“We can think of no better way to honor the legacy of President Laurie Lachance and her contributions to Thomas College than to support the establishment of a fund in her honor, which will provide financial aid to Thomas students for years to come. We hope that you will join us in this effort.”
Peter Lunder, ’10 H & Paula Lunder, ’10 H
Laurie Lachance Leadership Fund
To honor Laurie’s impact, Thomas is proud to announce ‘The Laurie Lachance Leadership Fund’ to support students at three key times in their higher education careers.
About Laurie
Laurie Lachance has spent her entire career breaking glass ceilings. Often the only woman in the room, Laurie‘s drive, determination and passion led her to become Maine’s first female State Economist, first woman to hold the position of President and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation and as Thomas College’s fifth president, she is the first woman to lead the school.
Her accolades are numerous; she co-chaired the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee, helping Maine plan and recovery after COVID. She has been inducted into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame, Junior Achievement’s Maine Business Hall of Fame and named as a Woman to Watch in MaineBiz and one of Maine Magazine’s Top 50 Mainers. Plus, many other awards and recognitions throughout her career.
During her time as Thomas’ President, the campus has undergone a transformation. New buildings have been built, Thomas’s Endowment has doubled, student retention grew by 20% and the average GPA for the incoming class has increased from 2.8 to 3.4.
Trailblazer
- Maine Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee
- Junior Achievement’s Maine Business Hall of Fame Inductee
- MaineBiz Women to Watch
- Maine Magazine’s 50 Mainers
State Leader
- First female Maine State Economist
- President & CEO of Maine State Development Foundation
- First female president of Thomas College
- Co-chair Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee
Change Maker
- Under Laurie’s leadership, Thomas College retention rates have grown by 20% and the incoming GPA has risen from 2.9 to 3.4
- Raised over $60 million for the college
Dream
Scholarships help students fulfill their dreams of attending college and tap into the power of a Thomas education. The scholarship dollars raised through the Leadership Fund will help a student’s learning and career goals become a reality.
Many students attending Thomas are First-Generation college students. Scholarships to help with the financial stress of college reassure students that they have support to find their dreams and accomplish them.
Transform
Paid internships allow students to focus on job training and connections with professional in their field without the pressure of managing an additional job along with their course load.
Internships give students an opportunity to take the knowledge they are receiving in the classroom and transform it into hands-on knowledge. In many degree programs, internships are a part of the curriculum. By offering paid internships, students have one less thing to worry about while they earn their degree.
Achieve
Student Success grants offer gap funding when finances shift during a student’s time at Thomas. In order to keep a student on track to graduation, these grants can be a life line to ensure they can continue getting their Thomas education. Graduate School Scholarships support students who lose funding (like PEL grants) when they continue on to get their Master’s Degree.
Thomas’s 3 &1 program that offers a Bachelor’s Degree in 3 years and a Master’s in the 4th year is incredibly successful yet, students lose funding when they go for their Master’s degree. These scholarships would help to off-set those costs.
Join Us!
Honor Laurie’s impact by making a donation to ‘The Laurie Lachance Leadership Fund’.
General Info
Phone Numbers
- Admissions (Undergrad): 207-859-1101
- Admissions (Grad): 207-859-1255
- Advancement: 207-859-1118
- Counseling: 207-859-1245
- Financial Aid: 207-859-1110
- Health Services: 207-859-1401
- Health Svcs. Fax: 207-859-1126
- Main Fax Number: 207-859-1114
- Registrar: 207-859-1202
- Safety & Security: 207-859-1399