Alton Hamm Inducted into Francis Crowe Society

Alton Hamm '38, generous supporter of the University of Maine and the Foundation, was inducted into the Francis Crowe Society Reunion Weekend.

The Society is named in honor of Francis Crowe, Engineering graduate of the class of 1905, who was the designer and builder of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, the largest construction project of its time.

Alton Hamm was born in Bangor and raised in Monroe. He graduated with high distinction from the University of Maine in 1938 with a B.S. in Engineering.

Hamm's career began as a map maker for the U.S. Armed Forces. In 1943, he was hired to work on bridge and highway design and worked on bridge design on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey and on highway design in Pennsylvania. In 1946, he returned to the University of Maine to build housing on campus for returning vets and also taught in the Engineering College. In 1950, Hamm moved to California where he began work with the County Water Authority in San Diego. He then spent several years working in the County Engineering Department designing highways and bridges.

Hamm retired in 1970 and focused his energies on his orange groves. Hamm later donated his land to the University of Maine Foundation for scholarships in Engineering. Since the scholarships first were awarded in 1998-99, over 100 students have received scholarships and the number continues to grow.