Professor Nickerson Scholarships Increase With Endowment Growth

Professor Nickerson Scholarships Increase With Endowment Growth

Professor Nickerson

 

A TRUE LEGACY. Thanks to the generosity of Professor John M. Nickerson ’59, for the 2022-2023 academic year, Nickerson scholarships are expected to cover the full cost of in-state tuition at the University of Maine for 22 students, with an additional 6 half-scholarships. This past spring, following the continued growth of the endowed Nickerson fund, an additional 18 one-time $2,000 awards were made by the Department to Political Science majors. One of the most transformational gifts ever made to the UMaine Political Science Department, John Nickerson’s philanthropic investment serves as a lasting legacy as we approach a decade since the fund was established.

Established in 2014 with a bequest from its namesake, the John Mitchell Nickerson University of Maine Memorial Scholarship Fund provides merit-based scholarships for juniors and seniors majoring in the Department who are residents of the State of Maine, “who have demonstrated scholarship of the highest order, and who have the greatest potential to serve the public unselfishly,” criteria set by Prof. Nickerson.

 

None of the information on this website should be considered legal or financial advice. We encourage you to consult with your own legal counsel or financial/tax advisor before deciding whether or not to proceed with a gift or change to your estate plan.

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Scholarships Open Doors

Kassie Plante

Kassidy Plante is a 2021-2022 recipient of the Arthur B. Otis scholarship. She grew up with big dreams for college and wanted to go somewhere far away. As she started to understand the cost of college her options seemed limited. Now enrolled at the University of Maine, she is currently on track to graduate in three years with a degree that will prepare her for teaching and coaching. Due to the scholarship support she has received, she has even more options ahead than she ever thought. She is now considering graduate school to become a pediatric physical therapist after she finishes her bachelor’s degree. 

As a first-generation college student with limited financial support, she wondered how she might be able to experience the full breadth of a college education if she had to maintain a full-time job as well. Scholarships have provided her with a complete experience. She joined the cheer team, visits the recreation center, participates in residence hall activities, and spends time with friends rather than having to work a full-time job on top of classes. By not having to focus on finances, she has been able to have a smooth first semester with good grades and is motivated to continue her education. “I am beyond grateful to have received this scholarship which has changed my life and future path,” says Plante. 

 

Scholarships Allow Focus on School

The Hutchinson Center scholarship program is wonderful! Receiving a scholarship enabled me to let go of some of my extra jobs so I could focus more on school. The scholarships gave me and my family significant relief from trying to figure out how to juggle the cost of tuition on top of everything else. I am so thankful.

Michelle Moschkau

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Investing in a Student’s Success

Investing in a Student’s Success

Dominique DiSpirito

“As a first generation college student, the generosity and dedication of community members are instrumental in helping me realize my career aspirations and goals. You are helping  students like me define tomorrow by supporting our journey today.”

-Dominique DiSpirito ’22

Dominique’s quote says a lot. The list below demonstrates the connection between philanthropic support and outcomes. 

Dominique received the following scholarships and other support through our generous donors:

2020-2021 and 2021-2022 Servant Heart Scholarship Fund

2019-2020  and 2020-2021 Mark R. Haskell and Katherine Zeitlin Haskell Honors Scholarship

2019-2020 John Ferdinand Steinmetz Memorial Award

2018-2019 Wallace C. and Janet S. Dunham Ecology and Environmental Science Program Scholarship

2019 and 2020 finalist for the John M. Rezendes Ethics Essay Competition, which is supported by the Rezendes family every year through the Honors College. 

Attended multiple incredible travel opportunities through the generosity of Bill Leitch, such as the 2019 Interfaith Leadership Institute, 2019 National Collegiate Honors Council Conference, and 2019 Honors Washington Trip. 

DiSpirito named 2021 Truman Scholar 

Dominique DiSpirito, a University of Maine junior from Woonsocket, Rhode Island, dedicated to strengthening communities through environmental policy, has been named a 2021 Truman Scholar. 

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation selected DiSpirito and 61 other juniors pursuing public service careers to join the Truman Scholar ranks. DiSpirito, a political science major and Honors College student, and her fellow 2021 scholars were chosen from a record number of 845 candidates nominated by 328 colleges and universities.  

Recipients of the prestigious, merit-based scholarships earn up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school and access to career counseling, leadership training and internships and fellowships with the federal government, according to the foundation. The accolade recognizes students for their academic and leadership accomplishments and prospects of becoming leaders in public service. 

“Being named a 2021 Truman scholar is the greatest honor,” says DiSpirito, a first-generation college student. “It reminds me of all the communities that have been at the center of my passion for public service. I am excited to continue growing into my role as a change-agent alongside a vibrant network of fellow scholars and alumni.” 

