that had 

been talked about before, but remained to 

be adequately addressed. We encouraged 

people in the process to reflect on the past, 

but engage for a positive new future. 

Through many group and individual 

Timeline of University of Maine presidents 

1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 

1862 Morrill 

Act Land 

Grant College 

Act passed by 

Congress 

establishes 

the Maine 

College of 

Agriculture 

and the 

Mechanic Arts 

1870 Fernald 

Hall built as 

“Chemical 

Hall” 

Charles 

Frederick 

Allen 

1871 – 1878 

1873 

President’s 

House built 

1875 

University of 

Maine Alumni 

Associa tion 

established 

Merritt 

Caldwell 

Fernald 

1879 – 1893 

1881 First 

master’s 

degree 

conferred 

1887 

Agricultural 

Experiment 

Station 

established; 

Holmes Hall 

constructed 

1892 First 

intercollegiate 

football game 

Abram 

Winegardner 

Harris 

1893 – 1901 

1897 Name 

changed to 


Maine 

1901 Alumni 

Hall, originally 

a military drill 

hall, chapel, 

auditorium, 

and women’s 

gym, built. 

George E. 

Fellows 

1902 – 1910 

1904 Lord 

Hall built 

1906 Senior 

Skulls 

established 

1907 

Carnegie Hall 

built; first 


Masque 

production 

“Stein Song” 

written by 

Adelbert 

Sprague ’05 

and Lincoln 

Colcord ’05 

becomes 

UMaine 

college song 

Robert 

Judson Aley 

1911 – 1921 

1912 Maine 

Cooperative 

Extension 

begun 

1914 Black 

Bear 

becomes 

official mascot 

of the 



Clarence 

Cook Little 

1922 – 1925 

ca. 1924 

Compulsory 

chapel 

attendance 

abolished 

1925 All 


Women 

established 

Harold 

Sherburne 

Boardman 

’95 

1926 – 1934 

1927 Home 

economics 

department 

established 

1933 

Memorial 

Gym built 

1934 

Intercollegiate 

sports for 

women 

suspended 

Arthur 

Andrew 

Hauck 

1934 –1958 


Day 

established 

1938 Fogler 

Library 

constructed 

1941 3,882 

alumni serve 

in war effort 

1946 

Returning GIs 

cause spike in 

enrollment; 

housing is 

quickly con - 

structed to 

accommodate 

them 

Lloyd 

Hartman 

Elliott 

1958 – 1965 

1960 First 

doctorate 

conferred 

Oct. 19, 1963 

President 

Kennedy 

speaks on 

campus 

1964 

UMaine’s 

baseball 

team’s first 

trip to the 

College World 

Series 


discussions, members of the UMaine 

community contributed to building our 

new model for the 21st-century. 

On his most memorable 

experience since becoming 

UMaine’s 19th President 

Although I have enjoyed numerous highlights 

in my first year, I was blessed to 

participate in a very special event the week 

after commencement. The experience 

clearly brought home to me what the 

University of Maine represents, and 

demonstrated the impact and the spirit of 

the Black Bear Nation. 

I received a call from Richard Barron, 

UMaine’s women’s basketball coach, 

asking me to assist him in fulfilling an 

important request. Jackie Blanchard, his 

team’s student manager and a civil engineering 

major from Corinth, Maine, had 

missed commencement because she was in 

the hospital due to medical complications. 

Jackie has been fighting cancer since she 

was 11 years old. A major source of encouragement 

and motivation for her during 

these difficult times had been the goal of 

becoming a Black Bear engineer and standing 

with her classmates in the traditional 

UMaine blue hard hats at commencement. 

Heather Gooley, a nurse and long-time 

source of encouragement and friendship to 

Jackie and her family, felt strongly that 

Jackie should graduate. She made the call 

to Coach Barron and my office. 

Coach Barron, engineering dean Dana 

Humphrey, and I went to Eastern Maine 

Medical Center. Although I had originally 

expected a small gathering in her hospital 

room, I was stunned to see a gathering of 

about 90 people filling the hospital auditorium 

that included teammates, classmates, 

family, and friends. Jackie walked in with 

her sister, not expecting this event, and 

took her seat next to her engineering classmates 

wanting to share the moment with 

her. Dean Humphrey inducted her into the 

Francis Crowe Honor Society and civil 

engineering chair Eric Landis awarded her 

the UMaine hard hat. Jackie immediately 

removed her baseball cap, replacing it with 

her new hard hat. Then, with the “authority 

vested in me,” I formally awarded her 

diploma of graduation with a handshake 

and a hug. 

Jackie Blanchard, her family, and 

friends represent the best of Maine and 

UMaine. Characteristics evident that 

evening were courage, tenacity, determination, 

excellence, compassion, and spirit—all 

aspirational characteristics of the Black 

Bear Nation and the University of Maine. 

I was humbled to be invited to an event 

that honored the depth of pride and 

commitment of a young woman who loved 

the University of Maine and all it represents. 

For her, an individual model of 

courage and excellence, the University of 

Maine played a role in developing her 

strength and purpose to face a challenge 

more than many of us will ever face. I can 

think of no greater honor for any University 

president than to award a diploma to a 

new alumna such as Jackie, the exemplar of 

Dirigo Spirit. 

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 

Hugh Edwin 

Young ’40, 

’42G 

1965 – 1968 

1965 

Dormitory 

curfews 

abolished 

1968 Hilltop 

dormitories 

and dining 

commons 

completed 

1968 


Maine System 

established: 



becomes the 


Maine at 

Orono 

Winthrop C. 

Libby ’32 

1969 – 1973 

1972 

Women’s 

Intercollegiate 

athletics 

reinstated at 

UMaine 

(Title 9) 

Howard R. 

Neville 

1973 – 1979 

1974 Witter 

Teaching and 

Research 

Farm opens 

1977 Alfond 

Sports Arena 

constructed 

Paul H. 

Silverman 

1980 – 1984 

1980 UMaine 

becomes Sea 

Grant College 

Arthur M. 

Johnson 

1984 – 1986 

1986 Flagship 

campus 

recognized as 

The 




Center for the 

Arts (MCA) 

opens 

Dale W. 

Lick 

1986 – 1991 

1989 

Construction 

begins on 

Doris 

Twitchell Allen 

Village 

Frederick E. 

Hutchinson 

’53, ’58G 

1992 – 1997 


hockey’s first 

national 

championship 

1995 Faculty 

Five 

grassroots 

advocacy 

campaign 

1997 Bryand 

Global 

Sciences 

Center opens 

Peter S. 

Hoff 

1997 – 2004 

2000 

Hutchinson 

Center opens 

in Belfast 

2000 Patch 

Hall 

constructed 

2002 

Buchanan 

Alumni House 

opens 


Museum of 

Art in Bangor 

opens 

Robert A. 

Kennedy 

2005 – 2011 

2007 New 

Balance 

Student 

Recreation 

Center opens 

2008 

Resurfacing 

of Morse Field 

and Mahaney 

Diamond; 

Kessock Field 

upgrade 

2009 MCA is 

renamed 

Collins Center 

for the Arts, 

reopens after 

renovation 

Paul W. 

Ferguson 

April 19, 2012 

2012 

Leadership 

Week held 

Opening of 

Technology 

Research 

Center 

Opening of 

AEWC 

Windpower 

Lab 

Blue Sky Plan 

unveiled 


Alumni Profile 

Turning Tragedy 

into Triumph 

George ’71, ‘82G and Sylvia Brackett Ritz ’74 build 

clinics and schools in Paraguay’s most remote jungles 

in their daughter Andrea’s memory 

by Susan E. Mullaney, CBC, '59H 

I am only one person and I cannot do everything. But just because I cannot 

do everything does not mean that I will refuse to do that which I can. 

WHEN YOU first arrive at 

the home of George and 

Sylvia Ritz, mostly what 

you see is an unassuming 

farmhouse in rural Bradford, Maine. 

You could drive by it every day and not 

ever know that two extraordinary Black 

Bears live there. The Ritz family bought the 

72-acre wooded farm back in the early ‘70s 

after they married in 1972 while Sylvia was 

still finishing her degree at UMaine. 

George thought he had graduated from 

the University of Maine in 1968 with a 

degree in forestry and went off to join the 

Peace Corps in Chile. When he returned 

from South America, he discovered that he 

was actually one course shy of his degree. 

So, he registered to complete the remaining 

coursework in 1971. It must have been 

destiny, because that was when and where 

he met Sylvia, who was studying child 

development and elementary education. 

Later, George went back to UMaine, 

completing his master’s degree in 1982 

while working full time as a forestry 

consultant. 

After finishing his master’s, George 

was back in the Peace Corps as a staff 

member. This time his assignment was 

Paraguay, where he became director of 

forestry. Sylvia joined him in Paraguay 

shortly afterward with 4-year-old son, 

Jeremy, and 3-week-old baby, Andrea. 

“English was not Andrea’s first 

language,” Sylvia explains. “She spoke 

Guarani’ the language of the people. It 

surprises people to learn that Spanish is not 

12 MAInE Alumni Magazine 

-Helen Keller

the dominant language there, but is largely 

spoken only in the capital city, Asuncion. 

My two kids went native really quickly 

and loved it there,” Sylvia asserts. 

The family returned to the farm in 

Bradford after five years in South America 

and started building a “normal, usual” 

family life. George went back to work for 

the State of Maine as a forestry specialist 

and Sylvia returned to teaching special 

education in local schools, ending her 

teaching career recently at the Mary Snow 

School in Bangor. 

Coping with the unthinkable 

Jeremy went on to complete school and 

graduate from the University of Maine in 

2005. Andrea became involved in the usual 

activities like Girl Scouts and school sports 

Above: 

Andrea and Jeremy in 1984 at home in 

Asuncion, Paraguay 

Opposite page, clockwise from top: 

George and Sylvia Ritz 

Andrea Renee Ritz clinic at Kaaguy Kupe 

opened in 1998 

Dr. Laurel Parker ’05, George Ritz, and Dr. 

Jack Forbush, at the inauguration of the 

clinic at San Blas-KM 16 

Dr. Laurel Parker and patients under the 

“Gathering Tree” in Mby’a settlement at 

Tacuaro 

Paraguayan family 

Mby’a children experiencing clean, 

running water for the first time in their 

settlement at Tacuaro 

George and Dr. Laurel Parker with mem - 

bers of the Mby’a tribe at their settlement, 

Tacuaro, after receiving donated jackets 

teams, making many friends in the closeknit 

Bradford community. 

Then the unthinkable happened. 

Andrea developed sudden onset Type 1 

diabetes and died of complications at age 

12. It was a parent’s worst nightmare come 

true for George and Sylvia. Friends, relatives, 

and members from their church 

made contributions to a fund in Andrea’s 

name and the Ritz family had to decide 

how to use the money to best honor 

Andrea’s memory. 

“We spent a great deal of time thinking 

about what would be the best thing we 

could do to honor Andrea. We wanted 

something with a lasting, direct impact. 

There were many options,” George 

explains. “Then we thought of Paraguay, a 

small, landlocked country wedged 

between Brazil and Argentina. Andrea had 

grown up and been happy there playing 

with the native children. We knew firsthand 

just how great the needs are there. So 

we decided on building a clinic in a remote 

village with the funds. 

“We got a start-up grant from the Peace 

Corps. We also held additional fundraisers 

with the help of friends and family. I sold 

everything that was non-essential. And 

then I reached out to my contacts with the 

Peace Corps in Paraguay and asked them 

to solicit 10 proposals from villages that 

displayed enough commitment to see the 

project through. In 1997, I took a leave of 

absence and traveled down to make the 

selection and start the building project,” 

George continues. 

Overcoming primitive conditions 

The primitive conditions and logistical 

challenges facing him came as no real 

shock to George Ritz. He already knew 

about those. no electricity. no roads. no 

transportation except horse, mule, and ox 

cart. no communication. no clean water. 

no accommodations. Very much in 

evidence was the people’s deep distrust 

that promises made to them would be 

kept. 

“In the end, I couldn’t decide between 

two proposals and so we decided to build 

two clinics. These two villages are strategically 

located at crossroads for their region. 

There are about 500 people in each village, 

but today the clinics serve thousands from 

the surrounding countryside. 

“Quite literally, we had nothing to work 

with except hope and faith. To make 

matters worse, we had much skepticism to 

overcome. In their parlance, outsiders were 

all liars. Many had come, made the 

villagers a lot of promises, and then disappeared. 

Worse still was the fact that the 

villagers had no tradition of working as a 

group. The 40-year-long dictatorship in 

Paraguay had helped maintain its control 

by prohibiting the assembly of more than 

three unrelated adults for any reason,” 

George asserts. 

“And here was I proposing to build 

health clinics for people with no experience 

of modern medicine and this deeply 

ingrained distrust due to the multitude of 

previous disappointments they’d suffered,” 

George elaborates. “I would have to train 

and educate my workforce as I went along, 

before we could accomplish very much.” 

George brought his know-how from his 

UMaine training and his years in the Peace 

Corps, an ability to speak Guarani’ and 

Spanish, a lot of patience and determination, 

a chain saw, and not much else with 

him into the jungle. All the tools and 

supplies had to be hauled in from the capital 

before work could begin. Local people 

donated trees for lumber. George cut them 

up into useable lengths and used the 

branches and waste material to heat the 

kilns where they made their own bricks for 

the project. Then they had to dig the foundation 

by hand and haul water uphill from 

the river to make the cement. 

George elaborates with a story on what 

it was like building that first clinic. He had 

instructed the villagers to come the following 

morning, shovels in hand, and be 

prepared to dig the hole for the foundation. 

When he arrived the next day, he laid out 

the boundaries, but no one came to help 

dig. So after about an hour’s waiting, 

George began digging the hole himself. 

Finally, someone else showed up and 

began digging too. Soon there were 50 

shovels hard at work. When George asked 

what the hold-up was, the workers told 

him that they needed to see that George 



was telling the truth… that he really meant 

to dig that foundation and build the clinic. 

“We have also begun to work with 

some of the indigenous people of the 

Mby’a tribes, who have lived the traditional 

hunter-gatherer lifestyle in the jungle 

for millennia. That is rapidly changing as 

the government and developers want to 

exploit the natural resources in those rich 

areas leaving many tribes virtually homeless. 

We have been able to provide clean 

running water systems, medical attention, 

shelters, and school buildings for two 

Mby’a settlements.” 

Newfound lobbyist skills 

Over these last 16 years, George’s role has 

changed. He’s not so much a hands-on 

builder anymore. With help from friends 

and supporters that he has gained in the 

Paraguayan government, George has 

brought electricity, clean water systems, 

and wireless communications to the outlying 

villages. In appreciation, George was 

honored this year with the title of “illustrious 

citizen” of the San Juan District. 

“We have built enough trust among the 

villagers that now they come to me to help 

them negotiate what they need from their 

government. They have grown tremendously 

in their self-confidence and recognize 

that they are able to communicate 

with officials regarding their communities’ 

needs. 

“We have now built three schools. The 

first is in the original village where we built 

the first clinic. But the next two are in other 

remote areas. The government pays for and 

sends the teachers, just like they pay the 

nurses, doctors, and dentists at the clinics. I 

now go down to Paraguay for the month of 

April every year. I save up all my vacation 

time and use it during mud season when 

there isn’t a lot to do in the Maine forests. I 

really appreciate the support I have 

received from the State of Maine in allowing 

me the time and flexibility to do this 

once a year. And the rest of the year I’m on 

the phone or Internet communicating with 

officials or our local volunteers and coordinators 

to get support for the schools and 

clinics or talking with doctors or whatever,” 

George points out. 

Bringing modern medicine 

into the jungle 

Nurses mainly have staffed the clinics. A 

new Paraguayan government initiative 

has added a doctor and additional nurses 

to each clinic staff. American doctors come 

to Paraguay once a year, but are also consulted 

remotely regarding diagnoses and 

treatment plans. Com mun i cation is now 

possible by cell phone and Internet. As 

George points out, sometimes they have 

to go up on the clinic roof or climb a tree 

to get a signal, but they manage. And people 

get treated. 

“We’re indebted to the wonderful 

doctors from Maine who help out. Dr. Tom 

Adams of Southwest Harbor has joined me 

for 10 of the last 15 years and looks 

forward to going again in 2013. Dr. Jack 

Forbush of Hampden has gone twice, closing 

his practice for two weeks in April to 

come along, but he also consults frequently 

by phone and Internet. This year, I was 

joined for the second time by Dr. Laurel 

Parker of Bradford.” 

Making a difference 

I am a member of the community and as a member it is my privilege to do 

for it whatever I can before I die. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of 

splendid torch that I want to make burn as brightly as possible before 

handing it on to future generations. 

- George Bernard Shaw 

EVERY DAY across America and across the globe, thousands 

of UMaine alumni contribute to the larger 

community in a wide variety of ways. Making a difference 

is at the heart of the Dirigo Spirit. The contribution 

may be large and life-changing like a medical breakthrough. Or it 

may be quiet and life-affirming like helping young people get themselves 

on the right path through education, sports, travel, and opportunities 

to learn about other cultures. Here are just a few examples of 

what recent alumni are doing to make a difference. 

Paujo Bornstein ’06 works as a 

microfinance consultant for the 

microfinance institution AMK in 

Cambodia, one of the poorest 

nations in the world. Paujo helps 

AMK develop policies that allow 

14 MAINE Alumni Magazine 

poor people, mainly women, to 

start their own businesses and 

become self-sufficient. The big 

challenge is the risk of overindebtedness 

because there are so 

many microfinance operations in 

Southeast Asia and little 

coordination between the 

organizations to understand the 

clients’ true indebtedness picture. 

Paujo hopes to start his own 

business teaching financial 

literacy to microfinance clients so 

they can make better economic 

decisions. 

Abby Schrader ’06 is helping 

bring Australian teens to the U.S. 

to take advantage of athletic 

opportunities while they learn 

about another culture. Abby 

attended UMaine on a basketball 

scholarship and continued to 

play professionally in Denmark, 

Sweden, and Australia after

“We were particularly pleased when 

Laurel joined us. The Parker family, who 

own and run Parker Lumber, are almost all 

UMaine graduates. They’ve been our 

friends since we moved here. Laurel was a 

friend of Andrea’s and they were classmates 

and in Girl Scouts together. It means 

so much to us to have someone else who 

knew Andrea join the effort,” Sylvia 

comments. 

Making progress against the odds 

According to Sylvia, who handles the 

communications, promotion and finances 

for the Andrea Ritz Clinics in Paraguay, 

they are grateful to the many people who 

have lent a hand over the years. The 

Andrea Ritz Clinics in Paraguay is an official 

501(C)3 non-profit corporation that 

accepts tax-deductible donations. 

“We take no salaries. George pays his 

own transportation down to Paraguay. 

Every cent we raise goes into the effort. 

now that I’m retired, I’ll have more time to 

spend on getting the word out. We have 

our own Facebook page at www.facebook.com/paraguayclinics 

where I have 

posted photos from all the trips, starting 

with the first clinic in 1997. I have not been 

down there since 1998. I feel that it is more 

important that a doctor or medical professional 

has the seat on the back of the ATV 

or on the cart that I’d take up. I can do 

more good here,” Sylvia emphasizes. 

“This is a long-term process and we are 

committed to it for the long haul,” George 

states emphatically. “The villagers know it 

and are responding. They appreciate that 

we know they can’t make the gigantic leap 

from the Stone Age to the 21st century in 

only a few years. It will take decades. But 

we have been able to put down a foundation 

and put a few solid building blocks in 

place. It’s something we intend to give the 

rest of our lives to. And along the way 

we’ve been picking up others, like the 

doctors and like a shipping company from 

new Jersey owned by Paraguayan expatriots. 

The shippers are now able to ship 

our medical supplies down to Paraguay in 

their containers along with their other 

goods.” George concludes. 

“People support us because they know 

that what might be a small contribution to 

other organizations is more important to us. 

To date, we have not gone after large grants 

or other big-name support because of the 

small scale and slow pace at which we 

work, due in part, to our personal involvement. 

It takes generations to foster progress 

in a culturally appropriate and sensitive 

manner. To do otherwise is to invite failure. 

We cannot take a large team to Paraguay, as 

many missions are able to in other parts of 

the world. The infrastructure and extreme 

poverty in the areas in which we work will 

not support it. The logistics of travel, 

moving construction equipment and materials 

is very difficult. Rain quickly turns the 

red clay roads to mud and makes them 

dangerous or impassable. 

“For example, it was a gargantuan effort 

to move the two drilling rigs, borrowed 

from the government, from the capital to 

the villages where we drilled the new wells. 

We currently have nine running water 

systems in place with over 15 kilometers of 

water line. Each year we lay a few more 

kilometers of water line to bring safe water 

to more families,” George concludes. 

graduation. Abby is now the 

sports travel coordinator for 

Aussie Basketball Travelers 

striving to bring the world’s 

basketball community together. 

Abby arranges for thousands of 

Australian teens to travel to 

different states to focus on their 

competitive basketball skills as 

well as create lasting, positive 

friendships with their host 

families. 

Ryan Tewhey ’05 graduated with 

dual majors in molecular and 

cellular biology and bio chemistry. 

After graduation, Ryan worked at 

the Broad Institute of MIT and 

Harvard researching genetic risk 

factors for Type II diabetes. While 

earning his Ph.D. in biology at the 

University of California, San 

Diego, Ryan has been exploring 

the use of DnA sequencing to 

understand what makes MRSA 

(methicillin-resistant 

Staphylococcus aureus) so deadly. 

The MRSA microbe is a constant 

threat in hospitals and nursing 

homes and Ryan’s work on the 

subject recently earned him a 

place on the Forbes Magazine “30 

under 30” list for science. 

Kristen Sheppard ’07 is making 

her mark with the Peace Corps in 

Botswana. After graduation, 

Kristen moved to new York City 

and interned at the Highbridge 

Woodycrest Center in the Bronx, 

a mental health facility for people 

who are HIV positive. She 

subsequently worked at 

Germaine Lawrence in Arlington, 

MA, a residential treatment 

center for girls ages 10 -18. 

Combining these experiences 

Kristen now works in a social 

work office in Werda, Botswana, 

where she educates teenagers 

about HIV and its prevention. 

Casey Johnson Bromberg ’02, 

’04G was named one of the Top 

10 people shaping Maine’s 

economic future in 2010 by 

Maine Biz magazine for her work 

as development director for the 

Kennebec Valley Community 

Action Program (KVCAP). In 

2011, she was appointed a 

commissioner of the Maine 

Commission for Community 

Service. Casey now serves as the 

project manager for the 

Emergency Homeowner Loan 

Program, a federally funded 

program at KVCAP, which is 

helping financially troubled 

Mainers avoid foreclosure. 

One person can make a difference. 


Alumni Profiles 

UMaine Alumni 

and the Peace Corps 

Helping people build better lives around the world 

By Abigail Zelz 

IT’S A LONG WAY from Orono to Indonesia. Or Tanzania. not 

just in miles, but in language, culture, and customs. And these 

are just a few of the countries where UMaine alumni have 

served in the Peace Corps. Since President John F. Kennedy 

established the Peace Corps in 1961, hundreds of UMaine alumni 

have served as Peace Corps volunteers. 

The Peace Corps helps people in other countries meet their 

need for men and women trained in specific areas while promoting 

understanding between the United States and other nations. 

Becoming a Peace Corps volunteer means committing to 27 

months in a foreign country, including three months of intensive 

cultural, language, and technical training. 

In the summer of 2011, 13 alumni were serving in Albania, 

Burkina Faso, Fiji, Gambia, Macedonia, Mongolia, nicaragua, 

South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, and Zambia. 

According to Elizabeth Chamberlain ’83, public affairs specialist 

for the Peace Corps in the new England regional office, more 

Americans are serving as Peace Corps volunteers today than at any 

other time in the last 40 years. 

“Maine residents tend to be very supportive of Peace Corps, 

interested in public service, and equipped with skills our host 

countries need,” she observes. 

Opening a huge window 

The Peace Corps provided Colin Beckwith ’80 the first step in an 

international career. At UMaine, the forestry major never considered 

a career overseas and, except for crossing the Canadian 

border, had never been out of the country. After learning about the 

Peace Corps, he spent over four years in Guatemala, first as a 

volunteer and later as a trainer for new volunteers. 

Peace Corps “changes the way you see yourself and see the 

world,” he observes. “It opens up a huge window.” 

As a result of his experience, Beckwith shifted his focus from 

soil conservation to health and joined CARE USA, working in 

Panama and niger. He spent 25 years with CARE in several countries 

and regional offices in Africa and Latin America as well as in 

the United States. now deputy director of the International 

Trachoma Initiative program, he manages the annual Pfizer donation 

of antibiotics used to treat trachoma, an infectious eye disease 

that plagues people in parts of the developing world. 

Gerry Hawkes ’71, who served in the Republic of niger in 

1971-1973, recalls, “I had many highly unusual experiences and 

close calls in the Peace Corps. I learned the power of humor and a 

smile to diffuse many tense situations.” 

A forestry major, Hawkes undertook a project to plant native 

Simon Williams ’04 (center) in Ukraine with 

students vika and Dema. 

Mario Teisl ’90G (foreground) 

in Papua New Guinea. 

Cody Snow ’11 in Indonesia with Dara, a student 

in his English club, at a cultural festival. 


shade trees near the city of Zinder’s outdoor market. In the developing 

nation, the project presented some unexpected hurdles. 

Customs officials demanded an 80 percent duty charge, and the 

only chainsaw ceased to function. The supplier of fencing doubled 

his price when the materials arrived, leaving Hawkes to arrange 

for fencing through a local smuggler who acquired it in nigeria. 

Later, as blacksmiths forged axes and wedges, a piece of steel 

flew off and imbedded in Hawkes’s leg. Using his bicycle as a 

crutch to walk the two kilometers to the hospital, the young volunteer 

arrived to find unsanitary conditions and an attending doctor 

with questionable medical skills. Partway through the surgery, 

lying on a filthy, bloodstained sheet, Hawkes instructed him to 

simply stitch up his leg—he still has the shrapnel in his thigh. 

Helping to define career goals 

Despite intensive training by the Peace Corps, Mario Teisl ’90G 

observes that volunteers face inherent cultural challenges. Learning 

about the local customs is one thing, but understanding why 

people behave in certain ways is another. Because of that, “You 

learn to watch and listen more before you do something.” 

For Teisl, the Peace Corps “changed what I wanted to do.” A 

biology major in college, he spent three years in Papua new 

Guinea, where he worked with fishermen and farmers to send 

their fish and produce to larger markets. His service involved helping 

the residents to implement quality control, marketing, accounting, 

and reinvesting to grow their business. As a result of his 

experience and travel, Teisl shifted his focus to agricultural and 

resource economics. He is now an economics professor and director 

of the School of Policy and International Affairs at UMaine. 

Like Teisl, Hazel Groce ’07 revised her career goals as a result of 

her Peace Corps experience. Although she majored in international 

affairs with a focus on environmental issues, she is now enrolled in 

Hazel Groce ’07 (2nd from right) in Nicaragua met this 

group of girls through the nurses she worked with. 

a nurse practitioner program. “My work as a Peace Corps volunteer 

really sparked my interest in clinical and public health,” she notes. 

Groce worked with the Ministry of Health in nicaragua as a 

community health educator focusing on maternal and child health, 

as well as the prevention of HIV/AIDS. She worked in schools, 

with women’s groups, and gave presentations at pool halls. She 

also taught nutrition, reproductive health, and cooking to pregnant 

and nursing mothers. 

Teaching in a foreign school challenged Cody Snow ’11. An 

English major, he taught in a rural Indonesian school which was 

“lacking in organization and leadership.” 

Beyond the problems in the educational system that Snow felt 

unequipped to address in a comprehensive way, he calls his experience, 

“one of the most powerful and formative experiences in my 

life. I met amazing people, both American and Indonesian, who 

expanded my mind and showed me friendships in new ways.” 

Alumni currently serving overseas 

Kathryn Card ’11 teaches at a secondary school in Tanzania, and 

like Snow, has been introduced to a very different educational 

system. 

“In America we are told to ‘think outside the box’ and ask 

questions. Here it is all about memorizing and the teachers 

lecture.” 

Besides English, computer, and civics, she has taught her 

students the “Stein Song.” 

“My kids sing their song everyday so they asked for mine. 

They just learned from hearing me sing it over and over again. 

They love the clapping,” she reports. 

Card, who lives without electricity or running water, majored 

in international affairs with a minor in women’s studies and 

always wanted to work internationally. Her experience has helped 

her focus her future goals on earning a graduate degree and applying 

to the Foreign Service. 

“Being here has made me so grateful I am American. I had not 

realized what I had until I came here,” she says. 

After six months in central Ukraine, Simon Williams ’04 wrote, 

“My language skills are slowly getting better, but my charade skills 

are now off the charts! It’s amazing how much communication can 

be done without a spoken word and it is usually way more fun 

too.” 

A former baseball team captain at UMaine and past member of 

the St. Louis Cardinals, his house has electricity but no plumbing. 

Besides teaching, Williams is working to build an athletic field at 

the school, which is the hub of the community. 

“My favorite part of service is being part of this village,” he 

says. “It seems that every day I have a new Ukrainian mom wanting 

to feed me, making sure I dress properly, and that I wear a hat 

on cold mornings.” 

“I can’t even begin to tell you how great this experience has 

been so far, how Ukraine and this village is and always will be a 

big part of my life. Traveling is one thing but it is the living day in 

and day out that makes this unforgettable.” 



The world was his beat 

From the 1969 Battle for Hamburger Hill to the 

ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, journalist David Lamb 

has brought global events to life and into perspective 

for millions of Americans. 

YOU COULD GET jet lag just 

thinking about the number of 

countries that David Lamb ’62 

worked in during his brilliant 

career as a journalist—145 in all. Some of 

those countries didn’t even exist when he 

graduated from the University of Maine in 

1962–many that existed then, no longer do 

today. 

But even more impressive than the 

dizzying number of countries he covered is 

the list of major world events and conflicts 

he witnessed. That list includes the 1969 

Battle for Hamburger Hill in Vietnam’s 

Ashau Valley, the fall of Saigon, the Iranian 

Revolution, the landing of Marines into the 

turmoil of Beirut in 1982, the fall of Idi 

Amin, the Rwanda Massacres, the First 

Gulf War, the 1998 uprising in Indonesia, 

and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Lamb did much more than just report 

on the headlines. His colorful and insightful 

writing brought world events to life, 

and into perspective, for millions of American 

readers. And in the tradition of all great 

journalists, he never settled for secondhand 

reports, but insisted on being an 

eyewitness, often putting himself in harm’s 

way. Over the span of his career Lamb was 

nominated for eight Pulitzer prizes. 

In addition, his experiences eventually 

led to six critically acclaimed books, ranging 

in subject from his cross-country journey 

by bicycle to his late 1990s discovery of 

a Vietnam he never knew as a young correspondent 

covering that country’s civil war 

in the ’60s. 

In recognition of his outstanding journalistic 

work, the University of Maine 

Alumni Association presented Lamb with 

By Jim Frick '44H 

In recognition of his outstanding journa 

listic work, the University of Maine 

Alumni Association presented David 

Lamb with its prestigious Alumni Career 

Award during ceremonies at Reunion 2012 

in June. 

its prestigious Alumni Career Award 

during ceremonies at Reunion 2012 in June. 

Lamb says he was both thrilled and 

surprised by the honor. 

“I was completely stunned,” he said. 

“But the folks who are really stunned are 

my classmates! I know they’re all saying, 

‘that guy’s getting what award?’ I wasn’t 

exactly known as an model student.” 

Although he grew up in Massachusetts, 

choosing UMaine was an easy decision for 

Lamb. His father, Ernest, was a loyal 

member of the Class of 1910. 

“My dad loved the university,” he 

noted. “I gave him a lot of cause for 

concern when I was a student at UMaine, 

but I know he would have been extremely 

proud of my getting this award.” 

At UMaine, Lamb joined Beta Theta Pi 

fraternity, served on the staff of the Maine 

Campus, and studied journalism under the 

tutelage of legendary professor Brooks 

Hamilton. 

“I think we had maybe eight journalism 

majors back then, and I believe all of us 

went into print journalism,” he recalls. 

“Brooks taught everything the department 

offered—he was the journalism department. 

We all loved him—and in turn he 

nurtured our love of journalism.” 

After graduation, Lamb was commissioned 

and served a two-year stint in the 

U.S. Army. When his military obligation 

was over, he headed west in search of a 

newspaper job. He found one, albeit for $90 

a week, with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. A 

year later he moved on to a slightly better 

paying job at the Oakland Tribune. 

Exhilarating and horrifying 

His first foreign assignment came in 1967, 

shortly after joining United Press International. 

Lamb was sent off to Vietnam to 

cover what would turn out to be the most 

intense period of that long war. As a frontline 

reporter he was never far from the 

action. Indeed, he covered some of the 

highest profile events of the war, including 

Hamburger Hill. In fact, it was Lamb who 

gave that battle its name. 

“Vietnam was both exhilarating and 

horrifying,” Lamb explained in an earlier 

MAINE Alumni Magazine interview. “I 

often felt the futility of the war. It was a 

haunting experience, knowing what the 

Marines and soldiers had been through, 

and that in the end it was all for nothing.” 

In 1970, Lamb began a 34-year association 

with the Los Angeles Times—America’s 

second-largest daily newspaper. When 

reflecting on the numerous battles, uprisings, 

and invasions he covered in that 

career, he says that being in Beirut in 1982 

probably ranks as the scariest experience. 

“When the Israelis invaded in ’82, there 

was absolute anarchy in the city,” he 

remembers. “More than 100 militias were 

running around, and the Israelis were 

dropping bombs everywhere. Some of 


those militias didn’t like the American 

press. There was literally nowhere to go 

where you could feel safe. Things 

happened without warning or reason.” 

How does a reporter function under 

such conditions? “It’s tough and scary,” he 

admits. “It was a time when my life was in 

danger on an almost daily basis. But you’re 

so intent on getting the story that you just 

deal with it. Even when the diplomats from 

the U.S. Embassy were evacuated from 

Lebanon, and advised us to leave too, we 

journalists stayed. We stayed because it’s 

sort of a time-honored tradition—journalists 

are the first in and the last out.” 

Lamb now looks back on those harrowing 

times in Beirut as well as other assignments 

all over the Middle East, Africa, and 

Asia and realizes just how different the 

world of journalism is today. 

“When I first went to Africa in the ’70s 

there were no computers, no faxes—heck, 

our telephone almost never worked,” he 

remembers. “Most communication was 

done by telex. One good thing about that 

was that your boss couldn’t contact you 

instantaneously, at any time from the home 

office—we worked pretty independently. 

now reporters are connected to the home 

office literally 24 hours a day.” 

Lamb doesn’t think that all of the big 

changes in journalism are for the better. 

He’s especially sad about the demise of 

American newspapers. 

“Occasionally when I talk to high 

school or college students about journalism, 

I’m asked if I think they should go into 

print journalism,” he says. “I have to admit 

that I’m hesitant to give them an answer, 

because the newspaper industry is in such 

abysmal condition.” 

He believes newspapers remain important 

because the major networks have 

really given up covering the world. 

“When I first became a foreign correspondent, 

the networks had reporters 

everywhere in the world,” he says. “now 

they just jump in for crisis stories, but overall 

the networks have no world coverage 

anymore. Lots of fluff stuff now. We really 

need broad news coverage to be able to 

obtain a rational understanding of what the 

world is about.” 

David Lamb has certainly made his 

contribution to our understanding of the 

world—through outstanding reporting and 

his insightful books such as The Arabs: Journeys 

Beyond the Mirage, The Africans, and 

Vietnam, Now: A Reporter Returns. The latter 

book was the result of one of Lamb’s last 

assignments with the L.A. Times, opening 

one of the first American news bureaus in 

Hanoi. It was an assignment that Lamb 

believes is his favorite. It was also one that 

brought his career full circle. 

“I think probably the nicest and most 

satisfying assignment was my last one— 

going back to Vietnam—which I had only 

known as a country at war when I covered 

it back in the ’60s,” he says. “Most of my 

time was with the Marines at the DMZ. It 

was really the discovery of a brand-new 

country. I knew nothing about Vietnamese 

history or culture. I had spent almost all of 

my time during the war with American 

troops.” 

Discovering the real Vietnam 

Lamb says that when he went back in 

’97 he discovered the real Vietnam and 

he made friends for life. 

“Both my wife and I loved it,” he 

says. “We loved the people, the food, 

and the culture. My career really came 

full circle. The war had been my first 

overseas assignment and then to come 

back and discover the Vietnam I’d 

never known toward the end of my 

career—well, it was very special.” 

In addition to his book, Lamb’s 

return to Vietnam led to three critically 

acclaimed documentaries for 

PBS, produced and directed by his 

wife, Sandy northrop. 

