William and Harriet Currie: Providing for UMaine’s Future

William and Harriet Currie: Providing for UMaine’s Future

William D. Currie, fondly known as Bill, was always full of hope for the future. Bill also planned for the future of a place that was near and dear to his heart: Buchanan Alumni House. In 2013 in his role as Co-President of the Class of 1952 Bill facilitated the creation of the Class of 1952 Buchanan Alumni House Fund, a permanently endowed fund at the University of Maine Foundation that provides financial assistance for the operation and maintenance of the Robert D. Buchanan Alumni House facility.

Bill and his wife, Harriett, spent a lot of time at the place he considered the home of Black Bear alumni. They enjoyed attending Reunions, Class of 1952 meetings, and visiting their friends at the University of Maine Foundation and Alumni Association, both of which are fortunate to have Buchanan Alumni House as their home.

During Bill’s lifetime, he and Harriett consistently donated to the Class of 1952 Buchanan Alumni House Fund. In Black Bear spirit, he asked many of his classmates to do the same. Bill wanted his legacy of exemplary leadership and extensive service to the University of Maine as a proud alumnus to live in perpetuity, so he decided to name the University of Maine Foundation as a beneficiary of an employer-sponsored life insurance policy to benefit the Class of 1952 Buchanan Alumni House Fund.

Bill’s remarkable leadership and service as a Black Bear alumnus were recognized with several alumni achievement awards, including the Block “M” Award (1997), Black Bear Award (2002), Golden “M” Award (2002), and the Pine Tree Emblem Alumni Service Award (2011). Bill was grateful for his UMaine undergraduate experience, which he believed gave him a strong foundation for his success in life – both professionally and personally. Bill was also fortunate to meet his classmate Harriett, and the Bear Pair built a wonderful life together. Sadly, Bill and Harriett both passed away in 2020. They will be missed dearly by all who were fortunate to be part of their Black Bear family.

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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Loyal Benefactors, Dan ’63 and Betty Churchill, Announce $6.5 Million Bequest Expectancy at University of Maine Foundation Event

Loyal Benefactors, Dan ’63 and Betty Churchill, Announce $6.5 Million Bequest Expectancy at University of Maine Foundation Event

At a recent University of Maine Foundation virtual Homecoming event, University of Maine benefactors Dan ’63 and Betty Churchill shared their intentions to make estate gifts estimated at up to $6.5 million to benefit the University of Maine. 

Their gifts will endow two $1.5 million School of Policy and International Affairs (SPIA) professorships, one Climate Change Institute (CCI) post-doctoral position or professorship, a SPIA faculty research fund, with additional funding for multiple SPIA internships and fellowships, along with a CCI student/faculty travel fund.  

“We are very pleased to celebrate this gift with Dan and Betty. This will be one of the top five individual gifts UMaine has ever received. We are honored to be asked to steward their legacy,” said Foundation President Jeffery Mills. 

Dan also shared his thoughts about legacy giving: “Get in contact with the University, think through what it is you want to do, work with the faculty, get to know what would be effective for the University and what corresponds with things you are truly interested in. Then get involved before it becomes a legacy, get involved while you’re still above ground because that’s where the fun is. Get in, get started and involved in some way.”

Along with that announcement, the Churchills’ latest philanthropic support for the University of Maine has provided $300,000 to fund a School of Policy and International Affairs (SPIA) faculty position focused on climate change policy. This joint position with the Department of Political Science, will begin to establish SPIA as a leader in graduate education on climate change policy in an international context and is expected to be filled for a fall 2021 start. 

Dan sees how the accomplishments and reputation of CCI, together with the achievements of SPIA, provide a firm basis from which to extend the University of Maine’s stature and visibility in climate change policy — a field essential for the future of all. “Among the reasons that the University of Maine is a place that we really enjoy supporting, in addition to their extremely efficient use of funds, is that it’s filled with outstanding faculty who work together in a very collaborative fashion that exemplifies the values of Mainers, and so it’s a real pleasure to be part of this organization. Furthermore, we have met and become friends with students who are not only excellent academically, but are also truly fine human beings. The greatest reward is found in seeing what these students can do with a fine education and what they can contribute to society,” shared Dan in announcing their commitment. 

Throughout the last academic year, Dan and Betty worked with UMaine Foundation Philanthropy Officer Matt Mullen to document these estate plans, in consultation with SPIA Director Jim Settele, CCI Director Paul Mayewski, and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Emily Haddad. 

“These gifts exemplify the Churchills’ vision for the University of Maine as a leading institution in the advancement of science; in the preparation of exceptionally capable graduates; in the creation of productive, life-long relationships between students and mentors; and in opportunity for international experience and transnational understanding,” said Haddad. 

