Alumnus leaves $150,000 gift for UM arts program

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The University of Maine recently accepted a sizable contribution from a man who spent only a short time attending the university. The late Richard Paquette donated $150,000 to UMaine, presented at an Oct. 16 reception attended by Paquette’s nephew, Tom Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh was accompanied by his wife Cynthia and daughter Catharine.

Paquette, who passed away in early January, attended UMaine for one year in 1922. The university’s director of major gifts, Chris Cox, said he was notified by Paquette’s estate attorney in Chicago of Paquette’s gift to the university in early spring. It wasn’t until September that he found out that the university would be receiving $150,000.

“I think it’s representative of many alumni that historically may not have graduated from this university, but have made such a connection with the university that they do something like Paquette,” Cox said.

Cox also said Paquette’s reason for donating a large sum of money to an institution he attended for just one year is not clear.

“It’s somewhat of a mystery,” he said. “We know he had a great experience the year he was here.”

The money, according to Cox, will be split up three ways to benefit the university. One third of the money will be used for renovations of the visual arts building in Lord Hall, and one third will be used for the completion of UMaine’s museum of art, located in downtown Bangor. Both projects will provide naming opportunities for Paquette. For example, Cox said the foyer of the art museum will be dedicated to Paquette.

The remaining money will go toward the purchase of a Steinway baby grand piano for the School of Performing Arts’ music department. The piano is set to be delivered in late December.

“Based on Mr. Paquette’s history, we know he was an adamant believer in the arts and music,” Cox said.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to present this gift and know that it will go toward areas that Uncle Richard would have seen as important,” Cavanaugh said in a recent press release.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 4th, 2003, 12:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.