The University of New England is thankful to its many generous benefactors, who have helped to build and develop the university. Use the menu at the right to learn more about some of the notable endowments made by friends of our institution.

Sandi Goolden and the P.D. Merrill Business Ethics Lecture Series

Paul D. (P.D.) Merrill’s wife, Sandi Goolden, saw how passionately P.D. cared about higher education. His work as a University of New England trustee for 20 years included five years serving as board chair.

Sandi has chosen to honor that legacy by leading the way in the creation of an endowed lecture series at the University of New England. The P.D. Merrill Business Ethics Lecture series creates an annual opportunity for future leaders from UNE, business people from Portland and beyond, and representatives of the broader community to learn about and reflect upon the important role that ethical considerations play in all decisions that business people make, and the impact these choices have on our communities.

Sandi’s involvement continues as she has taken on the role of trustee at the University, thereby continuing P.D.’s enduring legacy of support for higher education.

Alice Savage '55 Scholarships and Marine Science Laboratory

Westbrook Junior College afforded Portland, Maine native Alice M. Savage, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, ’55 the opportunity to pursue higher education. Throughout her long career in teaching, medicine and health administration (Department of Veterans Affairs), her commitment and affection for Westbrook and the University of New England has been notable.

Her endowed scholarships are enabling students to follow their dreams and contribute to society, while the marine science laboratory named in her honor provides an excellent atmosphere for teaching and research.

Recently, she established the Friends of the Maine Women Writers Collection Endowment Fund recognizing the significance of this unique collection to students, scholars and the University. The fund helps ensure the growth and longevity of this inspirational collection and its continued importance to scholarly endeavors on the lives and influence of Maine women writers.

The University has honored her with the Tower Award, membership in the Deborah Morton Society and election to the UNE Board of Trustees.

Elizabeth P. Jurgenson and the Boyd Buser, D.O. Scholarship

With her long lasting, dedicated and many-faceted commitment to UNE, Elizabeth P. (Betty) Jurgenson’s legacy of support is exemplary.

She served as a trustee for nearly a decade, has been a major donor to the Annual Fund since 1981 and has contributed to every capital campaign. Yet she found a way to further support the University with an even more lasting impact, and at the same time recognize former Dean Boyd Buser, D.O of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Betty chose to endow a scholarship in honor of Dr. Buser’s legacy of care and service to COM.

This is a gift that will help students for generations to come, who will carry on the traditions of personal care that made such a difference in Betty’s life and inspired her to give back.

Barbara J. Kamm MSW ’91 Scholarships

Barbara was born in Ilion, N.Y. She graduated from Catholic University of America and the University of New England. She had a distinguished career in the fields of adoption case work, medicine and counseling. Barbara also proudly served in the United States Armed Forces and was a Bethesda Navy Hospital Nurse for many years. She cherished many longlasting friendships throughout her career.

Kamm passed away in 2006 but her legacy lives on. Her husband, Christian S. Hosford established two annual fund scholarships and one endowed scholarship at UNE in her honor. 

Rosemary Kelley Bequest

When Rosemary Kelley joined College of Osteopathic Medicine as its medical librarian in 1978, the library for the fledgling medical school was rudimentary at best, with only 200 old medical texts and no journal subscriptions or reference materials. Kelley came to UNE with a stellar background, having earned her B.A. from Bates in 1955, and with professional office experience from Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Over the next six years, she singlehandedly built a medical library of 5,000 volumes and 300 journals. She also developed an audiovisual collection with hardware and software, and a reference collection, and hired, trained and managed five people as a part of the library staff — all on very tight budgets. Learn more

The Bernard Osher Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Bernard Osher grew up in Biddeford and became a highly successful businessman and noted philanthropist. A $1 million grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation supports undergraduate students from Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach.

The Bernard Osher Foundation Endowed Scholarship pays 1/3 of the student's tuition at UNE. Criteria for the award include strong academic and leadership skills, and financial need.  Preference for new Osher Scholars is given to students from the three local communities of Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach. If scholarship slots remain, the geographic area expands to include students from anywhere in York County, then Maine, then out of state. Osher Scholars are also eligible for additional $5,000 travel scholarships for summer study abroad programs. Learn more

Scholarships endowed by J. Harrison and Barbra Holman

J. Harrison and Barbra Holman — neither one of them alumni nor with traditional connections to UNE — have endowed eight scholarships at the University since 1997. When asked why, their answer is clear – the Holmans want to provide an opportunity for students who want to pursue higher education, no matter what their financial background. Learn more