Saint Joseph's College of Maine
 

Who Contributes?

Alumni

Who Contributes? l Friends of the College l Faculty & Staff l Foundations & Corporations l Families

What makes a great school? Many would argue it should be measured, in part, by the support of its graduates.

Saint Joseph’s is fortunate to have a growing number of alumni contributing to the College. For 2004, alumni giving to the Annual Fund was up 23% and overall alumni giving was up 77% over the previous year. The number of alumni donors was up 15%.

These increases dramatically demonstrate the positive outlook that alumni have for the future of Saint Joseph's.

Dorothy Hettinger ’87 Graduate & Professional Studies program

Graduate & Professional Studies program—creating opportunities for students around the globe.

Dorothy remembers well the three weeks she spent on campus one summer in the mid 80’s. “It was so hot and none of the dorms or classrooms had air-conditioning. They gave us some old fans to blow around all of the hot air. But we had a blast.”

Much has changed on campus since the 80’s, including air-conditioned classrooms and residence halls, but the friendships formed, bonds created, and educational opportunities explored through the Graduate and Professional Studies Program remain the same.

“I enjoyed the experience Saint Joe’s gave me as a college student and the ability to get my degree. I can’t say enough about the program and the wonderful opportunity it gave to me and my family.”

It isn’t a surprise that Dorothy has been a supporter of the College since the day she graduated in 1987 and has donated every year to the College’s Annual Fund. “My husband’s employer has a matching gift program that doubles the amount we donate. It’s money well spent!”


247,307 Square feet of building space on campus
908 Parking spaces on campus
170 Exterior light poles on campus
6 Acres of parking on campus
200 Tons of sand used this winter in lots and sidewalks
50 Acres of grass mowed on campus



Jim and Kathy Walker ’74

Jim and Kathy give back because of the students.

Jim and Kathy met over 30 years ago at Saint Joseph’s. Jim was part of the first class of men to enter the College.

On the whole notion of giving and supporting the College, Jim replies, “Our family has been very blessed in life. Our Saint Joseph’s educations, the community experience, and the faith foundation instilled in us the responsibility to give back for all that we have received. We have many places we give; the College will continue to be one of them, especially when we see the effective use of those funds in the faces of the current students and facilities.”

This fall Jim and Kathy will help their daughter, Anna ’03 celebrate her marriage to Scott Walker ’05. Seems as though Anna has followed in the footsteps of her parents.

Dennis Maxwell ’85

Reaping the benefits of an excellent education.

As the Director of Placement Services at Central Maine Community College, Maxwell knows a thing or two about what potential employers are looking for in graduates and the institutions from which they graduate.

“Employers and businesses recognize the type and quality of education students have received and are anxious to hire a person they know has received a quality educational experience.”

Maxwell points out that not only did he receive an excellent education at Saint Joe’s but he has also benefited from the growth of the College in recent years. “The reputation of the College continues to grow and with that growth comes an increase in the value of my own degree.”

But for Maxwell it’s not all about reputation, placement, and perceived value of a degree—it’s about the friendships too, many of which he formed during his years at Saint Joseph’s and has continued over the years. “I could never put a price on those friendships. To me they are invaluable.”

When asked why he has been such an avid supporter of the College he replies, “I have found it important to support the College year after year in financial and non-financial ways—because of the ongoing benefits of my education and the experiences Saint Joe’s continues to provide me.”