Class of 1944 Honored with President Abram W. Harris Award

The Class of 1944 was honored with the President Abram W. Harris Award at the University of Maine Foundation's Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Wednesday, October 3, 2007.

 Abram W. Harris served as president of the University of Maine from 1893 to 1901. The award was established by Harris' grandson A. W. "Pete" Harris III '50, family and friends to recognize an individual(s) whose actions, like those of President Harris, left the University "larger, stronger and in every respect better fitted to do its work."

The Class of 1944 was nominated by Willie and Pappy Bradford of Bangor. Willie Bradford in her letter said, “From their 50^th Reunion gift of one million plus, to naming the School of Performing Arts building, to renewing the tradition of the Bear’s Den, the Class of 1944 has been there to help. Individually, members have named Buchanan Alumni House, The Bodwell Lounge, McNeilly Lobby and countless scholarships. Several members of ’44 have served for many years on the President’s Development Council.

They were students during World War II and believe me, it was no 'house party'. No gas to leave campus every weekend—not much meat to eat—no butter—and very little money—but whatever inoculated them with ‘Class Spirit’ would be a welcome addition today!”

The events of World War II forced a premature separation of friends and classmates. But it was an experience that everyone had been affected by--that everyone had sacrificed for--and its created an extraordinary, lifelong bond to a class and to a university.

Most of the '44 war veterans who returned to the university ended up graduating in 1947 and 1948. But there was no question where their loyalty was--they were the Class of 1944.

Class members went on to successful and demanding lives in booming post-war America. But they never lost touch with each other, and they never forgot or lost their love for their alma mater.

Members of the class have been extraordinary volunteer leaders serving through the President's Development Council, the University of Maine Alumni Association, University of Maine Foundation, and many other volunteer boards and committees. Collectively, they have given over $8 million to the university, not including $3 million in planned gifts. And their spirit continues to inspire administrators, professors, students, as well as other UMaine classes, particularly the Class 2010 whom the Class of 1944 has inspired to become leaders of the next generation.

Al McNeilly, Class of 1944 agent, is pictured with Class of 2010 officers Gimbala SanKare and Ashley Robinson.

The Class of 1944 is truly the greatest class of the greatest generation making the University of Maine "larger, stronger and every respect better fitted to do its work."