Although officially retired from 

the L.A. Times, Lamb is still in 

demand as a freelance writer and a 

speaker. Despite having dealt with 

some serious health issues, he’s 

returned to Vietnam numerous times 

in the past decade, often being featured 

as a speaker on cruise tours to that 

country. 

You might expect a 50-year newspaper 

veteran who has witnessed more 

than his share of war, rebellion, and injus- 

tice to be something of a curmudgeon and 

cynic. In David Lamb’s case, nothing could 

be further from the truth. He remains 

enthusiastic and curious about everything 

going on in the world. Most of all he’s 

appreciative of a career that was a perfect 

fit for his wanderlust, his personality, and 

his abilities. 

“I never woke up a single day wishing I 

was doing something else with my life,” he 

says. 

Lamb’s first foreign assignment came 

in 1967, shortly after joining United 

Press International. He was sent to 

vietnam to cover what would turn 

out to be the most intense period of 

that long war. 


Maine Remembers 

players. I must confess that I had not been 

following this team, or any other team for 

that matter. Born in hockey-loving Lewiston, 

and an alumna of the University of 

Maine, I had graduated before Alfond 

Arena was built. We didn’t have varsity 

hockey while I was at Orono. I admit, I did 

not know that this team thus far had 

compiled an impressive 39 wins, 2 ties, and 

only 1 loss. I did not know that among 

these athletes were five finalists for the 

prestigious national Hobey Baker Award, 

presented to the year’s best collegiate 

hockey player for superior ability and 

sportsmanship. 

On April 3, 1993, the Maine Black Bears captured their first national NCAA Division I 

hockey championship. The State of Maine erupted in joy and celebration. 

March Inspiration 

Recollections of an encounter with the ’93 hockey team 

ISTRODE DOWN the hall of the pediatric 

unit to greet the visitors waiting at 

the front desk. It was a gray day in 

March at the University of Massachusetts 

Medical Center in Worcester, MA. The 

year was 1993. As a child life specialist for 

the unit, it was my job to coordinate volunteers 

and visitors to the patients. As a 

member of the medical team, I helped children 

cope with hospitalization through 

play and diversion; and helped them get 

through painful and scary procedures. 

While it was not unusual for a Red Sox 

player undergoing a procedure at the 

medical center to visit the patients, or the 

occasional semipro mascot, even a WWF 

wrestler or two, we did not get the kind of 

celebrity visitors in Worcester that often 

By Cheri Wing-Jones ’75 

visit the Boston hospitals. 

The day before I had taken an unusual call. 

“Hello, I’m Shawn Walsh, coach of the 

University of Maine hockey team. We’re in 

Worcester for the nCAA quarterfinals. We 

have some down-time before the game and 

I think it would be a good distraction for 

the team to visit the kids at the hospital.” 

“Sure, we’d like to have you visit the 

patients, but, did you say, ‘the whole 

team?’ ” 

“The whole team. Tomorrow at 10 good 

for you?” 

“Yes. Meet me on the fourth floor. Pediatrics.” 

I hung up. A whole hockey team? 

The 1993 University of Maine Black 

Bears men’s hockey team consisted of 29 

The visit 

As I looked down the hall, I saw a Maine 

sea of navy and light blue hockey jerseys. 

The players smiled shyly, shifting from foot 

to foot, likely wishing they could be on the 

ice right now, instead of in a hospital. Head 

coach Shawn Walsh had eyes that sparkled. 

His thick white hair and mustache made 

him appear wiser than someone in his thirties. 

Walsh shook my hand and introduced 

his team and staff. 

They followed me to the playroom, 

where they greeted the children in johnnies 

and slippers. Some children were attached 

by tubes to bags of IV medicine hanging 

from poles on wheels. Some were undergoing 

treatment for cystic fibrosis, cancer, 

burns, broken bones, or infections. The 

athletes autographed drawings of themselves 

in coloring books for the children. 

The children in turn smiled shyly at these 

big athletes. 

I smiled. I understood Walsh wanted 

his athletes to be more than mere hockey 

technicians. He was teaching them to 

become poised public speakers; to use their 

sport and newfound celebrity to help 

others; and to persevere in the face of 

adversity, just as these patients were doing. 

“I need volunteers to come with me to 

the pediatric intensive care unit. So, who 

among you are the bravest?” Laughing 

nervously, they all pointed to an 18-yearold 

freshman from Vancouver, British 

Columbia, Paul Kariya ’96. I could tell he 

was used to his teammates’ teasing. I now 

had one recruit. Soon, goaltenders Mike 


Dunham ’94 and Garth Snow ’92, ’94G 

stepped forward, as did Jim Montgomery 

’93, Dave LaCouture ’99, Cal Ingraham ’94, 

and Michel Latendresse ’95. This line 

followed me to the ICU, laughing nervously. 

I stopped at the ICU doors to 

prepare them for what they were about to 

experience. 

Braving the ICU 

“These children are our sickest patients. 

You will see monitors and hear alarms. 

Some children are intubated, which means 

they are breathing with the help of a respirator. 

Some will be getting oxygen through 

a mask. You can talk with the patients and 

family members.” I smiled at these now 

very young-looking guys. Most, if not all of 

them, had never done this before. “The 

children and their families will appreciate 

your visit.” 

They nodded, serious now. I hit the 

automatic door opener. The double doors 

blew open. Monitors flashed. Alarms 

beeped. Medical staff in scrubs and white 

coats conferred at the center station, 

surrounded by individual rooms with 

beds, patients, IVs, tubes, monitors, 

oxygen, bandages and respirators. Patients 

who were able, smiled at the visitors. 

Family members perked up and welcomed 

the athletes to their bed spaces. 

The guys chatted with patients and 

autographed pictures. Staff stopped writing 

in charts long enough to meet them, 

too. We headed back to join their teammates, 

leaving behind us a trail of smiles, 

having given families a momentary respite. 

Years later, I watched Into the Woods, a 

film about this team’s run to the Frozen 

Four. In one scene, Walsh uses the image of 

one of the patients they had visited, bald 

from chemo treatments, to inspire his players 

to continue to play through adversity. 

The Centrum was sold out that night. 

My husband, Chris, managed to acquire 

tickets. He knew I needed to see this game, 

whatever it took! The seats turned out to be 

a few rows behind the Black Bears’ bench. 

The players seemed more confident, larger, 

and more powerful on the ice. Quick and 

focused, they handled the puck with ease, 

passing to one another in warm-ups. I felt 

proud of each of them. Coach Walsh, looking 

intense and dressed in navy jacket and 

a tie, stood behind his players. They beat 

Minnesota 6-2 that night. They would 

advance to the Frozen Four, a first for the 

University of Maine. 

A few days later, the Hobey Baker 

Memorial Award was presented to the first 

freshman in collegiate hockey history. The 

recipient was none other than the eighteenyear-old 

with the shy smile who had 

accompanied me to the ICU: Paul Kariya. 

On April 3, 1993, the Maine Black Bears 

captured their first national nCAA Division 

I hockey championship. The State of 

Maine erupted in joy and celebration. 

Adversity and inspiration 

Eight years later, in March 2001, Chris and I 

returned to the nCAA hockey quarterfinals 

in Worcester. On this night, my 

University of Maine Black Bears were 

matched against the Boston College Eagles. 

In the interim years, an nCAA investigation 

of university athletics had found violations 

at Maine and had placed a ban on 

post-season tournamant. Walsh had been 

suspended for one year. Despite this, he 

had remained at Maine, guiding the Black 

Bears to four more Frozen Four tournaments 

and coaching yet another team to an 

nCAA championship in 1999. 

We watched the Black Bears with 

excitement and pride. On the bench, 

behind his players, was Shawn Walsh. 

nine months before, he had been diagnosed 

with kidney cancer. He had spoken 

candidly to the press about his surgery and 

treatments. Despite all he had gone 

through in recent months, Walsh was here 

tonight with the same passion he always 

brought to the game. 

Twelve thousand fans packed the 

Centrum that night. The teams played with 

speed and intensity. With 2:29 minutes left in 

the final period, the referee issued Walsh a 10- 

minute misconduct. He was ejected from the 

game. Jacket off, shirtsleeves rolled up, he 

walked off the ice at the corner of the rink 

opposite us. The crowd went wild as the play 

resumed and the clock ticked down. I spotted 


Walsh standing behind some fans, edging his 

way as close to the Plexiglas as he dared. He 

never took his eyes off the action on the ice. 

The buzzer signaled the end of the game. 

The BC fans erupted victoriously. The Black 

Bears had lost. 

Shawn Walsh slipped his blazer back on. 

He stepped onto the ice for the post-game tradition 

of handshakes. As they glided through the 

line, he shook the hand of each BC player: 

words and back slaps for some, hugs for others. 

Here was respect for the game well fought; and 

graciousness in the face of loss. But even more: 

resilience in the face of serious illness. They were 

to be Walsh’s final moments coaching a game. 

He died on September 24, 2001, at the age of 46, 

from complications of kidney cancer. 

Guided by Tim Whitehead ’92G, the 

team hit the ice the day after Shawn’s 

funeral. The 2002 University of Maine Black 

Bears made it all the way to the final NCAA 

championship game, where they lost to 

Minnesota 4 to 3 in overtime. This was a 

heartbreaking loss in a season of grief, yet a 

season to be proud of. 

Lessons well learned 

Many players from the 1993 team, as well as 

subsequent teams, have distinguished themselves 

in the National Hockey League, Canadian 

and American teams in the Olympics, 

the minor leagues, and coaching. A few years 

ago, I noticed that the NHL’s Colorado 

Avalanche helped to renovate an infusion 

center at the Children’s Hospital in Denver 

with proceeds from the NHL’s Hockey Fights 

Cancer foundation. On hand to celebrate the 

opening of a special “Av’s Room” to benefit 

children with cancer, hemophilia, sickle cell 

anemia, bone marrow transplants, gastrointestinal 

and genetic disorders, was none other 

than Avalanche forward Paul Kariya, the 

young player I had introduced to a pediatric 

ICU on a March day in 1993. 

One never knows where one will draw 

inspiration to weather the inevitable adversities 

of life. My own inspiration comes from 

University of Maine Black Bears hockey 

teams with a long legacy of facing adversity. It 

all started, though, with one hockey team 

who showed up at a hospital on a gray day in 

March to cheer up some patients. And to get 

some inspiration. 

22 MAINE Alumni Magazine

The ALUMNI FUND and The FUND 

working together for you 

As part of a coordinated fundraising effort, the University of Maine and the University of Maine Alumni 

Association agreed that The ALUMNI FUND campaign would run under the umbrella of The FUND. Gifts to The FUND 

still go toward campus initiatives and those to The ALUMNI FUND support alumni-centric initiatives. They work 

collaboratively rather than independently in support of the University of Maine and the Alumni Association. 

The University of Maine Alumni Association 

raises 52 percent of its annual operating 

budget to provide alumni programs and 

services. All alumni are considered members 

of the Alumni Association and annual 

contributions keep them connected to and 

involved in their alma mater. Tax-exempt gifts 

to The ALUMNI FUND support programs 

and events such as the Black Bear Road Trip, 

Reunion and Homecoming weekends, MAINE 

Alumni Magazine, the Alumni Association 

website and Bear Tracks e-newsletter, and such 

services as the Class Adoption Program and 

Alumni Finder. 

umainealumni.com 

On an annual basis, The FUND at the 

University of Maine seeks private support 

from new and existing donors, including 

alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff. 

Since the University of Maine is state-assisted 

— not state-funded — private support is 

critical to offering the best education and 

experience possible to students. Gifts to The 

FUND support presidential priorities and 

college/department initiatives in such areas as 

scholarships, technology upgrades, student 

travel and research, classroom and laboratory 

improvements, new program development, and 

campus facilities. 

umaine.edu/development 

How do I direct my gift? 

All donations to The ALUMNI FUND and/or The FUND are processed through the same gift processing department at the University 

of Maine. As a donor, it is important for you to clearly indicate where you wish your gift to go. You can communicate the 

designation on the gift card included in solicitations, online (umainealumni.com or umaine.edu/development) or on the memo line of 

your check, made payable to either UMAA or the University of Maine. For more information, call 1-800-934-2586. 

Thank you to all who contribute annually. 

Regardless of your philanthropic interest, your generosity leaves a lasting imprint at the University of Maine.

The Class of 2012 

UMaine’s newest alumni leave a lasting gift to their alma mater as they move 

on to the next chapter of their lives. 

The cool, cloudy weather on May 

5th didn’t the dampen the spirits of 

the 2,487 happy UMaine graduates 

making up the Class of 2012—one of the 

largest classes in the university’s history. 

Two distinguished University of Maine 

alumni received honorary degrees and 

served as keynote speakers at the commencement 

ceremonies. Owen Wells ’65, 

vice chair of the board of the Libra Foundation 

in Portland, spoke to the graduates 

at the morning ceremony. And George 

Sakellaris ’69 addressed the afternoon 

commencement gathering. 

Alumni Association chair Kurt Marston 

’74, ’79G welcomed the graduates to the 

ranks of the 100,000-plus alumni body. 

The Class of 2012 has worked closely 

with the Alumni Association and the Class 

of 1952 in planning and building a blueberry 

garden as their class gift to their alma 

mater. This project is the result of much research 

and preparation. The garden will 

be located near the New Balance Student 

Recreation Center. Class member Zachary 

Campbell, who majored in environmental 

horticulture with a concentration in landscape 

design, designed the garden, which 

will be a lasting gift for the UMaine community 

to enjoy. 

The Class of 2012 Blueberry Garden 

will feature a variety of blueberry plants 

sourced from Maine. The main feature of 

the garden is a Berkley blueberry plant 

that will be in full bloom throughout the 

summer months, with nearly a dozen 

other varieties that display attractive bark 

in the winter. Other elements of the garden 

include Ann Magnolias, a weeping 

pine, and hydrangeas that make this a 

year-round spectacle. With the addition of 

Maine stonework throughout, visitors will 

be able to sit and enjoy the landscape. 

If you’re interested in contributing or 

want more information, please contact Val 

Mitchell ’09 at 207-581-1144. 

Contributors to the Class of 2012 Blueberry Garden as of May 23, 2012. Thank you! 

Matthew & Dorijean Amero in honor of 

Christopher Amero ’12 

Marilyn Lantery Anderson in honor of 

Kaitlyn Anderson ’12 

Robert & Mary Arell in honor of Michael Arell ’12 

Karen Arsenault in honor of Michael Arsenault ’12 

Mary & Ronald Baard in honor of Karin Baard ’12 

Will & Marcia Bailey in honor of 

Alexander Bailey ’12 

Toni Baranowski in honor of 

Samantha Baranowski ’12 

Sue Beals in honor of Meryl McLellan ’12 

Peter & Carol Beaster in honor of Mary Beaster ’12 

Mark & Lorraine Bender in honor of 

Ryan Bender ’12 

Tom Biede in honor of Virginia Biede ’12 

Jane Borsetti in honor of Moriah Borsetti ’12 

Althea Bouchard in honor of Danielle Loggans ’12 

Gregg & Deborah Bouchard in honor 


of Daniel Bouchard ’12 

Merri Braman in honor of Aaron James ’12 

Julia & Kenneth Bundy in honor of 

Kenneth Bundy ’12 

James & Donna Buttarazzi in honor of 

Samantha Buttarazzi ’12 

James & Clare Caddell in honor of 

Alexander Caddell ’12 

Zachary Campbell ’12 

Julia Carleton in honor of Ian Barlow ’12 

Roseann Chiacchio in honor of Jakob Low ’12 

Class of 1952 

Michelle & Cory Cookson in honor of 

Brittany Cookson ’12 

Robert & Victoria Cronin in honor of 

Michael Cronin ’12 

Edward Cruz in honor of Kelsey Cruz ’12 

Gregory & Mary Curtis in honor of Adam Curtis ’12 

Paul & Debora Davis in honor of Brynne Davis ’12 

Curt & Jane Day in honor of Jacob Day ’12 

Paul & Norma Desjardins in honor of 

Gerard Desjardins ’12 

Richard & Hong-Nhung Lu Detwiler in honor of 

Elizabeth Detwiler ’12 

Kathryn & Keith Dietz in honor of Jessica Dietz ’12 

W. Thomas & Susan Dunn, Jr. in honor of 

Christopher Dunn ’12 

Catherine Duplinsky in honor of Faith Duplinsky ’12 

Nora Eldean ’12 

Scott & Linda Fairbanks in honor of 

Ashleigh Fairbanks ’12 

Randall & Janet Fairman in honor of 

Evelyn Fairman ’12 

Nancy & Joseph Flynn in honor of Kelsey Flynn ’12 

William & Linda Frederick in honor of 

Caleb Frederick ’12 

Paula Stone Fuller in honor of Matthew Fuller ’12 

Cheryl Fullerton in honor of David Fullerton ’12

Debra & Robert Furman in honor of 

Matthew Furman ’12 

William & Cheryl Futera in honor of 

Nathan Futera ’12 

Donna & Thomas Gerte in honor of 

Thomas Gerte ’12 

Cdr. Michael & Nancy Gilmore in honor of 

James Gilmore ’12 

Wayne & Kathy Glifort in honor of Melissa Glifort ’12 

Marilyn & Alfred Gordon in honor of 

Bradley Gordon ’12 

Charles & Barbara Hahn in honor of Alicia Hahn ’12 

Ellen Dacosta Harris in honor of 

Christopher Knoblock ’12 

Gary & Karen Hediger in honor of Erin Hediger ’12 

Robert & Laura Hegarty in honor of 

Ryan Hegarty ’12 

Wade & Kathy Hill in honor of Kaylee Michaud ’12 

Joy Hirshfeld in honor of Leslie Hirschfeld ’12 

Richard & Anita Horecka in honor of Hannah 

Horecka ’12 & Bryan Morneault ’12 

Janet & John House in honor of Samuel House ’12 

Thomas & Cheryl Hudson in honor of 

Hannah Hudson ’12 

Gerry & Virginia Hughes in honor of Kelly Hughes ’12 

Wayne Ingalls in honor of Jill Ingalls ’12 

Mary & Edward Jadallah in honor of 

Lauren Jadallah ’12 

Mark & Christian Jandreau in honor of 

Joshua Jandreau ’12 

Nancy Russat Jenkins in honor of 

Lindsey Jenkins ’12 

Mark & Bonita Jensen in honor of Eric Jensen ’12 

Timothy & Suzanne Kelley in honor of 

Scott Kelley ’12 

Monica Kelly in honor of Noah Pfister ’12 

Sherry Kelly in honor of Katie Delcourt ’12 

Eric & Bonnie Kinney in honor of Nathan Kinney ’12 

Veronica & Kenneth Kupferman in honor of 

Caitlin Kupferman ’12 

Dawn & Ronald Laflamme in honor of 

Stephen Laflamme ’12 

Bruce Lamb in honor of Ethan Lamb ’12 

M. David & Diane Lauter in honor of Sara Lauter ’12 

Erika Lenfest in honor of Erika Lenfest ’12 

Diane & Jacques Levesque in honor of 

Brandon Levesque ’12 

David & Patricia Lindemann in honor of 

Ryan Lindemann ’12 

Carol & Gregory MacGlashing in honor of 

Ryan MacGlashing ’12 

Robert & Cynthia Frye Macomber in honor of 

Malcolm Macomber ’12 

Mary Jane Maltezos in honor of Jason Maltezos ’12 

Lora Manning in honor of Madeline Manning ’12 

John & Particia Marcek in honor of 

Lucas Marcek ’12 

Eileen & Albert Marchini in honor of 

Anne Marchini ’12 

Elizabeth Marks in honor of Jeffrey Marks ’12 

Diane Mathieu in honor of Cameron Mathieu ’12 

Ellen & John McAdam in honor of 

Matthew McAdam ’12 

Vicki McLeod in honor of Kristyn Timberlake ‘12 

Bruce & Lisa Mini in honor of Alexandra Mini ’12 

Cynthia & Terry Morneault in honor of 

Bryan Morneault ’12 

Leigh & Patricia Morrow in honor of Alex Morrow ’12 

David & Nancy Murphy in honor of Erin Murphy ’12 

Joseph & Tamela Nabozny in honor of 

Joseph Nabozny ’12 

Kathleen & Brett Neidig in honor of 

John Neidig ’12 

David Newcomb in honor of Lucas Newcomb ’12 

William & Elizabeth O’Neill, Jr. in honor of 

William O’Neill ’12 

Ann O’Sullivan & Steven Frost in honor of 

Patrick O’Sullivan-Frost ’12 

John & Tammy Ouellette in honor of 

Benjamin Ouellette ’12 

Thomas & Karen Payeur in honor of 

Benjamin Payeur ’12 

Carolyn Piccolo in honor of Matthew Piccolo ’12 

Pine Knoll Lawn Care & Landscaping 

David & Lori Pomelow in honor of Adam Nailor ’12 

Deborah & Joseph Pranaitis in honor of 

Eric Pranaitis ’12 

Mark Quigley in honor of Kristina Quigley ’12 

John Rasmussen & Margaret O’Donnell in honor 

of Andrew Rasmussen ’12 

Rudy Rawcliffe in honor of Kimble Rawcliffe ’12 & 

Rylee Rawcliffe ’12 

Residents on Campus 

Emile Richard & Rita Cantor in honor of 

Elizabeth Richard ’12 

Eugenia & Bernard Rogers, Jr. in honor of 

Andrew Rogers ’12 

Thomas & Nancy Ryan in honor of 

Patrick Ryan ’12 

Sandra & John Sciuto in honor of Jesse Sciuto ’12 

Anne Severy in honor of Nathaniel Severy ’12 

Hamid & Georgette Shaidani in honor of 

Nikko-Ideen Shaidani ’12 

David & Constance Shelley in honor of 

Dianah Shelley ’12 

Andrew & Mary Ellen Shirshac in honor of 

Luke Shirshac ‘12 

Ivan & Deborah Smith, Jr. in honor of 

Cody Smith ’12 

Paul & Irene Steltzer in honor of 

Christina Steltzer ’12 

Taylor & Nancy Strubell in honor of 

Emma Strubell ’12 

Student Government 

Richard Tang-Kong & Julianne Carney in honor of 

Jesse Tang-Kong ’12 

Levin & Colleen Taylor in honor of Valerie Taylor ’12 

Robert & Andrea Teer in honor of Olivia Teer ’12 

Stephen & Patricia Treadwell in honor of 

Setha Treadwell ’12 

Susan Valaitis in honor of Hugh Valaitis ’12 

Paul & Katheryn Viens in honor of Gregory Viens ’12 

Dr. Lloyd Waxman & Dr. Julie Fagan in honor of 

Jordan Waxman ’12 

Bruce & Nancy Wildes in honor of 

Nathaniel Wildes ’12 

Elizabeth & Glenn Wildes in honor of 

Nathaniel Wildes ’12 

Maurice & Kristine Williams in honor of 

Joshua Williams ’12 

Joseph & Kirby Williams III in honor of 

Cary Williams ’12 

Donald & Donna Witherill in honor of 

Jackson Witherill ’12 

Gary & Margaret Wright in honor of 

Dana Wright ’12 

Raymond & Nancy Zemlin in honor of 

Benjamin Zemlin ’12 

Summer 2012 25

R 

E 

U 

N 

I 

O 

N 

Class of ’62 officers get together before the class dinner. Left to right 

are: Nancy Nichols Hogan ’65G, president; Diane Ingalls Zito, secretary; 

Gary Cran, class agent; Millie Simpson Stewart, vice president; and Susan 

McNeary Billings, treasurer. 

’62 is Golden 

It was a 50th Reunion to 

remember—reacquainting 

with old classmates, 

sharing memories, 

reconnecting with the 

campus, celebrating the 

10th anniversary of Alumni 

House, and just plain 

having fun. 

2 

0 

1 

Left to right: Lois Murdock Libby ’63, Larry 

Libby ’62, Mary Lou Smullen, and Bill Smullen 

’62 (recipient of the 2007 Alumni Career 

Award). 

Left to right: Pat McCourt DiTata ’62, Alethe Flint 

Donaldson ’61, Rosemary Rich Leonard ’62, and Peg 

Boothby Lyon ’62. 

2 

Gathering at the Class of ’62 dinner are, left to right: Eli Karter 

’63G, ’68 Ph.D., Kitty and Dill Paiste, Trudy Chambers Price, 

and Ron Price. 

Diane Ingalls Zito ’62 (left) received both 

the Golden “M” for her outstanding work 

on Reunion, and the 2011 Hilda Sterling 

’55 Class Correspondent Award. Jane 

Fitz Wilcox ’62 was recognized for coming 

the greatest distance—all the way 

from her home in Wasilla, Alaska. 


Hope Wing Weston ’37, who returned to 

campus for her 75th Reunion, talks with 

recently retired UMaine Foundation executive 

director, Amos Orcutt ’64. 

Taverner nontraditional scholarship recipients attending the Saturday lunch during 

Reunion are, left to right: Rhonda Whalen, David Huffstutler, Kathy Zerrien, Alexander 

Rutherford, Sara Tryzelaar, Tania Fraser, and Dora McCarthy. Nontraditional 

students often attend UMaine after working, military service, or raising families. Recipient 

Tania Fraser addressed the alumni, saying, “I am glad to have the opportunity 

to thank you all for your generosity. With this scholarship, students like me are able 

to achieve their goals.” 

Standing, left to right: Bill Currie ’52, Ginny Norton Beach ’52, and Woody Beach ’51. 

Sitting, left to right: Jean McIntire White ’52, Dolores Amergian Drivas ’52, and Lin White 

’54G, ’65 C.A.S. 

Perry Hunter ’52 received a Black 

Bear Award for his outstanding 

service to UMaine and the Alumni 

Association. 

Enjoying their 60th Reunion celebration are ’52 members, left to right: Al 

Pease, Marnie Murray Pease, Prescott Johnson, and Darolyn Johnson. 

Edie McVay King ’67 presents a stein 

for Alumni House to UMAA president 

Todd Saucier ’93, ’97G during the 

1967 class luncheon. 

Summer 2012 27 


Alumni News and Activities 

CALENDAR 

Another Successful 

Black Bear Invitational 

Taking part in the 2012 Black Bear Invitational 

at Belgrade Lakes Golf Club are 

(above, left to right): Calista Wiberg-Hannigan 

’89G, dean of students Bob Dana ’80, 

and Sarah Hart of Tartans of Maine (one of 

the tourney sponsors). 

Calista and Bob were the finalists in a putting 

contest playoff which Calista won. The 

tournament was organized by the UMaine 

Alumni Association. The lead sponsor for the 

event was the University Credit Union. 

Class of 1944 Summer Gathering—July 25—11:00 am 

Bear’s Den, UMaine campus 

10th Annual Shawn Walsh Memorial Golf Classic—July 30 

Martindale Country Club, Auburn; starts at 8:15 am 

Portland Alumnae—August 2—11:30 am 

Potluck luncheon, UMaine Regional Learning Center, 75 Clearwater 

Drive, Suite 202, Falmouth; bring dish and $5 donation 

Alumni Chapter of Southern Maine—August 6 

13th Annual UMACSM Golf Classic, Spring Meadows Golf Course, Gray 

3rd Annual Cocktails on the Coast—August 24 

Harbour’s Edge, 6 Custom House Wharf, Portland 

Rochester (New York) Alumni Chapter—September 15 

Alumni Picnic & Downeast Feast; more information to follow 

New Jersey Alumni Chapter Lobster Maine-ia—September 30 

Homecoming Weekend—October 19-21 

Black Bear football, alumni tailgating, Homecoming Craft Fair, and more 

Watch for more details on these and other alumni activities or visit: 

umainealumni.com 

Call For UMaine Alumni 

Award Nominations 

The Alumni Association is now accepting 

nominations for the following alumni awards: 

The Alumni Career Award, the Bernard Lown 

’42 Alumni Humanitarian Award, the Black 

Bear Award, the Block “M” Award, the Fogler 

Legacy Award, Class Correspondent Award, 

and the Spirit of Maine Achievement Award. 

Contact Valerie Mitchell ’09 at 581-1144 

or Valerie.mitchell@umit.maine.edu or visit 

umainealumni.com to complete a nomination 

form. The deadline for first submission 

of nominations is August 31; final submission 

deadline is November 30, 2012. 


Thank you, retiring board members! 

Alumni Association chair Kurt Marston ’74, ’79G (far right) recognized eight retiring UMAA 

board members for their outstanding service at the Association’s annual meeting on June 

3. Left to right are: Irv Marsters ’63, ’71G, former chair Suzanne Hart ’68, Amanda Haines 

Goslin ’04, and Karen Rosello Boucias ’71. Also recognized were Joanne Bodwell Ferreira 

’73, Michael J. McInnis ’68, Caroline Seastrom Bowman ’07, and Brooke D. Wagner ’86.

Classnotes 

Senior Alumni 

Jayne Hanson Bartley ’49 

9 Alumni Drive, Apt 120 P 

Orono, ME 04473 

(207) 866-4723 

It is wonderful to come back on campus during 

Reunion and experience nostalgia and recall the 

places so important to us way back then. Today 

it is an awesome experience to see all the new 

class buildings, dormitories, athletic facilities, 

and research center where unbelievable things 

are being done, things we never even heard of 

“in our day!” Freshmen don’t wear beanies anymore 

and the Maine “hello” isn’t heard much, 

but the wildly clad students are eager and accomplish 

so much. Yes, it’s a whole new generation! 

As Senior Alumni, we have the chance to 

impact this generation through the Donald Taverner 

schoalrships that we present to deserving 

nontraditional students. Through the generosity 

of the alumni who have passed their 50th 

Reunion, we are able to help make it possible 

for these deserving, more mature students to 

realize their educational dreams. Many have incredible 

stories to tell about what brought them 

back to UMaine to pursue higher education after 

raising families or serving in the military, or 

whatever other diversion kept them from going 

straight from high school to college. Last year 

we presented over $58,000 in scholoarship assistance 

to 34 students. These students are so 

appreciate of our support. 

The Senior Alumni association was created 

to keep in touch with all of us and to give us a 

special role to play in the future of the University 

of Maine. When you meet the incredible Taverner 

Scholars at the Senior Alumni luncheon, 

and hear their stories, I can’t think of any more 

important thing we can do than to provide a 

sholarship that could be the difference between 

being able to continue or not with their UMaine 

education. 

I like to think of our time as payback time. 

We’ve had good lives due to our education and 

preparation for life’s challenges, and now it’s 

our turn to support others who have the same 

dreams we once had. 

I’m often kidded about my being such a loyal 

alum. I chose to move back to Orono to finish 

my life. It’s so great to volunteer at the Alumni 

House and attend sports events, concerts, and 

plays. I hope that each of you will choose to 

become involved in some way with “the college 

of our hearts always.” supporting our Taverner 

Scholarship fund is just one way to make a difference. 

Reception before hockey game 

with student scholarship 

recipients—October 19. 

1939 

Edna Louise “Squeeze” Harrison Dempsey 

2526 Carrollton Road 

Annapolis, MD 21403-4203 

(410) 268-1888 

eldempsey@comcast.net 

I recently came across a photo of our great 55 th 

Reunion in Orono. We all had a wonderful time 

in those memorable days. Going back in time 

can be very special. BUT then we must come 

back to today. Which brings up the subject of 

sending me an old memory or picture of yours, 

classmate—from 1939 or more recently. 

Please send a memory, photo, or simply a 

greeting. 

ELD 

1940 

Ginny Pease Dogherty 

Granite Hill Estates 

16 Walnut Drive 

Augusta, ME 04330 

ginnypd@roadrunner.com 

Greetings, classmates. I hope everyone is 

having a good summer. I’d love to hear your 

news and report it for everyone to read. Please 

drop me a line, call, or send me an email so I 

can include you in the magazine. There must be 

something to share for the Class of ’40. Enjoy 

the warm temperatures! 

1941 

Agnes Ann Walsh 

15 Piper Road K322 

Scarborough, ME 04074 

(207) 885-1414 

A Maine Hello to all ’41ers wherever you are! I 

had hoped that someone who didn’t attend our 

70 th Reunion in June 2011 might have written 

a note to say you were “alive and well.” Yet I 

came up with an empty mailbox! After a slow 

start, the U of Maine ice hockey team rose to 

the occasion and made the Hockey East semifinals 

and the first round of the NCAA playoffs. 

We, the viewers, had three weekends of 

outstanding hockey by our Black Bears. One 

of our players, Spencer Abbott, was honored 

as Hockey East Player of the Year and runnerup 

for the national Hobey Baker Award. The 

University of Maine Symphonic Band performed 

at Merrill Auditorium in Portland this spring with 

the Westbrook High School Wind Ensemble 

as special guest. There was a reception by 

invitation only before this event and we met 

the new president, Paul Ferguson, and his wife, 

Grace. (His inauguration was in mid-April.) 

President Ferguson, in his welcome, spoke 

about how impressed he was with the pride 

and loyalty of alumni and students of the 

University of Maine; he said it was evident by 

the representation of the Class of 1941 on down 

to a student from the Class of 2013. It made my 

heart beat faster to hear those words Class of 

1941. 

Jean Peirce passed away in January 2011. 

Jean was a home economics and education 

major who later earned a M.A. in nutrition from 

UNH. She worked as a dietician at hospitals 

and schools before serving as director of food 

services for St. George’s School in Newport, 

RI, for many years. She also enjoyed oil and 

watercolor painting, bridge, and traveling with 

her sister, the late Charlotte Peirce ’43. Jean left 

a very generous contribution to the University. 

We extend our condolences to her family. 

Karla Edmunds Christensen ’70 sent me 

the obituary for her father, John J. Edmunds, 

who died in Towaco, NJ, in December 2011. 

John served in the US Navy and was sent to 

MIT to work on a new technology—special 

equipment to detect and destroy enemy 

ships—all of this was top secret. After the war 

Professor Clarence Bennett invited John to join 

the faculty of the University where he stayed for 

five years. Then he moved to New Jersey where 

he worked as an engineer for DuPont and later 

became a contractor/builder of elegant custom 

built homes. Many thanks to Karla for being 

so thoughtful to send this information. Our 

deepest sympathy to Karla, her siblings, and 

their families. 

Paul Townsend phoned in April as he was 

visiting his sons in New York state and looking 

forward to his return to Blue Hill, his Maine home. 

He reported that his Theta Chi fraternity brother 

Robert McDonald died in March. Bob was 

married to the late Edith McIntire McDonald. 

Classmate Harold “Haddie” Ham, a Phi Delta 

Gamma member who resided in Lucerne for 

many years, passed away in April. We extend 

our sympathy to his wife, Alice Noyes Hamm 

’51, and their children. 

We were saddened to learn of the death of 

Barbara Young Pullen ’60G in March. Barbara 

had an outstanding career in education. 

She studied at MIT, Boston University, Heed 

University in Florida, and also in England, 

earning her master’s and doctorate degrees. 

She taught elementary and secondary schools 

in Gardiner, Monmouth, and Waterville and also 

at both college undergraduate and graduate 

levels. In 1970 she co-founded with her son, 

Charles A. Peirce III, and became president of 

the American Institute for Creative Education, 

an in-service teacher training institute. For 30 

years she developed hundreds of seminars, 

workshops, and graduate courses held in New 

England, mid-Atlantic states, as well as abroad. 

She served on Governor’s Advisory Boards 

of Education and Mental Health and was a 

member of Who’s Who of Women Executives. 

Our sympathy to Barbara’s son and daughter, 

whom we fondly remember from reunions. 

GO BLUE! 


1944 

Joyce Iveney Ingalls 

7 Seabury Lane 

Yarmouth, ME 04096 

Checking my Class of ’44 file, I find that my last 

notes were written way back in September 2011, 

so I have a lot of ground to cover. President Al 

Ehrenfried has been on top of things with his 

letter to classmates in February 2012. Some of 

my notes may be a repeat of what you already 

know. Al is already planning for our summer 

get-together (class mini reunion) to be held on 

the Orono campus at the Bear’s Den with a date 

already set at Wednesday, July 25 at 11:00 AM. 

He is urging us all to attend. 

Christmas 2011 came and went. Joe and I 

did have cards from classmates: Russ ’47G and 

Barbara Higgins Bodwell ’45, Esther Holden 

Hopkins, Al McNeilly, Rhoda Tolford Stone, 

Pat Cummings ’89, ’44H, and Dana Humphrey 

and Todd Saucier ’93, ’97G and his office staff. 

Accompanying Russ and Barb’s card was 

a nice long letter with highlights from their 

year and family events. Russ was honored last 

year when he received the UMaine President’s 

Award at the Stillwater Society Dinner. Also the 

Dean of Engineering Conference Room was 

named the Barb and Russ Bodwell Room. Our 

congratulations to Russ and Barb! 

