The Stephen E. King Chair in Literature Endowment Fund is Established at the University of Maine Foundation by the Alfond Foundation

Stephen King

An endowed chaired professorship in literature named in honor of best-selling author and University of Maine alumnus Stephen King will be established at his alma mater with the help of a $1 million award from the Harold Alfond Foundation.

The Stephen E. King Chair in Literature will support a faculty position in the Department of English in honor of King’s “substantial body of work and creative impact.”

The endowment for the faculty chair position, the first for the English Department, is held at the University of Maine Foundation. A search to fill the position is expected to begin this fall.

An event celebrating the King Chair is being planned for later this year.

“The Harold Alfond Foundation is delighted to make this grant in honor of Stephen King and in support of Maine’s flagship university,” said Greg Powell, chairman of the Alfond Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “This chaired professorship is a tribute to Mr. King’s outstanding literary accomplishments and his deep commitment to Maine.”

University of Maine President Susan J. Hunter called the endowed chaired professorship “an exceptional gift that honors the tremendous literary legacy of UMaine’s most well-known and beloved alumnus.”

“Stephen and Tabitha King have been generous supporters of their alma mater for many years,” said Hunter. “It is now particularly rewarding to have a prestigious gift such as this that will inspire and influence current and future generations of readers and writers.”

The endowed chaired professor will help UMaine recruit and retain a faculty member who is an accomplished teacher and a scholar of literature, according to UMaine College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Emily Haddad.

“This gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation recognizes both Stephen King’s extraordinary career and the importance of literature in the public sphere. The King Chair will expand the UMaine English Department’s leading role in literature, creative writing and the humanities. Building on the recent successes of the University of Maine Humanities Center, the King Chair will continue to engage students, fellow scholars and the public in the study and appreciation of literature,” Haddad said. “King is an inspiration for students who are fascinated by literature and its contributions to human culture. The opportunity to study with the King Chair gives them one more reason to choose UMaine.”

Through the years, Harold Alfond and the Harold Alfond Foundation have made more than $19 million in gifts and pledges to the University of Maine, including naming gifts for Alfond Sports Arena and Alfond Stadium, and the creation of the annual Alfond Challenge to benefit UMaine football. Thousands of students, fans and other members of the UMaine community have benefited from the philanthropy of the Alfond Foundation and Harold Alfond, according to University of Maine Foundation President Jeffery Mills.

Last fall, the Alfond Foundation also awarded a $3.9 million gift to complete the W2 Ocean Engineering Laboratory and Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center on campus. The $13.8 million facility is named in honor of the philanthropist.

Similarly, generous support for UMaine has come from the Kings and the Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation, which is devoted to promoting, strengthening and supporting Maine communities.

King is a 1970 UMaine graduate who was awarded a National Medal of Arts last September as one of the world’s best-known authors. He and his wife, author Tabitha King, also a UMaine graduate, both received honorary degrees from their alma mater in 1987. As a UMaine English major, King’s mentors included professors Burton Hatlen, Edward Holmes and Jim Bishop. Stephen King’s most recent book is the story collection “The Bazaar of Bad Dreams.”

Special Collections in UMaine’s Fogler Library holds the Stephen Edwin King Literary Papers, available by request with certain access restrictions.

Lincoln David Michaud Memorial Scholarship Fund recognized at Bridgton Academy

 *Editor’s Note: this story was originally published in the December publication of Bridgton Academy Today, and the University of Maine Foundation has been given special permission to re-publish this story on our website.

 

unnamedMemory of Class of ’60 Alumnus Honored Through Creation of New Scholarship at The University of Maine

As a student at Bridgton Academy, Lincoln David Michaud ’60, inspired not only his fellow classmates, but the community at large when he would launch his canoe in nearby Harrison and paddle across the lake to attend classes at Bridgton Academy.  His dedication to his education did not stop at the shores of Long Lake, however.  Once on campus, Lincoln worked tirelessly on his studies; always mindful of the value of his education.  Prior to his graduation from the Academy, Lincoln even penned the 1960 ‘Class Ode’ – offering a tribute to the school he so cherished. Lincoln David Michaud

More than half a century later, Lincoln’s dedication to Bridgton Academy endures through the creation of The Lincoln David Michaud Scholarship Fund  at The University of Maine, established in his memory by his sister, Lola Orcutt, through the University of Maine Foundation.

Coming from a very modest background as one of ten children, Lincoln recognized that he was lucky to study at Bridgton Academy.  The opportunity he had to learn and grow on this campus for more than two years was one he considered to be a privilege.  The lessons Lincoln learned on our humble campus on the hill in North Bridgton went on to serve him for the rest of his life, and helped formulate the work ethic that became synonymous with his name.   While at Bridgton, Lincoln immersed himself in extracurricular activities, including cross-country, Student Council and the Gold Key Club.  Lincoln’s love of music also found him as a member of Bridgton’s Glee Club and Barbershop Quartet.