Dan earned a B.S. in engineering physics from the University of Maine in 1963 and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He later completed graduate work at Boston University, receiving an M.S. in 1971 and M.B.A. in 1972. 

Betty Richardson Churchill is a 1958 graduate of Dickinson College, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Dickinson and UMaine have become connected through Betty’s commitment to Dickinson, Dan’s commitment to UMaine, and their joint dedication to higher education.

Dan and Betty traveled extensively and for years lived abroad and worked in public service and the private sector, as Dan pursued a very successful career in international finance and Betty achieved success in the CIA and the United States Air Force.  

They found that these experiences altered their lives and were of great value. “We believe that it is critically important for citizens of any country to be well and broadly educated. An international perspective is absolutely necessary for young people, and especially future leaders, to grasp the problems of our deeply interconnected world. Only from such understanding can solutions emerge that truly address the needs of the community of nations. We see how vital it is that future leaders are familiar with both the scientific facts and the cultural contexts that frame today’s massive global problems–climate change first among them.” stated the Churchills about their motivation.

As Paul Mayewski notes, “The Climate Change Institute has benefited from Dan and Betty Churchill’s presence since 2005 in so many remarkable ways. They have opened the way for exploration for many of our graduate students. They have shared their experiences in industry, government and their respect and love for looking forward and into new places. They have accompanied us during some of our expeditions to remote reaches of the Earth and they have helped us to move climate science into the policy arena. Now they are providing even more opportunities for the Institute to remain in the forefront of discovery and in charting pathways forward for the constantly emerging challenges posed by climate change.”

The Churchills live in Washington, D.C. and are members of the Royal Geographical Society and the World Affairs Councils. Dan also serves on the University of Maine  Board of Visitors.

Background on the Churchill’s philanthropic relationship with UMaine:

The Churchills’ UMaine philanthropic interests have focused on graduate study in two units: the Climate Change Institute (CCI) and the School of Policy and International Affairs (SPIA). 

Fifteen years ago, in 2005, they launched the Churchill Exploration Fund, which covers expenses for CCI graduate students to conduct research in field sites far from Maine — from Pamir to Peru, Antarctica to Asia. 

In 2009, the Churchills began funding the Churchill Internship to help SPIA students gain professional experience with organizations as varied as Somali refugee camps in Kenya, Mercy Corps in Timor-Leste, the United Nations in New York City, and the African Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, D.C., among others.   

Dan has come to know many students and takes a deep interest in their research endeavors and internships. In 2007, he traveled with anthropology professor Dan Sandweiss and a group of undergraduate and graduate students to the north coast of Peru. In 2009, Dan and Betty traveled to Antarctica with Paul Mayewski, director of the CCI. Dan also has traveled with SPIA to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, in 2008 and 2012 for conferences co-hosted by SPIA and the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research. 

Dan chairs the SPIA Board of Advisors. In this role, he is a spokesperson for the value of international education and a strong and effective advocate for students. He even stays in touch with them after they graduate and continues to mentor SPIA alumni and students.

The UMaine Graduate School recognized the Churchills’ commitment to graduate education and research by making them the first inductees into the George Davis Chase Society, in 2012. Dr. Chase was the first dean of the Graduate School at UMaine (1923–1938), and the award in his honor recognizes individuals who are not students or university employees and who have made “significant contributions to graduate studies at UMaine.” 

In 2014, the CCI recognized Dan and Betty Churchill by establishing a new award in their honor — the Churchill Award for Outstanding Exploration. This annual award is made on a competitive basis to graduate students whose research has been supported by the Churchill Fund and presented at the Borns Symposium.

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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Helping Students to Afford to Attend UMaine

Helping Students to Afford to Attend UMaine

Why would a couple from Berkley, California who did not attend the University of Maine create a $3.4 million scholarship for Maine’s neediest students?

Durant Sheffield and his eight sisters all attended school in Thomaston, Maine. Their mother, Wilma T. Sheffield, was a homemaker and their father, Henry F. Sheffield, worked at the cement plant. When Durant graduated from Thomaston High School at the age of 17, attending the University of Maine was not an option for him. He joined the U.S. Army and when his enlistment ended, he attended the University of Connecticut with the help of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, the G.I. Bill.

With an electrical engineering degree, he spent his entire professional career with General Electric as a Project Engineer working all over the world on energy generating projects. He met his wife, Fumiko, in New Mexico and they settled in California.

He always regretted that he had not been able to attend UMaine right out of high school.

As Durant and Fumiko began their retirement, they and their advisor turned to the University of Maine Foundation for help with their one and only charitable goal – helping Maine students who could not afford to attend UMaine. Because he was so grateful for the difference that the G.I. Bill made in his life, Durant wanted to replicate that impact by creating an endowment that would someday provide full scholarships for Maine’s neediest students.