A letter with Rhoda’s card says that she is 

exercising daily in the pool and playing bridge 

two or three times a week. Esther Hopkins’s 

card mentioned that she misses the state of 

Maine. It sounded as though both she and 

Rhoda wouldn’t be getting to enjoy vacations in 

Maine as they have in years past. 

Sadly, we mention the sudden passing of 

Charlie Stickney. Probably Joe and I spent 

more time socially in recent years with Stick 

and Anita ’44H than anyone else in our class, 

so we have truly missed skiing and attending all 

kinds of events with them here in the Portland/ 

Yarmouth area; to say nothing of Stick’s famous 

“adjustment sessions” aka cocktail gatherings. 

Again, we extend condolences from the Class 

of ’44 to Anita and their family. On the day of 

Stick’s funeral at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 

Russ Bodwell invited friends and classmates to 

lunch with him at the Muddy Rudder in Freeport 

before going on to the service in Portland. At 

lunch that day we saw Midi Wooster Roberts 

and her daughter, Jean, Don and Jo Blake 

Bail ’42, ’44H, Russ, Al McNeilly, Pete and 

Edie Farnum ’44H, Al Ehrenfried, and Pat 

Cummings. 

I trust that I have not overlooked other items 

of interest but this seems to deplete my file. Our 

best to all, enjoy the upcoming summer, and 

keep those cards and letters coming. 

Show Your Black Bear Pride! 

Support the ALUMNI FUND. 

Retired Aroostook County farmers Bernard Shaw ’49 (far right) and 

his wife, Norma Shaw, were honored with the Distinguished Service 

Award from Maine Governor Paul LePage ’75G (left) during the Maine 

Agriculture Trades Show in January. Also present was agriculture commissioner 

Walt Whitcomb ’74. (Photograph courtesy of the Maine Department 

of Agriculture.) 

1945 

Carolyn “Charlie” Chaplin Grant 

481 Westbrook Street, Apt. 205 

South Portland, ME 04106 

(207) 899-3430 

Hello, everybody! This was essentially a snowless 

winter! Imagine that for the state of Maine. 

However, the ski slopes were busy, thanks 

in part to the late Otto Wallingford ’48 who 

developed the production of artificial snow. He 

was tending the family apple orchard in Auburn 

when he felt something not functioning correctly 

so he followed the hose back to the shed only 

to find a mountain of snow (in early summer). He 

realized the sprayer wasn’t functioning properly. 

The problem turned out to be an invention of 

sorts. Otto and his family built a ski resort on 

the former orchard property and opened a new 

business, Lost Valley. 

It had ski classes and a gathering place with 

a ski clothing shop and a refreshments bar. I 

took classes there at age 50! I filled a desire I 

had had since seeing that marvelous movie Sun 

Valley Serenade. The night our instructor took 

us down the slopes from the top was a thrill 

beyond expectation! 

Good news about Connie Carter Lamprell. 

After nearly a year of hospital care and physical 

therapy for her spine she’s able to walk well 

with her walker. My daughter took me down to 

visit her in York last fall and we spent the day 

together. I ate in the lovely dining room with 

Connie and met some of her new friends. 

A chat with Ada Minott Haggett ’47G 

recently brought good news and sad. The sad 

part was the loss of our dear Peg Brown Bunker 

at Thanksgiving. Peg was a gentle soul—always 

kind and caring—and she will truly be missed. 

Ada’s son has returned from the Marine 

Corps and came home to ease the burden 

for his aging parents. 

They are finding it a 

great relief to have him 

there to be so kind and 

helpful! 

My children have 

become even more 

involved in my life 

recently. I am in an 

independent living 

facility so I must take 

care of myself. During 

recent months I seem 

to feel little energy for 

preparing my dinner 

at the end of the day. 

However, my daughter 

Cindy is now preparing 

larger meals at home 

and freezing a portion 

for me. She brings a 

week’s worth of dinner 

meals and they are fine 

in my freezer and so 

easy to prepare in my 

microwave oven! It’s a 

major help for me for 

sure. 

At present I have no classmates around 

greater Portland. But if you give me a call (207) 

899-3430 I’d love to see you! I do talk with Gerry 

Keenan Oakes. She and Roger are comfy in a 

nice home in Presque Isle. 

Willard Moulton’s ’50G wife, Polly 

Wadsworth True Moulton ’48, died in March. 

She was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi 

sorority and a great athlete. We offer our sincere 

condolences to Willard, who lives at Gorham 

House. She and Willard met and were married 

on campus, so the University held a special 

place in their lives. 

Also, our thoughts are with Delbert McCrum, 

whose son, Delbert, died last year. 

When we were freshman girls in Balentine 

Hall, World War II started in early December, 

after we had been in college only 92 days. 

Mrs. McGinly brought her portable radio (a 

new fangled instrument to us) so we could 

hear President Roosevelt’s speech. Several 

of our classmates and those of other classes 

went downtown in Bangor and signed up to join 

some branch of the military the very next day. 

Have you read about the new president who 

was inaugurated in April? He was introduced to 

us at an alumni meeting in Portland last October 

and he is looking forward to this new challenge. 

Actually so very much has changed up in Orono! 

I expect it will be a very busy time for him this 

first year or so. We wish him much success in 

this new position. 

I still recall our dear Prexy Hauck—he 

seemed to call each of us by name (absolutely 

amazing to me with the number of students we 

had)! 

All-Alumni post-game 

social, 

Saturday, October 20. 


1948 

Lancy Carter Bradshaw 

202 Birchwood Terrace 

Pittsfield, ME 04967 

Bradshaw45@roadrunner.com 

Barbara Sullivan Knowlton 

16 Lloyd Road 

Waterville, ME 04901 

I have just returned from a meeting of the Taverner 

Scholarship Committee at the Buchanan 

Alumni House in Orono. It will be my last meeting 

with this committee in my capacity as a 

member of the Senior Alumni. It is a tremendously 

heart-warming committee to serve with 

and also distressing because of limited funds. 

These scholarships are awarded to nontraditional 

students who are so deserving of financial 

assistance. This year we received 50 applications 

but gave only 22 awards. I wish you could 

all have the opportunity, as I, to read their bios. 

You would want to reward all of these dedicated 

persons. How about sending a small check to 

the UMAA and indicate on the memo line Taverner 

Scholarship. No mater the amount, it adds 

up and no gift is too small. I am sure it would be 

gratifying. 

The alumni office tells us again that we have 

had no correspondence since the last issue. 

Don’t you look for something to read about 

your classmates? Don’t you wonder whatever 

happened to so and so? Just a postcard that 

you are alive and as well as can be at our ages 

would be a very pleasant thing to hear. We all 

have good memories of our years at Maine. 

Please take time to drop a line to Lancy, the 

alumni office, or me. Thanks in advance. 

Our thoughts all go to Willard Moulton ’45, 

’50G and his family in the recent loss of his beloved 

Pauline True Moulton. Peen, as we knew 

her, was also a member of the Kitchen Kabinet 

and we will miss her. 

As of this writing, Lancy is planning to travel 

to Chicago in May to attend a Heritage Reunion 

sponsored by her great-granddaughter’s 

second-grade class. These children have been 

comparing then and now with correspondence 

from older family members and their childhood 

experiences. Lancy selected her life in a oneroom 

schoolhouse in Etna, ME. Am sure this 

will be an eye-opener to a child in a schoolroom 

in Chicago, IL. Maryjane Christie Stafford ’69, 

’95G will accompany her mother on this journey. 

As an aside, Lancy and her family members 

are in the process of restoring that one-room 

schoolhouse so typical of many small towns in 

our big state. 

In closing, I want to tell you of a great 

evening I spent on January 21 st . I went to the 

UMaine vs. Boston College hockey game with 

my son Robert ’83, his daughters Whitney ’10, 

and Audrey ’14; also grandson Jay ’15, whose 

dad is Rick ’80. Three generations of alums and 

two present-day students. The frosting on the 

cake was the fact that Maine won. 

Please, please, please write to us. 

1949 

Kathleen Kennedy Nickless 

12 Northwood Drive 

Portland, ME 04103 

(207) 878-0954 

kay.nickless@gmail.com 

On October 9, 2011, Jim Beaudry ’52G was 

one of 13 men and women who were elected 

into Maine Sports Legends Hall of Honors. A 

1941 graduate of Cheverus High in Portland, 

Jim was athletic director at St. Francis College 

(now University of New England) in Biddeford 

for 21 years. He coached baseball, men’s 

basketball, men’s soccer, cross-country, and 

golf. He was inducted into the NE Basketball 

Hall of Fame in 2004. The new basketball gym 

at UNE was dedicated to Jim on December 

3, 2011. We congratulate him on these welldeserved 

honors. 

Former Aroostook County potato farmers 

Bernard and Norma Shaw received the 2012 

Agriculture Commissioner’s Distinguished 

Service Award at the 71 st annual Maine 

Agricultural Trade Show on January 10. 

Agriculture Commissioner Walter Whitcomb 

’74 described the Shaws as “two of the most 

accomplished, yet humble, contributors to 

Maine’s agricultural community.” Bernard Shaw 

served as agriculture commissioner from 1988 

to 1996. 

The Shaws, married for 61 years, not only 

ran a busy and successful farm while raising 

three children, but also managed to extensively 

participate in local, state, and national 

organizations. 

Now living in Augusta they are still active 

in volunteering. Notable volunteer efforts are 

their many years of work in helping to run the 

Windsor Fair, and their work with the Augusta 

Food Bank, helping to expand its service from 

20 to 900 families. 

1950 

Ruth Holland Walsh 

186 Jerry Browne Road 

Apartment 1112 

Mystic, CT 06355 

(860) 536-6265 

rhwdvb@aol.com 

This past winter was the winter of “no winter” 

as we experienced unusually warm weather in 

Connecticut…after a “wicked” snowstorm on 

October 31 st ! Truly an experience and a half— 

particularly when the peepers started peeping 

in late February! Everyone was confused! 

Our class celebrated its 62 nd Reunion on 

June 1 st and 2 nd on the Orono campus; we were 

pleased to honor six classmates who received 

the Class of 1950 Greatest Generation Award 

this year. Our celebration began on Saturday 

morning as Alton “Hoppy” Hopkins emceed a 

moving memorial service honoring classmates 

who had died since our Reunion service last 

year; of that number, many were veterans of 

World War II and Korea. Immediately following 

that service, we were honored to present the 

Greatest Generation Awards to the following 

classmates: Leslie D. Ames who hails from 

South China, ME, for his exemplary service 

to the United States during in the European 

Theater of Operations in World War II; Robert 

F. Burt, who is living in Scarborough, for his 

valor and bravery during the Korean War; Murry 

Cunningham from Ipswich, MA, for bravery 

above and beyond the call of duty in the Rome- 

Arno Campaigns including the liberation of 

Rome; James F. McNiff from Salisbury, MA, for 

courage and bravery during the battles of North 

Sach’ang-ni and the Imjin River in North Korea; 

Ralph C. Wharff, who hails from Dover, DE, for 

meritorious service with the First United States 

Army in France and Belgium during World War 

II; and Max S. Cohen, from Augusta, for his 

courage and valor both in Normandy and the 

Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Their 

awards bring to 27, the number of heroes from 

the Class of 1950 who have been honored. Our 

honorees were toasted with a champagne toast 

as we viewed the Greatest Generation Award 

plaque that is hanging in the Class of 1950 Suite 

on the second floor of the Buchanan Alumni 

House. And we are so very proud of all. 

Len ’44H and Renee Minsky ’44H of Bangor 

were honored at the Stillwater Dinner this spring 

in Orono. Congratulations—we are proud of 

you! The Minsky Recital Hall adjoining the 

School of Performing Arts is a very busy area 

for performances and meetings. Len and Renee 

are surely among the most loyal supporters of 

the University of Maine. 

I recently talked with Betty Friedler Wexler 

who lives at 301 CodFish Falls Road, Storrs, CT 

06268. Betty reported that she and Imanuel had 

a marvelous time in March while aboard a cruise 

ship that took them through the wonder of the 

Panama Canal. They noted that the Canal is an 

engineering masterpiece—all constructed with 

no heavy diesel machinery, just muscle, skill, 

determination, and inventive genius. True— 

and if you haven’t been through the Canal, 

you should make the trip! Truly an awesome 

experience! And it was topped off before they 

flew back to the East Coast with a quick but 

wonderful visit with their two grandchildren and 

their families who live in the Los Angeles area. 

Irv ’56G and Dottie Butler Marsden 

are happily at home in their continuing care 

community known as Park Point Village in Rock 

Hill, SC. Dottie said that they spent last July 

on Peaks Island in Portland Harbor with family 

and friends and then attended a Butler family 

reunion at an Elderhostel in Rehoboth Beach, 

DE. She said the family had a great five days 

remembering the excellence of “the golden years 

of radio and Broadway!” Dottie said that Irv has 

experienced increasing difficulty walking, but is 

loathe to give in to a wheelchair—and thus they 

take it one day at a time. Their address is 4206 

Ormston Circle, Rock Hill, SC 29732. 

Donn Fendler recently published a book, 

Lost Trail: Nine Days Alone in the Wilderness 

that tells his story as he survived nine days lost 

in the Maine wilderness in 1939—and just think, 

that was 73 short years ago! This new edition 


Jean Boomer Emerson ’52, ’62G 

Harness Racing Hall 

of Famer 

Jean Boomer Emerson ’52, ’62G may not 

have gotten up close and personal with 

a horse until her junior year in high school, 

but that trip to the Blue Hill Fair from her 

Lubec hometown started a love affair that 

has spanned 70 years. 

Those seven decades culminated with 

a tremendous honor on July 1, 2012, when 

Jean was inducted into the United State 

Harness Racing Hall of Fame as a Communications 

Corner inductee—only the fourth 

woman to receive this honor. 

Jean and her husband, Chet, lived in 

southern Maine where they founded a 

horse farm and began racing Standardbreds 

for harness racing in the late 1960s. 

They raced the entire New England circuit, 

while Jean began her promotion of the 

sport with her own newspaper, Northeast 

Harness News. She was editor, publisher, 

writer, manager, and circulation director! 

This gave a springboard to her involvement 

in the formation of the Maine 

Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association 

and her work to help build a Sire 

Stakes Racing Program for the State of 

Maine. Since the 1970s it’s been the backbone 

of better breeding and an exciting 

racing schedule for Maine-bred horses. 

When the Emersons wintered in Florida, 

Jean handed out copies of the newspaper 

all along the east coast at winter training 

venues and transferred her United States 

Harness Writer’s Association membership 

to Florida where she has served 

in every office in the organization. She 

and Chet had three daughters and three 

grandsons; Chet passed away in 2010 

after a long battle with bone cancer. Jean 

continues her unflagging support of the 

sport of harness racing in both Florida 

and Maine. 


is an illustrated version and is available from 

Down East Books. For more information, please 

visit www.downeast.com/bookevents. 

Please drop me a note. We would so like to 

share your news as we try to bring us all up to 

date with the Class of 1950! 

Ruthie Holland Walsh 

1951 

Frances Pratt Caswell 

36 Sumac Drive 

Brunswick, ME 04011 

(207) 725-6084 

fcaswell@myfairpoint.net 

Greetings, classmates. Would you like to get 

in touch with classmates but do not know how 

to reach them? Check out the Website www. 

umainealumni.com. You can learn of alumni activities 

in your area and also update your own 

information. Or, you can contact me at the address 

heading this column, and I will pass on 

the information. 

Kinley ’56G and Mary Linn Roby moved to 

Naples, FL, 10 years ago after Kinley retired as 

chair of the English department at Northeastern 

University. They both continue writing and editing. 

Kinley’s sixth Harry Brock mystery, Death’s 

Long Shadow, was published this year. He has 

written The King, the Press, and the People: A 

Study of Edward VII as well as other biographies. 

Mary has written over 50 novels—gothics, 

mysteries, and regencies—some under the 

pen names Pamela D’Arcy and Mary Wilson. 

Her novel The Herrick Inheritance (1982) sold 

125,000 copies. 

Mary Hastings Dumas and Bruce Folsom 

’49 enjoyed a cruise in the southern Caribbean 

in 2011. 

Floyd and Pepper Burbank Milbank enjoyed 

a cruise down the Danube, with a stop 

in Budapest, to the Black Sea. They wound up 

their adventure in Transylvania. 

In 2011 Peter Feeney of Southern Pines, 

NC, attended a luncheon at The Highlands in 

Topsham honoring president UMaine president 

Paul Ferguson. 

Virginia Nickerson Cooney, as a member 

of the D.A.R., has been asked to attend the 

naturalization ceremonies held in Maine. Sometimes 

there are as many as three a month with 

as many as 40 candidates each time. Recently 

most have been from Sudan. 

Millard “Red” Fairley retired from Eastman 

Kodak as a senior supervising engineer in 1989. 

In 2012 he was honored by the Spencerport, 

NY, Firemen’s Association for 60 years of service 

to the Ogden-Parma Fire Department. During 

that time he served as an assistant chief and 

also as a fire commissioner. As firefighting is a 

job for younger folks, in later years he served on 

the fire police squad. Red has also served as 

a national trustee for the Sons of the American 

Revolution, a position that entailed much traveling 

around the country. 

Martha Given Lambert, 82, died on January 

15, 2012. Martha was a graduate of Brunswick 

High School and received a BS in medical technology 

from the University of Maine. Later she 

switched careers and taught sixth grade at the 

Weatherbee School in Hampden for 25 years. 

She is survived by her daughter, Martha Jordan, 

of Machiasport, and her son, David Lambert, of 

North Yarmouth. She was predeceased by her 

husband of 33 years, Clayton F. Lambert. 

Class of 1951 scholarships for the 2011- 

2012 school year were awarded to the following: 

Cassandra Robinson of Gray, a senior 

majoring in elementary education, who is the 

granddaughter of Lawrence Robinson ’55G; 

Ellen Juskewitch, a senior majoring in studio 

art, and Ezra Juskewitch, of Dedham, a senior 

majoring in English and philosophy. Ellen and 

Ezra are grandchildren of Bertha Clark Allen. 

On a personal note, Gallery Framing in 

Brunswick will feature a solo exhibit of watercolors 

and oils of Frances Pratt Caswell during 

the month of August 2012. The show will 

include scenes of Maine from Katahdin to Cadillac. 

Frances also exhibits with Casco Bay Art 

League in Harpswell and Maine Art Gallery in 

Wiscasset. 

News of our August 1, 2012, luncheon in 

Cumberland will appear in the next issue. 

1952 

Margaret Murray Pease 

34 Curtis Avenue 

Camden, ME 04843 

207-230-1215 

marnie.pease@myfairpoint.net 

By the time the MAINE Alumni Magazine arrives 

in your mail we will have celebrated our 

60th Reunion. With all the wonderful plans our 

reunion committee planned for us I am sure we 

all enjoyed a wonderful time renewing acquaintances 

with classmates. What a wonderful way 

to start the summer! 

It’s a joy to be at the University during the 

spring season and remember the days when 

we were there together. Alan and I have been 

so fortunate to be able to attend many events at 

the University over the years and hope we have 

many more to attend! We recently attended a 

hockey game where our University of Maine 

team competed for their spot in the Frozen 

Four. What an exciting event with a lot of students 

and fans cheering the team on! 

There is not much news this issue since all 

class activity is focusing on our 60th Reunion, 

which took place in May and June. There were a 

lot of activities, starting with the lobster bake in 

Northeast Harbor at the Kimball Terrace Inn and 

winding down after several days on the Orono 

campus where there was a memorial service 

for our late classmates, various banquets, and 

class meetings. Since this column has a March 

deadline, I will note what little news I have to 

date! 

A recent call from Perry Hunter alerted me 

to a correspondence he had with another classmate—Marshall 

Burk. Perry, Marshall, and six 

other students made a trek west in 1949 for a

Class of 1952 members met with Class of 2012 officers at Alumni House on Maine Day in April 

to make plans for the Blueberry Garden near the New Balance Fitness Center. Seated are class 

agent Perry Hunter (left) and co-president Al Cole ’69G (right). Standing, left to right are: 2012 

class members Zachary Campbell, who designed the Class of 2012 Blueberry Garden; secretary, 

Kaylee Michaud; vice president class gift, Sarah Pacheco; and treasurer, Nate Kinney. 

summer working for the Federal Forest Service. 

Perry drove a carload of these classmates in 

his four-door sedan. They spent their first night 

at Cornell camping in a small campus picnic 

area, then went on to Niagara Falls, then to Detroit 

via Canada, crossed the Mississippi, and 

headed for Yellowstone National Park where 

they saw elk and bears. (Marshall invited a bear 

to share his peanut butter sandwich, which encouraged 

the bear to try to join the group.) Perry 

took the men to Portland, OR, where he spent 

the summer looking out for fires from a mountain 

watchtower. 

The rest of the group went on to California 

where they had work with the Forest Service 

in Sierra National Forest working to stop pine 

blister rust. Shortly after this they were sent to 

Montana to fight forest fires and spent several 

weeks traipsing through rough country avoiding 

bear and snakes. They were supplied with 

meals, which came by pack mules, and were 

served by prison trustees. Needless to say they 

were happy to get back to Dinkey Creek Ranger 

Station. Sounds like a great experience for 

soon-to-be upperclassmen. 

We recently heard from Anthony Merry, 

who planned to attend our Reunion with his 

wife, Marilyn. They summer on Lake Huron and 

planned to make several stops on their way to 

Orono, visiting friends and then returning in time 

for Marilyn’s Keuka College reunion. 

Don Spear wrote to inform us of Tom Lydon’s 

recent death. He and Don had attended 

law school at Georgetown University and 

roomed together during that period. Don knew 

a lot about Tom’s background since they were 

fraternity brothers while at Orono. Tom retired 

as senior judge, U.S. Court of Federal Claims. 

He and his wife (who died in 2008) resided in 

Fort Washington, MD. 

This will be my farewell as your scribe. 

After five years at the job I look forward to 

hearing someone else’s slant on the affairs of 

our classmates! Thanks for being such good 

correspondents! 

1953 

Nancy Schott Plaisted 

7 Ledgewater Drive 

Kennebunk, ME 04043 

(207) 967-1380 

nan53@gwi.net 

The fall Reunion is set for Wednesday, September 

12, at Linekin Bay Resort in Boothbay 

Harbor. Postcards will be sent to all classmates 

sometime in July/August with full details. Mark 

your calendars now and plan to enjoy all the 

Maine coast has to offer, including the Coastal 

Maine Botanical Gardens in nearby Boothbay. 

Congratulations to John ’54 and Hazel Brown Standeven 

’54, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. 

Another date: Homecoming on Saturday, October 

20. 

Mary Noyes Robbins, Barefoot Bay, FL 

(winters), Madison, NH, Rangeley cottage (summers). 

She walks, bikes, aquatic zumbas, and 

golfs. A home ec major, she roomed in S. Estabrooke 

with the late Anne Libby Kneeland 

sophomore year; Lois Keirstead Butler, junior 

year; and home management house (part of her 

senior year). Her email: mrobbins64@cfl.rr.com. 

Ron Bishop, Cornelius, NC, said, “I’m an 

old geezer and officially in a few years I’ll be 

a crotchety old geezer.” They’re still doing their 

“bucket list:” China in July and polar bears in 

Churchill, Canada, in October. In between: 

Stockton Springs, ME, in June/August/September, 

cutting grass, clearing meadows at the 

farm (in the family since 1858). Also his surprise 

80 th party. 

Isabelle “Izzie” Stearns Foss, Temple, ME 

(near Farmington), is “still here.” She volunteers 

weekly on the patient support team at Franklin 

Memorial Hospital in Farmington; took chaplain 

assistant training; made four baby quilts for the 

hospital; is on the board for the Senior College 

based at UMaine Farmington; no computer— 

she guesses she belongs in the Amish country. 

Harold Eames, Bonita Springs, FL, is in an 

over-55, five-star park, with all the activities, 

“I certainly don’t appreciate your cold Maine 

weather.” (This from a classmate originally from 

Lowell, MA, who lived in North Hampton, NH!) 

He does venture to his son’s at Sugarloaf and to 

his sister-in-law’s in North Hampton, and then 

goes back to “paradise.” Harold does a lot of 

swimming/walking, and goes around and “bugs 

the neighbors.” He saw his oldest granddaughter, 

Jessica, graduate UMaine in May, and her 

sister Emily, a snowboarder in national competition 

in Colorado, graduate from Carrabassett 

Valley Academy. 

Sally Pray Fogler, Exeter, ME, is off to Africa 

on a safari the end of August with her daughter 

Martha Fogler and husband. In April she went 

to Switzerland. Like Sally said, her big thing 

is celebrating 80. Mother of six (four in Maine, 

one in San Francisco, one in Switzerland), she 

“finally stopped working two years ago,” having 

worked 26 years in a lab at Dover-Foxcroft 

Hospital. Sally grew up in Massachusetts and 

New York, with all her relatives in 

Maine (thus UMaine). In college, 

she roomed two years with Mary 

Gerrish Canning. She also spoke 

of Pat King Berke living near Del 

Mar, CA. 

Charles “Bubba” Barrett, 

Shalimar, FL, said he’d make 

“every effort” to be in Boothbay 

Harbor this fall. (His wife, Barbie, 

from Alabama, has never been to 

Maine.) When I said I don’t know 

if I’d recognize you, he said: “I’m 

as pretty as I ever was.” Charles finally 

retired in 2006, having taught 

13 years at the University of West 

Florida, College of Business. He 

retired from IBM in 1989, sent his 

wife to find a place on the water, 

hadn’t been there two hours when 

he got a call from IBM, which led 


him to the loaned executive program. That put 

him promoting a charity with the governor’s 

wife; he raised $3M in three years. The governor 

moved, thus the 13 years at the university. He’s 

now officially “unemployed.” 

Joan Russell Mogilevsky, Titusville, FL, 

and her husband, Michael, were privileged 

to have president Arthur Hauck as a wedding 

guest some 59 years ago in Winslow. Joan, 

home ec, met Michael (who grew up in Japan, 

the son of Russian parents) on a blind date. Michael 

went to Maine 1951-’52 and University of 

Washington two years, before embarking on his 

career. Parents of three, grandparents of four, 

and owners of “Scamp,” a Westie, they haven’t 

been to reunions. (Must work on that.) 

A January Kennebec Journal article noted 

that Norman Bourget and his wife, Margaret, 

own 64 State Street, an Augusta building that 

has housed numerous attorneys including generations 

of Bourget lawyers. 

See you on September 12, I hope. 

1954 

Harmon D. & Jane Stevens Harvey 

11 Hillcrest Street 

Hallowell, ME 04347 

(207) 622-6896 

janmon@roadrunner.com 

or 

Mary MacKinnon Nelson 

97 Tamarlane 

Portland, ME 04103-4267 

Marynelson78@yahoo.com 

We often complain that classmates are remiss in 

keeping us up to date with things we can share 

with our fellow retirees. However, this time we 

are grateful to have heard from three individuals 

you’ll remember. 

A newspaper article announced that Ed Coffin 

was not seeking re-election to the Augusta 

city council. He was elected to his at-large seat 

in 2005 and was Kennebec Valley Chamber of 

Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner 

in 2009. 

At Christmas we received a letter from Janice 

and Howard “Howie” Ainsworth ’55G, who 

celebrated their 56 th year together in June 2011. 

As you may remember, Howie and Janice travel 

the country by motor coach visiting family and 

doing various ministry programs. Last summer 

their daughter Ann, a chiropractor in Texas, developed 

serious medical complications, which 

were eventually diagnosed as an autoimmune 

disease. Because of that the Ainsworths put 

their motor home in storage and moved to Texas 

to care for Ann. They have become members 

of a local church, which provides them with service 

opportunities. They would love to hear from 

classmates at: 5210 Bagby Avenue, Apt. 417, 

Waco, TX, 76711 or by email at: ainsworthh@ 

wwdb.org. 

Last winter we received a wonderful letter 

and picture from John and Hazel Brown Standeven, 

who live in Scio, OR. They celebrated 

their 60 th wedding anniversary in February. John 


and Hazel met at a MOCA (Outing Club) trip to 

Chimney Pond, Mt. Katahdin. A fond memory 

they have is from their wedding at Kittery Point 

when the Sigma Chi brothers sang during the 

reception. Em Colby was John’s best man. 

John was commissioned in the Army Artillery, 

and retired as a lieutenant colonel after a 

career with 29 addresses on three continents. 

He became a district executive with the Boy 

Scouts of America. 

At UMaine, Hazel crammed her four years 

into three so that they could graduate together 

in 1954. She was the first woman at UMaine to 

earn a degree in geology, which she taught at 

high schools and community colleges. For 40 

years she has been a genealogy researcher and 

instructor. Hazel closed by saying they had enjoyed 

the picture of the Sigs in the recent winter 

issue. She also added deep thanks to Lew 

Clark ’56G, who is often the Sig’s only communication 

line when happy, sad, or fun events 

occur. 

Finally, we were so surprised to get a longdistance 

call from Norm Schlaack! Norm is a 

faithful reader of the alumni column and decided 

it was time for him to contribute! After we 

had reminisced, we encouraged him to send us 

more details about himself. Norm told us that 

he lost Alice in 2008 after 51½ years, which was 

a devastating thing. He says he is now back in 

the pink if a 79-year-old can be. He has a son, 

Norman the 3 rd, in St. Louis. 

After UMaine, Norm went into the USAF 

and ended up in the Strategic Air Command. 

After that he did graduate school at Southern 

Illinois University. Upon graduation in 1959 he 

was hired by the Florida Game and Fish Commission 

and worked in the Everglades with waterfowl 

and ’gators. He “wouldn’t recommend 

being a driver for a six-foot ’gator in a four-door 

Ford car. Mouth was not taped. It was a little 

hairy because I didn’t have any duct tape! 

“Next step was my own landscape business 

in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. After 12 years, I got into 

heavy equipment sales and believe it or not, 

was the top salesman in the USA (Bobcat Skid 

loader) in August 1978.” Norm retired in 1988 

and he and his wife traveled. He enjoys his retirement 

in North Carolina. Norm does not use 

a computer but would like to hear from classmates. 

He particularly recalled good friends 

who were wildlife majors at UMaine, Bob Toth 

and Jack Wood. Norm lives at 75 Fox Meadows 

Road, Columbus, NC 28722. 

Classmates, as you can see, others sent us 

updates. We’d love to have you do the same. As 

Norm Schlaack wrote, “Fill a stein to me.” 

1955 

Janet Bishop Butler 

116 Oakhurst Road 

Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 

(207) 799-1550 

JanetBume@aol.com 

News from Jon and Lois Pratt Pulsifer is very 

exciting. They decided to sell their house in 

Downington, PA, and move closer to their family 

in the Pittsburgh area, namely, Valencia, PA. 

They are in a retirement community and have 

a lovely carriage home with lots of room. They 

are enjoying it very much and find the residents 

very friendly. They indicate that the nicest part 

is being able to do things and see their family, 

which includes four wonderful grandchildren, 

more often without driving for five hours. Lois 

and Jon still come to Maine to spend their 

summers. 

Dick Eustis has noticed that since his retirement, 

there never appears to be sufficient time 

to do all of the things that he would like to do 

and has suggested that, “the best way to get 

a vacation is to go back to work on a full-time 

basis, then someone can keep reminding you of 

the number of vacation days that you need to 

take or you may lose them.” I like that strategy, 

Dick. He did travel some during the year, once to 

Montreal and also to Chicago for the Construction 

Specification Institute annual convention, 

where he was nominated for the Distinguished 

Member Award, the highest award bestowed 

by CSI. This award is presented to recognize 

long-term contributions to the entire design and 

construction community. Congratulations, Dick, 

upon receiving this prestigious award. 

Muriel Verrill Gade is very busy doing volunteer 

work at a local hospital, playing bridge, 

pinochle, and hand and foot once a week, remaining 

active with her AAUW organization, 

and participating in the Wanderers Group and 

the dine out program—a different restaurant 

each month. She counts her blessings that she 

is able to be involved in so many activities, and 

with many great friends. Muriel enjoyed her 

month-long trip to Maine last summer, but it 

always seems to go too quickly. She really enjoyed 

her friend visiting her last summer and her 

granddaughter making a short visit as well. 

Paul and I had a lovely visit with Bill Calkin 

’60G when he was in Maine. We went to dinner 

in Wells, and I think we were the last ones out of 

the restaurant. So nice to see you, Bill. We look 

forward to seeing you when you next come to 

Maine. Bill stayed with “big” Bill ’56 and Mary 

Atkinson Johnson in Saco, but he toured the 

state visiting relatives and also made a stop at 

“little” Bill and Marilyn Pennell Johnson’s ’57 

home in Cornish. 

It is always nice to receive a Christmas letter 

from Ted and Ruth Dow Durst who live in 

Walnut Creek, CA. This year their letter included 

wonderful pictures of their grandchildren and an 

entertaining trilogy in the life of two of her eight 

cats—very cleverly done, Ruth. 

Mary Atkinson Johnson is hoping that members 

of our class will consider making a gift to 

our Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund, as scholarship 

applications are in great demand. So, folks, 

let’s do what she is suggesting, and if you are 

able to do so, please consider sending in your 

check in order to support the University. 

As I write, we are off to Florida for our sixweek 

stay. We are going to be living in Sarasota 

this time, which is going to be different for us 

after having spent 10 years in the Venice area. 

We’ll let you know how we liked Sarasota. 

In the meantime, please write, email, or call 

me, as you would make my day.

1956 

Faith Wixson Varney 

69 Falmouth Road 

Falmouth, ME 04105 

(207) 781-3038 

fvarney@maine.rr.com 

Greetings ’56ers. 

Our classmates continue to receive awards. 

Malcolm “Mac” Knapp, a native of Kingfield 

and now resident of Lynn, MA, who received a 

degree in mechanical engineering from UMaine, 

was inducted into the University of Maine College 

of Engineering’s Francis Crowe Society as 

a distinguished engineer. Mac is retired from the 

automotive industry. 

We have received lovely thank-you notes 

for our scholarship help from Gabriel “Gabe” 

Vachon, Ryan Urquhart, and Laura Pirruccello. 

Remember—this is your donation to our scholarship 

funds at work. 

Dave and Darlene Grundy wrote that in 

February 2011, the final papers were signed to 

make their adopted twin granddaughters legally 

belong to their daughter-in-law. The timing is 

good as their biological twin granddaughters by 

their older son are preparing to leave for college 

next fall. 

Art Thompson is recovering from his health 

setback. We all wish him a speedy recovery! 

Mary and Bill Johnson attended the funeral 

of his friend and our classmate Bob Foster. Bill 

attended the inauguration of the 19th University 

of Maine president, Paul W. Ferguson, in April. 

Richard “Doc” and Betty Brockway Nevers 

went to Nassau for a day, and then on to St. 

Thomas with a side trip to St. John. Their last 

stop was to Saint Maarten (Dutch spelling) and 

a side trip to St. Marten (French spelling), other 

side of the island. They got together at a luncheon 

that Howard Jackson ’62G put together 

in mid-March in Naples. Betsy Harvey Ruff 

and Ed Blessing were with them for a couple of 

nights in March on their way to their time-share 

on the Keys. 

Jerry and Martha Pangakis stay occupied 

every day. He is still involved on the board of a 

senior housing facility that provides subsidized 

housing for seniors who qualify for federal assistance. 

He was very pleased and surprised to 

be named Father of the Year (another award) by 

his church community. All his kids and grandchildren 

came from Massachusetts and Connecticut 

to surprise him. Jerry and Martha sing 

in the church choir and serve on several committees 

at St. George. He’s been secretary of 

the Senior Golf Association in Berlin, CT, for the 

past six years. They visit Florida several times a 

year to look in on his mother! 

Our hearts go out to the family of Dana Devoe, 

who passed away March 25, 2012. Not 

only was Dana very active in the Alumni Association 

and the Class of ’56 committee, but I 

remember him as a violinist who played with me 

in the UM orchestra and the string ensemble. 

Keep heaven in tune, Dana. 

Ben Thomas ’61G has a second adventure 

novel, Scuba Gold, which follows Code 

Breaker, released in 2009. He and wife, Sue 

Stiles Thomas ’61G, did some fly-fishing as 

guests at Lakewood Camps on Lower Richardson 

and Grants Camps on Kennebago. This 

fall he taught creative writing at the University 

of Maine’s Senior College on the Augusta campus. 

Sue is trustee chair for the Winthrop United 

Methodist Church. 

Peggy Flynt Haskell sent a neat story, 

which I have included in the Website version of 

our notes, as it is too good to shorten but too 

long to include here. 

Jody Owen Bingham and Bing ’54 attended 

the UMaine Singers concert in Saco. 

Thank you again for sending along your 

news. I have been awarded the University of 

Maine Alumni Association’s Hilda Sterling ’55 

Class Correspondent Award for 2012. It’s a 

great honor but I know it’s because you keep 

me posted on all the happenings of our classmates. 

Please keep it up! 

