NMCC Celebrates “Making Way for Greatness” at this Year’s Foundation Annual Dinner
NMCC business student Jalen Lucas speaks to attendees about his experience moving to Northern Maine from his home country, Trinidad & Tobago, and how he’s been impacted by the College and the Foundation.
Presque Isle – On the evening of Thursday, November 16, 2023, the NMCC Foundation hosted its Annual Dinner, highlighting this year’s theme, “Making Way for Greatness.” The evening began with a Foundation board meeting followed by social hour allowing guests to visit student displays showcasing the latest technology from various programs. During the fiscal year celebrated by the event, the NMCC Foundation awarded more than $135,000 in student scholarships.
During the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors, held just prior to the dinner, Chair of the Board Ryan Bushey welcomed the new incoming Chair of the Board, Gina LeBlanc-Eggert of Versant Power in Presque Isle. In completing his second and final year as Chair, Bushey had worked closely with LeBlanc-Eggert as his Vice Chair. LeBlanc-Eggert was selected by the Nominating Committee as the top candidate for the Chair role. The Board voted unanimously in favor of LeBlanc-Eggert, whose term will begin at the December 20th board meeting. She will be supported by new Vice Chair Tony Lahey of MMG Insurance, who joined the board in January of 2023.
The board of directors recognized Steve Ouellette of Frank Martin Sons Inc. of Fort Kent for his nine years of service as he reached the maximum number of consecutive terms. During the 2024 year, Ouellette will serve in emeritus status as a non-voting member.
The board also voted in one new director, Daigle Oil Chief Operating Officer Carter Vaillancourt, who will fill Ouellette’s vacant seat. Vaillancourt works and lives in Fort Kent and brings unique insights into the needs of the St. John Valley.
Griffin Goins, dean of development and public affairs, as well as the executive director of the NMCC foundation, opened the evening with an introduction to the year’s theme, stating, “When we talk about greatness in Aroostook County, we’re not talking about NMCC, but the greatness of this community, and the students we see each day who entrust the College with their future.”
NMCC President Timothy Crowley updated the audience on the latest projects on campus, including the upcoming groundbreaking for the new childcare center, as well as the status of federal Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects, totaling $4.8 million between the years 2022 and 2023. President Crowley celebrated November’s graduating class of mechanized loggers who, for the first time in the program’s history, also received their CDL Class-A licenses. He also spoke of the advancing partnership with Maine Maritime Academy to train Maine’s offshore wind workforce to meet the future demand. Crowley expressed appreciation to Aroostook County’s state delegation, and national delegation, for making these innovative projects possible.
NMCC Foundation Chair Ryan Bushey spoke of the extraordinary accomplishments that the Foundation had made over the last twelve months, including raising more than $314,000 in donations. During his remarks, Bushey announced the endowment of the newly established Paula Michaud Memorial Scholarship, which received the final necessary donation to surpass the $10,000 endowment level the day of the event.
Student speakers took the stage and spoke of their academic journey and how the NMCC Foundation impacted their lives. The first speaker, Alexis Smith, described her family’s move from rural Mississippi, and how much her life has transformed since moving to Aroostook County and enrolling at NMCC.
Water Treatment Technology senior Kenny Jandreau, a non-traditional student who returned to college after years in the workforce, described how his relationship with the woods, through fishing and hunting in his childhood, led him to pursue a career in protecting natural resources. Finally, international student Jalen Lucas told his story about moving to Presque Isle from his home country, Trinidad and Tobago, and his gratitude for the opportunities available through the college.
The Foundation presented Stephanie Beaulieu with this year’s Newly Endowed Scholarship award, for her contribution to endow the Fields Realty Memorial Scholarship in memory of her late father, Lee Scott Fields Sr.
Two anonymous donors from Connecticut received this year’s Outstanding Benefactor Award for their contributions to the Wind Power Technology program, establishing both the Wind Power Scholarship – a pass-through scholarship to support wind students – and a $20,000 donation toward the creation of promotional products to support the program to a wider audience.
The Foundation’s most prestigious honor, the Eagle Award, went to outgoing Board Chair Ryan Bushey for his steadfast efforts in advancing LD 1988, the legislation passed in August that provides $1 million dollars towards building the new childcare center on NMCC campus.
The foundation dinner takes place each November, traditionally on the Thursday prior to Thanksgiving. For more information on the NMCC Foundation, please visit nmcc.edu.
The NMCC Foundation presented outgoing Board Chair Ryan Bushey (left) with this year’s Eagle Award at the Annual Dinner on November 16th. The award was announced by Foundation Executive Director Griffin Goins (right).
NMCC Water Treatment Technology senior Kenny Jandreau, a non-traditional student who returned to college after years in the workforce, describes how his relationship with the woods, through fishing and hunting in his childhood, led him to pursue a career path protecting natural resources.
NMCC liberal studies freshman Alexis Smith, who is completing her nursing pre-requisites, described why her family moved to Maine from Mississippi, and how she’s found a home at the College and in the community.
About The NMCC Foundation: The NMCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to support the Northern Maine Community College in its efforts to transform the lives of students in the community through education and training. In 2022-2023 academic year, the Foundation dispersed more than $135,000 in scholarships. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors tasked with upholding the highest standards of ethical and fiscal responsibility. Additional information about the NMCC Foundation can be found at nmcc.edu or by contacting Executive Director Griffin Goins at (207) 768-2809 or emailing nggoins@nmcc.edu.