NMCC honors Clark, Engels
The Northern Maine Community College Foundation celebrated another successful year of fund raising and distributing scholarships during its annual dinner Nov. 10. Donors, staff, friends of the college and students attended the event, when staff presented special awards.
Contributed photos
Richard Engels, Esq., of Presque Isle, second from left, accepts the 2016 Outstanding Benefactor Award from Northern Maine Community College President Tim Crowley, NMCC Foundation Executive Director Sue Bernard and NMCC Foundation Chair Gregg Collins.
Northern Maine Community College senior Robin Booker of Presque Isle spoke during the NMCC Foundation’s recent annual dinner to thank college donors and supporters for helping students achieve their goals. 
College President Tim Crowley announced the 2016 Eagle Award for Bob Clark of Fort Fairfield, a member of the Maine Community College Trustees and the first graduate of NMCC to serve as the chair of the Trustees. The institution gives this service award to an individual who consistently contributes to the betterment of the College at every opportunity.
Richard Engels, Esq., of Presque Isle received this year’s Outstanding Benefactor Award for informing his clients about the value of leaving a legacy to higher education. Through his work, significant donations have been made to NMCC.
Chair of the Foundation, Gregg Collins, shared a number of success stories with those attending.
“The Foundation has distributed more than 60 scholarships totaling more than $68,000 during this past year … the most in our history,” Collins said. “You can be sure we are changing lives, and in many cases, entire family trees. This past fiscal year, donations to the Foundation amounted to well over $130,000 — a real testament to the strength of the college and the support and belief in our purpose by the community.”
The crowd listened to three students who personally thanked those in attendance for their support and explained how NMCC is playing an important role in their lives.
“My instructors are exceptional individuals who go above and beyond to teach me all they can and to prepare me for my profession,” said senior health information management major Robin Booker. “I am so very thankful for the caring, family atmosphere here at NMCC. Your care and assistance mean so much. I will always be grateful.”
According to David Craw, business administration and liberal studies major, NMCC was his choice because it has all the courses he was looking for and it’s affordable.
“The truth is, if there’s anyone here that doesn’t care about helping students succeed, I haven’t met them. My wife was so impressed by my experience here, that she started her own NMCC journey in September,” Craw said.
Leadership also announced three newly endowed scholarships: the Rick and Marilyn Nadeau/A & L Construction, Inc. Scholarship, the Harold G. Lainey Scholarship Fund, and the Emilia Flannigan Memorial Scholarship. Scholarships become endowed when they reach the $10,000 level and a percentage is then used for scholarships while the balance is allowed to grow for future use.