DiSpirito also recently earned Maine Campus Compact’s 2021 Heart and Soul Student award. The award recognizes six Maine undergraduate students who foster an environment of civic engagement at their universities and communities by creating positive change, institutionalizing community projects, demonstrating leadership, and implementing innovative approaches to social issues, according to the organization.

Learn more about DiSpirito and her journey toward becoming a 2021 Truman Scholar here.

None of the information on this website should be considered legal or financial advice. We encourage you to consult with your own legal counsel or financial/tax advisor before deciding whether or not to proceed with a gift or change to your estate plan.

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Cort family creates legacy for University of Maine students

Cort family creates legacy for University of Maine students

R-L: Rob Cort, Valerie Peer-Cort, Carol Cort, Brad Cort

The Cort family’s contribution to the University of Maine starts with a deep connection to the university itself. While a member of the Class of 1980, Rob became a well-known member of the community, serving as the President of Aroostook Hall and as a resident assistant. When he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in business, Rob joined Maine Energy, the family fuel and propane business. Rob has held many positions at the company, and is now the president of Maine Energy, Inc. He is the third generation owner of this family-run business.

In 1991, Valerie Peer-Cort graduated from the University of Maine. She went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in communication disorders in 1995, also from UMaine. Since then, Valerie has been serving the youth of the state of Maine as a Speech Language Pathologist in public schools, mostly located in the Downeast region of the state. Valerie credits the University of Maine with excellent preparation for a wide range of challenges faced as a Speech Language Pathologist.

Because of their love of their alma mater, Valerie and Rob started the Valerie E. Peer-Cort and Robert E. Cort Scholarship in 2018 to give aid to students in business administration and communication sciences & disorders. They are happy to be able to support current students on an ongoing basis and to ensure that more Black Bears will be able to pursue their diverse courses of study.

Brad and Carol, both 1983 UMaine chemical engineering graduates began their careers with Champion International at the Technology Center in Hamilton, Ohio and then joined CE Bauer in Springfield Ohio. Through a number of mergers and acquisitions, the company eventually became Andritz, Inc.

Carol left the pulp and paper industry after 10 years, earned her master’s degree in education, and is now teaching math and science at the high school level. Brad has held various roles at Andritz including process engineering manager, technical director and is presently director of NA sales for the paper, fiber and recycling division. Both Carol and Brad have had the opportunity to publish and present many technical papers, and Brad has been granted several U.S. patents.

When establishing the Cort/Ludwig Scholarship, Brad and Carol honored their fathers, Robert Cort and Stephen Ludwig, for their influence and encouragement. “Both of us really appreciated our UMPPF scholarships while at UMaine and wanted to provide that same opportunity to other students,” said Brad and Carol.

The dedication this family has to the University of Maine is shown with the creation of these two scholarships, which will benefit UMaine students for many years. While there are many ways to give to the University of Maine, scholarship endowments like these ensure continued support in perpetuity, and that kind of giving is invaluable to the UMaine community.

None of the information on this website should be considered legal or financial advice. We encourage you to consult with your own legal counsel or financial/tax advisor before deciding whether or not to proceed with a gift or change to your estate plan.

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Foundation honors donors with reception

Jeff Mills ’82, UMaine Foundation President/CEO, Annemarie Albiston & Bruce Albiston ’72

The Speech Therapy Telepractice Program at the University of Maine has provided support and experience for students who study communications sciences & disorders. Led by Dr. Judy Walker, the Telepractice Program offers students opportunities for hands-on learning with clients in the Orono and greater Bangor areas.

In August 2017, the Telepractice Program was awarded a generous donation by Bruce and Annemarie Albiston. Bruce, a member of the UMaine Class of 1972, and Annemarie reside in Carrabassett Valley and are co-founders of the Aphasia Center of Maine. Their annual aphasia retreat, the Andre R. Hemond Aphasia Retreat Weekend, is held at Oceanwood in Ocean Park, Me. The retreat is named for Annemarie’s late father, Andre, who was diagnosed with aphasia due to complications from a stroke.

The Aphasia Center of Maine’s mission is to enhance the lives of persons living with Aphasia, and to help them grow. The goal is to provide recreational, educational and emotional support to those affected by Aphasia and their families.

Their most recent gift to Dr. Judy Walker’s program will aid in yet another remarkable expansion of the Telepractice Program, over the next three years. In order to show the Albiston’s what a positive effect their generosity has, the University of Maine Foundation and Dr. Walker invited them to campus on December 1, 2017 for an intimate reception for those who have been positively affected by their most recent gift. Dr. Jeffery Mills ’82, President/CEO of the UMaine Foundation emceed the event.

Fred Servello, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry & Agriculture attended the event and noted that private support like the Albiston’s gift provides incalculable effects on students and the surrounding speech therapy community.