News and Events - Inspired by
Class of '44, Sophomores Create Traditions Trail
The Class of 2010 is learning
about school spirit from some of the University of Maine’s most
dedicated and generous alumni.
Inspired by the Class of ‘44 and their
love of their alma mater, the students are planning a class gift
that pays tribute to the time honored traditions that have
shaped UMaine. They are raising money to build a 2500-foot brick
path across campus that will highlight the customs, events and
organizations Black Bears have cherished over the years
including the Maine Hello; Maine Day; Bananas the Bear; and the
Maine Stein Song.
“Traditions Trail” is proposed to begin
at Memorial Union, wend its way behind Carnegie and Balentine
halls, alongside Chadbourne Hall and Lengyel Gym, and end at
Buchanan Alumni House. The walkway will be divided into 10-foot
sections that the Class of 2010, along with other UMaine
classes, will purchase.
Students typically wait until they are
seniors to focus on their class gift, but the sophomores decided
to start early after Al McNeilly ’44 told them last year during
new-student orientation about the traditions that united his
class and enabled them to forge a lifelong bond with each other
and with UMaine.
The loyalty shown by members of the
Class of ’44 has become legendary. Collectively, they have given
more than $8 million to the University and $3 million in planned
gifts. They have provided countless scholarships, named the
School of Performing Arts building and renovated the Bear’s Den.
Their names are on the Buchanan Alumni House, The Bodwell Lounge
and the McNeilly Lobby. Several class members have served for
years on the President’s Development Council, the University of
Maine Alumni Association, the University of Maine Foundation,
and many other volunteer boards and committees.
Addressing the Class of 2010 last year,
Al advised students to begin work on their project early so they
would develop the love and passion for the University epitomized
by his class. He also issued a challenge.
“I told them there were only 400 of us
in the Class of ’44, but that we were able to leave our mark and
do a few things on campus,” he says. “I told them there were
over 2,000 of them and so they ought to be able to beat the
dickens out of us and do even more good things for the
University.”
Al also told the students that his
class would act as mentors, help them get organized and provide
seed money for the project.
“My classmates have endorsed this
support and we’ve adopted the Class of 2010,” he says.
That was all the motivation the
students needed to roll up their collective sleeves, elect
officers, and start thinking about their class gift. They liked
the idea of building a walkway, but decided it wasn’t enough to
simply put their name on it. Their goal was to create class
unity and school spirit while preserving tradition.
“We wanted to leave our own legacy, but
we also wanted to look back at the past and appreciate it,” says
Ashley Robinson, chair of public relations for the class. “The
Traditions Trail will be a way to show everyone that these are
the University’s traditions and that we take them seriously.”
Meanwhile, new traditions have been
borne. Following the mentoring model set by the Class of 1944,
the Alumni Association is working with other alumni classes to
sponsor current classes. Val Mitchell, reunion fund coordinator
and class advisor with the University of Maine Alumni
Association, says the Class of 1953 has connected with the Class
of 2008; the Class of 1959 with the Class of 2009; and the Class
of 1951 with the Class of 2011. The Class of 1952 has pledged
their support to the Class of 2012 when they arrive this fall.
Most importantly, she says, the Class
of 2010 will “build pride while on campus and come to realize
UMaine is something bigger than just going to class every day.
And when they leave they’ll carry that with them.”
Matt Donahue, class vice president,
already sees it happening. “Being a member of the Class of 2010
means something now.”
He and other sophomores agree that Al
and the Class of ’44 has given them a better idea of their role
and responsibility both before and after graduation. Someday
they hope to return the favor and become mentors themselves.
“We want to start accomplishing things
now to make a difference at UMaine but we’re also thinking about
our role as alumni,” says James Morin, class treasurer. “The
thought of us coming back in 30 years and walking the Traditions
Trail is amazing.”
Students also are delighted at the
relationship they have developed with the Class of ’44.
“We have struck gold with them as
mentors,” says Gimbala Sankare, class president. “The Class of
‘44 is passing the torch and preparing us to be better alumni.
They’re making sure we understand how to represent ourselves,
our class and the whole university.”
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