Seven Maine Community College Students Awarded The Leon A. Gorman Endowed Scholarship

May 16, 2019

THE FOUNDATION FOR MAINE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGES — NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:
John Fitzsimmons
207-321-6153
jfitzsimmons@maineccfoundation.org

SOUTH PORTLAND, ME — Seven Maine community college students were awarded scholarships in honor of Leon A. Gorman at a ceremony held yesterday at L.L.Bean’s Corporate Headquarters in Freeport.

This is the fourth year the Leon A. Gorman Scholarship has been given and the third year it has been awarded to a student from each of the seven community colleges. Each Leon A. Gorman Scholar receives an award equal to a full year of tuition at a Maine community college.

The Leon A. Gorman Endowed Scholarship was established in 2014 by the children of Leon and Lisa Gorman in honor of Mr. Gorman’s 80th birthday. The scholarship supports Maine community college students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, financial need, and a commitment to community service, a hallmark of the scholarship’s namesake.

“My father was proud to support Maine’s community colleges and its hardworking students. He would have been honored to be associated with these outstanding recipients, their educational aspirations and their dedication to their families and communities,” said Jennifer Wilson on behalf of her family.

The 2019 Leon A. Gorman Scholars are:

  • Derek Kuusela (Gorham, ME), Ford ASSET, Central Maine Community College;
  • Stephanie Frost (Bangor, ME), Human Services, Eastern Maine Community College;
  • Desarey Oliver (Skowhegan, ME), Early Childhood Education, Kennebec Valley Community College;
  • Abby Soucy (Van Buren, ME), Early Childhood Education, Northern Maine Community College;
  • Jada Tuttle (Poland, ME), Culinary Arts, Southern Maine Community College;
  • Whitney Kneeland (Baileyville, ME), Medical Assisting, Washington County Community College; and
  • Kristina Tucker (Gorham, ME), Veterinary Technology, York County Community College.

Leon Gorman was passionate about the state of Maine. His investments in Maine’s community colleges exemplified that passion. He understood that Maine’s community colleges not only positively impact the lives of many aspiring individuals and their families, but also have a positive economic impact. Quite simply, he believed that well-educated community college graduates forge a bright future for the State of Maine.

Dave Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System, said, “I am proud to know that Mr. Gorman’s important legacy continues through these annual scholarships and these remarkable students.”

Mr. Gorman was the longtime president and CEO of L.L.Bean. He was deeply committed to the people and places of Maine and recognized the power and potential of Maine’s community colleges to transform people’s lives. He and his wife Lisa worked quietly behind the scenes supporting the colleges and the couple was central to the 2009 establishment and success of The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges for which Mrs. Gorman continues to serve as vice chair.

Leon A. Gorman Scholars with their families and LLBean representatives.

Seven Maine Community College students were presented with the Leon A. Gorman Endowed Scholarship at a ceremony in Freeport Tuesday. The students were joined by representatives of the Gorman Family, L.L.Bean, the Maine Community College System, and The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges.

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