Faith 

1957 

Elisabeth (Liz) Hibbard Smith 

P. O. Box 143 

Phippsburg, ME 04562 

(207) 389-1816 

lizles35@comcast.net 

You will recall the green 1957 bio form that 

appeared in your first mailing about our 55 th 

Reunion? At the beginning of spring they are still 

dribbling in. As of this writing 11 women and 25 

men have returned something. Alton B. Earle 

’56G responded with a nice note explaining that 

a grandson’s wedding took precedence, wishing 

for us all to stay “in relative good health” for our 

60th, and hoping that as many as possible can 

attend both occasions. I found the letter a much 

more readable format—next time, try it! They 

will all be available to you in our display area. 

Twenty “girls” met at The Muddy Rudder near 

the close of the late March warm spell, thanks 

to Pat Wade Fraker’s organization, exchanging 

delighted smiles and warm greetings. Joining 

the group for the first time were Caroline Locke 

Golden ’56, Ellie Hansen Brockway ’50, and 

Marguerite Sullivan Powers ’48. Also attending 

were Sandie Page ’60 and Midge Grispi ’60, 

’71G, Jane Quimby Biscoe ’58, Marilyn Graffam 

Clark ’58, Sandra Daley Denman ’58, Ginny 

Freeman ’58, Jane Pomroy Jacobson ’58, and 

Carole Buzzell Ranco ’58. The ’57ers attending 

were Claudie Halle Higgins, Ann Dingwell 

Knowles, Jan Higgins Nolan, Dru Nesbit 

Pedro, Barbara Swann Pineau, Carolyn 

Skolfield, Lois Whitcomb, and Liz Hibbard 

Smith. Also stopping by for a quick look on her 

way to a “grandchild-minding gig” was Anne 

Dunne Snow ’58. News of those who were 

unable to join us was exchanged, along with 

55th Reunion bulletins and other reminders. 

A Bethel Citizen newspaper article mentioned 

that Leon Akers of Andover, purveyor of quality 

cross-country ski equipment since 1958 at Akers 

Ski, was named after his great-grandmother’s 

brother Leon Lenwood Bean. 

Jane Barker and friend “B” have been on 

quite a peregrination, questing for birds. They 

set off for the West Coast and stayed a few 

months in the Morro Bay area having great 

viewing. Then they charted their return trip to 

hit Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley, and Joshua 

Tree parks on the return trip, planning to take 

the time to really see each of them. 

1958 

Jane Ledyard Lazo (Mrs. Leo M.) 

49 Martin Street 

West Roxbury, MA 02132 

lmlazo@juno.com 

Last September at our “tween reunion” at Prexy 

Herb Cohen’s home in Kennebunk it was the 

general consensus that our 55 th Reunion should 

be held in September 2013 rather than in June. 

It was the general feeling that there are too many 

functions taking place at the end of May and 

first of June to allow many members to make 

Reunion. Please let one of your class officers 

know your thoughts on this. 

Most of you received Herb and Judy’s 

letter relative to the “tween reunion” and if you 

go to the Alumni Association’s Website/Get 

Informed/Class Pages/1958, there may still 

be some pictures that were taken that day. 

It was a beautiful fall day with lots of fun and 

plenty of classmates to catch up on their lives. 

My congratulations to Judy and Herb for a 

marvelous day. As Herb told you, those officers 

and board members who were present held a 

short meeting before we ate. Top discussion of 

course was our 55 th Reunion in 2013. As I said 

in the above paragraph, holding the Reunion in 

September rather than the end of May seemed 

to be the consensus of those present. Also 

discussed was fund raising. Bob McKown, 

our class agent, has several ideas on doing 

something a little different for this Reunion. 

Remember: more ’58ers have donated in the 

past, so that we have given 15 percent of the 

gifts given by the classes that make up the 

’50s decade. Only the Class of 1950 has done 

better. We most certainly want to keep up our 

reputation. So if you have any good ideas 

regarding fund raising, please get in contact 

with your class officers. 

Over the last two years, 12 students received 

monies from the Class of 1958 Scholarship 

Fund. In the 2010-2011 academic year, $10,613 

was distributed to four seniors and two juniors. 

During the 2011-2012 year, $10,378 was given 

out to three seniors and three juniors. Their fields 

include education, mechanical engineering, 

English/Honors, journalism/Honors, music, 

communication science, and physical 

education. Monies from your donation to the 

Alumni Association allotted to the Scholarship 

Fund help students each year. 

In October 2011, Allen Ross ’66G of 

Dexter was honored for his 23 years of service 

as a family mediator with the Judicial Branch 


Special Service Award. The award is given to a 

person who consistently contributes above and 

beyond expected job responsibilities to further 

the mission of the court system. Allen became a 

court mediator in 1998 after completing 33 years 

as a history teacher in the Dexter school system. 

He began serving in the Foxcroft district court 

and was recently at the Newport court. Allen 

also served many years both as a volunteer and 

a member of the board of Womancare. Based 

in Dover-Foxcroft, Womancare aids victims of 

domestic abuse. 

Bidding on and winning the opportunity to 

have Maestro Lucas Richman compose a piece 

especially for them were Molly Inman Nagle 

and husband, Robert. The piece Through the 

Azure Ether had its world premiere performance 

by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra in January. 

The piece was dedicated to the Nagles’ son, 

Arthur, who passed away in 2009 from cancer. 

Spent some time on the river this past 

fall—the Rhine that is. We took a river cruise 

from Viking Cruises, traveling from Amsterdam, 

Holland, to Basel, Switzerland. Nice weather, 

fantastic sights, tremendous meals, and good 

companions. Would highly recommend these 

river cruises. 

Remember to send your donations to the 

ALUMNI FUND—particularly to the Class of 

1958 Scholarship Fund. Also remember that 

you are members of the Senior Alumni and 

should donate to the Senior Alumni Fund, 

which supports the Taverner Nontraditional and 

meritorious scholarships. 

Let your class officers know how you feel 

about a Reunion in September. 

1959 

Nancy Roberts Munson 

P. O. Box 1995 

Orleans, MA 02653 

(508) 255-4091 

munsons@aol.com 

Hello again, ’59ers. 

We have an honorary class member! The class 

officers recently voted to make Susan E. 

Mullaney an honorary member of the Class of 

1959. 

Susan is director of marketing and 

communications for the UMaine Alumni 

Association. In this role she serves as editor 

of the MAINE Alumni Magazine and produces 

UMAA’s monthly electronic newsletters, 

Bear Tracks and Bear Buzz. One of her first 

accomplishments upon joining UMAA was the 

launch of the Website www.umainealumni.com, 

which was designed as a portal for “all things 

Maine” for alumni and friends of the University. 

She is also involved in marketing initiatives 

including the Black Bear Business Network. 

Before moving to their farm in Atkinson, 

Susan and husband, Don Cookson, coowned 

a Massachusetts-based marketing and 

communications firm for over 30 years. After 

attending our Class’s 50th Reunion they decided 

to retire to Maine and Susan joined the Alumni 

Alumni Association director of marketing and communications Susan 

Mullaney (second from left) was made an honorary member of 

the Class of 1959 in February. Left to right are: Nonni Hilchey Daly 

’59, Susan, Evie Stevens Smith ’59, ’87G, Susan’s husband, Don 

Cookson ’59, and Alumni Association executive director, Todd Saucier 

’93, ’97G. 

Association. Susan says that she is grateful and 

appreciative of the honor bestowed upon her by 

our class. Welcome, Susan! 

Ken Perrone ’60G announced his 

retirement. At the end of the 2012 season Ken 

will retire as Salem State University baseball 

coach after 30 years of coaching. He has 

decided 30 would be a good number on which 

to end his long and illustrious career. He will 

have coached 2,000 games between baseball 

and football with 1,400 career wins. His record 

places him among the top 30 coaches all-time 

victories in NCAA D3 history. One of his career 

highlights was when Salem State won the 

MASAC championship in 2006 as well as the 

NCAA Division 3 tournament victory. To add to 

his many achievements he has been elected to 

five halls of fame—Massachusetts State High 

School Coaches, State of Maine All Sports, 

Southern Connecticut Diamond Club, Greater 

New Haven, and John Bapst Memorial High 

School. 

Paul Odegard and wife, Polly, celebrated 

their 50th wedding anniversary in November. 

Their family had a celebration for them the 

previous summer on a scenic cruise along 

the Connecticut shore. The Odegards winter 

in Jupiter, FL, and Paul still travels around the 

state participating in sailboat racing events. 

The U.S. Patent Office has granted Ernest 

E. Hollis ’61G a patent for improving the speed, 

power, density, and production yield of stateof-the-art 

microchips. He is a mostly retired 

Engineering Fellow and adjunct professor at 

major universities, is the author of a 527-page 

book on custom microchips, and has other 

patents on microchips that have been granted 

or which are pending. He is an amateur military 

historian and occasionally interacts in that area 

with his younger son, who has a doctorate in 

history. His older son is a practicing attorney. 

I have been notified that our 1959 

scholarship for 2011-2012 has been awarded to 

Elizabeth Higgins of Knox. 

She is a senior elementary 

education major and is 

the granddaughter of 

classmate Wesley Kinney. 

Bob and I celebrated 

our 50th anniversary 

in January. We also 

celebrated at a party given 

by our children in May on 

Cape Cod. 

1960 

Gail Rae Carter 

Baxter Place #502 

305 Commercial Street 


gailraecarter@gmail.com 

Greetings to the grand 

Class of 1960! 

Class president Joe 

Dion wants special kudos 

to go to Rick Lloyd in Hawaii. Rick is refining 

details for the 2013 cruise. Joe is considering 

putting together a second mini Reunion in 2013, 

somewhere along the Maine coast. A date has 

not yet been set, but it would not conflict with 

the March trip. Everyone would be welcome. 

Please let Joe, myself, or another class officer 

know of your wishes. 

Ace Conro, one of our class agents, is 

working with Fred Pierce on class giving. Ace 

says he gets more nostalgic every year about 

our college experiences and the terrific people 

we shared them with. This was more than 

evident at the 50 th . You would think we had 

never left. 

Please consider giving something to the 

ALUMNI FUND. This ensures you will receive 

this magazine twice yearly. The ALUMNI FUND 

supports all programs and events, including 

Homecoming and the Black Bear Road Trip. 

The FUND for the college supports 

scholarships, technology upgrades, research 

and development, and several other campus 

programs. 

Ace is still very active. He officiates at all the 

major college track meets, for America East, 

and the New England championships. The 

bonus of this is that he sees the Maine coaches 

and interacts with the students as well. 

Mark Shibles continues to do educational 

consulting for state governments, universities, 

and city school districts. He and Betty Colley 

Shibles live in Connecticut and Maine and 

also often visit daughters and grandchildren in 

California and Louisiana, near New Orleans. 

Bob Sterritt and his wife are permanently at 

10682 North Laughing Coyote Way in Tucson, 

AZ 85737. Bob is proud of his grandson who 

is training in Fort Drum, NY, and will become 

part of a newer “greatest generation,” to be 

deployed to Afghanistan. 

Also, this summer Joe and Peg Dion are 

traveling by rail across the USA. Joe continues 


to monitor his many activities in Walpole, NH. 

Rick Lloyd and friend Herbert will be in Maine 

to visit relatives near Warren a few days before 

departing on a cruise to the Mediterranean Sea. 

While they are in Maine in early August, Connie 

Atherton Martin will host a small gathering of 

classmates at her home at Higgins Beach. 

Sandie Page has been “skiing for light.” 

Ski for Light is an international organization 

with the purpose of enhancing and increasing 

independence for individuals who are visually 

impaired or have mobility issues. The group 

meets somewhere in the US each February. 

This year they were in Utah. The volunteers are 

one-on-one with the skiers. In cross-country, 

a double set of tracks is made, and they ski 

alongside the skiers, and narrate the trail. 

They also do evening activities, playing games 

like Braille Scrabble, and have shuffleboard 

tournaments. 

Joe Sulya was inducted on Bucksport High 

School’s Academic Wall of Fame. Congrats! 

In Augusta the Kennebec Journal had a large 

feature article on Harold “Tank” Violette, who 

was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of 

Fame. 

Star basketball player and coach Terry 

Spurling was among 13 men and women who 

have been elected to the Maine Sports Legends 

Hall of Honors. Terry starred at Ellsworth High 

School. After graduation, he taught physical 

education and coached. 

Last summer in Readfield, Ed and Sylvia 

Stoody Dodge celebrated their 50 th wedding 

anniversary. Celebrations included a family 

reunion on Maranacook Lake, and trips to 

Leesburg, VA, and New York City. 

In Van Buren, Daniel LaPointe was endorsed 

for the Loring Development Authority. This 

former strategic air command base also houses 

the Maine School for Science and Mathematics. 

Growing up we County people were very aware 

of the air base, with B-52 bombers continually 

coming and going over the potato fields. 

Megan Antonucci wrote a very nice letter 

saying how much she appreciated the support 

of her husband, Frank’s, Phi Kap brothers 

coming to support the family at his funeral 

service. It would be appreciated if each fraternity 

and sorority could appoint one of their own to 

collect and send me news. 

Again, all best wishes. As always I plead for 

any news you can send, just like sending a “little 

something.” 

Have a great summer and fall. 

1961 

Judy Ohr 

19332 Hempstone Avenue 

Poolesville, MD 20837-2133 

judyohr@aol.com 

This alumni magazine is published twice a 

year. Therefore, the Alumni Association has 

a Website for updating class news on an “as 

needed” basis. For us that means I may post 

photos, news items, meeting updates, etc. as I 

Four journalism alumni who graduated between 1960 and 1962 got together for lunch in Old 

Town Alexandria, Virginia, in April to share memories of legendary UMaine professor Brooks 

Hamilton. Left to right are: Judy Ohr ’61, Mary Irving Fantucchio ’61, David Lamb ’62, and Phyllis 

Warren-Briggs ’60. David was presented with the 2012 Alumni Career Award at Reunion in June 

(see page 18). 

get them. This is a super way to keep in touch 

in real time. I encourage you to go to www. 

umainealumni.com, go to Get Informed tab, 

click on Class Pages, and click on 1961. Make 

this a “favorite.” And email me news and photos 

throughout the year. To start off your new habit 

of checking the Website, please see Meg 

Thompson Villarreal’s report on the activities 

of the Senior Alumni group, information on 

renovations to the art department, and plans for 

the Midcoast alum group to gather. 

Recently heard from Jane Chiarini Grant. 

Teaching was her career, the majority in 

Marblehead, MA, except for one year in Maine 

and one year in Tehran, Iran, at Farabi University 

and Tehran’s American School. She writes that 

“a little revolution” got in the way. She thinks 

Dick ’59 and Ann Adams Collins were there at 

the same time. Ann, confirm? After teaching, 

Jane married Alden Grant ’64 and together they 

own and operate Nicholson Inn in Freeport. 

Between the two, they share six kids. Both 

Jane and Alden graduated from Freeport High. 

Class veep Andy McGarry led a 10-person 

bowling team this spring in raising funds for 

an overall Lockheed Martin contribution to 

Junior Achievement of Central Florida. Scores 

didn’t matter but gratification did. In February, 

Andy and Sherri joined Vinnie ’71G and Peggy 

Hersey Wills in an 83-person golf scramble at 

Magnolia Plantation, FL. Vinnie bowled in a Pro- 

Am tournament in April. Andy and Sherri also 

spent the BCS Championship weekend in New 

Orleans. While we are on the subject of golf, 

Dick Drisko played in the UMaine tourney with 

Dave Baribeau at Natanis Golf Course. Also 

played at Pinehurst, NC, with Dave Cloutier ’62 

and two other high school classmates. 

Heard from both Jane Goode and June 

Toulouse Heintz that their summer plans include 

stays in Maine: Jane at her camp in Enfield and 

June at Lake Ossissippi. Wally Hinckley, who 

travels up and down the seaboard from South 

Carolina to Maine, writes that he attended the 

Augusta alumni meeting and was pleased to 

have time to visit with Shirlene Health Gosline 

’73G. Charlie Chapman submitted the photo of 

himself with the Old Dominion University head 

football coach, Bobby Wilder ’88 that appears 

on our class’s webpage. The photo was taken 

at the Celebration of College Football awards 

banquet in January. Charlie will be at his 

cottage on Raymond Pond this summer and 

is interested in meeting with other classmates 

for a lobster feed. Contact me and I’ll contact 

him! On the subject of sports, Joseph Linscott 

was inducted into the Maine Sports Legends 

Hall of Honors. He has been responsible for 

maintenance of McGuire and Morton fields in 

Augusta since 1979; also managed Augusta 

East Little League and Babe Ruth League. 

Richard ’62 and Deane Quirion King, 

who split their time between Florida and East 

Madison, celebrated their 50 th anniversary 

in September. Deane taught junior high at 

Wappingers Falls, NY, until retirement. Fred 

Stubbert was elected chairman of the Waterville 

City Council. He is also on the board of directors 

of the Boys and Girls/YMCA/Alfond Youth 

Center, which is the largest Boys and Girls Club 

in the world. Also celebrating their 50 th this year 

were Regina Murphy and Dick Ruhlin. While 

waiting for guests to arrive, the Ruhlins, Vince 

’62, ’70G, and Gingee Buckley Franco ’66G, 

and Stan and Jeanine Gagnon Stewart drove 

around Bangor in a limo sampling champagne. 

Tough duty! Etta Libby Davenport, never one 

to rest, cruised and explored seven Greek 

islands last fall. The trip started in Istanbul and 

ended in Athens. For Etta, excitement never 

stops. While raking her leaves in Old Town, a 

lady moose walked within a few feet of her. Etta 

tried to start a conversation but Mrs. Moose 

turned and wandered off. Danny ’58 and Nancy 

Woods Rearick visited with Norma Currie in 

December when all were in Houlton. When I 

heard from Nancy, she mentioned that Danny 

had a spill and broke a rib but mended nicely! 


Ernie Ridlon is active in the NJ alumni group 

and wants to invite Eastern PA, NY, Delaware, 

and other NJ alums to Lobster Maine-ia 

scheduled for September 30 in the Princeton 

area. Email me and I’ll forward to Ernie and/ 

or June Toulouse Heintz, also a committee 

member. Just this minute the mailman brought 

me a letter from Artie Zalkan. Artie, now legally 

blind, lives in Davis, CA, with his cat, Destiny. He 

said Maine is still in his heart and he has many 

friends in California singing the “Stein Song.” 

And finally, you might have noticed that there 

are now two ways to contribute tax-deductible 

money to the school—the ALUMNI FUND and 

the FUND. An annual donation to the Alumni 

Fund ensures receiving this magazine as well 

as supporting reunions and homecoming. The 

Fund supports academic endeavors, technology 

upgrades, lab improvements, and research. As 

a donor, indicate where you want your donation 

to go but I suggest sending to both! You’ll find 

more information on the two funds elsewhere in 

the magazine. 

1962 

A group of ’62 members gather after breakfast during the class’s pre-reunion trip to Bar Harbor in late 

May. Left to right are: Diane Ingalls Zito, Pat McCourt DiTata, Don Ouellette, Mary Gay Baldyga, Carol 

Lovejoy Gay, Marcia Dolley Connolly, Marge Littlefield Hathaway, and Betty Goulden Kimbrell. In the 

background the cruise ship Maasdam greeted the group with a long blast on its horn. For more Class 

of ’62 photos see page 26. 

Diane Ingalls Zito 

24 South Hills Drive 

Bedford, NH 03110 

bluewatersailors@comcast.net 

It is early April as I write this column. By the time 

you all get to read it, our wonderful 50 th Reunion 

will be over and we will all be basking in the 

summer sun. The next magazine issue will have 

all the information about the classmates who 

joined us on campus and at the pre-events in 

Bar Harbor, so stay tuned! 

I would like to thank all of you who sent 

your bios to the Alumni Association so that we 

could update your contact information, and 

catch up on what you are doing now. Dave ’61 

and Dorothy Dickey Selleck wrote that they 

are sorry not to be able to attend Reunion, as 

they will be spending most of May and June 

in Norway at a family gathering. The Sellecks, 

now retired, live in Topsham, and are active 

in their church, the Sons of Norway, and their 

local square dancing club. Also traveling during 

Reunion time and unable to join us are Donald 

and Carole Warren Spiller. The Spillers live 

in Audubon, PA. Carole writes that she is not 

yet ready to retire. In 1995 she started her 

own company, CWS Artist Management and 

Consultant. Today Carole manages eight bands 

and artists. Two other classmates who send 

regrets are Dave Hebert and Richard Gross 

’64G, ’71G. Dave and wife, Bea, live in Lee, 

NH. Dave is in his 45 th year on the faculty of 

UNH as a professor in the graduate counseling 

program. He is a competitive roadrunner, 

having completed 21 marathons, including five 

Bostons. Richard Gross writes from Turner, ME, 

that he and wife, Yvonne ’64G, love to travel and 

collect antiques. Richard is especially interested 

in old Maine books. 

Jack Collins and wife, Kate ’88, could not 

join us due to previous plans with family at their 


summer lake house In Rockwood. Jack writes 

that he has been doing a lot of traveling during 

retirement. He also finds time to volunteer with 

many organizations in the Bangor area. Bob 

Bogdan writes that after over 35 years on the 

faculty at Syracuse University, he is enjoying 

retirement on his Vermont farm. The author of 

several books, Bob continues to write daily. 

His latest book, Picturing Disability, published 

by Syracuse University Press, is due to hit the 

bookshelves this fall. Ron Caselden is living in 

South Portland and summers on the west side 

of Sebago Lake in a camp his dad bought years 

ago. In the winter, Ron and wife, Patricia, like to 

travel to their condo in Fort Meyers, FL, where 

Cass enjoys golf. Lynne Josselyn wrote to say 

that she most likely would not be able to make 

Reunion because she was moving to a new 

home in Lubec at the end of May. Lynne stays 

active these days with golf, tennis, and running. 

She has also kept up her passion for music 

as a member of her church choir and several 

bands. Classmate Peter Crooker sends his 

best to everyone. Pete and wife, Jill, are living in 

Pittsford, NY. After almost 30 years of teaching, 

Pete retired to start an interior painting business 

with his daughter. “Life is good in the Finger 

Lakes” region. 

Norris Nickerson ’70G retired as principal of 

Bangor High School in June of 2011 after more 

than two decades of service in that capacity. 

Norris started his career in the Bangor school 

system right after graduation as a high school 

English and science teacher. He was also a 

football coach and tapped as an assistant 

principal in 1974. Norris lost his wife, Linda, 

in May of ’11 and said in an interview with the 

Bangor Daily News that her passing had a lot 

to do with his decision to retire. We send our 

condolences to Norris and his family. 

Richard and Deane Quirion King ’61 

celebrated their 50 th wedding anniversary last 

September at their son’s family cottage on Lake 

Wesserunsett in East Madison. Dick and Deane 

now live seven months of the year in Hudson, 

FL, but enjoy summers back home in Maine. 

Post script: The editor of the class notes 

left room for a short paragraph to be sumitted 

immediately after Reunion. Briefly stated, 

it was an amazing four days both in Bar 

Harbor and on campus. We had quality time 

to reconnect, laugh, and remember. Your 

classmates attending our 50th also had the 

opportunity to sign off and give permission 

for their biographies to be put up on our class 

page through the UMaine Alumni Association 

Website. You can catch up on what they have 

been doing for the past 50 years by going to 

umainealumni.com. Click on “get informed” and 

then “class pages,” and “1962.” Then scroll to 

the short paragraph about class bios. Click on 

that link. You might have to wait a few minutes 

as it is a very large file. Some of the stories of 

antics during college days are really fun. If you 

send a bio to me, but were not in attendance at 

Reunion, your biography can be put on line with 

the others. Just email permission. We plan to 

update the information periodically. My column 

in the winter issue of this magazine will have 

all the details about our fabulous 50th Runion. 

Needless to say, from lobster to popovers, 

David Lamb’s keynote speech to Pat Ranzoni’s 

memorial poem, Earl Smith’s story of “our bear” 

to Tom Patrick’s auctioneering skills, it was an 

amazing, wonderful, fabulous reunion! Class of 

’62 Reunion 2012 was our very best ever! 

Show Your 

Black Bear Pride! 

Support the 

ALUMNI FUND.

1963 

50 th Reunion in 2013 

Barbara Fowles Allen 

2690 Falls Road 

Marcellus, NY 13108 

barallen26@aol.com 

While in Florida this 

past winter, I saw several 

of my UM friends. 

In January I had lunch 

with Lee Bingham 

’66G. He is retired, 

but still consulting. He 

had just completed 

a job in Detroit helping 

to get a trash to 

energy plant up and running. He says he can’t 

see himself not working, therefore he keeps accepting 

offers. In February, Doug and I traveled 

to Palm Beach Gardens to see Judy Shaw Furlotte 

and her husband, Paul. Judy is active with 

her golf club and had just chaired a charity auction 

for the local children’s hospital. She also 

was involved with the planning of the Honda 

Classic in March at their club. 

Also in March, I hosted a gathering of Marcia 

Roak Fitzgerald, Judy Shaw Furlotte, Cynthia 

Huston Srebnick, and Judy Sudds Karam, 

along with several of our high school friends. It 

was a full house that night! 

The American Academy of Water Resources 

Engineers recently awarded Keith S. Dunbar 

the Honorary Diplomate status in the Academy. 

Keith was only the 21st person in the nation 

to receive such status. Right after graduation, 

Keith moved to California to begin his professional 

career working on the California State 

Water Project. For the past 33 years he has 

been the CEO of K. S. Dunbar & Associates, 

Environmental Engineering. 

Donald Berry of Belmont, ME, has been selected 

as one of the 10 umpires for the Olympic 

trials at the end of June in Eugene, OR. “I also 

serve as a member of the executive board of the 

USA Track & Field Officials as the parliamentarian. 

Here in Maine, I am the certification chair 

of the officials and am a Master Referee in the 

sport,” he writes. 

Pierce Atwood LLP attorney Malcolm L. 

Lyons was honored at the Maine Trial Lawyers 

Association Legends dinner. (Yes, we’ve 

reached the point where we are now “legends.”) 

Mal received the MTLA Legend Award for his 

extraordinary contributions to the Maine legal 

community and civil justice. Mal’s abilities and 

sense of fairness are recognized by attorneys 

statewide, who request him to serve as a mediator 

and arbitrator. 

Bill Chandler was named the 2011 American 

Resort Development Association winner at 

the Surf Club of Marco. Bill lives in Dartmouth, 

MA. 

Our 50th Reunion is being planned by the 

committee. Many questions have come up 

about what class members would like, so 

here are some things to respond to Jim or me 

about: 

Are you planning on attending? Would you 

attend pre-Reunion activities (or post)? Would 

you be willing to call some of your friends (fraternity, 

sorority, sports team members, music 

group, drama, or even a roommate) about going 

to the Reunion? Should we as a class join 

the Senior Alumni (those who graduated 50 or 

more years ago) instead of having future 1963 

Reunions? 

Here is a message from our president, Jim 

Goff. 

“Planning for our 50 th Reunion celebration 

(May 31-June 2, 2013) continues. Chairman 

Gina Barnes Grogean has recruited a good 

group of volunteers and we are ahead of schedule. 

Lois Murdock Libby and Anne Weymouth 

LaBossiere ’67G, ’72 C.A.S. are looking into 

hotels and activities in advance of the weekend 

in and around the Bar Harbor region for those 

interested in making our Reunion a part of a 

real Maine vacation; Gail Hoxie Brown is planning 

our Friday evening banquet; Marcia Roak 

Fitzgerald and Pat Small Flaherty, along with 

Rev. Jane Parmalee Harmes and Rev. Thomas 

B. Chittick, are planning a memorial service 

to remember our classmates who have died; 

Irv Marsters ’71G is generously donating printing 

services; class agent Dana Dolloff ’64G is 

gathering as many names and addresses as 

possible, chasing down those with whom we 

have lost contact. He’s beginning to make contact 

with some of our class affinity groups such 

as the Greek communities, athletic teams, and 

various clubs and organizations. There’s always 

more to be done. Care to help out? Please contact 

me at goffmaine@myfairpoint.net or Gina 

at vbgrogean@gmail.com. What can you do 

right now? Spread the word and if you learn of 

classmates who may not be getting our mailings, 

send us their contact information and we’ll 

update our records. See you at our 50 th !” 

1964 

Ginny Bellinger Ollis 

4022 Front Street 

San Diego, CA 92103 

(619) 295-3904 

ginnyollis@aol.com 

Boy, this retirement gig is something. While it 

is wonderful not to have the obligations and 

stress, it is a little strange feeling separated 

from a lifetime of associates, but then, the 

big lesson of graduation in 1964 was that the 

friends who are important will be “keepers,” and 

others were just convenience, not so critical, 

regardless of geography. Tom and I formally 

retired concurrent with the New Year, and were 

amazingly pleased that our area realtors of all 

companies gave us a huge retirement party, 

which was a nice opportunity to say thank 

you to my extraordinary colleagues, and the 

San Diego Association of Realtors gave me a 

surprise lifetime membership. These were very 

rare occasions and I was double-very excited. 

All of you ’64 classmates, please send me 

your news, I would hate to have to use my 

imagination! We have a few pieces of good 

news, however. Peter M. Bourque also retired 

recently after 46 years as a fisheries professional. 

His friends and colleagues have been having a 

series of celebratory retirement parties for Pete, 

with just enormous appreciation and fun. Some 

of his accolades mentioned his total support to 

his colleagues, and shepherding the department 

through very tough budget times. Lester Young 

’75G, ’82 C.A.S. was awarded the Citizen of the 

Year by the city of Brewer, retiring after 47 years 

dedicated to serving area children. He did his 

student teaching at Brewer Middle School and 

has been a teacher, principal, superintendent, 

and business manager as well as director of 

finance and owner’s representative for the 

newly completed Brewer Community School. 

Errol “Abe” Additon, a selectman in Leeds, 

was reelected to the executive committee of the 

Maine Municipal Association. 

Did you know that the Class of ’64 is 

participating in the class adoption program? 

The program connects the Class of ’64 with the 

Class of 2014 to continue UMaine traditions, 

offer support and mentoring, and provide a 

link with alumni. For more information, visit the 

Alumni Association Website or contact Ken 

Beale. You can also talk to Valerie Mitchell ’09 

at the UMaine Alumni Association or email her 

at Valerie.j.mitchell@umit.maine.edu. 

Y’all put down those fishing poles, garden 

gloves, cookbooks, golf clubs, artist materials, 

and other sundry articles and write or email your 

news. We want to know! 

1965 

Sylvia A. Tapley 

47 Beals Avenue 

Ellsworth, ME 04605-1701 

(207) 610-1322 

satapley@juno.com 

Facebook: Sylvia A Tapley 

Joni Weeks Averill White was overseeing 

a new Bangor Daily News nonprofit online 

section and a once-a-week print page titled 

“Positively Maine.” Joni has now retired after 

32 years with the Bangor Publishing Company. 

Raymond “Larry” Varisco has been 

temporarily filling the position of Veazie town 

manager. He had retired in 2007 after a nearly 

17-year career as manager of Holden. 

Henry “Hank” Schmelzer has been 

named chairman of Maine Public Broadcasting 

Network’s board of directors. Before getting 

involved in philanthropy, Hank spent many 

years in the legal and financial industry in 

Boston. Hank and his wife, Cynthia Livingston, 

live in Somesville, ME. 

Wayne Dennison (G) and his wife, Winona, 

celebrated their 65 th wedding anniversary 

in June 2011. Wayne attended Washington 

County Normal School under the GI bill. Those 

of us who grew up in Ellsworth remember “Mr. 

Dennison” as a well-liked elementary school 

teacher and then principal of the Bryant E. 


Moore School for 23 years. 

The Alumni Association has to raise 52 

percent of its operating budget. Through its 

ALUMNI FUND, it supports areas such as 

scholarships, student travel and research, and 

new program development. It also ensures you 

will receive the alumni magazine twice a year. 

If you wish to financially support the Alumni 

Association, you need to designate gifts to the 

ALUMNI FUND. 

1966 

Dan Hillard 

P. O. Box 138 

Chandler Farms 

Wilder, VT 05088 

(802) 295-9044 

micmac43@myfairpoint.net 

Jerry Ellis (left) on a 2011 Pacific Coast bike tour with his son and son’s girlfriend. 

Jerry Ellis ’64: Retired but Hardly Resting 

When you meet volunteer Jerry Ellis ’64 at the front desk of Buchanan Alumni House, 

don’t assume that he is content to sit still. In fact, a bicycle seat might suit him 

better. The former director of UMaine’s College Success Programs is an avid bicyclist 

who rode across the country four years ago to raise money for UMaine scholarships. 

Jerry’s weekly shift at the front desk puts him in contact with prospective students 

and their families, members of the UMaine community, and the general public. For his 

dedication and contributions to the Alumni Association and UMaine, Jerry received the 

Block “M” Award. 

In high school, Jerry was president of his class and Maine state cross-country 

champion. A college education was not a topic of discussion at home, but his high 

school principal encouraged him to apply to the University of Maine. 

On campus, Jerry thrived. He ran track and cross-country, joined Phi Eta Kappa 

fraternity, and became a Senior Skull. After graduating with a degree in education, he 

received his commission in the Army and served as an infantry officer in Vietnam. He later 

received his master’s in counseling. 

Returning to Orono, he joined the Onward program (now the College Success 

Programs) where his personal and professional background made him ideally suited to 

counseling first-generation and academically under-prepared students. During his career, 

he mentored hundreds of students. 

“I felt I understood what the students were going through,” he notes. 

He remained with the program for 34 years, becoming Onward’s director. 

The summer after he retired (2007), Jerry and John Hwalek, professor of chemical 

engineering, both cycling enthusiasts, embarked on a cross-country trip from Anacortes, 

Washington, to Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. Jerry also used the opportunity to 

raise more than $6,000 for a UMaine scholarship fund. 

Although a heart attack and by-pass surgery in November 2010 sidelined him 

temporarily, he took another bike trip, purely for fun, the following summer. In 2011, at 

age 69, he pedaled the West Coast from Vancouver to the Mexican border with his son 

and son’s girlfriend. Jerry’s wife, Ronny Delano-Ellis ’72, ’76G, followed in a car with food, 

camping gear, and supplies, and made arrangements for overnight accommodations. 

When biking locally, Jerry’s favorite ride is a 28-mile loop that follows both sides of 

the Penobscot River. From his Bangor home, he bikes to Brewer and continues north, 

crosses the river at Milford, and heads south, returning to Bangor along Route 2. 

The UMAA is looking for volunteers to assist with alumni chapters, class 

activities, at Buchanan Alumni House, and other ways. If you would like to help, 

contact Chris Corro at christine.corro@umit.maine.edu or call 1.800.934.2586. 

Carol Jesraly Josel lives in the Philadelphia area 

and is now supervising student teachers from 

both Gwynedd-Mercy and Ursinus colleges, 

while continuing to write for examiner.com. 

She occasionally makes presentations for CBS 

Philly “Top Spots” and does some consulting. 

Her website is www.schoolwisebooks.com. 

Arthur Ray earned his degree in electrical 

engineering and recently retired from Central 

Maine Power in Augusta after 35 years. Art, 

who lives in Sidney, ME, and is involved with 

UMaine Augusta Senior College, recommends 

the Senior College experience for retirees to 

keep your mind sharp. His hobby is local history 

and he puts together PowerPoint slide shows 

that he has presented to historical societies and 

at the college. He keeps physically fit by hiking, 

biking, and skiing. 

Mayor Joseph Ferris easily won a 10 th 

consecutive term on the Brewer city council 

last November. Joe was not able to attend our 

Reunion last June as he was traveling to be 

with the Black Bears baseball team in playoff 

action. 

Maj. Gen. John “Bill” Libby ’67G received 

the Honored Patriot Award from the Selective 

Service. He retired earlier this year after 44 

years of service. 

Darryl Brown ’69G resigned as the state 

planning office director with plans to create an 

Office of Management and Policy for the state 

of Maine. 

Rick Small, who served as president and 

chief executive officer of Good Shepard Food 

Bank in Auburn, the state’s largest hunger relief 

network, stepped down last fall. During his sixyear 

tenure, the amount of food that the food 

bank acquired and distributed to 600 partner 

agencies throughout Maine grew from nearly 9 

million pounds a year to 13 million pounds. 

David Bergquist ’69G’s curiosity about 

Bangor history led him to write a book based 

on the life of another UMaine grad, Lt. Austin 

Keith ’44, a B-29 Superfortress pilot lost with 

his crew after a mid-air collision in 1945. 

Both the author and subject are Bangor boys. 

Bergquist, through his research and readings, 

found out that Keith had written a one-act play 


titled “Prelude to Courage.” After many hours in 

the Special Collections department at UMaine’s 

Fogler Library going through 95 boxes filled with 

material, he finally found letters from Austin and 

other UMaine students who had gone off to war. 

