A year and a half after he passed away, John Nickerson is still giving.
An endowed scholarship fund and political science professorship have been established at the University of Maine Foundation with more than $2 million in gifts from Nickerson, a University of Maine alumnus and professor emeritus at the University of Maine at Augusta.
Nickerson, a graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn, died in May 2013.
University of Maine Foundation President Jeffery Mills announced the fund this week in UMaine’s North Stevens Hall where the John Mitchell Nickerson Room was dedicated.
“Dr. Nickerson’s gift will forever remind us of his love of higher education and his firm belief in its role in changing students’ lives,” University of Maine President Susan Hunter said. “UMaine was fortunate to know him as an alumnus, scholar and teacher. With this gift, Dr. Nickerson will continue to touch the lives of students, this time through his vision and generosity.”
The professorship will be known as the John Mitchell Nickerson Professorship of Political Science and will provide support for an accomplished UMaine political science professor.
The endowed John M. Nickerson Scholarship Fund will make merit awards to UMaine juniors and seniors who are residents of Maine and are majoring in political science or participating in the prelaw program. The fund is expected to generate approximately $100,000 per year for scholarships, starting in 2016.
“This substantial gift will result in one of the largest scholarship funds managed by the University of Maine Foundation,” Mills said. “Dr. Nickerson was a dedicated political science professional and scholar, with this significant and ongoing support for UMaine students and faculty his work will continue to advance in Maine and beyond.”
Although Nickerson was a UMaine alumnus and longtime graduate faculty member, most of his career he taught political science at UMA, where he left a $180,000 endowed scholarship fund, which will be held by the University of Maine System.
“I worked with John for over 14 years, and there isn’t anyone who was more dedicated to his students. He expected a lot from them, and he gave all of himself to his work,” Brenda McAleer, dean of professional studies at UMA, said. “The scholarship he has left for UMA could not be a more fitting tribute or legacy to his work here.”
Before he died, Nickerson described his life as “devoted to the teaching of his students” whose careers he followed and spoke of often. His gifts were a manifestation of his devotion to education.
Nickerson was born in Lewiston and lived his early life in Auburn, graduating from Edward Little in 1955. He is listed in Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who in American Politics; and Who’s Who in the World.
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