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Raymond H. Fogler '15 in front of the
university library that bears his name |
Gifts of Yesteryear -
The Raymond
H. Fogler Library
As the great-granddaughter of the
alumnus and benefactor for whom University of Maine’s Raymond H.
Fogler Library is named, Krystal Fogler ’02 often would cause a
stir when she gave her name to her UMaine classmates.
“I was often asked if I was related to
him and I would explain the connection. People were surprised.
The Fogler Library is such a staple in the State of Maine. It is
a great tool used by so many and I think my college peers
thought it was cool that part of my family had something to do
with it,” says Krystal, who graduated from UMaine with a
bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and physical education.
Fogler library is the academic and
intellectual heart of UMaine, with collections and services
supporting students, faculty and staff. It also is Maine’s
largest research library, with more than 1 million volumes,
3,400 periodical subscriptions, 1.6 million microforms and a
rapidly growing number of electronic resources.
In 1962, the UMaine Board of Trustees
named the building for Raymond Fogler '15, seeking to honor one
of the school’s most loyal alumni who, for more than 80 years,
led or actively participated in every major UMaine fund raiser,
including those to build Memorial Gym and the library. Raymond
and his wife, Mabel Peabody (Fogler) of Exeter, had seven
children all of whom graduated from UMaine.
According to information from the
University of Maine Today Magazine, Fogler Library’s Special
Collections, and Gretchen Gfeller, public relations specialist
for Fogler Library Friends, Raymond was born in South Hope,
Maine. In 1915, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from
UMaine where he was president of his class and member of the
Sophomore Owls and Senior Skulls honor societies, as well as Phi
Kappa Phi, Alpha Zeta and Sigma Chi fraternities.
After receiving a master’s degree from
Princeton, Raymond returned to Maine briefly to become executive
secretary of the Agriculture Extension Service. He then moved to
New York to launch a career as one of the country’s leading
corporate executives. He held various positions at the W. T.
Grant Co. and Montgomery Ward & Co. and later served as
president of both companies. After retiring, he was appointed by
President Eisenhower as assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy, a
position he held from 1953 to 1954.
Raymond had a strong presence on campus
even after he graduated. He served as president of the
University of Maine Alumni Association and the University of
Maine Foundation, and was a member of the Board of Trustees from
1955 to 1962 and president of the Board for more than five
years. President of the New York Alumni Association, he
spearheaded fundraising projects to build the Memorial Field
House, Memorial Gymnasium and Alumni Field, as well as the
Memorial Union and the University Library.
He returned to campus often to attend
athletic games and other events. A yearbook report announcing
his resignation as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1954
stated that he “has missed only two commencements since he
graduated.”
Established in 1868, the University
Library originally was housed in Fernald Hall along with the
chemical laboratory. Twenty years later it relocated to larger
quarters in Coburn Hall. As the collection and usage by students
and faculty grew, the library moved to Carnegie Hall. The
current building was constructed in 1947. Fifteen years later,
in appreciation for his “vigorous and inspiring leadership so
modestly given,” the Board of Trustees named the University
Library in Raymond Fogler’s honor.
“This splendid building, the heart of
the academic life of this institution, will stand as eloquent
testimony of the high esteem and affection in which he is held
by his colleagues on the Board, the staff, alumni, and friends
of the University everywhere,” the Board said.
As a student at UMaine, Krystal Fogler
spent her share of time at the library named for her
great-grandfather. Sixteen years old when Raymond died in 1996
at the age of 103, Krystal recalls that as a small child, she
often visited him at Stonyvale, the family owned and operated
dairy farm in Exeter.
“We were always there. Many of his
grandchildren and great-grandchildren would spend a lot of time
at the farm.”
Director of Husson College’s Clara Swan
Fitness Center and Webber Pool, and coach of the school’s
women’s swim team, Krystal lives in Hampden with husband, Frank
Lavigueur ’02, who she met at UMaine. Their daughter, Brynn Mary
Lavigueur, born in November, 2007, is Raymond Fogler’s newest
great, great grandchild.
The entire Fogler family is
tremendously proud of Raymond’s achievements at UMaine,
according to Krystal, who says many of his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren also graduated from the flagship University.
“It is a very important part of our
family’s ancestry. He established our love for the University –
and for the state of Maine. We met our husbands and wives here
and started families here. Almost all of us spent years walking
the halls of the University. We established memories and
traditions that will last a lifetime.”
Her great-grandfather’s passion for
UMaine athletics stands out in her mind. Even in his dotage, she
recalls, he insisted on attending football and hockey games,
happily ensconced in the President’s sky box.
“He never lost his enthusiasm for
UMaine,” Krystal says.
His zest for living apparently also
continued into old age.
“He didn’t lose his license until he
was 99.”
Krystal, who grew up in New Rochelle,
N.Y., typically spent summers in Bar Harbor. After Raymond died,
her parents took ownership of Raymond’s home in Exeter which
then became their summer retreat. Continuing the tradition
Raymond began more than 60 years ago, her parents host a cookout
each Fourth of July with salmon, roast beef and rack of lamb for
more than 100 Foglers and their families.
As she grew older, Krystal’s feelings
about Maine grew stronger. Although she started out at Villanova
University in Pennsylvania, she soon transferred to UMaine to be
closer to family.
“Although UMaine is a large University,
it has a very intimate and personal feeling,” she says. “The
state of Maine had been part of my life for years. I just felt
more comfortable here -- like I was coming home.”
Like her great-grandfather before her,
Krystal made a name for herself at UMaine where she quickly
developed a rapport with her professors. She also excelled in
Black Bear athletics. A member of the UMaine swim team, she set
10 school records – five individual and five on relay teams –
and was named Maine Athlete of the Year.
Her family name continues to hold a
special place in her heart. In fact, when she married she
changed her middle name to Fogler.
“I wanted to keep an important part of
my heritage,” she says. “I am very proud to be a Fogler and
didn’t want to let that go.”
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