If you enjoy a great read, check out Prelude to 

Courage: An Air Warrior’s Journey of Faith by 

David H. Bergquist. 

In recent years there have been many 

questions about the difference between 

the ALUMNI FUND and the FUND for the 

University of Maine. For many years, the Alumni 

Association was contracted to fundraise on 

behalf of the University of Maine, so there were 

not competitive fund drives. A few years ago, 

the University began fundraising again, so now 

both it and the nonprofit Alumni Association are 

engaged in raising money for University-related 

activities and projects. I have a more detailed 

breakdown of the two funds that might give you 

more insight as to why and how this happened. 

In any case, whenever you receive a request for 

support, I hope you’ll consider directing some 

of your gifts to the Class of ’66 Scholarship 

Fund. 

Finally, alumni awards are presented both 

during class reunions and at Homecoming. If 

you know of an alum from any class who you 

believe deserves recognition, log on to www. 

umainealumni.com, go to “Get Involved,” and 

click on the drop-down “Alumni Awards.” 

1967 

Gathering at the Bear’s Den for lunch as part of their 45th Reunion were Class of ’67 members, 

seated, left to right: Edie McVay King, Cheryl Ashe Kugel, Carol Snyder Drummond, and Patricia 

Cochrane ’81 C.A.S. Back row, left to right: Dave Ames ’68G, Patty McKay Kelly, Pam Vaccaro, and 

Asimiyu Oyetunji. 

Karen Wessell Hull 

5 Outlook Lane 


207-725-0094 

Kwess17@comcast.net 

We had a great time at our 45 th Reunion! 

Wonderful to see everyone and we hope more 

will attend our 50 th . Plan to get involved! It will 

come sooner than we think! We need you! 

Congratulations to Dave Ames ’68G, who 

was inducted into the Midcoast Sports Hall of 

Fame. He was a four-sport athlete at Camden 

High School, played baseball for the Black 

Bears, and is one of the top basketball officials 

in Maine. 

Best wishes to Gervaise and Bob Lapierre, 

who recently celebrated their 40 th anniversary. 

1968 

Betty Loew White ’68 

1849 Ludlow Road 

Ludlow, ME 04730 

bejuwi@aol.com 

A warm “Maine Hello” to my 1968 classmates! 

There is a lot to tell you about our class. 

A November 2011 article in The Ellsworth 

American announced that John Moore ’90G 

was re-elected to the Ellsworth City Council. 

Class of ’67 member Sim Oyetunji, of Lagos, Nigeria, 

returned to Orono in early June to attend 

Reunion 2012. At the Class of ’67 picnic, Sim enjoyed 

his very first lobster. He was in the United 

States in anticipation of the birth of a grandchild 

to his daughter in Kentucky. Attending UMaine is 

something of a family tradition for the Oyetunji 

family—two of Sim’s daughters are also University 

of Maine graduates. 

Last fall, the Kennebec Journal reported 

the confirmation of six Governor LePage 

’75G nominees. Among these nominees was 

Clark Granger (Ph.D.) of Woolwich. Clark was 

appointed to the Board of Pesticides Control. 

A late-October college report in the Bangor 

Daily News announced the acceptance of a 

$500,000 donation to the University of Maine 

from Tom and Sally Savage. The donation 

will be used to help fund improvements to the 

Alfond Arena, home to the UMaine ice hockey 

and basketball programs, and the Memorial 

Gymnasium and Field House. Tom is a retired 

attorney. He and his wife, Sally, reside in Key 

Largo, FL, and Searsport. In 2007, Tom and 

Sally were recognized with UMaine’s Stillwater 

Society Presidential Award for extraordinary 

professional and personal endeavors. 

On a personal note, for the past 10 years, I 

have been serving the Michigan Department of 

Education, most recently as a test item writer for 

the English Language Proficiency Assessments. 

In addition to writing, I have been designing 

and developing clothing, accessories, and 

household items for Creativerinds.com, an ecofriendly 

“green business” founded in 2007. 

Feel free to send news, updated email 

addresses, and photos to me. I will be happy 

to include your information in our class column 

for the fall alumni magazine. 

Homecoming 2012 

October 19-21 


1969 

Bill and Andrea Hayes Lott 

11 Bayberry Drive 

Eliot, ME 03903 

Bill.lott@gmail.com 

It’s hard to believe that we will celebrate our 45 th 

class Reunion in 2014. We’d like to have many 

of you return to join in the fun, so please email 

us to indicate whether a late spring date (May/ 

June) or a fall date (Homecoming in October) 

would best fit into your plans. We have tried 

both dates in the past but would like your input. 

Just email with either spring or fall and also 

send us your news. 

For 33 years, Jim Collins ’71G has been 

in admissions at the University of Maine 

Farmington, and he retired in January of 2012. 

Jim is a selectman in Livermore Falls and has 

previously served on the school board. Alan 

Bradstreet is the host of MPBN’s TV show 

“Incredible MAINE.” Robert Dunphy of North 

Anson has been appointed to the State of 

Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission. 

Mike Siviski, longtime Winslow High School 

football coach, reached his 200 th victory in 

September 2011. Jerry Goss ’75G, ’77 C.A.S. 

is mayor of Brewer and is also chairman of the 

Brewer High School district trustees. 

Duncan Moore ’96 Hon. Sc.D., University 

of Rochester professor and vice provost, has 

been elected president of the International 

Commission for Optics. Duncan is just the fourth 

American elected president of the commission, 

which was formed in 1947. 

Keep in touch and let us know your 

preference for our 45 th Reunion. 

1970 

Jean Willard Young 

70 Robin Hood Drive 

Brewer, ME 04412 

(207) 989-5340 

iglfn@roadrunner.com 

I was pleased to hear from Eric Nuse, who took 

some time to send me an email catching me up 

on his life since leaving Orono. After getting his 

degree in wildlife management he went on to 

work for 32 years with the Vermont Fish and 

Wildlife Department as a game warden and 

hunter education coordinator. After retiring in 

2003, he served as executive director for the 

International Hunter Education Association in 

Colorado. At this time he is executive director 

of a think tank, Orion-The Hunter’s Institute, 

a consultant and expert witness for huntingrelated 

shooting incidents, and he is also chair 

of the Vermont Wildlife Partnership. Eric’s spare 

time is spent hunting and fishing and getting 

outdoors as much as possible and doing habitat 

improvement on town forest and state wildlife 

management areas. He has been the subject of 

two books, Vermont Wild, Volumes 1 and 2, by 


Suzanne Hart ’68 received the Alumni 

Association’s prestigious Pine Tree 

Emblem Service Award at a special 

ceremony at Buchanan Alumni House 

in April. Suzanne served on the Alumni 

Association board for nearly 20 years, 

including terms as treasurer, vice-chair, 

and chair. Her thorough research and 

thoughtful deliberation made her a valued 

alumni leader. Suzanne also served 

the university as an advisory member of 

the Board of Visitors, a member of the 

Development Council, and as an ex-officio 

member of the UMaine Foundation 

board. A generous donor, she belongs 

to the Stillwater Society, the Charles F. 

Allen Society, and the President’s Club. 

Megan Price, which relate his adventures (and 

misadventures) as a game warden. Eric’s email 

address is ericnuse@gmail, if you would like to 

reconnect. 

John Wolfgram ’71G added to his coaching 

legacy last fall by leading Portland’s Cheverus 

High School football team to its second straight 

Class A Championship. This was John’s 10 th 

state title. 

Dave Wing ’75G resigned as football coach 

at Oak Hill high school in Wales, ME. He had 

held the positiion for three years. Previously, 

Dave coached at Brewer and Skowhegan. 

Gerry Palmer decided not to seek re-election 

last fall to the Bangor City Council. He first ran 

for office in the mid 1990s and has served as 

mayor as well as councilor. Gerry and his wife 

have seven children and three grandchildren 

and are building a new house in Bangor. 

Dave Pearson, who was the town manager 

of Dexter, ME, has swapped towns and is now 

the Sangerville town manager. Dave had been 

the Dexter town manager since 2008 and before 

that was the tax assessor for 22 years. 

That’s all the news that’s fit to print for now! 

1971 

Barbara McCarthy Allen 

59 Wildwood Drive 


mebear71@gmail.com 

Happy summer, everyone! 

Dennis ’76G and Holly Ramsdell Violette 

are in the news for having donated, on behalf 

of the Violette family, a 25-volume set of 

scrapbooks compiled by Dennis’s family, which 

are full of information about the St. John Valley 

from 1921 to 2005. They donated the collection 

to the UMFK archives. Pia Varanelli Holmes 

’93G, ’04 C.A.S., who has taught at Manchester 

Elementary School since 1988, is now the 

principal at Mount Vernon Elementary School 

and Manchester Elementary. Elbridge Cleaves 

is one of 13 members of a new commission 

which will recommend solutions for dealing with 

land-use planning of the Unorganized Territories 

in Maine. Elbridge is currently president of the 

Woodie Wheaton Land Trust. 

Pamela Murphy White, who began a 

career of public service in the Peace Corps 

in Cameroon, has been serving as the UN 

ambassador to Gambia. She has now been 

nominated by President Obama to serve as the 

US ambassador to the Republic of Haiti. 

Gerry Hawkes of Vermont has been 

developing Wheeled Hand Tools, called WHaTS, 

that are efficient, strong, and have a variety of 

applications. Gerry’s career includes natural 

resource management and consulting in Africa, 

Asia, Europe and North America. “I became 

keenly aware of the need for well-designed, 

extremely durable hand tools,” he writes. “When 

the Haitian earthquake struck in January 2010, 

scenes of desperate survivors attempting to 

move rubble with their bare hands was the final 

motivating force that led to the development of 

Wheeled Hand Tool Systems.” 

Gerry’s tools can be used to haul firewood, 

remove stumps, move large items such as 

barrels or panels of plywood, and more. Visit his 

website: http://www.wheeledhandtoolsystems. 

com/index.php. 

Dave Leland of Sangerville announced 

that he was engaged to Sue Jardine, also of 

Sangerville, and an October 2011 wedding was 

planned. 

That’s all the news we have for the Class of 

1971. If you contribute a bit of news, perhaps 

you will inspire a friend to do likewise. We 

love hearing about each other’s travels, career 

changes, or any get-togethers that are going on. 

Do let us know what you and your friends and 

family are doing. Any news is welcomed here! 

Show Your Black Bear Pride! 

Support the 

ALUMNI FUND.

1972 

Honored class at Homecoming 


Anne Dearstyne Ketchen 

446 Brook Street 

Carlisle, MA 01741 

(978) 369-1661 

anneketchen@comcast.net 

I was really pleased to hear directly from a few 

classmates with news to include in the column 

this time. 

Judith Frost Gillis, retired middle school 

language arts teacher, is the volunteer project 

manager for The Curran Homestead Living 

History Farm and Museum in Orrington, ME. 

The Curran Homestead celebrated its 20th 

anniversary in 2011, renovated the first floor 

of the farmhouse, completed a two-forge 

blacksmith shop, and added vintage farm 

artifacts to the collection. Check scheduled 

events at the website: curranhomestead.org or 

on Facebook. Volunteers of any age and ability 

are welcome. 

Tom Guter sent in some news “for the first 

time since I graduated. After graduation, my wife, 

Karen Damon Guter ’71, ’73G, and I moved to 

Portsmouth, NH, where she began her teaching 

career at Portsmouth Junior High School. I 

completed my master’s in public administration 

at the University of New Hampshire in 1975. In 

1975, we moved back to Maine. Karen worked 

for 31 years as librarian/media specialist in the 

Yarmouth school department, retiring from the 

Harrison Middle School in Yarmouth in June 

2006. I retired as human resources director at 

the town of Scarborough in February of 2007, 

having worked there for nine years. Prior to that, 

I worked in a variety of capacities at BCBS of 

Maine (in Portland) for 19 years, leaving BCBS 

as VP of claims administration. In June of 2007, 

we sold our home in North Yarmouth, which we 

had built 26 years before, and moved to Fort 

Collins, CO, where we now reside. (Fort Collins) 

is about an hour north of Denver and 45 minutes 

south of Cheyenne, WY, along the Colorado 

Front Range. We’re having a glorious time here, 

hiking, backpacking, biking, snowshoeing, 

fishing, and enjoying 300+ days of sunshine 

annually. It has been a great move for two 

lovers of the mountains and the outdoors. 

We’ve been fortunate to have had numerous 

Maine visitors, including Karen’s sister, Pam 

Damon ’73, Doug ’73 (an ATO fraternity brother) 

and Barbara Sirois Babkirk ‘73, Priscilla Marsh 

Vandermast ’70, John ’66 and Barbara Marks 

Chandler ’68. We also had a chance to connect 

with Bruce ’00G and Becky Harvey Mailloux 

’95G, ’02 C.A.S. in Denver, where Bruce, who 

is superintendent of the Belfast area school 

district, had an education conference. Bruce 

and I were ATO fraternity brothers at Maine, as 

well.” Tom would “love to hear from old friends 

at tpguter@gmail.com.” 

Roxanne (née Rodger) and Margo Zittel-Roy 

Ellis ’93G sent greetings from Key West where 

they have lived for the past two decades. Margo 

Gerry Hawkes ’71 is developing Wheeled Hand Tool Systems 

(WHaTS). The concept is to multiply the effectiveness of hand 

labor and to mitigate fossil fuel consumption by making manual 

power a viable alternative to fossil fuel-powered tools. Gerry had 

a forestry business in Vermont and also consulted overseas. “I’m 

having a lot of fun developing this product. I keep thinking of more 

applications and designing more components,” he says. 

teaches behaviorally challenged elementary 

students and Roxanne, who transitioned 

in 2009, runs their small independent cigar 

business in town. They have two grandchildren 

who live in Dallas. 

Gary Cole, president of the Cole Land 

Transportation Museum in Bangor, ME, was 

diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2005. 

At present there is no cure for this disease and 

over 7,000 people in Maine have it. Gary is 

now president of the Maine Parkinson Society, 

whose primary mission is to help provide 

respite care to those with Parkinson’s. For more 

information about Parkinson’s disease, visit 

www.maineparkinsonsociety.org. Also visit the 

Cole Land Transportation Museum Website 

to learn about Maine transportation history at 

www.colemuseum.org. 

Believe it or not, our 40th UMaine Reunion 

is this year. Homecoming weekend is October 

20-21 so start thinking about Reunion. The 

Class of 2002 has inquired whether our class 

might like to meet with them at some point 

during Homecoming weekend to share UMaine 

stories and to network, offer career advice, etc. 

They would like to utilize the Class of 1972 as 

an alumni mentor class. If this is something you 

would be interested in, please contact Valerie 

Mitchell, affinity programming coordinator at 

the UMaine Alumni Association, at Valerie_J_ 

Mitchell@umit.maine.edu. 

Now on to the clippings from the Alumni 

Association. Barry Gates was installed as 

potentate of Kora Shrine in Lewiston, ME, for 

2012. Kora Shrine is a fraternal organization that 

supports hospitals that provide care for children 

without financial obligation 

to patients and their families. 

Barry leads a group of nearly 

2,600 Shriners in central and 

southern Maine. He lives in 

Turner with his wife, Bobby 

Jean. 

Diane Monroe Smith and 

her husband, Robert “Ned” 

Smith ’75, ’82G of Holden, 

ME, are authors who write 

about Maine’s participation in 

the Civil War. Diane’s books 

include Fanny and Joshua: the 

Enigmatic Lives of Frances 

Caroline Adams and Joshua 

Lawrence Chamberlain and 

Chamberlain at Petersburg: 

The Charge at Fort Hell. Ned 

has written The 22 nd Maine 

Volunteer Infantry in the Civil 

War: A History and Roster. 

Sarah Medina of the 

Maine Tourism Commission 

and Seven Islands Land 

Company represents the 

tourism or outdoor recreation 

industry on a panel selected 

by Gov. Paul LePage ’75G. 

The panel consists of a 

13-member commission 

created to recommend 

solutions for “reforming the 

governance of land use 

planning” on the more than 10 million acres that 

comprise the unorganized territory. 

Here are two links that might interest you: 

the University of Maine Class of 1972 Facebook 

page and the 1972 class page on the Alumni 

Association’s site. Both can be found at 

umainealumni.com: go to the Get Involved tab, 

Class Pages drop-down, and choose 1972. 

I’ll close on an administrative note. Have you 

even wondered about the difference between 

the ALUMNI FUND and the FUND for the 

University of Maine? Here’s an explanation from 

the Alumni Association. 

The FUND at the University of Maine 

seeks support from alumni, parents, friends, 

faculty, and staff to support areas such as 

scholarships, technology upgrades, student 

travel and research, classroom and laboratory 

improvements, new program development, and 

other campus facilities. 

The ALUMNI FUND is the Alumni 

Association’s annual fundraising campaign. 

The Alumni Association is an independent 

501(c)3 and has to raise 52% of its operating 

budget each fiscal year in order to serve our 

alumni and offer the programs and services 

our alumni enjoy. Donating annually to the 

ALUMNI FUND ensures you will receive MAINE 

Alumni Magazine twice a year. Gifts to the 

ALUMNI FUND support programs and events 

like Reunion and Homecoming weekends, The 

Black Bear Road Trip, MAINE Alumni Magazine, 

website, Bear Tracks e-newsletter, and more. 

Both funds support good work that ultimately 

benefits the University of Maine. 


1973 

Rachel Davenport Dutch 

2202 Spyglass Hill Circle 

Valrico, FL 33594 

redhed47@juno.com 

Jack Cashman, a former member of Gov. John 

Baldacci’s ’86 administration and local Bangor 

businessman, is a partner in the new ownership 

group of the Bangor Metro magazine. Ray Graham 

and his wife, Beth, are owners of the Restaurant 

Barn selling new and used restaurant 

equipment in Ellsworth. Jeffrey Dow, a dentist 

in private practice in Newport, is a new trustee 

of the American Dental Association. 

Phyllis Katzenstein Guerette was reelected 

to the Bangor School committee. Betty 

Moore Lamoreau retired from her position as 

acting director of the Bureau of General Services 

after 31 years in state government. 

Steve and I will take our first trip abroad this 

summer to celebrate both the marriage of our 

daughter Claire to Dan Burdge of Chelmsford, 

England, and our 40 th anniversary. 

1974 

Diantha Hawkes Grant 

3945 Octave Drive 

Jacksonville, FL 32277 

(904) 743-4696 

dgrant6052@aol.com 

The Jacksonville Alumni group had a great visit 

from Todd Saucier ’93, ’97G during the annual 

Black Bear Road Trip. It was so much fun to 

gather with other Black Bears and talk hockey, 

baseball, and football. We even had Dennis 

Doyle ’67, who played on the 1965 Tangerine 

Bowl team! 

Lynn Olsen Brown of Houlton, ME, wrote: 

“I self-published Alice, Frankenstein and Saturday 

Night Beans....a young girl’s memory of 

Bradford Farm. It tells many stories of what it 

was like to visit my aunt’s farm during the late 

1950s and ’60s. My late aunt, Irene Bradford, 

ran the farm by herself after her husband died.” 

Lynn and her husband, Wayne Brown, have 

three children and four grandchildren. She has 

a Facebook page for Alice, Frankenstein and 

Saturday Night Beans. 

Deborah Nelson Averill (G), a librarian at 

Bangor High School, helped David Bergquist 

’66, ’69G, research a book about WWII pilot 

Lt. Austin Rodney Keith ’44. Keith and his crew 

were lost in a mid-air collision in a B-29 in 1945. 

The research provided enough material to write 

Prelude to Courage. The book is available at 

www.heritagebooks.com or www.amazon.com. 

After 38 years with the National Wildlife Refuge 

(NWR) and the last 16 as manager at Agassiz 

NWR, in Minnesota, Maggie Campbell Anderson 

is retiring. Some of her other positions 

were at Petit Manan NWR in Milbridge, ME, and 

Helping Children in Ghana 

Two former teachers at Bangor’s William S. Cohen Middle School, Betty McElwain Jamison 

’74 (left) and Kris Reid ’87G, have been helping children in Ghana since 2007. That year they 

were on a tour of African schools when they stopped at a Baptist School and Orphanage 

Complex (known as BASCO). The teachers were moved and impressed by their visit and 

have returned several times since. In addition to training teachers and offering instruction to 

the children, they have raised money to supply the school with clothing, laptops, a projector, 

and even a generator. This past year they started making plans for an enclosed kitchen 

for BASCO. They raised $10,000 from friends and family for the project, which is now nearly 

completed. Betty and Kris both retired this spring. 

Lee Metcalf NWR in Stevensville, MT. Maggie 

plans to volunteer at various national wildlife 

refuges across the country. Best wishes. 

Sumner Memorial High School’s new assistant 

principal is Brian Carpenter. He has held 

various positions in Calais, Lubec, Hermon, 

Penquis Valley, and Madawaska. 

Alan Casavant became the new mayor of 

Biddeford and continues to represent House 

District 137 in the Maine Legislature. He ran 

on a “Positive, Professional” campaign slogan 

which appealed to the voters. 

Ellsworth chief of police, John DeLeo, was 

recognized by the Ellsworth City Council for his 

35 years of service to the community. He joined 

the department in 1976 and rose through the 

ranks to become chief in 1998. 

E. Paul Eggert ’75G was appointed to his 

third term as district court judge by the Maine 

Senate. 

Congratulations to Bill Fletcher (G), ’77 

C.A.S. for his induction into the Sports Legends 

Hall of Fame. Bill coached basketball and was 

athletic director at various schools, retiring from 

Brewer High School in 1992. 

Cold River Vodka is back in the news with 

Lee Thibodeau and Bob Harkins. During January, 

February, and March of 2012, Cold River 

donated a pound of potatoes to food banks in 

Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts for 

every bottle of vodka sold. 

Jeff Ingalls retired from coaching after more 

than 30 years. Most recently he was head girls’ 

soccer coach at Hampden Academy. 

Steve Pelletier is still throwing the javelin, 

maybe better than ever! Last summer he received 

a silver medal in the Granite State Senior 

Games in the 60-64 division with a throw 

of 139’ 8”. 

Estate planning attorney Harold “Hal” Snow 

is an owner of the firm of Garvey Schubert Barer 

in Seattle, WA. He is an author and speaker and 

active in the legal communities of Alaska and 

Washington State. 

Not many people can say they started teaching 

in a two-room school, but Patricia Watts ’98 

C.A.S. did. Today she is the assistant superintendent 

and curriculum director for the Regional 

School Unit 12 in the Sheepscot Valley. 

Final Notes: Please consider making an annual 

contribution to the Alumni Association’s 

The ALUMNI FUND or The FUND for the University 

of Maine. For more information about these 

two programs, go to www.umainealumni.com 

or www.umaine.edu/development. 

The Class of 1974 extends its condolences 

to Coach Walt Abbott ’58, ’65G on the death 

of his wife and partner, Carol. Know that we 

all love you and hold you in our thoughts and 

prayers. 

Hope you are having a great summer. Don 

and I look forward to spending a month at our 

little piece of Maine heaven! Oh, and most of us 

have reached a new decade this year – relish it! 


October 19-21 


1975 

Isabelle Birdsall Schweitzer 

76 Autumn Ridge Circle 

Ithaca, NY 14850 

schweitzer53@Yahoo.com 

After a very mild winter in Ithaca, spring is here. 

Life is busy as always with keeping up with a 

teenage daughter, my running, and our home 

and work schedules. We just returned from a 

visit to Colorado to see my son and will head to 

Baltimore in a week to visit daughter Meredith. 

I would love to hear any news of you and your 

family. 

In January, the Kennebec Valley Chamber 

of Commerce named John Finnegan Business 

Person of the Year in recognition of John’s efforts 

to make his business and community a 

better place. John has worked 36 years for the 

Macomber, Farr, and Whitten Insurance Agency 

where he is now a partner and president. He 

also organized the annual Whatever Family 

Festival, taught at the University of Maine at 

Augusta (UMA), and served on UMA’s board 

of visitors. John also finds time to serve on the 

board of directors of the UMA Foundation, Kennebec 

Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Augusta 

Parking District, on the Lithgow Library 

board of trustees, play the organ and volunteer 

in his church, serve as chairman of the steering 

committee for the Maine Families Network, and 

be part of the classic rock band, Cahoots. 

Joe Sekera retired this past year after 43 

years at John Bapst Memorial High School. 

Almost 150 friends, family, including all nine of 

his children; and past students were present to 

honor the naming of the Joseph W. Sekera Auditorium. 

During Joe’s tenure at the school, he 

served as principal for 30 years, math teacher, 

athletic director, coach, adviser, and director of 

alumni relations. 

Last August, Mark Plummer won his third 

Maine Senior Amateur golf title. Mark has also 

won a record 13 Maine Amateur championships 

and two New England Amateur awards. 

Ned Smith and his wife, Diane Monroe 

Smith, have been married 42 years and share a 

common passion for Civil War history. They began 

their study of Fanny and Joshua Chamberlain 

when their son, a civil war re-enactor, was 

an extra in the film Gettysburg. In 2010, Ned’s 

book, The 22 nd Maine Volunteer Infantry in the 

Civil War: A History and Roster, was published 

by McFarland & Co. 

Gov. Paul LePage (G) was inducted as a 

Project Employer Advisory Board honoree during 

the Employment Expansion Project Celebration 

in Washington, D.C., for work with the 

High Hopes Clubhouse in Waterville. The High 

Hopes Clubhouse offers educational, social, 

and employment opportunities for people with 

mental illness. LePage has been involved with 

this group since 1996. 

John Silvia wrote, “I became chairman of 

the board of International Manufacturing Services, 

in Portsmouth, RI, and recently completed 

my Ph.D. in business management from the 

School of Business and Economics of Atlantic 

International University. 

“I was inducted into Alpha Iota Mu Chapter 

(Providence College chapter) of Theta Alpha 

Kappa, National Honor Society for Religious 

Studies/Theology as a candidate for master 

of theological studies as part of my formation 

for permanent deacon in the Diocese of Providence. 

Graduation will be in the spring of 2013. 

I will be receiving the minor order Acolyte from 

the Diocese of Providence on May 23, 2013. If 

all goes as planned, I will be ordained as a permanent 

deacon in the Diocese of Providence in 

February of 2013, at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral 

in Providence, RI. 

“Best of all, my first grandchild, Gabrielle 

Kim Silvia, was born to my son John III in January. 

Both my sons are now engineers and Eagle 

Scouts, and John III completed his MBA last 

year. So, we try to keep busy.” 

I wish everyone a great summer. Please 

write and let me know about special events in 

your life. 

1976 

David Theoharides 

68 Payeur Circle 

Sanford, ME 04073 

(207) 636-7482 

dtheo@sanford.org 

Hello ’76ers! You all have been fairly quiet lately. 

After you read our column, send me an email 

updating your status for our next issue. 

Joe Gallant was featured in the Bangor Daily 

News as he started his new position as principal 

of All Saints Catholic School in Bangor. 

Joe had previously been principal of Old Town 

High School. Robert Merrill has been elected 

to serve on the Camden National Bank’s board 

of directors. He also was recognized last fall by 

the Maine Coast Memorial Hospital board for 

his work as chair of the board of trustees. Bob 

is the president of Merrill Furniture in Ellsworth. 

Maine television personality Bill Green was 

inducted into the Maine Association of Broadcasters 

Hall of Fame. Bill has worked at WLBZ 

since 1972, starting out as a cameraman and 

debuting as a sportscaster in 1975. In 1981 

he moved to Portland to anchor the weekend 

sports statewide on WCSH and WLBZ. In 2000 

Bill launched an original series, Bill Green’s 

Maine, which explores and archives Maine life. 

David Gordon, president of Katahdin Cedar 

Log Homes, announced a new deal to build 

UMaine Alums! 

You can view old Prism 

yearbooks online. Visit 

www.library.umaine.edu/yearbooks/ 

houses in China. Dave’s Oakfield-based company 

will build 20 single-family homes as part of 

a deal with Syswin, one of the largest real estate 

development companies in China. 

Have a wonderful summer. 

Dave 

1977 



Pearl Turcotte Gapp 

7468 Dugway Road 

Clinton, NY 13323 

(315) 853-6851 

pgapp@hamilton.edu 

Hello, classmates, and happy summer! It hardly 

seems possible that this year marks the 35 th anniversary 

of our graduation. How time does fly! 

So mark your calendars now for Homecoming 

October 19-21. 

Just a few notes to pass along, thanks to the 

friendly and very helpful folks at the Alumni office. 

Steve Kahl ’82G, ’98 Ph.D. has joined the 

James W. Sewall Company of Old Town, where 

he is directing a multidisciplinary environmental 

sciences group. Stephan Bunker, operations 

manager for Maine’s Emergency Services Bureau, 

has been elected vice president of the 

Maine Municipal Association. 

Winthrop author Lynn Plourde ’78G teamed 

up with Donn Fendler ’50 and an illustrator to 

create a graphic novel, Lost Trail: Nine Days 

Alone in the Wilderness, an illustrated rendition 

based on Fendler’s classic chapter book, Lost 

on a Mountain in Maine. 

That’s it for the news. Again, don’t forget 

Homecoming October 19-21. Let’s make it a 

great turnout for our 35 th ! 

1978 

Linda Card LeBlond 

380 Spurwink Avenue 


(207) 799-0545 

lleblond@maine.rr.com 

I’m so excited! Classmates responded to my 

pleas, and I therefore have news to report. 

In the last edition of the magazine, I had 

asked to hear from people who ate at Wells 

Commons, and Chris Lowe was kind enough 

to reply. Chris was married for 30 years to 

Carmen Courtois ’79, who sadly passed away 

in December of 2009; for two years they ate 

dinner together every evening in the little 

dining room behind the main area. After being 

widowed, Chris decided to take his life in a new 

direction and is currently in the first of a fouryear 

program to become a priest. He is studying 

at Blessed John XXIII Seminary in Weston, MA, 

and plans to be ordained in the Catholic Diocese 


of Boston in 2015. 

Martha Gonya Humler and two of her best 

friends, Martha Watson Deane and Patty 

McDonough Penley ’79, wrote to say that they 

still get together regularly and that nothing 

can compare with the value of their UMaine 

friendships. 

Martha Gonya Humler spent 18 years 

climbing the corporate ladder in the human 

resources area at Jordan Marsh, and is currently 

living in the Washington, DC, area with her 

husband, Herve, and two children. She said 

her children love coming back to Maine each 

summer, and that her son enjoys attending 

basketball camp at the University of Maine each 

year. 

Martha Deane’s family was honored last year 

with the Fogler Legacy Award for having four 

generations of University of Maine graduates, 

starting with her grandfather, and culminating 

with her two daughters. Her husband, Peter 

Deane, was also a member of the fabulous 

Class of ’78. They have two daughters: Jessica 

’06 is a second-year resident in OB/GYN in 

Charlotte, NC, and Jennifer ’07 is a physician 

assistant. 

Although their pal Patty McDonough Penley 

’79 is, unfortunately for her, not a member of 

our class, I’ll give her the ink that I’d give all of 

you if you’d only write. She is a teacher in the 

Scarborough school system and has raised 

three children with her husband, Billy Penley 

’77. Her daughter, Tricia ’06, is a nutritionist 

working in Auburn. Their second child attended 

UMF and is a second grade teacher, and their 

youngest child “lost his mind and went to school 

in Massachusetts,” according to Martha. 

As always, I’d love to hear from you. 

1979 

Regina C. McCombs 

229 Enfield Road 

Lincoln, ME 04457 

(207) 794-2897 

regm35@gmail.com 

Greetings to the Class of 1979! Hope everyone 

is well and happy! If anyone has any news to 

report please send it my way. We would enjoy 

hearing from you. 

Vern Baillargeon has joined Professional 

Disability Associates (a provider of specialty risk 

management services) as its senior vice president 

of strategic performance solutions. 

Sgt. Peter Barton has retired from the 

Farmington Police Department after 29 years of 

service. He was promoted to sergeant in 1996. 

Peter was instrumental in the formation of the 

bike patrol that still serves the greater downtown 

area of Farmington. 

Karen Heck (G) was elected mayor of Waterville, 

ME. Karen is a senior program officer for 

the Bingham Program (a charitable endowment 

established to promote health and advance 

medicine in Maine) and a founder of Hardy Girls 

Healthy Women (a nonprofit organization dedicated 

to the health and well-being of girls and 


women). She is the city’s 52 nd mayor. In 2008, 

Karen was inducted into the Maine Women’s 

Hall of Fame. 

Mike Hodgson ’82G is now the assistant 

athletic director for development at UMaine. In 

this new position Mike will, among other things, 

organize the football team’s charter trips and 

be responsible for the Sports Hall of Fame. He 

is also the co-author of Tackling Football: A 

Women’s Guide to Understanding the College 

Game. 

Shaw & Tenney, owned by Steve Holt ’93G 

and Nancy Forster-Holt ’90G, has been handcrafting 

wooden oars and paddles since 1858. 

It has been selected by L.L. Bean to help it celebrate 

its 100th anniversary. They have teamed 

with West Branch Heritage Timber of Millinocket, 

which harvests centuries-old logs that lie at 

the bottom of Quakish Lake in the north woods, 

to produce special paddles for the occasion. 

Stephen M. Leackfeldt ’80G has been promoted 

to the position of executive vice president 

of the retail banking division for Bar Harbor 

Bankshares, the parent company of Bar Harbor 

Bank & Trust. He is also an owner of State Cinemas 

located in Calais, ME. 

Judith Smith Lucarelli (G) retired as superintendent 

of RSU 13, which serves the Rockland 

and Thomaston areas. She now works 

with the University of Maine’s Muskie School of 

Public Service. 

Everett O’Neill has been promoted from 

vice president of operations and manufacturing 

to president of Great Northern Paper Company, 

LLC. He oversees the management and operations 

of GNP’s East Millinocket paper mill. 

Dale Phillips has published a number of 

books (which can be found in the Buchanan 

Alumni House library). He’s got two series mysteries 

published by Briona Glen Publishing, and 

has six short story collections, available in print 

and ebook format. (www.daletphillips.com) 

Marc E. Violette and his brothers and sister 

have donated a 25-volume set of scrapbooks 

from the estate of their mother, Marcella Bélanger 

Violette, to the University of Maine at 

Fort Kent’s Acadian Archives. The scrapbooks’ 

3,000 pages detail the social, cultural, political, 

and current events of the St. John Valley from 

1920 through 2004. 

1980 

Rosemary Hydrisko Dougherty 

100 Mooar Hill Road 

Hollis, NH 03049 

(603) 566-8352 

rdougherty28@gmail.com 

Facebook: Class of 1980 page 

Hi, everyone! I am enjoying your emails and 

Facebook postings. 

Pam Burch and her husband, David Ives 

’79, have recently moved to rural West Newbury, 

MA. Pam has a new position as the library 

director in Newfields, NH. They are enjoying being 

empty-nesters. 

Pam writes, 

“We love living in the country—no streetlights 

and we have a beautiful view of a reservoir. Lots 

of wildlife and birds to watch! Our oldest son, 

Graham, just graduated from college and our 

youngest is a sophomore at Western New England 

University. Where did the time go?” 

Cindy Peacock Gaylord was recently 

awarded the Grinspoon Excellence in Teaching 

Award. Cindy teaches fifth grade in Westfield, 

MA, and enjoys it immensely! Her youngest son 

graduates from high school this year, and will 

attend Boston University this fall. Congratulations, 

Cindy! 

College roommate and friend Gail Deabay 

Rucci and husband, Mike, have to absolutely 

be the youngest-looking grandparents ever! 

Their lovely daughter recently gave birth to 

beautiful Anna Grace. Congratulations to all! 

I am happy to be spending my summer at 

Camp Sno Mo once again. The campers, counselors, 

and camp staff keep a smile on my face. 

The best part of it for me is having another summer 

with my boys, now almost 17 and 20. 

Please keep in touch! Your stories and your 

life are important to all of us. Take care, and let’s 

connect at Homecoming this fall! (Anyone have 

the GPS coordinates for the tailgate area?) 

1981 

Barb Brown Dalton 

21 Black Bear Drive 

Veazie, ME 04401-6929 

(207) 947-4827 

barbiebd@myfairpoint.net 

Greetings, fellow Black Bears! You must have 

all be hibernating still as the mailbag doesn’t 

contain much this time around! Even my 

Facebook plea only brought one response! 

Kudos to Stacey Smith Guerin for sending 

me a note! Stacey and her husband, Joe, 

bought R.M. Flagg, a food service equipment 

company, this past year, where Joe had worked 

for years. They’re right down the road from me 

In Veazie, and they’re doing a heck of a job 

with the business and want you all to know that 

they are not just wholesale! If you’re a cook 

and entertainer, you need to check them out at 

www.rmflagg.com! Stacey doesn’t stop there! 

