The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine University of Maine Alumni Magazines - 2000s University of Maine Alumni Magazines Winter 2005 Maine Alumni Magazine, Volume 86, Number 1, Winter 2005 University of Maine Alumni Association Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/alumni_magazines_2000s This Book is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Maine Alumni Magazines - 2000s by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Magnificent Fund Consistent giving over many years can have an extremely significant and positive impact at The University of Maine. Nowhere is this better illustrated than by the Nathan Levitan Scholarship Fund. In 1900 Nathan Levitan and his family moved to the United States from Poland when he was just four years old. After growing up in Massachu­ setts, he became employed in “the needle trade” in that same state. While he was unable to attend college, he did provide financial support for his children so that they could go to college. He also provided his children with a strong ethical upbringing. Years later, in 1959, his son, Leon Levitan, Ph.D., a member of the Class of 1938 at The University of Maine, decided to honor his father through the establishment of the Nathan Levitan Scholarship Fund at the University of Maine Foundation. The initial gift was $5,000, and every year since, Dr. Dr. Leon Levitan ’38 Levitan has contributed to the fund. When the fund was established, former University of Maine President Lloyd Elliott stated that many UMaine students “will certainly benefit through the years from this magnificent fund.” What has the impact been of Dr. Levitan’s consistent giving to this “magnificent fund”? • Through the summer of 2004, a total of $51,000 in gifts given over 45 successive years. • Through the summer of 2004, a fund that was worth approximately $101,170. • A total of over $133,000 in scholarships awarded to over 200 students. Consistency in giving, when coupled with the power of compounding interest and appreciation, can positively alter countless lives. Dr. Levitan’s consistent giving has done just that. In the fall of 2004 Dr. Levitan made an additional very generous gift to the Nathan Levitan Scholarship Fund, thus substantially increasing the total value of the fund. For more information on how you too can establish a “magnificent fund,” even with a modest gift, contact Amos Orcutt '64, CEO/President of the Foundation. UNIVERSITYo f MAINE FOUNDATION Two Alumni Place Orono, ME 04469-5792 800.982.8503 or 207.581.5100 100 Foden Road, Suite 303 West Building, South Portland, ME 04106 800.449.2629 or 207.253.5172 www.umainefoundation.org A Letter from the Governor JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI GOVERNOR Dear Fellow University of Maine Alumni: As Governor of Maine, I am focused on the role of our educational institutions in creating economic development opportunities in our state. Business attraction, expansion, creation, and retention require a trained and experienced workforce. Maine has a great reputation for worker productivity, reliability, honesty, and integrity. As we look to the jobs of the future, I can not overemphasize the importance of higher education to position us for prosperity. As Governor I have helped provide significant research and development funding at the University of Maine, leveraging additional federal and private research dollars. R & D funding at UMaine has nearly tripled since Maine re-prioritized these investments in 1998. I’m excited that UMaine is partnering with private enterprise to market new products and technologies. Every year, companies related to UMaine research are being created by students or recent graduates. As Governor, I am focused on expanding economic development opportunities in Maine with many aggressive and innovative initiatives. Maine’s new Pine Tree Development Zones provide significant incentives for new ventures seeking to locate in western, central, eastern, and northern Maine. Small business start-ups in biotechnology, information technology, aquaculture, agriculture, forestry, composites, precision manufacturing, and environmental technologies can access seed funding and assistance from the Maine Technology Institute and Maine’s network of business incubators. The University of Maine has over 80,000 alumni, located throughout the world, representing all fields and profes­ sions. I am a proud alumnus of the University of Maine, as are many members of my cabinet and staff. Each of us is focused on growing quality jobs for all of the people in Maine. Whether you are a corporate executive thinking about expanding or relocating, someone interested in starting a business, or someone looking for new opportunities, please take a close look at what is happening in Maine. As an alumnus, you already know Maine, its people, and its quality of life. We are positioned for high quality job