Lewiston, Bridgton, Gorham students among Gorman scholarship winners

SOUTH PORTLAND — Students from Lewiston, Bridgton and Gorham are among nine Maine community college students were awarded scholarships in honor of Leon A. Gorman for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year.
Each of the nine Leon A. Gorman Scholars will receive 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 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.
The 2020 Leon A. Gorman Scholars are:
Kacie Simpson, of Lewiston, Nursing, Central Maine Community College;
Kateryna Bagrii, of Levant, ME, Nursing, Eastern Maine Community College;
Gregory LeCorps, of Dixmont, Sustainable Construction, Kennebec Valley Community College;
Ethan Chadwick, of Abbot, Precision Machining Technology, Northern Maine Community College;
Fazel Qaney, of Westbrook, Information Technology, Southern Maine Community College;
Patrick Remedis, of Bridgton, Business Administration, Southern Maine Community College;
Marcus Taylor, of Wells, Communications & New Media and Liberal Studies, Southern Maine Community College;
Joshua Flaherty, of Gorham, Mechanical Technology, Washington County Community College;
Natalie Nguyen, of Biddeford, Health Studies, York County Community College.
“This scholarship was so meaningful to my father who understood the importance of the community colleges and their hardworking students. He would have been proud to be associated with these smart, motivated and dedicated recipients who devote so much of their time and energy to their education, families and communities,” said Jennifer Wilson on behalf of her family.
This is the fifth year the Leon A. Gorman Scholarship has been given. For the past three years the scholarship has been awarded to one student from each of the seven community colleges. This year the scholarship was expanded to support three students at Southern Maine Community College, the largest college within the Maine Community College System.
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.
“I want to offer a hearty congratulations to this year’s Gorman Scholars, who have demonstrated hard work, service to others and achievement, especially during such a challenging time,” said Maine Community College System President David Daigler. “We are very proud of these students, and grateful that the enduring legacy of Mr. Gorman honors these impressive students who have worked so hard.”
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.