Maine Perspective Front Page
UMaine Receives $1 Million Naming Gift for Alumni House
A University of Maine alumnus has given his alma mater a $1 million gift to support its new Alumni House.
Dr. Robert Buchanan, Class of '44, a retired dentist who grew up in Caribou and now lives in Whittier, Calif., made the gift recently at a General Alumni Association reception. In recognition of his generosity, the University will name its new College Avenue facility the "Robert D. Buchanan '44 Alumni House."
"Dr. Buchanan's gift provided the momentum we need as we begin the final phase of the Alumni House campaign," notes Jeffery Mills, president of the University of Maine Alumni Association. "The first member of his family to graduate from college, Robert Buchanan went on to achieve great success. He is now giving back to his alma mater."
Perhaps more than any other building on campus, Alumni House will see the University into the 21st century, says Amos Orcutt, president of the University of Maine Foundation. Buchanan's gift "will allow us to tangibly illustrate UMaine's excellence to generations of current and future graduates."
Alumni House is a joint project of the Alumni Association and the Foundation, the University's two independent advocates. More than 12,000 UMaine alumni and friends have contributed to the project. Buchanan's gift brings the capital campaign total to over $5 million.
Buchanan and his wife, Pearlee, will be honored at a special celebration during Reunion '99, May 28-30.