She also serves the communities of Glenburn, 

Levant, Kenduskeag, and Corinth in the Maine 

House of Representatives. She joins classmate 

Dianne McLaughlin Tilton in the House, so the 

Class of ’81 is well-represented! Do we have 

any other classmates in Augusta? 

Our Facebook page is up to 43 members, as 

of this writing. We’re growing, but my calculator 

tells me that’s only two and a half percent of the 

class! I know more of you are on Facebook, so 

go to the page and join us! You can send me a 

private message with your update for the next 

magazine or make a public post and I’ll grab it 

from there. You don’t have to be a Facebook 

junkie. I’m in the media business, so have to 

be there regularly, but admit that it is a great 

way to reconnect with old friends. How would 

you like to know something about Kim Powell

Ladue, Deb Sorrells Nelson, Bill Fraser, Steve 

Holden, Stan Eames, Kris Everett Stewart, 

John Terrio, or Michelle Amato? It’s all on 

Facebook! 

Snail mail still connects a number of us at 

holiday time and it is fun to see the photos 

that people send—especially now that it is so 

easy to attach personal photos to newsletters! 

Val Haynes Morton once again sends me 

her creative holiday newsletter from East 

Longmeadow, MA. Although she hates to 

admit that she’s old enough to have a married 

daughter, she and Robb sent news of Rebecca’s 

’10 wedding last September. Are there any other 

weddings going on out there? 

The clipping service tells me that Ronald 

Bourget has left his family’s law practice in 

Augusta and opened a solo practice at 185 

State Street. He’s been in the legal business 

for 26 years and practices in a variety of areas 

including criminal, family law, divorce, wills, 

estates, and property work. I know Mark 

O’Brien also practices law in that area, but 

haven’t heard a peep out of him in years (that’s 

a hint!). Also, received a clipping on the Bangor 

Region Chamber of Commerce annual dinner, 

where Bill Lucy received the Community Service 

Award on behalf of People’s United Bank. He is 

the Northern Maine president of People’s. 

Janice Newell Bissex has published another 

great cookbook aimed at helping parents 

provide nutritious meals that young children will 

enjoy. Anyone who knows kids who won’t eat 

much besides noodles, white rice, and Cheerios 

would appreciate No Whine with Dinner. The 

book has 150 healthy recipes that have been 

tested by children, and is coauthored by Janice 

and her fellow dietitian author Liz Weiss. 

That’s all the news for now! But I’m counting 

on all of you reading this to shoot me a note 

via one method or another before the next 

magazine deadline. And while you’re at it, 

please remember our class scholarship fund! At 

our Reunion last fall, we set a goal of $30,000 

over the next five years and we have a long 

way to go to reach that goal! Please, consider 

sending $81 to boost the fund so that we can 

continue to help descendants of the great Class 

of ’81 with their educations. Let’s blow that goal 

away! 

1982 



Lyndy Martin Rohman ’81 and dance partner 

Matt Sevey ’12 took home trophies at the 

Dancing for the Stars event to benefit the Phillips-Strickland 

House on March 17 at the Bangor 

Civic Center. 

correspondent to write this column. Without 

someone to write the news, the class won’t 

be represented in the magazine. If you are 

interested, please contact Abby Zelz at the 

above address. 

Stephen Betts, who previously worked as 

a journalist in the Rockland area, has joined the 

Bangor Daily News. Stephen will continue to 

report on Knox County news for the paper. 

Also at the Bangor Daily News, Ernie Clark 

received a first-place award for his sports 

columns on baseball and a controversial play 

call that determined the outcome of a high 

school football game. 

Gregory Dalton was promoted to executive 

vice president of business banking at Bar 

Harbor Bank and Trust. He has been with the 

bank for 20 years. 

Robin Kennedy ’94G teaches middle 

school science at Sebasticook Middle School 

in Newport. 

The new principal at 14 th Street School is 

Lynn Ronan Silk ’95G, who previously taught 

and was principal at Lewis S. Libby School in 

Milford. 

Russell Smith lives in Monmouth. 

Mutt Nose Best is the name of a natural 

products company for dogs, owned by Doug 

Dwyer and his wife, Jenny. Based in Bangor, 

Doug and Jenny produce different products, 

including a healing balm that helps prevent dry 

skin and sunburn in canines. Doug is also vice 

president of Chute Chemicals Company. 

Beth Sturtevant is president of CCB, a 

multi-million dollar woman-owned construction 

firm serving New England and beyond. After 

graduation, she began as a field engineer 

with HE Sargent and later worked her way 

up to becoming principal owner of CCB. The 

company is located in Westbrook. 

“Deedy” Brown Frederick emailed: “2012 

will mark our 30th anniversary and my 30th year 

teaching fifth grade. I love my job and wake 

up every morning anxious to go to work with 

our future generation. I consider my job one of 

the most important things I do each day and 

I continue sharing this privilege with future 

teachers who are attending UMaine. I enjoy 

being a supervising teacher along with being on 

the alumni advisory committee for Pi Beta Phi 

for the past 25 years. I live in Dedham with my 

husband and two daughters, ages 16 and 14. 

“I look forward to our 30th Reunion next 

year and invite ANY local alumni to contact 

the Alumni Association to learn about all the 

areas you may be able to offer 

support.” 

Remember, the class needs 

someone to write this column so 

that ’82 news can be included in 

the magazine. Please consider 

helping! 

1983 

Janet Robbins 

P. O. Box 8 

Belfast, ME 04815 

info@northwindpublishing. 

com 

Abigail E. Zelz 

Buchanan Alumni House 

P. O. Box 550 


abigail.zelz@umit.maine.edu 

Class of ’82—I hope you are planning to attend 

Homecoming! It’s the class’s 30 th Reunion. 

Please mark your calendar for the weekend of 

October 20-21 and plan to come back to Orono 

for a fun time. 

The Class of ’82 needs a new class 

Tim Powers ’82 (right) was presented with the GCSAA/Golf Digest 

2011 Environmental Leaders in Golf Award in February 

in Las Vegas. He is a certified golf course superintendent at 

Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame, CA. The course 

operates under an integrated pest management/chemical application 

management plan that keeps it as chemical free as 

possible. Presenting the award was Golf Course Superintendents 

Association of America president, Bob Randquest. 

Hello, Class of ’83. A huge thank 

you to Bob Fitta, your class 

correspondent for the past six 

years. He has decided to move 

on, and as your class secretary, 

I will be taking on the task. 

Don’t be afraid to share news 

with your classmates! What 

are you doing? How have you 

used your degree from UMaine 

to advance your career? Are 

your children attending the 


University of Maine? Don’t forget about the 

Class of 1983 scholarship fund. I graduated 

with a degree in journalism and after working 20 

years for a Fortune 500 educational publisher 

I am currently a freelance graphic designer, art 

researcher, and started a small book-publishing 

company on the side. 

Janine di Giovanni, one of Europe’s most 

experienced war correspondents, has written 

a new book, Ghosts by Daylight, recently 

published by Knoff. W. Edward Crockett has 

joined Oakhurst Dairy as retail sales director. 

Mark S. Ashton, professor of silviculture, forest 

ecology, and director of school forests at Yale 

University, has been named to the American 

Forests New Science Advisory Board. American 

Forests is the oldest conservation non-profit in 

the country and is dedicated to protecting and 

restoring America’s forests. Maine Governor 

Paul LePage ’75G nominated Bruce Flewelling 

of Easton to the Maine Board of Pesticides 

Control. 

Cancer survivor Terri Doten Coolong is 

now a facilitator for a newly formed support 

group for cancer patients and caregivers 

sponsored by Penobscot Valley Hospital. She 

recently completed the hospital’s 5K Run- 

Walk for Wellness and 5K Champion the Cure 

Challenge at CancerCare of Maine. Terri says, “I 

want to do anything I can to ensure others beat 

breast cancer too. Let’s go out and kick cancer 

to oblivion!” 

If you are concerned about the health of 

your pet, David Cloutier, DVM, owner of the 

Veazie Veterinary Clinic, is now offering pet 

rehabilitation; there is an aquatic treadmill, 

massage therapy, chemotherapy, and other 

services for pets. Karen Weston Baldacci ’01G, 

former first lady of Maine, received the Hope 

Award from the Leadership to Keep Children 

Alchohol Free Foundation in recognition of 

her leadership after leaving the governor’s 

residence. 

1984 

Louise Soucy 

190 Main Street 

Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 

lcsoucy@roadrunner.com 

Hi, classmates! I am writing this column in 

the spring on a gray and dreary day, but I am 

imagining the sun and warmth of summer. I 

hope yours is fun and relaxing. Send me emails 

or postcards sharing travel and non-travel news! 

I love passing those on to your classmates. 

Cem Giray ’87G, ’96 Ph.D. is the chief operations 

officer for Kennebec River Biosciences based 

in Richmond, ME. The company was founded 

in 1996 as Micro Technologies and operates a 

leading U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved 

veterinary diagnostic lab. The company’s key 

partners include the University of Maine, Maine 

Technology Institute, and Bigelow Laboratory 

for Ocean Sciences. Most of its clients are 

small- to mid-sized fish and shellfish farmers 

throughout the U.S. who need certification to 


move their animals around, either interstate or 

internationally. The company also helps clients 

diagnose the cause of sick fish or shellfish and 

determine what’s killing them. 

Kenneth Gignac has joined Ayers Saint 

Gross as senior landscape architect. The 

company is a top international architectural and 

planning firm based in Baltimore. Gignac is a 

landscape architect, a LEED professional, and 

is ASLA certified. After receiving an associate’s 

degree from UMaine, he attained a bachelor’s 

degree in landscape architecture from Syracuse 

University and a master’s degree in landscape 

architecture from Harvard University. 

Last fall, Amanda Hidu Bost ’87G was 

named chairwoman of the Brewer School Board. 

She had previously served as deputy chair. 

I got an email from Tim Fram on his 50th 

birthday! He looks great! Hard to believe most 

of us have reached or will soon be reaching that 

milestone. 

Well, that’s all the news I have for now. I 

hope to have more for the next issue. Have a 

great summer! 

1985 

Suzanne Lynch Guild 

34 West Street 

Manchester, ME 04351 

(207) 623-9404 

dsguild@roadrunner.com 

By the time you read this, my husband and I 

will be gearing up for life without kids in the 

house everyday. How did those 20 years go by 

so quickly? Time to rekindle old friendships and 

explore new pastimes! 

Congratulations to Jim Grady, new chief 

executive officer of Cellebrite USA (Glen 

Rock, NJ), a global company and leading 

provider of mobile forensics and mobile data 

transfer solutions. After earning his mechanical 

engineering degree at UMaine, Jim earned an 

MBA from Harvard University. Jim’s career has 

included time with General Electric, The Boston 

Consulting Group, AirTouch/PrimeCo/Verizon 

Wireless, and Alcatel-Lucent Ventures. 

Kerri Longval Prescott has joined Priority 

Group LLC as its marketing and communications 

director. Kerri is in her third term in the Maine 

Legislature, representing the Topsham area, 

serving on the labor, commerce, research, and 

economic development committee. 

The Secretary of State appointed Jay Martin 

to serve as Maine’s small business advocate. 

Jay is credited with expanding the Bangorbased 

Coffee News publication across the U.S. 

The position was created under a law aimed at 

removing burdensome business regulations. 

Jim Tortorella has been hired as an 

associate head coach for men’s ice hockey 

at the University of New Hampshire, after a 

16-year career as coach at Division III Colby 

College. Jim is past president of the American 

Hockey Coaches Association and has been an 

assistant for the U.S. World Junior team. 

Carol Cronin and Fern Nadeau were 

recently married on a beach in Antigua. Carol 

is employed with Essilor of America, working as 

a consultant in the optical industry. The couple 

resides in Scarborough, ME. 

When you’re out and about, please speak 

highly of UMaine to prospective students, 

employers, the media, and, if you live in Maine, 

your state legislators. Support is needed now, 

more than ever! And if you have a few minutes, 

drop me an email so I can share your news with 

your old friends. 

1986 

Abigail E. Zelz 

Buchanan Alumni House 

P. O. Box 550 


Abigail.zelz@umit.maine.edu 

Paul T. Conway launched Generation 

Opportunity (www.generationopportunity.org) 

last year. The new social media and grassroots 

organization is designed to educate and 

engage young adults ages 18-29 on issues 

such as youth unemployment, American energy 

independence, and the federal debt. With 

over 2.4 million fans on their Facebook pages 

BeingAmericanbyGO and TheConstitutionbyGO, 

Generation Opportunity is now among the 

largest social media organizations in the country 

providing online voter registration, online media 

and grassroots training, and grassroots field 

activities nationwide. 

“We were very active in Virginia last fall and 

are active nationwide on voter education and 

voter registration—we are a 501(c)4—nonpartisan 

and nonprofit,” Paul wrote. 

Paul has been active in government and 

public affairs since his graduation and has served 

under four U.S. presidents and four federal 

Cabinet secretaries. He currently serves Virginia 

governor Bob McDonnell as an appointee on 

boards dealing with homeland security and the 

licensing of health professionals. 

Last March, Dave Robertson, primary patent 

examiner from the U.S. Patent and Trademark 

Office, presented two sessions for students at 

UMaine. Dave offered a general overview of the 

patent process and discussed job opportunities 

with current students. 

The Class of 1986 needs someone to write 

this column twice a year for the MAINE Alumni 

Magazine. It doesn’t take much time and it’s a 

fun way to find out what’s going on with your 

classmates. If you are interested in being the 

1986 class correspondent, please contact Abby 

Zelz at the above address. 

Enjoy summer and please let people know 

what’s going on in your life! 

Mark Your Calendar for 


October 19-21.

1987 



Andrew P. Nagelin 

56 Gibson Street 

Medford, MA 02155 

Anagelin@verizon.net 

Hello, Class of ’87. Here is all of our latest class 

news for this summer article. 

In November Lynn Hearty Coutts was 

named the women’s softball coach at UMaine. 

While most of us were at UMaine she was a 

standout pitcher for the women’s softball team 

and was known as a fiery competitor who 

despised losing. In 1993 Lynn was inducted into 

the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame. She spent the 

first few months of her tenure getting to know 

the players and putting them through their 

paces. Thus far it has been a challenging year 

for the team. 

In December, Becky Hobbs was named 

executive director of The Next Step Domestic 

Violence Project in Ellsworth. Becky is a certified 

public accountant and has been involved in the 

domestic violence prevention and response 

movement for 20 years. Her solid financial 

background and experience in domestic 

violence will help advance the mission of Next 

Step. 

In November, Amy Everett Cotton led 

the World Congress Leadership Summit on 

Innovative Care Delivery Models for the Aging 

Population. Over her 24-year career, Amy has 

devoted much of her time to improving the quality 

of senior health services. Nationally certified in 

gerontological nursing, she is the director of 

operations and senior service quality for EMHS 

Continuum of Care. She is also president of the 

National Gerontology Nursing Association. Also 

in November, Joe Baldacci was elected to the 

Bangor City Council. Previously Joe was a twoterm 

city councilor and mayor. 

Linda Boyington McLeod ’01G was elected 

to the Old Town city council. Linda is the principal 

at Indian Island School. Barbara McCleave has 

been keeping busy as a volunteer, trustee, and 

secretary-treasurer for the Dorcas Library in 

Gouldsboro. A scientist, Barbara taught in the 

zoology department at UMaine and then went 

into social work for a decade before retiring. 

Nathan Saunders has been playing violin 

with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra for the 

past few years. He handcrafted the violin that 

he plays, “Cordelia” while studying the fine art 

of violin making at The Chimneys Violin Shop. 

Nate is a field services manager for the state 

drinking water program. 

Kelly Tingley launched Hardcore Hoops 

so that she could share the joy of fitness 

hooping. She makes and sells weighted hoops 

that are designed so that anyone can hoop 

and get fit. Fitness hooping is a fun, full-body 

cardiovascular exercise. She teaches classes in 

the Bangor area and offers wellness programs 

to local businesses. Kelly says that exercise 

should be fun! For more info, see her Website: 

www.hardcorehoop.com. 

Kimberly Dagher (G) is the owner of Savour 

Chocolatier in Veazie. She has re-introduced 

what she calls the “original” Bangor taffy. She 

uses a recipe that dates back to 1913 and that 

she believes to be the original recipe used to 

make Bangor taffy back in the days when it was 

sold on the Maine Central Railroad by porters. 

She also makes other confections using 

Maine flavors such as blueberries, maple, and 

blackberries. 

As I mentioned in the winter 2012 article, our 

25 th Reunion is this year. We have a Class of ’87 

Scholarship Fund with just over $4,000 in it. We 

need a balance of $20,000 in order to award a 

scholarship. It would be great if we could make 

that happen this year. Let’s just say it’s been a 

few years since anyone made a contribution to 

the fund. 

There are two ways that you can help out by 

making a contribution. You can send a check 

payable to the University of Maine Foundation 

with Class of ’87 Scholarship written in the 

memo. The address is: 

University of Maine Foundation 

Two Alumni Place 

Orono, ME 

04469-5792 

Or you can give online at www. 

umainefoundation.org. When you make your 

online contribution please designate the money 

for the Class of ’87. 

I did receive a few emails from classmates 

with their email addresses. The Alumni 

Association only has about 20 percent of our 

current email addresses, so please send them 

in. 

Let us know if you’ve invented something 

or opened a business or landed your dream 

job. Have a great summer and see you at the 

Reunion in October! 

1988 

Deborah Carll Curtis 

56 Green Ridge Drive 

Buxton, ME 04093 

dcurtis@blackbearpc.com 

Hello—I hope you are having a chance to enjoy 

some of the season’s fine weather. News for the 

Class of 1988 is a bit sparse this time, and I 

hope to have more to share next winter. If you 

have any news that could be included, drop me 

a line. I’d like to include you in the next MAINE 

Alumni Magazine. 

First up, news about careers: Congratulations 

go out to Jay Fortier of Orono, ME, on his 

promotion to assistant vice president of 

member business services at the University 

Credit Union. 

Congratulations are also sent to Janet Boyle 

Hope who was honored in 2011 by the American 

College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) 

with the 2011 Facility Leadership Award. Janet 

is the director at the Brewer Rehabilitation 

and Living Center, a 111-bed nursing and 

rehabilitation center, and the ACHCA award 

“recognizes administrators of nursing homes 

who have met superior health care standards.” 

Steve Crane of Exeter, ME, deserves 

recognition for becoming the president of the 

National Potato Council for 2012. As a thirdgeneration 

farmer and co-owner of Crane 

Brothers, Steve not only is dedicated to helping 

the potato industry nationally but also has 

served on the Maine Potato Seed Board, the 

Maine Potato Growers board of directors, and 

has been a member of his local school board. 

Moving on to celebrity chef Matthew Kenney 

who, after graduating from college, moved to 

New York City and became interested in the 

culinary world. Today, Matthew is a leader in the 

raw food movement and the author of several 

cookbooks including Everyday Raw Express, 

which came out in 2011. While still maintaining 

a residence in Maine, traveling takes up much 

of his time, and his focus is often outside of 

Maine on the Matthew Kenney Academy in 

Oklahoma City and on his restaurant, Matthew 

Kenney OKC. “Both celebrate artfully prepared 

raw cuisine,” reports the Portland Press Herald. 

After reading the October 12, 2011, article in 

the Portland Press Herald titled “Celebrity chef 

looks to open minds, palates to raw food,” I 

realized that this is an area of cooking about 

which I know little. Thank you, Matthew, for 

broadening my horizons. I may have to check 

out your latest cookbook. 

While some of us have career news to share, 

another Class of ’88 graduate has made the news 

with his philanthropic work. Doug DeAngelis, 

the individual who “invented a computerized 

timing system that is used world wide,” donated 

a scoreboard for the Brewer High School track 

that is valued at over $100,000. Thank you, 

Doug, for your generosity. 

And to all the rest of the Class of ’88 who 

don’t make the papers but who do their part to 

make the world a little better, thanks. Have a 

good summer and fall, everyone. 

1989 

Kim White Silsby 

32 Colony Road 

Augusta, ME 04330 

(207) 623-6395 

ksilsby@gwi.net 

Greetings, fellow UMainers! I hope the last few 

months have been treating you well. I am looking 

forward to enjoying a beautiful Maine summer. 

Here are a few tidbits about our classmates. 

Please send along updates to me at ksilsby@ 

gwi.net. Thanks! 

Bill Reed served as the Veazie town 

manager for 19 years and is moving on to 

other opportunities. The late Judy Kellogg 

Markowsky (G) ’89 Ph.D. served as the director 

of the Maine Audubon Society’s Fields Pond 

Nature Center in Holden and was honored by 

the Maine Audubon Society. 

Scott Haskell was honored by the Bangor 

Daily News after a 33-year career as a 

photojournalist and photo editor. He retired last 

August. 


Martha Russell Gervais, owner, closed 

the City Park Grill on Main Street in Old Town. 

Richard Kimball ’97G was named Maine 

Sportscaster of the Year for the fourth time. He 

will host a new drive time sports talk show that 

will air on Bangor radio station Fox Sports New 

AM 910 WAEI. 

Michael S. Riley works for the new James 

W. Sewall Company, which is a multidisciplinary 

environmental science group offering innovative 

solutions to their clients. He is the company’s 

senior project manager. 

Pat Cummings ’44H was inducted as 

an honorary engineer into the University of 

Maine College of Engineering’s Francis Crowe 

Society. She is currently the vice president for 

development and alumni relations at UMaine. 

Michele W. Albion published The Florida 

Life of Thomas Edison and The Quotable 

Edison. Her most recent work is The Quotable 

Henry Ford and she is working on a fourth book 

as well. 

Eric Redard was appointed executive 

director of Hospice of York. 

Carolyn Neighoff ’96G was recognized for 

her service to the Bread of Life Ministries and 

other organizations by the Kennebec Valley 

Chamber of Commerce. She received the 

Community Service Award. 

Christopher Smith released a new enovel 

on the Kindle and Nook titled From Manhattan 

with Love. 

Peter Crichton (G) was elected to a 

two-year term as president of the National 

Association of County Administrators. Peter 

Hallowell ’91G was elected to a four-year 

term on the city council of Presque Isle. Janet 

Trombley Hughes ’92G won reelection to the 

town council of Hampden. 

Susan Vento Griffis ’92G joined the 

teaching staff at Scarborough Middle School as 

a resource room teacher. 

Bob Corkum, who assists UMaine hockey 

coach Tim Whitehead ’92G, had a successful 

first stint as the national hockey team head 

coach last summer. He coached the U.S. team 

to the gold medal in the Under-17 Five Nations 

Tournament in Ann Arbor, MI. 

Walter McKee set up his own law firm called 

McKee Law in Augusta. 

We have certainly been a busy class. Have a 

great season, all. 

1990 

Melissa L. Brancely Burns 

63 Rocky Hill Road 

Saco, ME 04072 

(207) 283-1860 

mlburns@maine.rr.com 

I would like to share with you that unfortunately 

one of our classmates, Timothy “Hales” Haley 

passed away. Steve Tragakis ‘89 sent in the 

following about “Hales’s” passing: 

“At the age of 44, Timothy ‘Hales’ Haley 

’90, passed away on Feb. 27, 2012, following a 


Steve Thomas ’92 ,’94G is now the commercial 

regional manager for Camden 

National Bank in Penobscot and Piscataquis 

counties. Steve also serves as the 

president of the Bangor Humane Society. 

He lives in Hermon with his wife, Deborah, 

and their three children. 

three-year battle with cancer. Tim was a devoted 

father, husband, son, friend, and brother to not 

only his sisters, but to his brothers at Delta Tau 

Delta fraternity. Tim’s favorite motto toward the 

end was ‘It doesn’t matter how many times 

you get knocked down, it only matters that 

you get back up.’ Tim demonstrated pride, 

courage, grit, and humor throughout his battle 

with cancer and he never complained. Tim is 

survived by his wife, Kimberly; daughter, Mia; 

parents, Frederick J. and MaryEileen Haley; and 

sisters Robin and Karen Haley. The world was a 

better place with Tim in it, and he will be greatly 

missed!” 

Peter Chase ’92G wrote that he and 

his wife, Jenny, adopted a son, Brandon, in 

September 2011. Brandon, age two, joins his 

almost seven-year-old brother Nikolas. The 

family traveled to Aruba last Thanksgiving and 

to Germany in March with 14 of Peter’s students. 

Peter is a teacher at The Pennington School, a 

coeducational school serving day and boarding 

students in grades six through 12 located in 

Pennington, NJ. 

R. Todd Walker took over the Farm 

Family Insurance Agency of Cumberland and 

Sagadahoc counties. Previously he was at 

UNUM/Colonial Life as a regional manager. 

In fall 2011 Laurie Miller was hired as a 

third grade teacher at Bangor Christian Schools 

located in Bangor, ME. She has 19 years of 

experience in education and previously worked 

at Frankfort Elementary School, Penobscot 

Christian School, and Calvary Chapel Christian 

School. She lives with her husband and two 

children in Old Town, ME. 

In fall 2011 Donna Warren Chale (G) was 

elected to Pittsfield’s town council. Andrew 

Neff now covers greater Bangor news instead 

of sports for the Bangor Daily News. David 

Austin was selected as the deputy chairman of 

the Brewer school board in fall 2011. 

William Keleher is the CEO and president 

of Kennebec River Biosciences located in 

Richmond, ME. Kennebec River Biosciences 

has national and international clientele and 

is known for their customer service. The 

biosciences company initially focused on the 

needs of the salmon aquaculture industry, but 

has since diversified their services to areas such 

as veterinary services, bivalve shellfish testing, 

and contract research. 

1991 

Lori Schlenker 

229 Deerfield Lane 

Lawrence, KS 66049 

(785) 312-7384 

lorischlenker@yahoo.com 

I haven’t heard from anyone who went to the 

20-year class Reunion. I’m still waiting for your 

stories of a wild or perhaps sentimental weekend 

in Orono. What left the biggest impression? 

Kathleen Reddy Montejo was recently 

surprised by colleagues and friends when 

presented with a Maine Town and City Clerks’ 

Association Ethelyn Stuart Marthia Memorial 

Award. The award honors a previous fellow 

clerk whom she’d greatly admired. Kathleen 

has served as city clerk and registrar of voters 

for Lewiston since 1999. She previously served 

as Bath city clerk and Woolwich town clerk. 

Rachel Patterson Bailey has been promoted 

to director of finance at Hollywood Slots Hotel 

and Raceway in Bangor. In her new position, 

Rachel will oversee all accounting operations 

at the facility as well as information technology, 

compliance, player services, and purchasing. 

She began working with the company in 2005 

on a team that was responsible for opening the 

very first gaming operation in Maine. 

Maureen Healy Rothbacher, her husband, 

Rick, and their three children, Rose, Luke, and 

Anna, moved from Maine to Bartlett, IL, in 

August 2010. Maureen is employed as a school 

nurse for School District U-46. 

The recipient of the Class of 1991 Scholarship 

for the 2011-2012 academic year at UMaine 

is Alexis Scott, the daughter of Roger Scott. 

Alexis received $169 in scholarship assistance 

from this fund. Alexis is a freshman majoring in 

biology and honors and is from Mount Vernon, 

ME. Funds for the Class of 1991 Scholarship 

come from contributions that classmates make 

and earmark for the class scholarship. So keep 

that in mind next time you make a donation to 

UMaine! 

Another proud father is Leon “Cyd” Dyjak 

(G), who coaches his daughter Analies Ross- 

Dyjak on the Orono High School girls’ soccer 

team where Analies is the leading scorer. Cyd 

is continuing a family tradition. His father was 

his soccer coach. Cyd has been coaching the 

Orono girls for 29 years.

Summer fun is just around the corner. 

If you decide to do something wacky and 

adventurous—try bungee jumping for the 

first time, finish visiting all 50 states, hike the 

Appalachian Trail, move across the country, 

plant an awesome garden, or catch up with old 

friends at the beach, send me an email so we 

can congratulate you on your achievements 

and share your news. Go Blue! 

1992 



Jenine Serviolo 

1231 Boissevain Avenue 

Norfolk, VA 23507 

Jenine@Get-SMART.com 

Greetings, Class of ’92. I haven’t received many 

updates but would love to hear from you about 

what you’re doing with work, family, friends, 

and community. 

Kudos to Steve Thomas ’94G, who 

was honored with the Commitment to the 

Shareholder Award by Camden National Bank. 

Steve is vice president and commercial banking 

officer in their Bangor market. Steve Weston 

was appointed music director and organist at the 

First Congregational Church of Camden, United 

Church of Christ. Currently residing in Belfast, 

Steve also serves as artistic director for the 

Bangor Area Children’s Choir, and is an adjunct 

faculty member at the University of Maine at 

Orono, where he teaches orchestration. 

While searching for a great fit with a company 

as an in-house attorney, Debra L. Feldman has 

been building on her seven years of corporate 

transactional attorney experience by working 

with Furr & Cohen, P.A. in Boca Raton, FL, on 

bankruptcy matters. Debra is also volunteering 

as a job mentor at Boca Helping Hands. 

Congratulations to Cynthia Hillman 

Forbush (G), who won her seat as an incumbent 

on the SAD 29 school board during elections in 

November 2011. 

I am excited about attending various 

events, including TEDx in Penn Quarter, DC; 

The Sustainable Living Fair in Norfolk, VA; 

and the Green Festivals in NYC and LA. I have 

also applied to the Environmental Leadership 

Program’s New England Fellowship, which will 

be taking place in the spring and summer of 

2012. 

Please do let me know what’s new with you! 

I look forward to hearing from you and sharing 

your news. 

Show Your 

Black Bear Pride! 

Support the ALUMNI FUND. 

David Lytle ’94G (botany and plant pathology) 

is now the director of the Southwest Biological 

Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. 

1993 

Chris Cookson 

14906 Tallow Forest Court 

Houston, TX 77062 

chris.cookson@earthlink.net 

Hey, classmates, where is your news? I know 

you’re out there, busily working at jobs, home 

life, and hopefully having some fun, but you’re 

not sharing any information with the Class of 

’93. Please email or write with an update—even 

if your life hasn’t changed much in the past two 

decades! 

Anyone who appreciates good chocolate 

will be pleased to know that Steve Shaffer is 

chief operating officer and CEO of Black Dinah 

Chocolatiers on Isle au Haut out in Penobscot 

Bay. Steve and his wife, Kate, won a Small 

Business Administration award for their homebased 

small business. Steve combines his 

business background with Kate’s chocolate 

expertise to create their business of handcrafted, 

artistic, award-winning treats. To see 

their website, visit blackdinahchocolatiers.com. 

Remember to send some news! 

1994 

Beth Watson Calhoun 

364 Rose Glen Drive 

Radnor, PA 19087-4410 

cyranophilly@earthlink.net 

Stacey Stump 

153 Montagu Mansions 

London W1U 6LQ 

United Kingdom 

staceystump@hotmail.com 

Hello, classmates! We hope this column finds 

you all well. Did you know you can also read 

this column and the rest of the Maine Alumni 

Magazine online at www.umainealumni.com? 

While you’re reading and catching up on old 

friends, take a moment to drop us a line and let 

us know what you are up to these days. 

Matthew J. Foster of Ellsworth is a 

candidate for the Republican nomination for 

District 38, comprising Ellsworth, Otis, and 

Trenton. Matthew is an attorney and previously 

served as a member of the Ellsworth city council. 

Kathryn Dingley Gurney, owner of Family 

Optometry in Farmington (and Stacey’s former 

roommate), has been named the new president 

of the Maine Optometric Association. Glynnis 

Libby has joined Penobscot Community 

Health Care as a health and behavior coach. 

Andrew Gilmore has been hired as the town 

manager of Sabattus. Andrew is the owner of 

ABG Strategies, a private consulting firm in 

Yarmouth. 

Chad Foye was recommended to be coach 

of the Cony High School hockey team—a 

position he held previously from 2000-2007. 

Cary Weston was chosen by the Bangor council 

to serve as chairman and mayor for 2012. Cary 

was first elected to the council in November 

2009. Todd Livingtson is the new athletic 

director at South Portland. Todd was previously 

the Falmouth High School athletic director for 

five years. Katherine Schier-Webster was 

hired to teach English as a second language at 

Scarborough Middle School. Heather McGary 

Bowker joined the medical staff at Brewer 

Medical Center. Heather is a psychiatric nurse 

practitioner. David Lytle (G) is the new director 

of the U.S. Geological Survey Southwest 

Biological Science Center in Flagstaff, AZ. 

David was previously Ohio’s state forester and 

chief of the Ohio Division of Forestry. 

1995 

Keri Sewell Seitz 

6 Algonquin Lane 


keriseitz@comcast.net 

With a very early spring and a quick snowmelt, I 

know we’ll be in the throes of a fantastic summer 

by the time you read this. Let’s get to it! 

In a profile on the UMaine College of 

Liberal Arts & Sciences Website, Karla Mae 

Bosse writes, “I am now a public interest 

attorney, working for legal services in northwest 

Montana, advocating primarily on behalf of 

Native Americans, and other low-income 

clients in a three-county service area adjacent 

to Glacier National Park and the Blackfeet 

Indian Reservation.” Karla lives in Havre, 

MT. After completing her B.A. in English and 

political science and her M.A. in English, she 

attended Georgetown University’s Law School, 

graduating in 2004. She works at Montana’s 

Legal Services Association. 

Dream Local Digital, a digital marketing 

agency serving small to medium-sized 

businesses based in Thomaston, is the new 


professional home of Jeff Howland. Jeff is an 

online marketing strategist and also currently 

serves on the board of directors at the Camden 

Conference as chairman of the technology 

committee. Jeff is also on the board of directors 

at Literacy Volunteers of Midcoast Maine where 

he serves as treasurer. Jeff lives in Camden with 

his wife and two young children. 

Dave Kilborn stepped down from his 

Gorham High varsity football coaching position 

during the winter. Dave coached the team for 

13 years and guided the Rams to two regional 

titles during his tenure. He hopes to go into 

educational administration and spend more 

time watching two of his three sons play college 

football; the third is entering high school this 

fall. 

Constance Carter (G) was honored with a 

Maryann Hartman Award for being a woman of 

achievement at a ceremony at Buchanan Alumni 

House in October. Constance is the founder and 

director of Operation Breaking Stereotypes, an 

organization that brings together Maine students 

in grades seven through 12 with their diverse 

counterparts from New York City, Boston, and 

other Maine schools. A documentary film was 

made about her program, called Welcome 

to My World, and is still being played at film 

festivals. Constance also founded the nonprofit 

organization Stillwater Community Arts, 

intended to stimulate, advance, and sustain the 

visual and performing arts in Orono, Old Town, 

and neighboring communities. 

NachoTree Design, in Brooks, has been 

launched by Christopher Quimby. The company 

will offer logo creation and design of brochures, 

business cards, and other business items. 

Chris also performs standup comedy as “Chris 

Quimby, CPS—Certified Public Comedian.” He 

was with the Bangor Daily News for 11 years, 

most recently as a graphic designer. 

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I hope to 

hear from you soon! 

1996 

Leah McBreairty 

2147 Fairview Avenue 

Missoula, MT 59801 

umaine1996@hotmail.com 

Hello, classmates! 

Khalil Habib has published a new book, 

Cosmopolitanism in the Age of Globalization: 

Citizens without States. The book examines the 

consequences of globalization from numerous 

perspectives to offer a comprehensive 

evaluation of its theory and practice and 

provides a thoughtful analysis of the claims of 

cosmopolitanism. You can get more information 

on the book from: http://www.kentuckypress. 

com/live/title_detail.php?titleid=2612 

Congrats, Khalil! 

Laura Drew Farraher and her sister, Tammy 

Drew Hoidal ’93, have also published a book, 

My Mother Is a Rock Star. It’s a young adult 

novel that draws upon the opposing worlds 

of Beverly Hills and small towns like Bridgton, 

Scholar and TV Consultant 

Shannon Risk ’96G, ’09 Ph.D. was recently featured on the 

NBC genealogical reality program “Who Do You Think You 

Are?” On the March 23 episode of the show she was featured 

with well-known actress Helen Hunt. Shannon was 

chosen for the assignment because she had written about 

Hunt’s great-great-grandmother’s participation in the 19th 

century women’s suffrage movement as part of her dissertation. 

She is currently an assistant professor at Niagara 

University in New York. (Photo by Adam Sikora.) 

ME, where the sisters grew up. After teaching 

at private schools in Hollywood and Beverly 

Hills, the sisters compiled their experiences in 

this book. The main character is a rock star’s 

daughter, who spends two weeks with her pen 

pal on Chebeague Island in Maine. 

Douglas Folsom (G) is the plant manager at 

GE Aviation in Hooksett, NH. He had previously 

run aviation plants in Connecticut, Vermont, and 

Florida. The Hooksett plant produces parts for 

GEnx engines used by Boeing 747-8 and 787 

Dreamliner aircrafts. 