Durant and Fumiko created a charitable remainder annuity trust in 2004 that provided a steady income to them for their lifetimes, with the remainder to be endowed to provide as many full scholarships to UMaine as possible in perpetuity. At the same time, they included the University of Maine Foundation in their wills to further augment their endowed scholarship fund.

Durant believed that the best engineers never hesitate to say, “I don’t know.” He appreciated the University of Maine Foundation’s role in working with their attorney to assure a generous life income and the ultimate establishment of the scholarship he had been hoping to create throughout his career. Sadly, Durant and Fumiko passed away in 2018. Because of their generosity, fewer students will have to face an inability to attend UMaine because of finances. Durant and Fumiko’s legacy of helping Maine students will forever be an incredible testament to their success and to their love for the state of Maine.

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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University of Maine Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Charles F. Allen Legacy Society

University of Maine Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Charles F. Allen Legacy Society

Even during this uncertain time, milestones are important to mark. On May 20, the University of Maine Foundation hosted a virtual event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Charles F. Allen Legacy Society. 

Over $114 million in planned gifts have been received from donors’ estates by the University of Maine Foundation since the Charles F. Allen Legacy Society has been in existence. Through the 25 years there have been over 1,017 members of the society. 

“Legacy giving plays a significant role in overall philanthropy to benefit the University of Maine,” states Foundation President Jeffery Mills. “Many people make their largest gift through their estate plans, which allows them to use their assets during their lifetime and create a lasting legacy after they pass.”

The Society recognizes alumni and friends of the University of Maine who intend to support the University by making a bequest or other form of planned or deferred gift through the University, the University of Maine Foundation, the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation, the Alumni Association or the 4-H Foundation. 

The Society was created in 1995 when then-Foundation President Amos Orcutt decided to pursue the idea after being inspired through a conference he attended. UMaine President Fred Hutchinson was fully supportive of the idea, along with Development Director David Yarington and UMaine Alumni Association President Max Burry. With additional support in the form of the first order of recognition lapel pins from loyal alumnus Warren Flagg ’35, the Society, named after UMaine’s first president, Charles F. Allen, became a reality.  

“It was even more than just thanking our existing donors, it was about promoting legacy giving and discovering and thanking those who had not made their intentions known. I believe the Society has been a roaring success,” says Orcutt.

Planned gifts take many forms including bequests, trusts, annuities, retirement and life insurance assets.

Recent alumna, Emma Turlo ’20, shared her gratitude for the scholarship aid that she received as a UMaine student and her family’s multi-generation connection to UMaine. 

University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy congratulated the Foundation, thanked donors and updated the virtual audience on UMaine’s ongoing efforts related to the pandemic.

Sarah McPartland-Good, who leads the planned giving staff at the Foundation, shared information about legacy gifts received and future legacy gifts anticipated to benefit UMaine. Because of planned gifts from some very generous donors, the University:

  • has been able to support tens of thousands of students with scholarship aid of all sorts
  • has been able to give hundreds of loans to medical, dental and veterinary students
  • has the incredible Darling Marine Center in Walpole
  • has operational funds for its astronomy center, its School of Policy and International Affairs, its museums, its performing arts center, its student volunteer center, its colleges, athletics, Fogler Library, its departments, Buchanan Alumni House, the  4-H Foundation, the Alumni Association and the Pulp and Paper Foundation
  • has professorships to inspire phenomenal teaching
  • has funds for campus maintenance to convey that the University is a special place and should look the part
  • has campus activity funds to support activities, projects and programs for students

 Future planned gifts will also provide even more support for:

  • University of Maine students who are graduates of high schools like Deer-Isle Stonington, Medomak Valley, Nokomis, Dexter, Westbrook, Waterville, Messalonskee, Lawrence, Winslow, Foxcroft Academy, Bangor, Fort Kent, Hancock County schools, Fort Fairfield, Lewiston, Gorham, Orono, Telstar, Hall-Dale, Richmond, Caribou and Gardiner
  • University of Maine students who are studying to be teachers, and those who are studying physics, engineering physics, engineering technology, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, biomedical sciences, medical laboratory sciences, microbiology, Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture majors, wildlife, fisheries and conservation biology
  • University of Maine students who will play baseball
  • nontraditional University of Maine students
  • UM students who are seeking French immersion learning experiences and those who study from Japan or in Japan
  • Graduate fellowships, summer projects, honor societies and faculty support
  • The SPIFFY endowment (Student Portfolio Investment Fund) and the School of Policy and International Affairs
  • The Wilson Center and programs relating to Jewish history
  • Recital halls, the School of Performing Arts, the Collins Center for the Arts, Buchanan Alumni House, the Page Farm and Home Museum, and the Alumni Association and its class funds, the Center for Poetry and Poetics, and Cooperative Extension outreach activities
  • Worthy student-centered initiatives and groups that bring spirit to UM events

The impact that Charles F. Allen Legacy Society members have had on the present and will have on the future of the University and its affiliated organizations is extraordinary. It is clear that these legacies are going to make the University even stronger.

