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Thomas stories from students, faculty, donors, and alumni

Donor Stories

Office: AD-219
Phone: 207-859-1118
Email: [email protected]

EIN: 01-0263385

Donor Stories from Those Who Support Thomas College

Thomas College holds special and unique significance for all of those who attend,  have taught, have graduated, and have supported the institution. It is our hope that their stories will inspire you to learn more about Thomas College, join our community, and be a part of building the college of the future!

Transforming the Future by Leaving a Legacy: Susan C. Jacques '47 Creates Scholarship Through Planned Gift

What do you want your legacy to be?

This was the question Susan Crosby Jacques ‘47 asked herself while creating her estate plans. She thought first of her family, who had prioritized education for all of their children, and she realized her education had been the foundation for everything she was able to do in life. In conversation with her cousin and closest friend, Laurah Brown ’93, Susan concluded that the two institutions where she received her education—the Kents Hill School and Thomas College—were the foundational pillars for her life. As she looked toward the future, she decided that she wanted her legacy to be helping others have access to the same transformative education.

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Connections That last A Lifetime: Thomas College Alumni Become "Forever Friends"

The "Forever Friends" on the quad of the Thomas College campus.

Almost fifty years ago, seven young women from all around New England made the decision to attend Thomas College. Barbara (Talbot) Sinclair from Turner, Maine, was the first, joining the Class of 1980 as an accounting major who played on the women’s basketball team.

Then came a group of five in the Class of 1981: Sherry (Bryant) Bilodeau from Readfield, Maine; Janet (Sirois) Downes from Gardiner, Maine; Kathleen Ryan from Boston, Massachusetts; Rachel (Noble) Ticehurst from North Concord, Vermont; and Carol (Strang) Violette from Brewer, Maine. All but Janet studied accounting, and Kathleen added management as a second major. Lastly, Nicki (Lavanway) Mercer from Auburn, Maine, joined the Class of 1982, and shortly into her freshman year, she rounded out the group.

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Scholarship Honoring Thomas President Emerita Laure Lachance Raises over $3M to Support Maine Students

Laurie Lachance M.B.A. ‘92 served as the fifth President of Thomas College for 12 years, the first woman to hold the position. Being the first or only woman in the room was an experience with which Laurie had grown very familiar in her career.

She was the first woman to become Maine’s State Economist, as well as the first woman to be named President and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation. She was named a Woman to Watch in MaineBiz, as well as being named one of Maine Magazine’s Top 50 Mainers. To honor a lifetime of her pioneering leadership, Laurie was inducted into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame and Junior Achievement’s Maine Business Hall of Fame.

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More Donor Stories

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Thomas College Partners with Alfond Scholarship Foundation to Fund Scholarships for Maine Students

Thomas College is partnering with the Alfond Scholarship Foundation to provide an additional $500 scholarship per year to eligible Alfond Grant recipients who attend Thomas College. The Alfond Scholarship Foundation announced the new scholarships during a celebration marking this as the first year Alfond Grant recipients will attend college,18 years after they received their initial $500 grants. “Families who have been planning and saving for higher education since their children

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Thomas College students chatting with an accounting firm staff member during accounting firm night at Thomas College
Bringing Career Experiences Directly to Students on Campus

Thomas College Hosts Accounting Firm Night Last week, Thomas College’s Professional and Career Development Office hosted an event featuring several local accounting firms who visited campus to connect with and speak to students, bringing career experiences directly to Thomas students. Each accounting firm provided a brief presentation for the 40 students in attendance to introduce their organization, share career opportunities, and provide students with an overview of their work. Participants

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John Gullotti, graduate of Thomas College's Master's in Educational Leadership program and gaining confidence as a special education teacher.
Gaining Confidence

Graduate Spotlight: John Gullotti M.S.Ed. ’20 Special education teacher John Gullotti M.S.Ed. ’20 says it comes naturally to him to help and guide others in his life, but not in himself. That changed with his experience in the Master’s in Educational Leadership program at Thomas College, to which he credits gaining confidence. “I fulfilled a dream and I learned to believe in myself,” said John. “I am so proud of

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Susan C. Jacques leaves $1.2 million gift to College, presenting the check to Thomas is her cousin, Laurah Brown
Thomas College Alumna Leaves $1.2 Million Dollar Gift to School

WATERVILLE, MAINE, April 2026 — Thomas College announces a $1.2 million dollar gift from the estate of Susan C. Jacques ‘47 to establish the Susan C. Jacques Scholarship Fund. “We are immensely grateful to Susan, whose generosity and transformational gift will support deserving students for years to come,” said Thomas College President Jeannine Diddle Uzzi. “I can’t think of a better legacy than making higher education attainable for more students.”

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Thomas College board of trustee and alumnus Jeff Hubert
Thomas College Appoints Alumnus Jeff Hubert as New Trustee

WATERVILLE, MAINE, March 2026 — Thomas College is proud to announce that Jeff Hubert, of Augusta, Maine, has been named to its Board of Trustees. Hubert is a 1987 graduate of Thomas College and a now-retired 35-year public accountant with Wipfli, LLP. “Jeff brings a wealth of experience in public accounting and serving his community. His love for his alma mater makes his passion for this board position even stronger,”

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Dexter Scholarship; Dexter Regional High School
Meet the 2026 Recipients of the Bill and Joan Alfond Family Scholarship

Two Dexter Regional High School students are the recipients of the Bill and Joan Alfond Family Scholarship for Fall 2026: Ella-marie Buschmann and Peyton Dodge. Thomas College is offering two deserving Dexter Regional High School students a scholarship that covers 50% tuition, and 50% of housing/meal plan, for up to four years to a student pursuing an undergraduate degree full-time beginning in Fall 2026. This scholarship is thanks to the

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