And Steve Coombs was inducted into the 

Lee Academy Hall of Fame, along with his 

brother Ron ’98. Steve held the school record 

of 1,384 points in basketball and threw a nohitter 

in Lee Academy’s first-ever Eastern Maine 

baseball championship. He went on to play 

baseball for the Black Bears at UMaine. 

1997 



Yolanda Sly Kozuha 

845 Route 17 A 

Greenwood Lake, NY 10925 

(202) 253-3083 cell 

yolandasly@gmail.com 

Hello, Class of 1997! 

I hope this finds you all well. 

Right now, I’m dreaming of my 

next trip to Maine: lobster— 

check; stop at Maine Maven— 

check; stop at the Holy Donut 

in Portland to pick up a batch of 

Leigh Kellis’s gourmet potato 

donuts for the road—check. Now, 

to actually go on my trip! Thanks 

to Facebook for sponsoring my 

column. Feel free to share your 

news at yolandasly@gmail.com 

or find me on Facebook under 

Yolanda Sly Kozuha—just 

remember it’s a family show. 

Best wishes to Leigh Kellis 

on the opening of The Holy 

Donut in Portland. The shop 

features potato donuts in 

a variety of flavors such as 

Buttermilk Mocha, Sweet Potato 

Ginger, Buttermilk Maple, Bacon 

Cheddar, Molasses, and other 

selections that vary daily. Check 

out The Holy Donut on Facebook 

or www.theholydonutmaine.com. 

It is nice to see alumni making 

news for the right reasons: 

Jeffrey and Dawn Wright 

Schweitzer and their family 

were featured on the cover of the 

Hockomock YMCA 2012 winter 

program guide. Jeffrey was also 

on the cover of Life Insurance 

Selling magazine, which profiled 

his business strategy of utilizing 

new media (blogging, Facebook, 

Twitter, LinkedIn) and community 

involvement to promote Northeast Financial 

Strategies. Jeff’s and Dawn’s business 

specializes in an array of personal and business 

financial services. You can find them on 

Facebook or www.nfsnet.com. 

Own a business? Sign up for the Black Bear 

Business Directory (www.umainealumnni.com 

under Marketplace). Everyone is talking about 

shopping locally. One great way to start is to 

use the network to support alumni businesses 

in Maine or “away.” 

1998 

MAJ Robert E. Brewer 

4703 Manor Drive 

Alexandria, VA 22309 

umaine1998@yahoo.com 

Hearty Maine Hello from Norfolk, VA! In 

December, I completed my master’s in public 

policy and management and a graduate 

certificate in Russian studies at the University 

of Pittsburgh. At the time of submission of this 

article, I am in a course at the Joint Forces Staff 

College in Norfolk. While here, I have had the 

opportunity to catch up with a fellow Beta, 

Peter Paine ’99, many times. 

Congratulations to these classmates honored 

for their accomplishments! Vaughn Wildfong, 

Ph.D. was inducted into the University of Maine 


College of Engineering’s Francis Crowe Society 

in December. Vaughn is vice president of sales 

and technology at JohnsonFoils/Paperchine 

and has spent his career in the papermaking 

industry. 

Last September, baseball player Ron 

Coombs and his brother, Steve ’96, were 

inducted into the Lee Academy Hall of Fame. 

They were members of the inaugural class 

inducted, which was part of the school’s 

homecoming celebrations. Lee Academy 

selected Ron for his performance as a guard 

in basketball and as a pitcher and a catcher in 

baseball, as well as his follow-on success in 

baseball at the University of Maine. 

Thank you to our classmates who are 

dedicating themselves to public service! 

In October, the Maine State Board of 

Education appointed Marilyn Temple Tardy as 

an initial member of the State Charter School 

Commission. The seven-member commission 

will help shape public charter schools in the 

State of Maine, which can authorize 10 public 

charter schools over the next 10 years. Last 

November, Susan Tortello ’99G was re-elected 

to the town council in Houlton. She received 

more votes than any other candidate running 

for the three open seats. The position is for a 

three-year term. 

Some of our classmates have recently 

started their own ventures. In December, Scott 

Labby co-founded the New York and Bostonbased 

boutique law firm Greenfield Labby LLP. 

The firm specializes in individual client services, 

including matrimonial and family law, crisis 

management, and family office matters. Scott 

previously served as vice president and special 

counsel in the office of the chairman of D.D. 

Shaw & Co., L.P. He is a member of several bar 

associations, including the family law sections 

of both the New York State and Massachusetts 

bar associations. He earned his J.D. from Yale 

Law School, where he was an editor of the Yale 

Law and Policy Review and Yale Journal of 

Health Policy, Law, and Ethics. 

Jason Syversen recently founded Siege 

Technologies in New Hampshire. The company 

focuses on research and development in 

offensive and defensive computer security. He 

previously worked in the engineering leadership 

program at Sanders/Lockheed Martin and at the 

Defense Advanced Research Program Agency. 

He received his M.S. in electrical engineering 

from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2001. 

He lives with his wife, Bethanee, and their four 

children in Dunbarton, NH. 

I hope you all have a great summer! Thank 

you for your updates and keep sending them in! 

Mark Your Calendar for 


October 19-21. 

1999 

Andrea Downs Quenneville 

18 Four Winds Road 

Merrimack, NH 03054 

aldq75@netscape.net 

Hello, Class of 1999! I hope you are having a 

wonderful summer. We were treated to a mild 

winter and early spring in New England. Let’s 

get straight to the news! 

Scott Morelli has been the city manager 

in Gardiner for two years and his contract was 

recently extended for another three years. 

Prior to Gardiner, Scott worked for the towns 

of Waterboro and Framingham, MA. Beverly 

Coursey (G) is the principal at Ocean Avenue 

Elementary in Portland. Pat Spekhardt is a 

prominent reporter for drive time sports talk 

radio in the Bangor area. He has experience on 

both local television and radio sports programs, 

including live play-by-play reporting. 

Nate Leaman is the head coach for the 

Providence College men’s hockey team. In 

2010, he won the Spencer Penrose Award while 

coaching at Union College, an honor that is 

given to the top men’s Division I coach. Nate 

got his coaching start as a graduate assistant 

under Shawn Walsh during the 1998-1999 

championship season. Ben Potenziano (G) is 

the assistant athletic trainer for the Pittsburgh 

Pirates. 

Mary Forbush Chabot and husband, Bob, 

welcomed twins this fall: a girl Lily and a boy 

Ronin. The family lives in Austin, TX, where 

Mary works for the Texas Department of Family 

and Protective Services. Congratulations! Mark 

Morrison of Windham helped his parents 

celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at the 

Black Bear Inn in October. Congratulations to 

the elder Mr. and Mrs. Morrison! 

Don’t forget to mark Homecoming on your 

calendar for October 19-21! Drop me a note and 

your news will be featured in a future column. 

2000 

Heidi Dombrock Weaver 

1730 Trappe Church Road 

Darlington, MD 21034 

weaverfamily@me.com 

Summer has arrived and with that is often 

a much-needed summer vacation. To many 

classmates that means a trip back to Maine 

or Orono to visit. This is a great reminder 

of the ALUMNI FUND, which is the Alumni 

Association’s annual fundraising campaign. 

Donating annually to the ALUMNI FUND ensures 

you will receive MAINE Alumni Magazine twice a 

year. All alumni are considered members of the 

Alumni Association and annual contributions 

will keep you connected to your alma mater, 

aware of events, and involved. Check out the 

website site: www.umainealumni.com for more 

information. 

Two classmates have made big strides in 

their respected careers. Sarah MacKenzie (Ph. 

D.) of Brunswick, ME, an associate professor 

of educational leadership in the College of 

Education and Human Development at the 

University of Maine, was awarded a Fulbright 

Scholar grant at the Vietnam National University 

(VNU) in Hanoi for the spring 2012 semester. 

She taught at the VNU College of Education’s 

Department of Research and International 

Relations and also consulted with government 

officials and others throughout Vietnam on 

school reform, teacher preparation, and 

leadership development. Sarah is a widely 

published author on educational leadership and 

has worked extensively with school leaders in 

Maine and nationally. She is one of about 1,100 

U.S. faculty and professionals who traveled 

abroad through the Fulbright Scholar Program 

in 2011-2012. Classmate Steven Blackett (G) 

of Bar Harbor, ME, has been promoted to vice 

president of credit administration of Bar Harbor 

Bank & Trust. He is responsible for managing the 

bank’s commercial loan underwriting function, 

supervising a staff of two, and coordinating 

workflow with other departments. Steven 

volunteers regularly at the Bar Harbor food 

pantry and enjoys spending free time with his 

wife and daughters. 

Wedding bells are ringing for classmates this 

summer. Gerald Brown III of Windham, ME, 

married Breanna Bardwell ’06 on June 12th. 

Gerald is employed by Proctor and Gamble in 

Auburn as a senior research and development 

engineer. Karl Gifford plans on marrying Emily 

Graham in August on Emily’s family farm in 

North Baldwin, ME, where the couple is making 

their home. The farm has been in her family for 

six generations. Karl is the owner of Sebago 

Stonework. We wish these couples the best! 

Stay in touch and feel free to drop me a line 

with any happenings in your life to share with 

your classmates. Enjoy your summer. 

2001 

Bonnie Joy Richards Dewkett 

82 Revere Drive 

Ridgefield, CT 06877 

(203) 794-1165 

blkbear19@yahoo.com 

Once again summer is upon us and it’s time 

to catch up with your fellow alumni. Remember, 

we want to know what’s going on with you so 

please don’t forget to call or email us so we can 

share your great information! 

Aaron Zurek was recently honored for five 

years of service with the Ellsworth Wastewater 

Department. 

Christine Thibodeau, who is currently 

working as an area operations manager in 

the greater Boston area for Lowe’s Home 

Improvement, will marry Andrew Sangalang in 

the fall of 2012. 

Matt Dewkett has opened Matt Dewkett 


Photography, a professional 

photography business specializing in 

sports photography. 

On March 5 th I appeared on TV 

Land’s series “Best Night In” giving 

tips on organizing. It was a lot of fun 

filming! 

This past September, Bruce Pratt 

was inducted into John Bapst High 

School’s athletic hall of fame! Bruce 

worked at Bapst as a coach. 

Congratulations to Josh 

McNaughton ’04G, who is the new 

principal of Windsor Elementary 

School. Josh has worked very hard 

to develop the district’s emergency 

response plan as well as accelerated 

student programs. 

Judson Cake won the Bangor 

Labor Day road race for the fourth 

time running! His time for the five-mile 

race was 25 minutes and 48 seconds. 

Congratulations to all of our 

alumni who are achieving greatness! 

Don’t forget to share your joys and 

successes with us! 

2002 

Honored class at 

Homecoming 


Nate Briggs 

92 Main Trail 

Hampden, ME 04444 

nbriggs831@hotmail.com 

Sharing Experiences 

Four UMaine graduates who majored in women’s studies returned 

to campus in April to discuss the influence of that major 

on their chosen careers in a presentation “What Can You 

do wIth a Women’s Studies Major? Alumnae Share Their Career 

Paths.” The four participants were Charley Martin-Berry 

’99 (left front), coordinator of Passages, a program that helps 

teen mothers complete high school at the Cobscook Community 

Learning Center in Lubec; and Sally Curran ’02 (right 

front), an attorney in Gorham who specializes in family law. 

Mia Ho Baker ’04 (standing, left) currently manages the Hannaford 

store in Brunswick. Her women’s studies work was a 

major factor in her being hired because she manages mostly 

female employees. Sydney MacKay Haggerty ’02 is an early 

childhood consultant who has also started a martial arts program 

in Dover-Foxcroft. 

What a crazy winter this was! On one 

March day, a light dusting of snow 

covered the ground, and the following 

weekend saw temperatures in the 

60s. 

Congratulations are in order for Anthony 

and Jessica Shirley LeBlanc, who became 

the proud parents of their second child, Emily 

Megan. She was born November 17, was 8.3 

pounds and 19.5 inches long. All are doing 

well. 

Success continues to grace members of our 

class as well. Eeva Hedefine ’06G, a staff engineer 

at James W. Sewall Company in Old Town, 

is part of a newly formed multidisciplinary environmental 

services group that will be focused 

on water resources and quality and delivering 

solutions to various industries. The story of 

Curt Johnson’s change in career path was featured 

in the Bangor Daily News. After completing 

his first degree in business administration 

and having a brief stint with Hannaford, Curt 

went back to school and got a second degree 

in wildlife ecology. Now working for the Maine 

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, he 

serves as the park superintendent for the Maine 

Wildlife Park in Gray. 

Scott Oxley (G) has taken on the role of senior 

vice president for support services at Affiliated 

Healthcare Systems after having served as 

vice president and chief accounting officer as 

well as interim chief financial officer for Eastern 

Maine Healthcare Systems. Finally, classmate 

and former fellow UMaine Alumni Association 

board member Jonathan LaBonte made headlines 

after becoming the youngest mayor in 

Auburn’s history. Congratulations to all! 

In my last column, I mentioned that more information 

would be forthcoming on the Class 

of 2002’s 10 th Reunion. I’m happy to announce 

that we plan to celebrate the weekend of Homecoming 

2012, October 19-21, so mark your 

calendars! We have had a few individuals step 

forward to help but we’re always looking for 

more volunteers. Please contact me if you’re interested 

in lending a hand. Be on the lookout for 

additional details. If you haven’t already done 

so, check out the “University of Maine Class of 

2002” page on Facebook, as we’ll try to keep 

you posted on updates there as well. 

Feel free to send me updates at the addresses 

above or track me down on Facebook. Please 

send news, updates, and photos for inclusion in 

future class columns to the addresses 

above; the Class of 2002 would love to 

hear from you! 

2003 

Sara Green-Hamann 

134 4 th Street 

Bangor, ME 04401 

Sara.greenhamann@gmail.com 

The Class of 2003 has news! 

Congratulations to Eric Russell who 

was honored by the Maine Press 

Association in the environmental story 

category for his reporting of the status 

of the Hampden landfill. Eric previously 

wrote for the Bangor Daily News and is 

now employed by the Portland Press 

Herald. 

A number of 2003 graduates 

have accepted academic positions. 

Heather Bache Ball (G) has been 

named assistant professor of special 

education at the University of Maine 

at Machias and Adam Gudroe is the 

new assistant principal for grades 5-8 

and the athletic administrator at Ridge 

View Community School in Dexter. 

Viktoriya Rybalko has accepted 

a job as the assistant track and field 

coach at the University of Maine. Jef 

Fitzgerald is the new assessor for 

the town of Bucksport and Jessica 

Beane Fitts is joining the admissions 

office of Hebron Academy as the new 

operations manager. Jasmine Ireland 

is the new director of education and 

outreach for the Penobscot Theatre. 

Joshua Smith (Ph.D.) has been 

elected vice president of the North 

American Society for Oceanic History. 

And finally congratulations to Steven 

Barteaux ’06G, who is getting married this fall. 

I’d love to hear from you! 

2004 

Dylan Mooney 

P. O. Box 483 

Bar Harbor, ME 04609 

Dylan.mooney@umit.maine.edu 

Wedding bells have been ringing for a number 

of our fellow classmates recently. Matthew 

Randall tied the knot this past winter in the 

White Mountains of New Hampshire with 

Heidi Freeman. Matthew has earned his P.E. 

designation since graduating, and is currently the 

principal engineer at Talmage Solar Engineering 

in Arundel. Late last year, Christopher Parks 

was married to Audrey Gould. Christopher is 

now working for TransCanada on the Kibby 


Wind Power Project in Coburn Gore. 

For other fellow Black Bears wedding bells 

are just on the horizon. Right around the time 

you’ll be receiving this, Shane Achey will be 

getting married to Nicole Brennan. Shane 

is now a systems engineer at Water & Earth 

Technologies in Fort Collins, CO. Later this fall, 

Kate Trinward and Akanimo Udo will be tying 

the knot. Kate went to law school following her 

time in Orono and is now with the firm Hunsucker, 

Goodstein & Nelson PC in Washington, D.C. 

Many of our fellow Black Bears continue 

to make headlines with new positions and 

promotions, such as Matt Lindsay. Matt 

was recently named the new coach for the 

Mattanawcook Academy wrestling team. 

In addition, he currently teaches health and 

physical education at Katahdin High School in 

Staceyville. Keith Moore was named the 2011 

Colonial States Athletic Conference men’s Soccer 

Coach of the Year. Kevin Keller is currently a 

corporate packaging systems engineer with 

the Hershey Company. Speaking of engineers, 

Ryan Beaumont ’07G was recently showcased 

in the Bangor Daily News regarding a number of 

projects his firm has recently taken on. Ryan has 

been doing innovative design work for a variety 

of green energy projects ranging from offshore 

wind turbines to tidal generators. A fellow Black 

Bear who probably runs into other Black Bears 

frequently is Maine Forest Ranger Samuel 

Heffner. Samuel recently won first place at the 

Regional Games of Logging, besting his peers 

from central and northern Maine. As a result of 

his finish, Samuel has qualified to attend the 

National Game of Logging Finals in Ohio. 

Senior Skull Andy Geaghan recently made 

waves by crafting some new brews for Maine’s 

Queen City. As the manager of Geaghan’s Pub 

in Bangor, Andy decided that he could bring 

his love of craft beer to the Bangor area, and 

he’s been very successful doing so. In late 

2011, Andy celebrated the opening of Geaghan 

Brothers Brewing Company. If you find yourself 

in Bangor anytime soon, stop by Geaghan’s for 

a pint! 

Go Blue! 

2005 

Mary (Gatchell-Fenderson) Gauvin 

P. O. Box 1032 

Fort Drum, NY 13602 

marygfg@gmail.com 

Hello, Class of 2005! Winter (if you could call it 

that) has come and gone. I hope the sunshine 

and warmth of the next season finds you well. 

Our classmates have been busy so let’s get to 

it. 

Congratulations to Adam Gillespie on 

his professional engineer licensure. Adam 

is a structural engineer employed at WBRC 

Architects-Engineers. He specializes in analysis 

and design of building foundations and 

structures and also performs fieldwork. He has 

recently done work at our alma mater and other 

area building projects. Ned Crockett is now the 

pastor at Winthrop Methodist Church. An article 

in the Kennebec Journal talked about his unique 

journey from running a restaurant to spiritual 

guide. The Winthrop church is Ned’s home 

church, making the job even more rewarding. 

Adrienne Pelletier ’08G completed a marketing 

the nonprofit class at the Hutchinson Center 

and was awarded a certificate in nonprofit 

management. Adrienne is the former director 

of stewardship for the Alumni Association and 

now works for MPBN. 

Wheaton College is lucky to have Dave 

Cusano ’08G as their track coach. Dave was the 

assistant track coach at UMaine for seven years 

and received the UMaine Coach of the Year 

award in 2009. Adam Goode is now the Bangor 

High School cross-country coach. Adam ran 

cross-country as a student at Bangor High and 

is currently serving as a state representative for 

Maine House District 15. Another Bangor High 

School athlete and UMaine alum, Joe Campbell, 

is a project engineer for the Bangor event center 

construction project. Joe helped Bangor win the 

Class A Boys State Championship at the Bangor 

auditorium in 2001. The Bangor Daily News had 

a great feature story about Joe’s journey from 

high school basketball star to engineer. The 

Bangor auditorium holds a lot of history (I have 

many fond memories of the Y Fair, the Shrine 

Circus, and of course tourney time) and it will be 

exciting to see the finished product! 

Wedding season is upon us and the very 

best wishes are extended to two newly married 

Patrick Michaud ’03, ’04G (business, accounting) 

is now a partner of the newly 

named Nicholson, Michaud & Company, an 

accounting firm in Waterville. Patrick also 

serves as president of the board of Waterville 

Main Street. He is married to his college 

sweetheart, Sarah Woehler Michaud ’04, 

’09G (English). 

couples: Eric Fyre and Kallie Mehuren ’07 and 

Morghan Foster and Christopher Laplante 

’07G. Eric and Kallie were married on September 

16, 2011, in Belfast and live in Lawrence, KS. 

Both are employed by Grandstand Sportswear 

and Glassware. Kallie is a graphic artist, while 

Eric is a print specialist. The pair met while on 

the work crew at Alfond. Morghan and Chris 

were married on April 14 of this year. Morghan 

is a school counselor at Weatherbee School 

in Hampden and Chris is employed by Verso 

Paper in Bucksport. 

Matt James formed Flat Cap Apps in 2011. 

Matt is based in Old Town, ME. Headlines 

Reader, his company’s first application, was 

officially released in March. Headlines prioritizes 

news articles you’re most likely to enjoy and 

uses your existing Google Reader account. 

Please don’t hesitate to send your news 

my way through regular mail or email—you can 

also find me on Facebook! I love learning and 

sharing about what is going on with you. Until 

we meet again! 

2006 

Liz D’Ambrose Mason 

14 Wedgewood Street 

Scarborough, ME 04074 

liz@palmtreecreative.com 

Greetings, Class of ’06! I hope you are all having 

a fabulous summer. 

As always, there are many weddings and 

engagements to report! My good friend Meagan 

Connolly is now engaged to Ben Murphy ’05. 

Meg works in fundraising at USA Field Hockey, 

as part of the Olympic Movement. Maulian 

Dana and Sean Smith are engaged and are 

planning a September 22, 2012, wedding. 

Maulian is a human resources director for a 

contracting company. Pierre Huntress (G) is 

engaged to Buffy Thibodeau. He proposed in the 

Limestone Community High School gymnasium 

with the help of cheerleaders performing a 

routine to the song “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie 

Wonder and holding signs that read, “Will you 

marry me, Buffy?” The proposal occurred 

during a fundraiser to benefit the local cancer 

organization known as Caring Area Neighbors 

for Cancer Education and Recovery. Emma 

Brejwo and Roque Balina were married on 

October 17, 2011, in Temecula, CA. Emma is 

working as a development associate for Pacific 

Ridge School in Carlsbad, CA. 

Congratulations to Anna Faloon, who 

recently received her professional engineer 

license. Anna is a civil engineer and has worked 

at WBRC in Bangor for the past five years. 

Caleb Curtis is the new councilor-at-large 

in Pittsfield. He previously served as the District 

2 councilor. 

Jared Browne is the new boys’ basketball 

coach at Winslow High School, where he played 

basketball and graduated in 2002. He previously 

coached at Oak Hill. Kasey Spencer Danforth 

’07G is now the varsity field hockey coach at 


Bangor High School. Kasey was a second-team 

Division I Northeast all-star during her senior 

year at Maine in 2005, selected by the National 

Field Hockey Coaches Association. She also 

has her own consulting business and works as 

a registered dietitian. 

Jimmy Howard, a goalie for the Detroit Red 

Wings, was named an NHL All-Star. He was one 

of 26 players added to the game on January 29, 

2012, in Ottawa. This is Jimmy’s third season 

with the team. Jimmy and his wife, Rachel Miller 

Howard ’07, are now the proud parents of James 

Russell Howard IV, who was born last fall. 

I wrote in my last column that Lynel Winters 

ran the Marine Corps marathon in Washington, 

DC, in October 2011, in honor of her late 

husband, James Zimmerman ’08. Lynel had 

hoped to raise $2,500 for Tragedy Assistance 

Program for Survivors (TAPS). She exceeded her 

goal, raising $4,250! We’re proud of you, Lynel! 

She ran the Boston marathon on April 16, this 

time to support the Run for the Fallen Maine, a 

volunteer organization with the mission to keep 

alive the names and memories of our fallen 

heroes from Maine and those who had strong 

family ties to Maine. 

Hope to hear from you soon, Class of 2006! 

Feel free to send me an email if there are any 

updates you’d like to share. 

2007 



Jennifer Coleman 

9 Lothrop Street, Unit 2 

Beverly, MA 01915 

jencoleman50@gmail.com 

Hello, Class of 2007. Hope this column is 

finding you well rested and enjoying a wonderful 

summer. 

Classmate Ashley Underwood is still in 

the news following her recent appearance on 

“Survivor.” She recently visited the Teen Voices 

group at Mt. Blue Middle School in Farmington 

to drop off journals for the students and to share 

her experiences setting and achieving goals 

through basketball, Miss USA, and “Survivor” 

experiences. Teen Voices is a group of female 

students who meet regularly with college 

students and read female-centered books with 

the goal of promoting positive self-esteem 

in young teens. Ashley also climbed Mount 

Kilimanjaro in January to raise money for the 

Flying Kites Leadership Academy, a home and 

school for abused, orphaned, and abandoned 

children in Kenya. She not only raised thousands 

of dollars for the program but also volunteered 

time with the children in the program. Ashley 

will be moving to New York City soon to pursue 

a career in modeling and entertainment. 

In the world of sports, former Black Bear 

Daren Stone spent the fall and winter playing 

for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian 

Football League. By playing in the CFL, Daren 


Abby Coulter ’09 recently received the 2011 

Staff Recognition Award from the Virginia 

Association of Community Rehabilitation 

Programs, also known as vaACCSES. Abby 

was recognized for her excellent service to 

Virginians with disabilities. 

hopes to gain valuable experience in order to 

return to the National Football League for the 

2012 season. Daren played for the Atlanta 

Falcons and the Baltimore Ravens during the 

2008 and 2009 seasons. 

Congratulations are in order for our 

classmates who were recently engaged or 

married. Jacob Ouellette is engaged to Caroline 

Donahue. They live in Cambridge, MA, and are 

planning a July wedding at the Westin Copley in 

Boston. Joshua Randlett and Megan Magoon 

planned a June wedding in Bar Harbor. Josh 

and Megan graduated from the Maine School 

of Law in Portland and are both attorneys in the 

Bangor area. Holly Miller married Jared York 

in September at Camp Vega in Fayette, where 

they live. The couple honeymooned in Boston 

and Rangeley. Holly is currently employed at 

Turner Veterinary Services. 

As usual, if you have news to share please 

send me an email. Hope to see many of you 

at Homecoming this fall to celebrate our fifth 

Reunion. Can you believe it’s been that long? 

2008 

Tara (Kierstead) Glasberg 

7 Goodridge Avenue #2 


207-400-9704 

Tara.Glasberg@gmail.com 

Hello, classmates! I hope this column finds 

you well! I have some brief news and wedding 

announcements to share with you. 

Penobscot Community Health Care has 

announced that two of our classmates, Teagan 

O’Toole-Roy and Dallas Marquis, have been 

hired as physician assistants. Teagan and Dallas 

will both focus on all aspects of family medical 

care. Congratulations! 

Kristy Albee is the fitness director at the 

University of Maine at Augusta in Bangor. 

A qualified Zumba fitness instructor, Kristy 

coordinated an afternoon of exercise and 

fitness activities to celebrate the beginning of 

Move and Improve. She writes, “I love teaching 

Zumba classes. The reason is simple: every 

class feels like a party!” Kristy also offered a 

free Zumba class to the Alumni Association 

staff, only requesting a donation to help support 

her participation in the Trek Across Maine. The 

annual Trek, a bike ride that begins at Sunday 

River and ends in Belfast, raises funds for the 

American Lung Association. 

Best wishes are extended to our classmates 

who have recently gotten engaged and 

married. 

Stephanie McCoy of Enfield and Matthew 

Mulligan of Florham Park, NJ, tied the knot on 

February 18th in Lincoln, ME. Stephanie is a 

teacher at Mattanawcook Junior High School 

and Matthew is employed by the NFL. 

Steven Blake of Groton, CT, married Megan 

Thibodeau of Winterport on June 23, 2011, in 

Bangor. Steven graduated summa cum laude 

with a degree in civil engineering and received 

his master’s degree in civil engineering as well. 

He is currently a structural engineer at Electric 

Boat in Groton. 

July weddings are in the works for three of 

our classmates as well. Christopher Wilson of 

Groton, CT, will marry Melissa Cardoso, also of 

Groton, on July 21st. Christopher is an electrical 

engineer at Electric Boat in Groton. Ryan Brown 

of Richmond, VA, will marry Kristina Dubay, also 

of Richmond, on July 28th at the Lucerne Inn in 

Dedham, ME. Patrick Norton of Scarborough 

will wed Andrea Morrill of Gorham, also on July 

28th, in Gorham. 

Congratulations and best wishes to you all! 

As always, keep the email, snail mail, and 

pictures coming so I can share your news with 

our classmates. 

Go Blue! 

2009 

Abigail Zelz 

Alumni Publications 

P. O. Box 550 


(207) 581-1137 


The Class of ’09 needs someone to write this 

column so that the news can be shared. If 

you’d like to become the author of class news, 

please contact the Alumni Association at the 

above address to write the 2009 column for the 

magazine. It’s a twice-yearly commitment. 

There are lots of engagements and other news 

as well. 

Chelsea McCaslin is engaged to Robert 

Hendrick. They are planning an early fall 

wedding in Waterville. 

Last summer, Sarah Robichaud married

Mathew Carvel, and Andrew Frost planned 

to marry Lindsey Simons in Georgia. Kevin 

LaFlamme and Ashley Thibodeau were married 

in October 2011 in Old Town. Also last fall, 

Amanda Wood married Robert Gallant. 

Adam Aucoin ’10G married his UMaine 

sweetheart, Kyla Bailey ’11, of Brewer, last 

October. Hannah Brissette and Joseph Young 

’10 were also married in October. 

There’s plenty of other news, so please write 

and tell your classmates where you’re living, 

what you’re doing for work and fun, and what’s 

happening in your life. And remember, the 

Class of ’09 needs a writer to keep everyone 

informed! 

2010 

Bobby Collins 

12 Hunt Court 

Flemington, NJ 08822 

robert.collins88@gmail.com 

Greetings, Class of 2010! I hope everyone had 

a great winter. 

Michael Burgess (Ph.D.), who received 

his doctorate from the University of Maine, 

has relocated to Chestnut Hill, PA, with his 

wife, Susannah, and their daughter. Michael 

has begun work as a research botanist at the 

Morris Arboretum. He will be responsible for 

conducting fieldwork and research in addition 

to redesigning the website for the Pennsylvania 

Flora Project. 

One of our classmates on the University of 

Maine baseball team has taken his talent to 

North Carolina to be the volunteer assistant 

coach for High Point University. Joe Mercurio 

is working with the outfielders while serving as 

the first base coach for the Panthers. Joe was 

a three-year member of the Maine baseball 

team, who hit .363 with 12 home runs his final 

season. Matt Howard, a key starter for the 

2010 baseball team, decided to not play his last 

year of eligibility and instead decided to attend 

graduate school at Northeastern. In 2010, Matt 

started in right field and had a .358 batting 

average in 41 games for the Black Bears. Good 

luck to Joe and Matt! 

Congratulations are certainly in order for 

our classmates who have wed since the 2010 

commencement. In August, Jamie Moses 

married Ryan Wrobel of Bar Harbor, ME. Nathan 

Ellis (G) wed Candace Kelley of Harrington, 

ME, in June at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in 

Ellsworth. In February 2011 April Snow married 

Chad King of Winslow, ME. Marina Fodnaess 

and Tyler Kirk of Hampden tied the knot in 

August and have since relocated to Chicago. 

Also, congratulations go out to Michela Ann 

Fyler and Kevin Lessard, who announced 

they will have a wedding in Maine this fall. 

Congratulations to all of our classmates! 

Finally, please feel free to send me any 

updates on yourself or a classmate. I know 

everyone is excited to hear how friends from the 

University of Maine are doing. I hope everyone 

has a great summer! 

Weddings 

Towns are in Maine unless otherwise 

noted. 

1997 

Yolanda Maria Sly to David Kozuha on 9- 

30-11 in Poughkeepsie, NY. They took a 

honeymoon trip to Walt Disney World and 

live in Greenwood Lake, NY. 

2005 

Katie Charpentier to Randen Baker ’07 

on 7-30-11 in Orono. They honeymooned 

in Bora Bora and live in Bangor. 

Beth Bragdon to Benjamin Reining ’06 

on 7-24-11 in New Gloucester. They took 

a wedding trip to the Dominican Republic 

and live in Weymouth, MA. 

2007 

Joshua Ross LaPierre to Erin Elizabeth 

Maschino ’08 on 10-8-11 in Bangor. They 

honeymooned in the Bahamas and live in 

Winterport. 

Benjamin Robertson Winsor to Kathryn 

Marie Hill ’08 on 6-18-11 in Old Orchard 

Beach. They honeymooned on Martha’s 

Vineyard and Hawaii and live in Thornton, 

CO. 

Colleen Morgan to Kasey Keenan on 8-6- 

11 in South Portland. They took a wedding 

trip to Florida and reside in Scarborough. 

2008 

Stephanie Elizabeth McCoy to Matthew 

Ben Mulligan on 2-18-12 in Lincoln. They 

took a honeymoon trip to Kauai, Hawaii, 

and reside in West Enfield. 

2009 

Katharine Amy Farrell to Robert Jacques 

Moriarty on 6-11-11 in Portland. They 

honeymooned in Punta Cana, Dominican 

Republic, and live in Portland. 

Recently Married? 

Be sure to send your 

wedding information and 

a photo to us at 


Yolanda Sly ’97 and David Kozuha (not pictured) were married on September 30, 2011, in Poughkeepsie, 

NY. Yolanda works in marketing and David is a telecom engineer at UPS. Among the 

UMaine alums in attendance were, left to right: Ben Hauck ’98, Andrea Poole Hauck ’97, ’04G, Bill 

Bates ’97, CJ Coletti ’97, Yolanda, Joanne Young-Small ’91, and Forrest Small ’91G. 


Deaths 

Locations in Maine unless otherwise noted 

1930 

Frank Addison Knight, 103, of Yarmouth, on 

5-14-12. 

1931 

Katherine Jackson Adkins, 102, of Weems, 

VA, on 2-29-12. 

Doris Curtis Eaton, 100, of Huntington, WV, 

on 1-10-12. 

Viola Purinton Giffin, 102, of Orono, on 3- 

8-12. 

1932 

Beatrice Erdine Robbins, 102, of Hallowell, 

on 3-28-12. 

1933 

Barbara Sawyer Nelson, 101, of Greene, on 

3-17-12. 

1935 

Horace “Hockey” Stanley Field, 101, of 

Yarmouth, on 2-9-12. 

Donald Merritt Gay, 98, of Linneus, on 4-9- 

12. 

1936 

Rena Maria Allen, 96, of Hampton, NH, on 

2-3-12. 

James Alden Boardman, 97, of Bangor, on 

1-15-12. 

1937 

Jeannette MacKenzie Wilson, 95, of Tempe, 

AZ, on 2-4-11. 

1938 

Solveig Heistad Hennings, 95, of Yarmouth, 

on 12-13-11. 

Antoria “Tory” Rosen Houghton, 96, of Fort 

Fairfield, on 1-15-12. 

William Everett Veague, 96, of Harborside, 

on 12-28-11. 

Mary Deering Wirths, 96, of Falmouth, on 

4-25-12. 

1939 

Robert Edward Bishop, 94, of Belfast and 

Caribou, on 1-18-12. 

Frederick Hudson Sylvester, 94, of 

Sarasota, FL, on 1-13-12. 

1940 

Robert Harlan Bonney, 93, of Peoria, IL, on 

4-8-12. 

Lillian Herrick Crowell, 96, of Eliot, on 10- 

9-11. 

John Frederick Dequine, 94, of Leesburg, 

FL, on 11-27-11. 

Fred George Johnson, D.M.D., 91, of 

Hudson, MA, on 6-5-10. 

Robert Stanton Merrill, 93, of Sarasota, FL, 

on 2-16-12. 

Harriet Brann Morrison, 92, of Bowdoin, on 

11-26-11. 

Edgar Fayette Powers, 94, of Milton, MA, on 

8-15-10. 

Hugh Edwin Young, 94, of Madison, WI, on 

1-2-12. 

1941 

Wilson Merriman Alford, 92, of Windsor, CT, 

on 2-28-12. 

David Astor, 92, of Falmouth, on 12-10-11. 

John Joseph Edmunds, Jr., 92, of Towaco, 

NJ, on 12-21-11. 

Harold Isaiah “Haddie” Hamm, 92, of 

Lucerne, on 4-16-12. 

Robert Skillings McDonald, 93, of Burnt 

Hills, NY, on 3-16-12. 

Barbara Alice Young Pullen, 91, of Veazie 

and Augusta, on 3-18-12. 

Rev. Harry Earle Trask, Jr., 94, of Ellsworth, 

on 1-10-12. 

Forrest Giles Whitman, 94, of Greenville, on 

2-22-12. 

1942 

Cortna Mae Kingsley Billings, 90, of Sun 

City, AZ, on 7-29-11. 

Priscilla Ann Tozier Briggs, 92, of 

Scarborough, on 4-12-12. 

Susan Abbott Farris, 90, of Searsport, on 

12-22-11. 

Kenneth Adelbert Field, 93, of York, on 1- 

25-12. 

Hulet Clark Hornbeck, 92, of Martinez, CA 

on 1-7-12. 

