EASTON, Maine — The Francis Malcolm Institute (FMI) in Easton recently received of a gift of $50,000 from Elizabeth Shaw in memory of her late brother, George D. Todd, for purposes of its ongoing capital campaign.
Todd graduated from Easton High School in 1960 and from the University of Maine in 1964 with a degree in engineering physics. He began studies at Syracuse University with a NASA Pre-Doctoral Fellowship and completed his Ph.D. in 1971. Shaw says her brother had a life-long interest in science and was always ready to defend the status of students from Aroostook County.
The donation represents an important contribution toward meeting the estimated $1.5 million target set by FMI to achieve sustainability and permanence in the lives of local residents by 2016. Campaign donations currently total $73,350.
The 30-year record of FMI offers ample evidence of a unique educational resource for interactive and exciting programs in science, nature, and astronomical topics.
“With an estimated attendance of some 6,000 visitors per year, the Science Center continues a vital and long-term investment into the dreams and scientific curiosity of children of all ages. Its stirring planetarium theatre promotes a deep and sensitive awareness of the Universe,” said Jim Orser, FMI trustee and great nephew of namesake Francis Malcolm. Hundreds of acres of woodland serve as an outdoor classroom, a beautiful sanctuary for wildlife, and for the cultural and recreational needs of Aroostook County and western New Brunswick, he added.
FMI hopes to encourage the entire community to recognize and celebrate this recent gift and to consider matching the contribution as an uplifting sign of widespread support for its innovative and always timely mission. Contributions of any size are greatly appreciated. For more information or to make a donation, contact FMI at 488-5451 or via email at info@francismalcolmsciencecenter.com.
