ORONO, MAINE: Financial hardship remains a significant roadblock to higher education for many in the state of Maine. Philanthropic investment in future learners can make all the difference. Brent West and Kristina “Tina” Christensen West have sought to counter the significant financial hardship of many Maine students with the establishment of the Brent and Kristina Christensen West ’77 Scholarship Fund with the University of Maine Foundation.
For those in need, varying methods of support are available, but often not enough to make attendance, and ultimately graduation, a reality. This scholarship will cover the cost of full-time attendance at the University of Maine, Orono, for two students per year who have zero expected familty contributions, who are graduates of a Maine high school, and who have a minimum of a 3.2 GPA. In less than two years, the scholarship has grown to more than $1 million.
This year, the Wests had the pleasure to meet Connor Goss, their inaugural scholarship recipient and a sophomore studying Economics with a minor in Business at UMaine. Brent shared this with Connor after their visit, “When we worked to establish this scholarship, we had in mind someone such as yourself – smart, personable, and grateful for the opportunity to study (and have a little fun!) at the University. Tina had such a positive experience in Orono that we thought it was only right to give back in a meaningful way to future generations of Black Bears.” Goss expressed that “being selected for this scholarship is a tremendous honor,” as “significantly alleviating the financial burden” allows him to “focus on studies and personal growth.”
Brent and Tina Christensen West are both devoted and passionate friends of the University of Maine. Tina graduated from UMaine in 1977 with a B.A. in Mathematics and enjoyed a career in Information Systems with the Unum Insurance Group from 1981 until her retirement in 2015. Brent holds an A.B. in Government and Economics from Dartmouth College, and an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth. He retired this past year after a career that included a range of leadership roles at Bath Iron Works. “Tina and Brent have been loyal supporters of the University of Maine for over 38 years. They aim to support students facing significant financial obstacles, making a degree from UMaine attainable,” said Dee Gardner, Associate Director at the University of Maine Foundation, who worked with the couple in establishing their scholarship fund. “I also admire their enthusiasm for mentoring their scholarship recipients professionally. After meeting Connor for the first time, they are eager to connect him with their contacts for potential internships. Their generosity is truly inspiring.” Goss is excited to learn from the West’s experience, and finds having them as mentors “an invaluable opportunity” as he continues to pursue his goals. Permanently endowed, the fund will continue to bring much-needed support to UMaine students for years to come.
Interested in establishing your own scholarship at the University of Maine Foundation? Funding a scholarship for UMaine students through the Foundation may be accomplished by making current gifts of cash, stock, land or personal property, or a deferred gift through a charitable trust, gift annuity, pooled life income fund or bequest. Learn more about connecting your legacy to UMaine’s future at How to Establish a Fund
About the University of Maine Foundation: The University of Maine Foundation is dedicated to supporting the University of Maine by securing and managing private gifts to enhance the University’s mission of teaching, research, and public service. Through the generosity of alumni and friends, the Foundation strives to ensure the continued growth and success of the university.
About the University of Maine: As Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe – from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an enivronment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts.
