The College of Her Heart Always

On August 6, 2020 Agnes Ann Walsh ’41 will celebrate her 100th birthday. 

The University of Maine has been in existence for 154 years, and Agnes A. Walsh ’41 has been a proud Black Bear for more than half that time. Since her graduation in 1941, at least one thing has remained steadfast: her fierce devotion to and love for her alma mater. 

Born and raised in South Portland, Maine, and an honor graduate of South Portland High School, Agnes Ann ventured north to Orono in 1937 to begin her college career at UMaine. Agnes Ann immersed herself in many activities, including the Delta Delta Delta sorority, the Debating Team, Language Club, student publications, and sports, as well as in campus leadership groups like the Sophomore Eagles. Formed in 1926, the Sophomore Eagles is a student organization that promotes the customs and traditions of the university. The spirit of the Eagles mission has never left Agnes Ann, as she serves as a committed and enthusiastic ambassador of the university to this day. 

Upon graduation, Agnes Ann put her degree in Romance languages and her teaching certificate to good use, embarking on a long and impactful career as a Latin teacher. She taught first at Washington Academy in East Machias, Maine, then at Thornton Academy in Saco, Maine, and finally at Winchester High School in Winchester, Massachusetts, where she was on the faculty for more than 25 years. 

Agnes Ann has been involved in the Alumni Ambassador program, the Alumni Chapter of Southern Maine, the Friends of Page Farm and Home Museum, the Portland Area Alumnae Chapter, and the Class of 1941. For her tireless work and long tenure as the correspondent for the Class of 1941, Agnes Ann was awarded the 2015 Hilda A. Sterling ’55 Class Correspondent Award. She also was the 1990 recipient of the Black Bear Award, which honors outstanding advocacy for and service to the university, and the 1985 recipient of the Block M Award, which honors alumni who advance the strength and success of their alumni class. In 2007, Agnes Ann was elected as an Honorary Member of the University of Maine Foundation in recognition of her special service to the Foundation and the University.

A UMaine sports fan, Agnes Ann attends UMaine events as often as she can, and constantly embraces and encourages others to support UMaine. Her generous Triple Crown contributions have benefited numerous areas across campus, including the Buchanan Alumni House and the John Randall & Agnes Annie Walsh Scholarship, created in memory of her parents. The vision for her legacy includes major support of Romance languages at UMaine, the area of study nearest and dearest to her.

Agnes Ann lives in Scarborough, Maine. For her tireless advocacy on behalf of the college of our hearts always, Agnes Ann Walsh is a 2019 recipient of the Stillwater Award for her outstanding contributions to the University of Maine. 

Happy birthday, Agnes Ann. We are honored to have you as a Maine Black Bear! We love that your face still lights up when you think about the college of our hearts always.