After graduating from Bridgton, Lincoln went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army, stationed in Ethiopia as a Morse Code Interceptor.  Lincoln returned to Maine after his honorable discharge from the service where he worked as a carpenter and Maine Guide, and helped to support his mother and younger siblings.  Eventually, Lincoln found his way to New Mexico where he purchased a small pecan farm in Mesilla Park.  He became a regular at local farmers’ markets in the Las Cruces and Mesilla area.  He later became involved in the organization of the farmers’ market vendors and was on the board of the Farmers’ and Crafts Market of Las Cruces.  Lincoln became a respected face in his adopted town – known for building homes, his delicious pecans, impressive photography and, most of all, “as someone who would give you the shirt off his back, if you wanted or needed it,” according to the Las Crucens who knew him best.

Lincoln Michaud PoemEarlier this year, on March 29th, Lincoln passed away tragically due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.  Shortly after his death, Lola Orcutt, the youngest of Lincoln’s nine siblings, created the Lincoln David Michaud Scholarship Fund at The University of Maine in memory of her brother.  “I know the value of the enduring memory a scholarship leaves behind,” stated Lola.  In honor of her brother’s love for the outdoors, his drive and determination to succeed in the face of adversity, and his admirable work ethic, this scholarship will be awarded to a deserving Bridgton Academy graduate who demonstrates financial need, and chooses to pursue his studies at the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture at The University of Maine.

The entire Bridgton Academy community wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to Lola Orcutt for honoring the memory of her beloved brother and creating a lasting partnership between the Academy and The University of Maine through the establishment of this fund.

 

 

 

Special Tax-Free IRA Gifts

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For those aged 70½ or older, it is once again possible to make tax-favored charitable gifts from traditional and Roth IRA accounts.

On December 18  Congress passed legislation retroactively extending the charitable IRA (Individual Retirement Account) rollover for 2015 and makes this provision permanent for future years. A total of up to $100,000 can be transferred directly from traditional or Roth IRAs to one or more qualified charities such as the University of Maine Foundation free from federal income tax each year. There may also be state income tax savings. Amounts given in this way count toward required IRA minimum withdrawal amounts for the year of the gift.

To make such gifts, it is important to not withdraw funds prior to a gift, but have the gift amount distributed directly from an IRA to one or more qualified charities. For those with check writing privileges on their accounts, this may be the most efficient way to make gifts directly from an IRA.

IRA sample transmittal letters here.

Check with us, your IRA administrator or your tax advisor for more information.

A Thank You from the Dean of Students

Robert Dana

“As dean of students, I witness how the quality of a UMaine experience can change dramatically when someone has his/her financial burdens eased with scholarship support. These dollars allow students to participate fully in the many engaging programs we offer beyond the classroom, and help them actively seek study abroad and internship experiences. Generous donors even provide emergency assistance to keep students in school when the unexpected happens. A simple “thank you” does not begin to recognize the impact of your support on our students.”

 

Robert Q. Dana ’80

Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

Jack Cosgrove to Transfer into Senior Associate Director of Athletics Role

Coach Cosgrove

University of Maine head football coach Jack Cosgrove has announced that he will transition from his college coaching role into a senior associate director of athletics position at his alma mater.

A national search for a head football coach will begin immediately. Defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak will assume the role of interim head coach.

“I am honored to accept this position and embrace an opportunity to work toward a new vision for UMaine athletics,” said Cosgrove. “I am excited by Karlton Creech’s leadership and commitment to excellence. I believe, together, we can profoundly influence the future of UMaine athletics.”

Consider honoring Coach Cosgrove’s service to the University by making a gift to Maine Football. Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar by the Harold Alfond Foundation and support our current Black Bear student athletes!

A social media hashtag #thankyoucoachcos is being used on Twitter to thank Coach Cosgrove for his 23 years at the helm of the University of Maine’s Division I Football program.

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Black Bear Veteran Gives Back

Frances MitchellIn October 2015, University of Maine Foundation President Jeffery Mills and Director of Planned Giving Sarah McPartland-Good recognized Frances Robinson Mitchell for her recent donation of a Royal Sarouk rug, (pictured above) which now resides in the Treat Room at the Buchanan Alumni House.

In 1944, Mrs. Mitchell left the University of Maine and her studies behind to serve her country. She had spent two years at the college of our hearts always until enlisting in the United States Marine Corps during the Second World War and was stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In the war, Mrs. Mitchell was part of the Motor Transport Section. This included driving vehicles, which were not equipped with power breaks, or power steering.

Today, Mrs. Mitchell resides locally, and has set up a scholarship fund at the University of Maine Foundation. Created in 2006, the Frances Robinson Mitchell Scholarship Fund provides support to graduate students at the University of Maine who are studying the history of the United States. First choice of scholarship funds goes to students who are studying World War II and the Great Depression, with special attention to the Pacific Theater.

Mrs. Mitchell is one of many veterans who are affiliated with the University of Maine. As a Black Bear veteran, she has chosen to give back to the students of UMaine, and her gift will continue to give for years to come.

As a member of the Charles F. Allen Legacy Society, UMaine’s President’s Club, and the Stillwater Giving Society, Mrs. Mitchell is acknowledged as a Triple Crown donor in UMaine’s giving societies.