Many members of the Foundation staff are also members of the Society. McPartland-Good said that the staff believes in the power of planned gifts and the future of the University and its students. She thanked members for sharing those beliefs and letting the Foundation be a part of their legacies.

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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Creating Planning Documents in a Pandemic

Creating Planning Documents in a Pandemic

We face uncertain and chaotic times. Perhaps, we also have more time on our hands given our efforts to observe social-distancing guidelines or shelter-in-place-orders. Whatever the exact reason, Google has reported that more people are searching for information about how to create a will than ever before. There has also been an increased interest in preparing lifetime documents such as advance health care directives and powers of attorney.

Who Can Help?

Even during times of social distancing, you do not need to do this alone. Most estate-planning lawyers continue to work from home and would be very happy to help you with your planning. Reaching out to a lawyer for help with this process generally is wise as each person’s situation is different and state law, which governs these areas, can vary considerably from state to state.

Also, the cost of creating simple estate-planning documents does not need to be exorbitant. In fact, these expenses are often far less than people expect. A simple will could cost as little as a few hundred dollars. Certainly, the expenses and labor caused if these documents are not in place, or if they are done improperly, would typically far exceed the cost of their being prepared correctly in the first place.

If you are considering including a gift of support to the University of Maine in your plans, the planned giving officers at the University of Maine Foundation are also available to help. Just call or email the Foundation and you will be connected to a planned giving officer who can help.

What Documents Should I Consider?

If you are just starting to think about the process, some or all of the following documents may be helpful as part of a complete plan.

Advance Health Care Directive: An advance health care directive allows you to give instructions about your own health care decisions and/or to name someone else to make these decisions for you, typically in the event you become incapable of making your own decisions.

Power of Attorney: A power of attorney may be used to grant power to another person to make decisions about your property and to use your property on your behalf. This power can take effect immediately or only if you become incapacitated.

Will: Having a will serves several purposes but its most important is making a difficult time less difficult. A will allows you to:

  • Name a personal representative: This person will organize your affairs and handle your assets according to your intentions.
  • Identify the Guardian for Your Minor Children: If you have minor children, identifying their guardian may well be reason enough to create a will.
  • Decide Who Gets What: Outlining which assets pass to whom can be important for making things go smoothly for your family after your death. Even if you hold many of your assets jointly, some assets may turn up that, for whatever reason, are held in your name alone and need to be addressed. Without a will, state law outlines who inherits your property. If there is no one who would classify as an heir under state law, typically, your property would go to the state.
  • Help to Reduce Taxes: A will, as part of an overall estate plan, may help reduce taxes for your heirs.
  • Create a Plan of Care for Pets: A will can outline who would care for any pets you may have at the time of your death and provide resources for them to do so.
  • Establish Your Legacy through Gifts to Charities: Supporting the work of charities that are meaningful to you can create a legacy of kindness in your name that would live on into the future.

If you would like to support the University of Maine in your plans, you can do so through a bequest in your will. We would be delighted to work with you so that your intention for any planned gift is documented and your gift is used in the way most meaningful to you. We are also happy to work with your lawyer and provide suggestions for possible language to use for a gift to support UMaine.

Beneficiary Designations for Retirement Accounts and Life Insurance: Another important part of planning is checking the beneficiary designations for any retirement accounts and life insurance policies.

NOTE: Under the SECURE Act, which went into effect January 1, 2020, individual IRA beneficiaries (other than a spouse, minor child, and a few other exceptions) now must withdraw all of the funds from the inherited IRA within ten years as opposed to being able to stretch out withdrawals over the beneficiary’s lifetime. This could cause significant income-tax implications for those inheriting IRAs. As a general rule, charities are not subject to income taxes. Therefore, if you are considering including a gift to a charity in your plans, making that gift through an IRA beneficiary designation could be a tax-savvy way to do so.

How Do I Get Documents Witnessed/Notarized In Times of Social Distancing?

Your lawyer can advise you which documents need witnesses (typically this must be done by individuals who are not benefitting under the document), which documents need to be notarized, and which need both formalities. He or she can also likely provide you with advice on how to accomplish this safely and legally during times of social distancing and shelter-in-place orders.

The coronavirus situation has taught us that none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. Having your planning documents in order could help you to sleep better knowing that you have added a bit of order to the chaos that currently surrounds our world.

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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