By Marc Glass with reporting from Pat Carpenter '82; photo by Pat Carpenter '82
(Spring 2008 issue)

Duane Small ’63 says he had no idea that one day his alma mater would offer an endowed scholarship in his name.

The importance of support was among the first lessons he learned at Farmington State Teachers College. (When he arrived on campus and discovered he forgot to bring $100 for tuition, his Aunt Opal drove him home to get it.)

For his 60th birthday, friends and family surprised Small with a gift of an endowed scholarship at UMF. Unbeknownst to him, they contacted Pat Carpenter ’82, director of gift planning, to launch a scholarship in celebration of his contributions to the field of education, including service as a teacher, principal, curriculum director and consultant.

Small regularly contributes to his fund, sometimes honoring friends and colleagues—many of whom have contributed in his honor. Since the first annual Duane L. Small ’63 Scholarship was awarded to a UMF elementary education major in 2001, he has enjoyed hearing recipients’ tales of success and gratitude.

Amanda Gage-Croll ’08 met with Small in October to express appreciation for her $1,500 award. For Small, the meeting only confirmed his commitment to provide scholarship support.

“If it hadn’t been for the graciousness of former teachers and work-study opportunities when I was at FSTC, I would not have been able to earn my degree and enjoy my lifelong career in Maine schools,” Small says. “This scholarship is my way of saying thank you and passing along the support I received.”