Vaughn True Lovley, 90, of Clarks Grove, 

MN, on 2-14-12. 

Clifford Alvin Priest, Jr., 92, of Rye, NH, on 

6-28-11. 

George Douglas Roben, 91, of Duanesburg, 

NY, on 2-21-12. 

Forrest Wilson Truland, 93, of South 

Yarmouth, MA, on 7-10-10. 

Jane Page Wells, 91, of Damariscotta, on 

12-29-11. 

Jeannette Berry Whitten, 91, of Presque 

Isle, on 3-30-12. 

1943 

G. Milton Carter, 92, of Caribou, on 3-28-12. 

Gordon Iver Erikson, 92, of Bar Harbor, on 

3-16-12. 

Dorothy Elizabeth “Betty” Flanagan, 90, of 

Bangor, on 2-3-12. 

John Douglass Kelley, 90, of Manchester, 

CT, on 12-18-11. 

Asenith Kelley Sechtman, 89, of Livermore, 

on 1-17-11. 

Parker Scott Trefethen, 92, of Seattle, WA, 

on 11-23-11. 

Ada Alpert Tussing, 90, of Peterborough, 

NH, on 9-9-10. 

Helen Mullen Varnum, 89, of Seattle, WA, on 

12-8-11. 

Celia Goos Viner, 89, of Bangor, on 1-20-12. 

Beverly Brawn Waller, 90, of Oxford, MS, on 

3-31-12. 

Evelyn Grenci Wing, 91, of Myrtle Beach, 

SC, on 2-10-12. 

1944 

Samuel Wilson Collins, Jr., 88, of Rockland, 

on 3-22-12. 

John Joseph Donohue, 92, of Danvers, MA, 

on 9-22-11. 

Roman Evdo, 89, of Stanardsville, VA, on 

4-6-11. 

George Piers Gunn, D.M.D., 88, of Boothbay, 

on 2-8-12. 

Quentin Herbert MacCabe, 92, of Brewer, on 

4-22-12. 

Virginia Goodrich McIntire, 89, of Devon, 

PA, on 3-1-12. 

George McLean, 89, of Venice, FL, on 12- 

6-11. 

1945 

Joan Helen Shea Agnew, 87, of Bangor, on 

1-5-12. 

Verne H. Bovie, 88, of Springvale, on 3-31- 

12. 

Margaret Brown Bunker, 87, of Auburn, on 

11-30-11. 

Daryl Scott Crane, 88, of Melbourne, FL, on 

12-23-09. 

Charles Carroll Norton, 87, of Brewer, on 

4-7-12. 

Hubert Orcutt Ranger, 87, of Bayside, WI, 

on 3-1-12. 

Brother Leo Joseph Rossignol, 87, of Notre 

Dame, IN, on 12-5-11. 

Barbara Phyllis Rozelle, 89, of West Paris, 

on 4-15-12. 

Ellwood Arthur Titcomb, 87, of Lake Helen, 

FL, on 12-17-11. 

1946 

Elaine Enman Winslow Bean, 88, of Brewer, 

on 12-12-11. 

David Lewis Manter, 88, of Candia, NH, on 

2-4-12. 

1947 

Peter Noyes Crockett, 84, of Saugerties, NY, 

on 11-6-10. 

Laurel Whitney Ham, 85, of Howland and 

Lakeville, on 1-25-12. 

Thomas Alfred Harrington, 87, of 

Merrimack, NH, on 4-14-12. 

Jane Crowell Morse, 88, of Bangor and 

Hancock, on 12-6-11. 

1948 

Roger Polson Bean, 89, of Fryeburg, on 4- 

15-12. 


Barbara Day Bryan, 84, of Fairfield, CT, on 

1-29-12. 

Douglas Holmes Culpon, 88, of North 

Andover, MA, on 1-6-12. 

Alberta Closson Freeman, 84, of Midlothian, 

VA, on 5-13,11. 

Marie Crane Harrington, 85, of Suffolk, VA, 

on 11-26-11. 

Sheila Babson Varnum Howard, 86, of Blue 

Hill, on 4-15-12. 

Edward Everett Little, 84, of Presque Isle, on 

12-20-11. 

Pauline Wadsworth True Moulton, 87, of 

Portland, on 3-1-12. 

Robert Edward Phelps, 90, of Sidney, on 

4-13-12. 

Clinton Blanchard Savage, Jr., 87, of 

Farmington, on 2-16-12. 

Thomas Ware Wight, 85, of Boulder, CO, on 

12-24-11. 

1949 

Joyce Anna Kemp Boutilier, 84, of Edina, 

MN, on 12-7-11. 

Wallace Edmund Brown, 87, of East 

Falmouth, MA, on 2-23-10. 

Robert Stanley Gilchrist, 87, of Suffield, CT, 

on 3-12-12. 

Frank Fountain Gorham, 88, of Sacramento, 

CA, on 2-23-07. 

Athill William Irvine, 86, of Winthrop, on 4- 

2-12. 

Vella Eloise Meisner, 95, of North 

Chesterville, on 3-24-12. 

Clarence Del Pierce, 90, of Beverly, MA, on 

3-27-12. 

Carleton Blair Ring, 87, of Augusta, on 4- 

24-12. 

Charles Whitcomb Shaw, 84, of 

Hillsborough, NC, in March 2012. 

Theodore Raymond Sherman, 84, of Mount 

Laurel, NJ, on 1-7-12. 

Calvin Warren Simpson, 87, of Windham, on 

3-16-12. 

Maurice Albert Sylvester, 88, of Gorham, on 

4-27-12. 

Louise Hilton Varnam, 84, of Leesburg, FL, 

on 3-25-11. 

Bruce Hanson Wheeler, 84, of Albuquerque, 

NM, on 2-3-12. 

Robert Martin Woodside, 86, of San 

Antonio, TX, on 8-4-10. 

1950 

Edwin Allen Cormier, 92, of Bangor, on 1- 

20-12. 

Lewis Bertram Delaware, 83, of 

Farmingdale, on 1-6-12. 

Neal Albert DeWitt, 85, of Punta Gorda, FL, 

on 4-9-11. 

Howard Leland Dow, Jr., 85, of Livonia, MI, 

on 10-31-10. 

Patricia Albert Duplissa, 90, of Camden, on 

1-31-12. 

F 

rank Addison Knight ’30 died on May 

14, 2012, at the age of 103. Frank 

studied forestry at UMaine and worked 

for paper companies in New York and 

Maine before establishing his own forestry 

business. He was active in town 

affairs in Yarmouth for decades, and 

later became particularly well known for 

his efforts to save a local 217-year-old 

elm tree, “Herbie,” from Dutch elm disease. 

The Maine Forest Service’s Frank 

Knight Excellence in Community Forestry 

Award, given annually to individuals 

who share Frank’s concern for trees, was 

established in his honor. (Photo by John 

Ewing/Portland Press Herald.) 

Edward Rice Hawkes, 90, of Tucson, AZ, on 

3-4-12. 

Emanuel Leo Horn, 90, of Hyannis, MA, on 

2-7-12. 

Frederick Russell Johnson, 87, of South 


Donald Oliver Kennedy, 83, of Livermore 

Falls, on 12-5-11. 

Douglas Treat King, 88, of West Yarmouth, 

MA, on 4-11-12. 

Donald Clifford Kominsky, 85, of Newport, 

RI, on 4-30-12. 

Charles Chester Libby, 88, of Sandy Point 

and Belfast, on 3-5-12. 

Ernest William Martikainen, 86, of 

Smithtown, NY, on 4-24-12. 

Roger Burton Mooers, 87, of Wells, on 2-3- 

12. 

Eugene James O’Brien, 85, of San 

Clemente, CA, on 6-21-11. 

Earl Spofford Packard, 89, of Rochester, NH, 

on 2-4-12. 

Reginald Kermit Page, 88, of Portland, on 

1-9-12. 

Mary Gildersleeve Phippen, 85, of New 

London, NH, on 6-26-11. 

Gerald Carl Pickard, 85, of Hermon, on 1- 

15-12. 

Clark Potter, 83, of Kearneysville, WV, on 

7-2-11. 

Richard Arland Spencer, 83, of Bangor, on 

3-21-12. 

Raymond Ellsworth Titcomb, 83, of 

Chesterville, on 1-5-12. 

Carroll Bruce Totman, 82, of Englewood, FL 

on 11-29-11. 

1951 

Robert Carleton Boston, 82, of North 

Berwick, on 4-12-12. 

Clarence Edward “Bunk” Bunker, M.D., 82, 

of Essex Junction, VT, on 2-15-12. 

Francis Stewart Harvey, 85, of Kenduskeag, 

on 2-14-12. 

Justin “Rocky” Earle Hinds, 85, of 

Bucksport, on 2-2-12. 

Robert Burns Hutchinson, 85, of Cape 

Elizabeth, on 12-14-11. 

Willie R. Jacques, 90, of Palm Beach 

Gardens, FL, on 11-6-11. 

Richard Edward Jones, 83, of Bokeelia, FL, 

on 2-15-12. 

Abbott Bacon Ladd, 86, of Belgrade, on 3- 

18-12. 

Martha Louise Lambert, 82, of Hampden, on 

1-15-12. 

Roland DeWolf Mann, 85, of Newton, NJ, on 

3-11-12. 

Lloyd Edward Mills, 86, of Canton, MA, on 

4-29-12. 

Philip Winston Pendleton, 90, of Melrose, 

MA, on 8-28-11. 

William Carroll Rochon, 84, of Union, on 

1-24-12. 

Paul Edward Rourke, 85, of Winthrop, on 

12-8-11. 

Mary Elizabeth Marsden Shedd, 82, of 

Auburn, on 4-14-12. 

Ruth Watson Signorino, 78, of South Dennis, 

MA, on 3-4-08. 

Frank Dale Speed, 82, of Princeton, on 12- 

27-11. 

Maxine McCready Wells, 86, of Spring Hill, 

FL, on 1-8-12. 

1952 

William Theodore Boas, 83, of Clearwater, 

FL, on 12-31-11. 

Donald Chesebrough, 82, of Gilford, NH, on 

2-29-12. 

Raymond Joseph Cormier, 86, of El Dorado 

Hills, CA, on 3-20-12. 

Richard Herman Cole, 81, of Centre Hall, PA, 

on 12-7-11. 

Allen Howd Fielder, 81, of Claremont, NH, 

on 3-9-12. 

Robert Donald Hyers, 88, of Brownville, on 

12-9-11. 

Hilston Thomas Kilcollins, 95, of Mapleton, 

on 1-28-12. 

Paul Denis Levesque, 81, of Lewiston, ME, 


Deaths 

and Cochituate, MA, on 11-7-09. 

Thomas John Lydon, 84, of Fort Washington, 

MD, on 3-1-12. 

Sherman Royce Rowles, 85, of Canton, CT, 

on 2-7-12. 

Ronald Anson Schutt, 81, of Pelham, NH, on 

4-17-12. 

1953 

Daniel Paul Davis, 80, of Acton, on 2-1-12. 

Lawrence Rudolph DeLois, 83, of Miami 

Township, OH, on 8-11-11. 

Gene Drolet, 80, of North Conway, NH, on 

1-9-12. 

1954 

Alexander Peter Athas, 90, of Utica, NY, on 

2-18-12. 

Rev. Sarah Griffiths Beaman, 91, of 

Catasauqua, PA, on 11-13-11. 

Benjamin Albert Bowerman, Jr., 79, of 

Livermore, on 1-30-12. 

Barbara Pillsbury Bradstreet, 79, of 

Gloucester, MA, on 12-24-11. 

Clyde Lawrence Drew, 79, of Framingham, 

MA, on 1-12-12. 

William Walter Haynes, 89, of Sarasota, FL, 

on 12-28-12. 

Olin Kenneth Johnson, 77, of Gorham, on 

1-24-12. 

Donald Frederick Kerr, 84, of Upton, RI, on 

2-21-12. 

Helen Fox Krause, M.D., 79, of North Hills, 

PA, on 10-4-11. 

Vaughn Averill LaCombe, 80, of Auburn, on 

1-3-12. 

Robert Joseph Smith, 78, of Leominster, 

MA, on 1-7-12. 

1955 

Benjamin Albert “Al” Bowerman, Jr., 79, of 

Livermore, on 1-30-12. 

Muriel McLellan Flagg DeShon, 90, of Perry, 

on 12-6-11. 

Frank Wesley Fenno III, 78, of Corning, NY, 

of 2-16-12. 

William Bonney Moore, 74, of Bowling 

Green, KY, on 3-22-10. 

Franklin Lewis Roberts, 77, of Somesville, 

on 1-1-12. 

1956 

Dana Charles Devoe, 79, of Orono, on 3-24- 

12. 

Robert Horatio Foster, 77, of Portland, on 

12-8-11. 

Gilbert Barkley MacLaren, Jr., 78, of 

Ridgefield, CT, on 4-19-12. 

Myles Leo O’Donnell, Jr., 77, of Portland, on 

12-24-11. 

Robert Michael Quinn, 80, of Bangor, on 

12-19-11. 

Donald Wallace Ripley, 77, of Portland, OR, 

on 1-5-12. 

David Cates Switzer, 77, of Plymouth, NH, 


L 

oyal alumnus Dana Devoe ’56 died 

on March 24, 2012, in Orono. Dana 

was treasurer of the Class of ’56, president 

of Senior Alumni, and a member 

of the board of the UMaine Foundation. 

A lifelong Orono resident, Dana served 

in the state legislature for six years and 

often phoned the campus to consult on 

how proposed legislation would affect 

the University of Maine. He also served 

on the Orono town council for six years 

and was involved in fundraising for and 

planning the recently built Orono Public 

Library. 

on 2-10-12. 

1957 

Robert Francis Anderson, 77, of Clifton 

Forge, VA, on 7-3-09. 

Donald Freeman Axelsen, 82, of Venice, FL, 

on 12-11-11. 

Floyd Francis Burrill, 83, of Lincoln, on 3- 

12-12. 

Nicola Anthony Calandrello, 80, of Andover, 

MA, on 11-5-11. 

Charles Edwin Cameron, 78, of South 

Easton, MA, on 11-10-11. 

Edward Libbey Farrar, 76, of Pemaquid, on 

3-1-12. 

Ann Duerr Hayes, 75, of Bangor, on 1-1-12. 

Roy Marvin Sanborn, 81, of Newbury, VT, on 

4-19-11. 

Rev. Harold LeRoy Shepard, 84, of 

Windham, on 4-19-12. 

Florence Evelyn Tash, 94, of Lincoln, on 10- 

25-10. 

1958 

Edwin Marshall Batson, 75, of Oakdale, CT, 

on 11-7-11. 

Dana Scott Kierstead, 75, of Orange County, 

VA, and Monmouth, on 1-17-12. 

Nancy Carroll Weaver Mello, of Topsfield, 

MA, and North Port, FL, on 3-14-12. 

Rodney Wayne Page, 74, of Glenburn, on 

1-27-12. 

Jane Behringer Richard, 64, of Vassalboro, 

on 1-5-12. 

1959 

Carol Stevenson Abbott, 74, of Orono, on 

3-2-12. 

Marieta Garey Andrews, 74, of Saco, on 

2-6-12. 

Ronald Coombs Boynton, 75, of Nobleboro, 

on 3-17-12. 

Weldon Samuel Brackett, 81, of Bridgton, 

on 2-7-12. 

Andrew Lenard Caswell, 77, of Luray, VA, on 

8-5-11. 

Raymond Phillip Cloutier, 74, of Fort Myers, 

FL, on 12-13-11. 

Peter Arthur Ibold, 74, of Paris, France, on 

8-20-10. 

Raymond Gustave Lebel, 78, of Clifton Park, 

NY, on 3-30-12. 

Clair Howard Lewis, Jr., 75, of Unity, on 2- 

11-12. 

Francis Joseph “Mike” Pettis, 81, of 


George Francis Riley, 80, of Charlottesville, 

VA, on 2-15-12. 

William Laughlin Robinson, 78, of 

Marquette, MI, on 3-8-12. 

Frederick William Walter, 74, of West 

Orange, NJ, on 3-13-12. 

1960 

Gerard Charles deGrandpré II, 75, of 


Elizabeth “Betty” Lunt Even, 74, of Bay City, 

WI, on 2-19-12. 

Madalyn Avis Jordan, 85, of Waltham, on 

2-22-12. 

Graham Lewis Nuite, 73, of Sangerville, on 

12-30-11. 

Myles David Sclair, 73, of Lakewood, WA, on 

7-26-11. 

1961 

Ruth Moir Abbiati, 72, of Gorham, on 4-16- 

12. 

Dorothy Isaacson Bader, 93, of South 


Gerald Alan Hinckley, 81, of Williamstown, 

VT, on 12-29-11. 

Janet Smith Hoyt, 76, of Gorham, on 4-11- 

12. 

Dale Louise McLaughlin, 72, of Edmond, 

OK, on 2-8-12. 

Viola Sudds Osgood, 97, of Bath, on 12-11- 

11. 

1962 

Judith Ann Marie Brooks, 71, of Tucson, AZ,

on 4-23-12. 

Betsey Hall Cooper, of Sterling Heights, MI, 

on 2-27-12. 

Robert Marshall Goodspeed, 74, of The 

Villages, FL, on 3-16-12. 

Bryce William Grindle, 75, of Orono, on 1- 

25-12. 

Arthur Henry Kelley, 71, of Sarasota, FL, on 

2-13-12. 

Mary E. Perkins, 93, of Corinna, on 2-9-12. 

1963 

Carolyn Vickery Burks, 72, of Southborough, 

MA, on 4-18-12. 

Ruth Strode Carsley, 88, of West 

Yellowstone, MT, on 1-25-12. 

James Farnham Carter, 70, of Washburn, on 

12-28-11. 

Philip Lawrence Clockedile, 75, of Tampa, 

FL, on 3-2-12. 

Charles Edward Gero, Jr., 75, of Orrington, 

on 1-9-12. 

Freda Roberta Foss Kilcollins, 91, of 

Presque Isle, on 3-16-12. 

Gordon Willis Lund, 72, of Auburn, on 10- 

16-10. 

Kathryn Hunt Stafford, 71, of Morro Bay, CA, 

on 4-4-12. 

Barbara Ward Stuhlmann, 71, of Pittsfield, 

MA, on 2-10-12. 

Patricia Harvell Thurston, 93, of Bass 

Harbor, on 4-26-12. 

Constance Perkins Trott, 98, of Rockwood, 

on 12-2-11. 

1964 

Elaine Edith Grant, 70, of Cordova, MD, on 

3-14-12. 

John Emery Hill, 69, of Biddeford, on 2-13- 

12. 

Donald Calvin Holsapple, 85, of Dexter, on 

4-1-12. 

Mabel Lee Nickerson, 70, of Skowhegan, on 

3-27-12. 

Gordon Gilbert “Pete” O’Donnell, 73, of 

Saco, on 2-17-12. 

Anna Elizabeth “Betty” Rogers, 81, of Unity, 

on 11-4-09. 

Dorothy Norma Twitchell, 94, of Oxford, on 

12-15-11. 

1965 

Raymond Bisbee, 68, of Kensington, NH, on 

12-20-11. 

Vernon Augustus Blackstone, 76, of 

Caribou, on 12-15-11. 

Bennett Foster Files, 69, of Cumming, GA, 

on 12-9-11. 

Normand Richard Fournier, 70, of Lewiston, 

on 3-17-12. 

Irvinia Gould, 76, of Waldoboro, on 4-10-12. 

Madeline McCauley Hayden, 90, of 

Windham, on 2-17-12. 

Lila Mae Richmond, 80, of Bangor, on 4-22- 

12. 

Ruth Chamberlin Schleicher, 86, on 8-10- 

11. 

Allan Mason Shaw, 68, of Norfolk, MA, on 

12-17-11. 

Donald Leo Wilson, 67, of Largo, FL, on 3- 

26-12. 

1966 

Clifford Arnold Sharpe, 67, of Sacramento, 

CA, on 1-8-12. 

1967 

Thomas John Allen, 69, of Cape Coral, FL, 

on 8-9-10. 

Charles Armitage, 66, of Aiken, SC, on 2- 

27-12. 

Bruce Fox Edge, 71, of Plainville, CT, on 4- 

26-12. 

Eva Crawford Estey, of Bangor, on 12-12-11. 

James Gibson, 66, of San Antonio, FL, on 

3-3-12. 

Elizabeth Peirce Randel, 66, of Biddeford, 

on 11-28-11. 

Ruth Evangeline Rouse, 87, of Caribou, on 

2-26-11. 

Gerald Witham Small, 75, of Dover, NH, on 

11-25-11. 

Patrick James Wolford, 71, on 7-29-11. 

1968 

Deborah Elizabeth Noyes Gillespie, 65, of 


Ellen Elizabeth Proctor, 66, of Harpswell, on 

1-31-12. 

Richard Spear Sallinen, 65, of Camden, on 

3-24-12. 

Gary Donald Sullivan, 66, of Sanford, on 

1-8-12. 

1969 

Elizabeth Ann Coombs De La Vega, 64, of 

Texas, on 3-20-12. 

Grant Terance Lundeen, 62, of Mars Hill, on 

2-3-12. 

Mary Louise Pattison, 65, of Augusta, on 

12-25-11. 

Geoffrey Ralph Powell, 65, of Damariscotta, 

on 4-24-12. 

Michael Charles Shannon, 66, of Santa 

Rosa Beach, FL, on 4-7-12. 

Marion Sweet Wilson, 63, of Corinth, on 12- 

20-11. 

1970 

Margaret Baldwin Easton, 83, of Wakefield, 

MA, on 2-6-12. 

Ernest Gilbert, 65, of Dallas Plantation, on 

1-7-12. 

Jerome Charles Kaul, 76, of Orrington, on 

4-7-12. 

William Austin Martin, 76, of Milbridge, ME, 

and Inverness, FL, on 1-16-12. 

Kenneth Myron Morrison, 65, of Florence, 

OR, and Millinocket, on 1-7-12. 

Margaret Evelyn Williams, 94, of West Bath, 

on 1-22-11. 

1971 

John Joseph Daly, 63, of Harwich, on 12- 

17-11. 

Kenneth Benjamin “Ben” Dresser II, 63, of 

Bucksport and Old Town, on 2-7-12. 

Robert “Pete” Varney Porter, 63, of Island 

Falls, on 12-14-11. 

Philip Lee Winters, 63, of Spokane, WA, on 

12-29-11. 

Vitauts Knuble ’72, Soldier and Artist 

Artist and highly decorated Green Beret, Vitauts J. “Vits” 

Knuble ’72 died on April 8, 2012. He was 67. Born in German-occupied 

Latvia, he escaped with his family to Hamburg, 

Germany, and settled in Bangor as a young boy. After high 

school, Vits joined the Army and volunteered for Special Forces. 

He served in Vietnam as a medical specialist for the 5th 

Special Forces Group A-233 A-Team and saw heavy combat 

in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Following his distinguished 

Vietnam service he attended UMaine and earned a degree in 

political science. 

After graduation, Vits spent an additional 12 years on active 

duty both in the U.S. and Germany, completing the infamous Navy SEALS UDT/BUDS 

course. He was engaged in special operations in Central America, the Middle East, and 

the Mediterranean. He returned to Maine, retired as a major, and began working full time 

as an artist. He was a highly successful portrait artist and worked in oils and watercolors. 

He had many clients and contributed portraits and artwork to numerous charities and 

youth programs, among them the UMaine ice hockey program. 


Deaths 

1972 

Thomas Alton Hanscom, 62, of Rio Rancho, 

NM, on 1-28-12. 

Vitauts Janis Knuble, 67, of Brewer, on 4- 

8-12. 

David Allen Phillips, 61, of Salem, MA, on 

9-6-11. 

1973 

David Trafton Bartlett, 61, of Rochester, MN, 

on 3-13-12. 

Cynthia Ann Chassie Johnson, 59, of 

Franklin, on 3-31-12. 

George Dennis Johnson, 58, of Franklin, on 

3-31-12. 

Michael Andrew Manson, 61, of Stonington, 

on 4-9-12. 

Nelson Russell Neil, 73, of Wilton, on 3-20- 

12. 

Neva Maxine Thompson, 89, of Limestone, 

on 3-25-12. 

Deborah Wood Violette, 60, of Mapleton, on 

3-22-12. 

1974 

Sandra Styrna Griffin, 59, of Orono, on 12- 

20-11. 

Barry George Hanson, 59, of Livermore, on 

2-16-12. 

Faye Pelletier Hayes, 73, of Bucksport, on 

2-14-12. 

Thomas Arthur Merrifield, 59, of Duxbury, 

VT, on 1-9-12. 

Ira Sheldon Moscowitz, 65, of Tampa, FL, on 

8-27-11. 

Jean Hascall Walker, 84, of Monmouth, on 

12-14-11. 

1975 

John Joseph Bohner, 62, of Torrance, CA, 

on 2-16-12. 

1976 

Sherwood L. Campbell, 64, of Canton, on 

2-8-12. 

Helen “Becky” Demetra Koulouris, 58, of 

Brunswick and Lubec, on 12-1-11. 

1977 

Richard W. H. “Koz” Kozlowski, 57, of 

Susquehanna, PA, on 7-12-11. 

Arthur Richard Willis, 76, of Ellsworth on 

12-30-11. 

1979 

Carmen Courtois Lowe, 52, of Ayer, MA, on 

12-6-09. 

Paul A. Paulson, 84, of San Diego, CA, on 

5-5-11. 

Ralph Scott Sawyer, 54, of Natick, MA, on 

3-19-12. 

1980 

William A. Holmes, 53, of Farmington, on 

Captain John “Jay” Brainard with his 

wife, Emily. 

Captain John “Jay” Brainard ’08 died 

on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, 

when his Apache helicopter crashed 

in Kabul, Afghanistan. Jay, of Newport, 

earned a degree in political science 

and became a commissioned officer 

through UMaine’s ROTC program. He 

attended flight school at Fort Rucker, AL, 

graduating in 2010. 

Brainard was an active-duty helicopter 

pilot with several units before being 

assigned to Headquarters Company of 

the 12 th Combat Aviation Brigade based 

in Katterbach, Germany. He was piloting 

an AH-64 helicopter when it went down 

on patrol. Brainard is survived by his 

wife, Emily Southwick Brainard ’09. 

Hundreds of people turned out on 

June 15 to pay tribute to Jay as his 

remains were returned to Maine and 

brought in a motorcade from the Bangor 

tarmac to Newport. A military funeral 

service was held in Dexter on June 16. 

3-12-12. 

1981 

Nancy “Lisa” Betit-Schultze, 60, of Augusta, 

on 2-24-12. 

Lynette Lois Seekins Cameron, 52, of 

Cumberland Center, on 12-23-11. 

André James Ouellette, 50, of Frenchville, 

on 4-30-12. 

1982 

David G. Kleinschmidt, 58, of Orono, on 4- 

20-12. 

1984 

Francis Reid MacDonald, 51, of Portland, on 

1-31-12. 

Agnes Marie Pelkey Whitcomb, 62, of 

Milford, on 3-15-12. 

1985 

Elizabeth L. More Hedgpeth, 75, of 

Topsham, on 3-11-12. 

Steven G. Langlais, 51, of New Gloucester, 

on 4-14-12. 

1986 

James Edward Blanchette, 77, of Bangor, 

on 4-30-12. 

Kent A. Kofstad, 49, of Nashua, NH, on 1- 

6-12. 

1987 

Jodi Ristuccia Kemos, 50, of Dracut, MA, on 

1-23-12. 

1989 

Kelly Jo Ganeau Lovell, 45, of Corinth, on 

3-17-12. 

1990 

Donna Eloise Fransen, 70, of Hampden, on 

3-12-12. 

Timothy Frederick Haley, 44, of South 


Bruce Elliot Thulin, 62, of Ellsworth, on 2- 

19-12. 

1991 

Alice Motycka, 83, of Penobscot, 

on 2-28-12. 

1993 

Gordon W. Bowie, 67, of Bethesda, MD, on 

1-5-12. 

1995 

Donald R. Biche, 70, of Oakland, on 2-6-12. 

Maria Elena Preble, 59, of Old Town, on 1- 

10-12. 

1996 

Leah Ann Gay Kane, 37, of Santa Cruz, CA, 

on 11-28-11. 

1999 

Janet Grace Moore Spencer, 63, of 

Passadumkeag, on 12-13-11. 

2001 

Claire L. Belisle, 53, of Auburn, on 1-11-12. 

2008 

John “Jay” Randal Brainard III, 26, of 

Newport, on 5-28-12 in Afghanistan. 

Death notices from more than five years ago 

are not listed in the magazine. Check our online 

obituaries at umainealumni.com for all alumni 

deaths of which we are aware. 


Remembering H. Edwin Young ’40, ’42G (1917-2012) 

Guiding UMaine Through Growth and Change 

The mid-1960s were a time of growth 

and change at the University of 

Maine. Enrollment rose sharply, the 

sights and sounds of construction 

filled the campus, and the whirlwind of 

political unrest and social change was 

making its way to Orono. 

The president during three of those 

dynamic years, 1965-1968, was UMaine 

alumnus, H. Edwin Young. He returned to 

lead his alma mater after rising through the 

administrative ranks at the University of 

Wisconsin. 

Born in Bonne Bay, Newfoundland, Ed 

Young spent his early years in Aurora and 

graduated from Bangor High School. As an 

undergraduate at the University of Maine, he 

joined Alpha Phi Omega, wrote for the Maine 

Campus newspaper, and participated in the 

International Relations Club. Ed went on to 

receive his master’s in economics and later 

left Maine with his family to pursue a doctoral 

program at the University of Wisconsin- 

Madison. 

After earning his Ph.D., Ed was offered 

a teaching position, and within a few years 

became department chair. He was appointed 

dean of the University of Wisconsin’s College 

of Letters and Science in 1961. The University 

of Maine awarded him an honorary doctor of 

laws degree in 1963. 

Two years later, Ed returned to Orono 

as the successor to University of Maine 

president Lloyd Elliott. His three youngest 

children and his wife, Phyllis Smart Young ’41, 

also a Bangor High School and University of 

Maine graduate, joined him in the President’s 

House. 

Back in Orono for a few weeks after 

his appointment as president, Ed told the 

Bangor Daily News, “I’m just a Maine boy 

who came back.” To reacquaint himself with 

the campus he introduced himself by visiting 

classes, football practices, Memorial Union 

activities, and the cow barn at milking time. 

“I sometimes get restless in the office and 

like to get out around,” he explained. 

When asked by someone who did not 

know him what he did on campus, he replied 

modestly, “Oh, I have a clerical job over at 

Alumni Hall.” 

UMaine’s sharp increase in enrollment, 

a result of the baby boomers reaching 

college age, brought multiple challenges. 

Classrooms, dormitories, the library, 

cafeteria, bookstore, and other buildings 

became crowded. Financial aid was limited 

and taxpayers felt the pressure of increased 

funding needs. President Young sought to 

balance these economic and enrollment 

issues while also keeping tuition affordable. 

As president, Young saw two state bond 

issues pass. One funded the construction 

of the Hilltop dormitories and dining 

commons and the other paid for renovations, 

expansions, and projects that would address 

the crowded conditions on campus. 

One of Young’s priorities was raising 

faculty salaries to make them comparable 

to those at other institutions and attract 

top professors. He worked to provide more 

resources to the library, and encouraged 

research opportunities that would help boost 

the state’s economy. 

Young described the goings-on in a letter 

in 1967: “Life goes on about as usual here 

at the University—more buildings, more 

students—more faculty—everything to keep 

us very busy.” 

Along with the enrollment increase, 

building construction, and financial 

pressures came social and political shifts as 

well. The times, they were a changin’. While 

a dress code remained in effect, hemlines 

rose and sideburns grew longer. During 

Young’s presidency, Senator Mike Mansfield, 

presidential hopeful Barry Goldwater, and 

vice president Hubert Humphrey spoke on 

campus. Louis Armstrong performed during 

winter carnival, and Simon and Garfunkle 

played for a packed audience in the “Pit.” 

Like colleges across the country, the 

University of Maine wrestled with changing 

social customs. In a campus vote, students 

overwhelmingly rejected dormitory curfews. 

Similarly, the administration wrestled with 

and expanded free speech on campus. 

Ed’s presidency came at a time of 

teach-ins, sit-ins, and peace marches, with 

heated debates about the Vietnam War and 

the draft. About 40 students protested the 

recruitment of students by Dow Chemical, 

the manufacturer of napalm, and occupied 

the space outside his office. In another event, 

students and faculty protesting an ROTC 

Review were attacked and pelted with eggs. 

But relative to activities on many campuses, 

UMaine was generally peaceful. 

In 1968, Young left Maine to become 

chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, and 

later president of the University of Wisconsin 

System. His departure followed the Maine 

Legislature’s approval of a restructuring of 

public higher education in the state—bringing 

UMaine and the other state colleges under a 

University of Maine System. 

Young enjoyed a long and distinguished 

career at the University of Wisconsin before 

retiring. In retirement, he still kept tabs on the 

University of Maine. Writing to his UMaine 

classmates in 2007, he reported that at 90, 

he still read the New York Times and The 

Economist faithfully. 

And despite serious health problems, his 

sense of humor remained intact. 

“My right hand does not work very well 

since my last stroke,” he wrote. “I cannot 

write or sign a check, which has saved me a 

lot of money.” 

Edwin Young died in Madison on January 

2, 2012. 


Black Bear 

MarketPlace 

Your source for UMaine Alumni Association & official UMaine clothing and gifts for kids or adults! 

Outstanding Solutions • Astonishing Value 

www.wbrcae.com 

Celebrating the Dignity of Life 

Classic apparel and 

accessories 

featuring the plaids 

of Maine. 

Tartans of Maine • PO Box 442 • Canaan, ME 04924 USA 

207 431 3961 • www.tartansofmaine.com 

anks to Bodwell Motors 

UMAA just keeps 

rolling along! 

133 Center Street 

Bangor, Maine 

942-8815 

www.BrookingsSmith.com 

Brewer Chapel Orono Chapel 

Operators of 

1347 Hammond Street • Bangor, Maine 

942-3822 

www.PineGrove Crematorium.com 

169 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME 04011 

207-729-3375

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary 

of Buchanan Alumni House 

Alumni and friends gathered in June to mark 10 years since the opening of 

Buchanan Alumni House in 2002. Thank you to all who made it possible. 

1 

1. Dorain ’68H and Bion Foster ’68, ’70G with Woody L. Carville ’53, ’54G. 

Bion and Dorain gifted the Foster Boardroom. The Class of 1953 named the 

University of Maine Alumni Association President’s Office in honor of 

Frederick E. ’53, ’58G and Dione Williams Hutchinson ’54, ’71G. Woody and 

Jean Grindle Carville ’54 also 

contributed at the Leadership Level. 

4 

2 

2. Grace Ferguson, Lynda 

Martin Rohman ’86, Edie 

McVay King ’67, Louis C. 

King ’60, Hope Wing Weston 

’37, and Warren M. Orcutt 

’66. Lynda and John Rohman 

made gifts to the Alumni 

House Campaign and the 

Alumni House Endowment 

Campaign. Many of the steins 

on display throughout the 

house are gifts from Edie 

King. Edie and Louie also 

contributed to the Alumni 

House Campaign and the 

Alumni House Endowment 

Campaign, and are regular 

volunteers for the Alumni 

Association. 

5 

3 

5. UMaine President Paul Ferguson, 

UMaine Foundation outgoing President 

Amos Orcutt ’64, UMaine Alumni 

Association President Todd Saucier ’93, 

’97G, and UMaine Foundation 

incoming President Jeffery Mills ’82. 

3. Linwood 

Lufkin ’58 was 

the Project 

Manager for the 

general 

contractor 

Nickerson & 

O’Day. 

4. 

Henry W. Saunders ’50, Amos 

Orcutt ’64 and Al S. McNeilly ’44. The 

Class of 1950 contributed at the 

Founders Level. In addition, Henry and 

Marjorie Higbee Saunders ’50H were 

donors at the Builders Level. The Class 

of 1944 gifted the Dirigo seal mosaic in 

the Grand Foyer. Al McNeilly gifted an 

office in the University of Maine 

Foundation suite. 

6. WBRC Marketing Director R. Michael 

Pullen looks on as former President and CEO 

John Rohman ’68 proudly holds up one of the 

groundbreaking shovels used in 2002. 

6

Experience 

Where being active is rewarding! 

rewardU ® checking & saver 

Home, auto & personal loans 

Mobile & Personal Finance Manager 

SMS (Text Message) Banking 

eAlerts 

And Much More! 

Become a member today at 

www.ucu.maine.edu 

Prepare • Progress • Achieve ® www.ucu.maine.edu • 800-696-8628 

ORONO • BANGOR • FARMINGTON • PORTLAND • PRESQUE ISLE 

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