Kenneth Murray ’68
— For Mike and Maine Scholarship Fund

The For Mike and Maine Scholarship Fund, was established in the University of Maine Foundation in 1981 through a gift from Kenneth A. Murray, a member of the Class of 1968 at the University of Maine. It provides need based scholarship assistance to Maine residents attending the University of Maine. A preference is given to students enrolled in the Forestry Program of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture. Special consideration is given to deserving married students with families. Mr. Murray and his family reside in Del Mar, California. Mr. Murray below sets forth his reasons for establishing the For Mike and Maine Scholarship Fund.

My graduation from the University of Maine was the second college graduation I attended. I saw my dad graduate from college when I was eight years old. During his seven years of night school, my parents had four children. My appreciation for what they did grew significantly during my years at UMaine and every day since, but his graduation almost didn’t happen. With less than two years to graduation, he nearly dropped out for lack of funds. Then a caring officer at his company gave him the $200 tuition he needed to continue. My dad was the first in either of my parent’s families to ever attend and graduate from college. All of his children graduated from college and two went on to earn law or medical degrees. That $200 gift made a huge difference in the lives and expectations of our family.

I am the second of six children, and during my UMaine years there were always two or more of us in college. Our large family meant limited financial resources. It was only through National Defense Education Act Loans, work as a dormitory resident counselor and scholarships that I was able to complete my education. Without that financial aid, college would not have been possible and any successes since my 1968 graduation would certainly be limited. As I left the Orono campus, I vowed to some day repay the people of Maine for the educational opportunities I received. I knew education could make a difference in life and create ongoing opportunities.

Establishing the For Mike and Maine scholarship was one way of remembering my youngest brother who died tragically at the age of 24 and saying “Thank You” to the people of the State of Maine, whose sacrifice made my college education possible. The scholarship’s preference for a married student is a way of honoring my dad and recognizing the added challenges facing married students with children. My hope is this scholarship will some day impact Maine families to the same extent that the $200 investment in my dad affected my family and me.