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UMaine remembered in will

$12 mil donation to forestry scholarships largest donation in schools' history

Posted on Sept. 27, 2007, at 12:00 a.m.

University of Maine President Robert Kennedy announced to the public the largest gift UMaine has ever received. George L. Houston, a University of Maine alumnus, died earlier this year and left the university $12 million. In his will he stated that the money must be used for scholarships to aid students.

“In his will he donated his entire estate to the university of Maine forest resource program for scholarships,” Dean and Director of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture, Ed Ashworth said. “It will generate more than a half million dollars a year in scholarship money every year for many many generations.”

The scholarships will be aimed toward recruiting new students and according to the Interim Director of the School of Forest Resources Steve Reiling, these will be renewable for up to four years. “We will offer a broad range of scholarships including full tuition scholarships, partial tuition scholarships, scholarships to offset the cost of books and fees and other scholarships to offset the cost of our high out of state tuition,” Reiling said. These funds will also provide graduate students in the department assistantships. “[This gift] is a remarkable opportunity but it is also a serious responsibility,” he said.

“[This is] a donation that will benefit generations of students and enhance UMaine’s ability to serve our state in a unique and invaluable way and in a way that will allow UMaine to remain preeminent in a tremendously important economic sector for the state.” UMaine President Robert Kennedy said.

“UMaine is already recognized as being one of the best universities in the country, if not the world, for forestry and the boost provided by this incredible gift will certainly enhance our leadership role in this critical discipline,” said Kennedy.

Two students in the School of Forest Resources, Nicole Mercier and Spencer Perry, spoke about the effects of scholarships on forestry students. “I’m humbly and eternally grateful,” Mercier said. “Without people like George Houston I probably wouldn’t be here.”

“I know first hand the financial difficulties that are placed on both students and parents. Any assistance with the rising tuition costs is greatly appreciated,” Perry said. “It will assist future students in the school of forest resources do their part in keeping this industry going.” Both Perry and Mercier are recipients of scholarships within their programs.

The donation is going through the Univerity of Maine Foundation. The non-profit foundation handles all private donations. The interest gained from this gift will provide approximatley 20 scholarships per year according to Amos Orcutt, the president and CEO of the foundation.

UMaine’s School of Forest Resources has been a leader in forest education for over 100 years. According to Dean Ashworth, the scholarships that will be provided because of Houston’s donation will help UMaine stay on top by bringing in the best students possible.

This is not Houston’s first donation to the university. In 1995 he donated a 217-acre farm through the Green Endowment Program.

Houston was a graduate of the class of 1937 and held a B.S. in Forestry from UMaine. He died at the age of 91 earlier this year.

The scholarships will be given out starting in the Fall of 2008.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 27th, 2007, 12:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.