Northern Maine Community College’s fund-raising campaign reaches $2 million goal

    Officials with NMCC and the NMCC Foundation have announced the Campaign for the County’s College has received just over $70,000 in gifts to establish the Peter G. Hunt Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund. Hunt, of Fort Fairfield, passed away unexpectedly June 28, 2007 at the age of 63.
One of the founders of the statewide United Insurance Group (UIG), Hunt established and successfully operated a number of businesses in the county and beyond, including acquiring, in recent years, the Harry’s family of businesses comprised of Top of Maine Insurance Co., Harry’s Honda and Harry’s Motor Sports in Presque Isle.
“Bringing together a tribute to my father in the form of scholarships for Aroostook County students who wish to pursue degrees from NMCC is the most appropriate way I can imagine to honor my father and his beloved county,” said Melony LeShane, Hunt’s daughter. “The County’s College is all about creating opportunities for students to excel in areas of study that will provide not only meaningful employment opportunities for the student, but support the county’s workforce needs.
“Out-migration, loss of agricultural opportunities, an aging population … all of these issues are addressed and positively impacted daily at NMCC with its focus on doing what’s right for the community, its students, and the county’s economic development,” she said. “My father dedicated his life to the same pursuits.”
The Peter G. Hunt Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund was initially established by UIG at the time of Hunt’s passing. Since then, donations were made to the fund by family members, friends and business acquaintances in Hunt’s memory.
Contributions totaling $70,690, including a $60,000 donation from UIG, were recently presented to the NMCC Foundation to create an endowed fund to provide scholarships and/or awards to fund tuition, books, tools and equipment. The Hunt Scholarships will be awarded annually to NMCC students who are residents of Maine and are pursuing a degree in business, nursing or the trades.
“United Insurance Group and its member agencies are proud to play a part in the assembly of this scholarship in the memory of our company’s founder. Mr. Hunt – throughout his career – maintained a close tie and deep love for Aroostook County, so we find it befitting to memorialize him through Northern Maine Community College,” said Chris Condon, UIG chief operating officer.
The Hunt scholarship falls under the Accessing Opportunity Fund of the Campaign for the County’s College, which is designed to provide scholarships and awards to deserving students to ensure affordable access to education for those who seek an opportunity to build a career in the county.
“Peter’s life work was centered on creating opportunity for people to live, work and do business in Northern Maine – and he did it with a tremendous passion and determination,” said NMCC President Timothy Crowley of Hunt, a man he came to know well through the College Foundation Board on which the businessman served. “Certainly that mission will be accomplished through the lives of generations of future students who attend NMCC and benefit from the Peter G. Hunt Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund. As a Foundation board member, Peter always kept opportunities for county residents at the fore of his work with the College. This is truly a fitting legacy to a champion of both higher education and ‘The County.’”
The collective gifts in memory of Hunt to establish the scholarship fund mark a significant milestone for the Campaign for the County’s College. The total raised for the yearlong effort, which publicly began at the end of February 2007, has now topped the $2 million goal and campaign volunteers are expecting it to continue to grow in the final two months.
“We could not think of a better way to mark achieving the $2 million milestone. We are very appreciative of all the donors who have made the $70,000 contribution in Peter Hunt’s memory possible. As pleased as we are to have reached goal two months ahead of schedule, it doesn’t mean we are stopping. We still have a significant amount of momentum out there, and there are many still considering making contributions to the campaign,” said Brian Hamel, who serves as tri-chair for the Campaign for the County’s College along with Robert Clark and Kris Doody. Presque Isle attorney Floyd Harding, who last August announced his gift of $1 million – the largest gift made to the campaign – served as honorary chair.
When officially launched last year, the leaders explained the major gifts campaign was reflective of both the impact of the campus in the region, as well as how the College community mirrors the aspirations of Aroostook and its people. Three funds were established to raise money for student scholarships, instructional technology and to help the College meet emerging and immediate community needs throughout the region.
“Our donors and the entire county community have reinforced what those of us working intimately on this campaign know about ‘The County’s College,’” said Doody. “NMCC is making a significant and positive difference in the lives of so many residents of northern Maine and, in turn, to the economy of the entire region. I am thrilled that we have achieved our goal and am looking forward to the final two months of this campaign!”
For Clark, reaching the $2 million mark was especially meaningful as it was achieved through gifts made in memory of a long-time personal friend, Hunt.
“Peter worked tirelessly to ensure that opportunities were available here in Aroostook County for people who are fortunate enough to call this wonderful place home. Through his numerous successful business ventures he provided opportunity for many,” said Clark. “That legacy will certainly continue as the scholarship fund in his memory will ensure access to opportunity for so many future generations of people who share Peter’s love of ‘The County.’ It is most fitting a scholarship fund established in his name be the gift that puts the Campaign for the County’s College over goal.”
In addition to his role as a founder of UIG, Hunt served as chairman and chief executive officer of the collaborative group of Maine independent insurance agencies until his retirement from that post in 1995. Afterwards, he formed U.V., Inc., a commercial insurance agency. He also consulted with many insurance companies and agencies within the Maine marketplace.
In addition to his service on the NMCC Foundation board, Hunt was involved in several other community and civic organizations, among them the Patriot Mutual Education Foundation Investors Council, Aroostook Partnership for Progress, Community General Hospital in Fort Fairfield, Fort Fairfield Housing Authority and the Fort Fairfield Community Development Board.