growth. Consider coming home to Maine by visiting the Alumni Resource web site at www.mainealumni.com/resource for more information. About the Alumni Resource: The University of Maine Office of Research and Economic Development and the Alumni Association are working with Governor Baldacci and several economic development organizations and businesses throughout the state to reach out to alumni. We’re pleased to announce the creation of the Alumni Resource web site. This site has information for alumni who may be interested in starting or expanding a business or who may be interested in employment opportunities. Many new opportunities have been created in Maine in the last five years that make it an exciting time and place to do business! Find out more by visiting www.mainealumni.com/resource. Editor Jim Frick Editorial Assistants Abigail Zelz Betty-Jo Watt Design Jim Frick Design Consultant Mike Mardosa '73 Publisher Donna Keirstead Thornton '78, '79G Alumni Association Officers Bion A. Foster '68, '70G, Chair Sandford Blitz '92G, Vice Chair Stephanie Barry Brown '65, Vice Chair Catherine Cleale '86, Vice Chair Barbara Brown Dalton '81, Vice Chair Suzanne K. Hart '68, Treasurer M. Perry Hunter '52 , Vice Chair Gregory D. Jamison '72, '98G, Vice Chair Douglas E. Kneeland '53, Vice Chair Nancy Prisk '72, Vice Chair Donna Keirstead Thornton '78, '79G, Interim President in on the ground floor of UMAA Board of Directors Stanley C. Allain '61 your very own Federal-period mansion: Peter T. Berry '61 Dwight S. Blease '83 The Holden Frost House Rachel L. Bouchard '91 Elizabeth Cleale '00 In addition to restoring the gracious interiors of Perry R. Clough '63 The Holden Frost House, we will be building 10 spacious Candace A. Guerette '83, '86G A. Jeffrey Harris '72, '87G new apartments adjacent to the mansion. Alton M. Hopkins '50 Visit our Design Center today and start planning all the Dione Williams Hutchinson '54, '71G details of your dream home, from flooring and fireplaces Jonathan P. LaBonte '02 James M. Leger '00 to cabinetry and counter-tops! With your own Kurt R. Marston '74, '79G custom-designed apartment, private access to the historic John M. Rohman '68 Dianne McLaughlin Tilton '81 Holden Frost House, and the acclaimed services and David W. Townsend '74, '81G amenities of The Highlands campus all around you, Brooke D. Wagner '86 Jeffrey M. Wright '73 this is New England living at its finest. Publications Committee Nonni Hilchey Daly '59 Nancy Morse Dysart '60 H. Allen Fernaid '54 Douglas E. Kneeland '53, Chair Steve Riley '50 Donna Keirstead Thornton '78, '79G The Holden Frost House Call today for your personal tour-. MAINE Alumni Magazine is published four times per year by the University of Maine Alumni Association for dues paying members (207) 721-3215 or 1-888-760-1O42 of the Association. Membership dues are $40 per year. The editorial office is located at One Alumni Place, P.O. Box 550, Orono, ME 24 Elm Street, Topsham, ME 04086 04473-0550. Telephone: (207) 581-1137. Postage paid at Burlington, VT 05401. iototv.highlandsrc.com 2 Maine Winter 2005 Volume 86, Number 1 Winter 2005 Alumni Magazine Around the Campus 4 News from the University of Maine. Leaving a Lasting Legacy at UMaine The building of Buchanan Alumni House heads the list of 8 accomplishments by departing alumni association president Jeff Mills '82. The iPointer: Aiming to Inform Alumnus Chris Frank has developed a device that could make 10 touring cultural and historic sites a more enriching experience. Page 7 Searching for SuperPres As UMaine searches for a new president, we take a look at what qualities are most important for the university's top job. Computers: The Next Generation Spirit of Maine Award recipient Linden McClure is on 16 the leading edge of computer engineering and design. A Message from the Alumni 20 Association Chair Page 8 Plus Mainely People with: Classnotes, alumni events, mini-features, weddings, obituaries, and more. Cover photo illustration by Mike Mardosa. Page 16 Photograph by Bill Drake. Winter 2005 Maine 3 Around The Campus Presidential Search Bear's Den Underway Grand Opening The search for a new Universi­ The grand opening for the all ty of Maine president is mov­ new Bear's Den took place on ing ahead full steam, with the September 24. University of Maine Board of The drive to reinstate a Trustees and the chancellor ex­ modern-day Bear's Den to the pecting a new UMaine leader Union was spearheaded by the at the Orono campus by July. Class of 1944. That class also Until that time, the university funded the $160,000 in renova­ will continue to be led by in­ tions for the project. terim president Robert "It's an honor for us to have Kennedy. the opportunity to create a vi­ The presidential search brant tribute to the legacy of committee was expected to re­ the Class of 1944," said Dawn view applications through ear­ Aubrey, associate director for ly February.