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FREEPORT — Seven Maine community college students were awarded scholarships in honor of Leon A. Gorman at a ceremony held May 15 at L.L.Bean’s corporate headquarters.
Recipients included Fanie Wabwende, a life sciences major at Central Maine Community College in Auburn, and Sonya Dodson, a mental health technology major at Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield.
This is the second year the scholarship has been given and marks the first time the award has been expanded from one recipient to seven, one from each of Maine’s community colleges. Each Leon A. Gorman Scholar receives an award equal to a full year of tuition at a Maine community college, according to a news release.
Leon Gorman was the longtime president and CEO of L.L. Bean. He died in 2015, and the expansion of the scholarship to seven students was made possible by Lisa Gorman, who last year announced an additional gift to the scholarship fund in her late husband’s name. The Leon A. Gorman Endowed Scholarship was established in 2014 by the children of Leon and Lisa Gorman in honor of 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.
“Leon would be proud to be associated with these outstanding students, and our family is delighted that the scholarship is now available to a student at each of the community colleges. We are pleased to support their educational aspirations and the good work of Maine’s community colleges,” said Lisa Gorman in the news release.
The other 2017 Leon A. Gorman Scholars are Jordanna Sprague, fire science, Eastern Maine Community College, Bangor; Genesis Hart, business administration, Northern Maine Community College, Presque Isle; Moriah Negley, nursing, Southern Maine Community College, South Portland; Sarah Merrill, adventure Recreation and tourism, Washington County Community College, Calais; Janay Wright, early childhood education, York County Community College, Wells.
“Leon Gorman was passionate about the state of Maine. His investments in Maine’s community colleges were emblematic of his desire to do all that he could to build a better, more prosperous future for Maine people. These scholarships continue his remarkable legacy, and we remain extremely grateful for his dedication and commitment.” said Derek Langhauser, president of the Maine Community College System, in remarks at the awards ceremony.
PHOTO CAPTION: Seven Maine ccommunity college students, including Fanie Wabwende of CMCC and Sonya Dodson of KVCC, were presented with the Leon A. Gorman Endowed Scholarship at a ceremony in Freeport May 15. 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. (Submitted photo)
