We owe a big thank you to Barbara McCarthy Allen for her many years (decades!) as the secretary and class correspondent for the Class of 1971. Barbara helped classmates share their news with each other.
Judi Files Stevens has agreed to step into the role and write the class column. She would appreciate hearing from you, so please send any news to her at jstevens6@aol.com.
Though we were a year late due to COVID, we were finally able to host our 50th Reunion on campus in September. It was worth the wait! We went on campus tours (including the new Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center), attended a 50th Reunion reception at the President’s House, heard from guest speakers (both university leaders and students), and we joined the Class of 1972 for a gathering at Penobscot Valley Country Club. There was not a dull moment! Our faithful class president, Charles Stanhope, received the Alumni Association’s Golden M Award, which is awarded to a member of the 50th Reunion class who has done the most to keep the class together and engaged with the university. This honor is voted on by classmates and Charles truly deserves the recognition!
We also conducted some class business. Dee Gardner ’89 of the UMaine Foundation shared the giving amounts for our class. Our class has contributed $8,831,892 since January 2, 2017, and since graduation, we have given $12,541,179. Thank you to all! Our Class of 1971 Scholarship Fund as of 6/30/22 had a principal balance of $21,219.74 and our scholarship went to Ben Sullivan, a junior from Standish, ME, who is majoring in marketing. He is the grandson of Daniel Sullivan. The class voted to ensure the scholarship award be $1,000 in the future and implemented a plan to use money from the 1971 class operating fund to supplement the endowment payout so our student recipient will receive $1,000.
The following ’71 class members were elected officers for the next five years: president, Charles Stanhope; vice president, Carlton “Chip” Ellms; secretary and class correspondent, Judi Files Stevens; treasurer, Curt Beveridge; and class agent, Dennis King. Tracy Bigney will serve as the ’71 representative to the Senior Alumni Committee. Overall, it was a successful and fulfilling Reunion.
And for class news — thanks to Ronald Schillinger G, who sent this update: “Following graduation, I worked in forest management in Washington and Oregon for 36 years for private industry and government. Retired in 2007. Raised eight children with two wives. Elected and served as mayor for city of Montesano, WA, in 2008-2011. Traced family roots to Norway and Germany. Visited family in both locations. Managed family forestland for 30 years. Moved to Prince of Wales Island in Alaska to slow down and get away from the rat race.”
Until next time! Take care!