University of Maine Foundation to Honor Five Alumni at 75th Anniversary Celebration

On June 9, 1934, the University of Maine Class of 1909 presented a check for $1,000 to the newly formed University of Maine Foundation. The Foundation's investment of that gift and those that have followed has resulted in total assets exceeding $140 million today. This includes over $100 million of endowed funds that provide scholarships and other forms of financial support for University of Maine students, faculty and programs.

The Foundation will honor alumni, donors and friends with a special 75th anniversary celebration on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at Wells Conference Center in Orono, Maine. The event begins with a 5:30 p.m. reception. Special honorees include five alumni, one from each of UMaine's degree-granting colleges, who have gone on to service their professions and their communities at the highest level and who have not been honored previously by the university, the University of Maine Alumni Assocation or the Foundation.

Honorees include:

Karen W. Baldacci of Augusta and Bangor, a teacher and registered dietician. Baldacci focuses her attention on issues relating to education, family literacy, wellness and nutrition, the arts, local agriculture, and gardening. Baldacci received a UMaine B.S. in Food and Nutrition in 1983 and an M.A. in Teaching in 2001. She is married to Gov. John Baldacci.

Lawrence K. Bender of Los Angeles, California, a renowned film producer and political activist. His films include influential mega-hits "Kill Bill, Vol. 1" and "Kill Bill Vol. 2," "Good Will Hunting," "Pulp Fiction," "Anna and the King," "Jackie Brown," and "Reservoir Dogs." Those films have been honored with 21 Academy Award nominations, including two for Best Picture. Bender graduated from the University of Maine in 1979 with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Joline D. Godfrey of Santa Barbara, California, CEO of Independent Means, Inc., is an innovator in financial education for children and parents. Originator of a unique developmental approach to financial education, her work gives families new tools for raising children growing up in the midst of abundance. She received a B.S. in Child Development and Family Relations in 1972. Godfrey will be unable to accept her honor in person.

Edward J. Keefe of Belmont, Massachusetts, is Chief Financial Officer for M/C Venture Partners in Boston, where he is reponsible for oversight of financial and administrative activities, information technology and financial reporting. Keefe plays a leadership role in UMaine Alumni activities in the Boston area. He graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from UMaine in 1986, an MBA from Suffolk University and an M.S. in Taxation from Bentley University.

Patrice M. Krant of Atlanta, Georgia, director of global procurement in Coca Cola's Global Business Services Organization, is responsible for building procurement capability by implementing best practices for the company's global procurement community. Krant graduated from UMaine witha B.A. in Journalism in 1977.

Darryl N. Brown, chair of the Foundation Board of Directors, will host the event. Brown, a UMaine graduate, is president/owner of Maine-Land Development Consultants in Livermore Falls.

"I am honored to be part of the anniversary celebration and am grateful to all the donors, past presidents and chairs whose leadership, generosity and vision have resulted in our success," Brown says. "Since 1975, the Foundation has paid more than $75 million to support University of Maine programs, students and faculty. That support is possible only because of our thoughtful, generous donors."