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August 19, 2025

Thomas College scholarship fund honors legacy of its former president

Thomas College campus Photo / Courtesy of Thomas College The Laurie Lachance Leadership Fund is named for the former president of Thomas College in Waterville.
By Renee Cordes

Thomas College in Waterville said it has raised more than $3 million over the last 18 months for a scholarship fund named for its former president.

The Laurie Lachance Leadership Fund aims to support college-bound Maine students. Lachance was honored on the Mainebiz Next list in 2015 and as a Mainebiz Woman to Watch in 2022, led the Waterville school as president for 12 years before she retired earlier this summer. She was succeeded by Jeannine Diddle Uzzi. 

To honor Lachance's legacy, the fund was designed to support students at key times in their higher education careers and to boost college access and affordability, particularly for first-generation college students.

Laurie Lachance standing in Thomas College building
File Photo / Tim Greenway
Laurie Lachance

“As a first-generation college student myself, I remember how difficult it was for me and my family to pay for and navigate college,” Lachance said. "This fund will help make students’ college dreams possible and not just have impact at the beginning of their journey, but the entire time they are at Thomas College.” 

The fund was launched with a $1 million donation of Peter and Paula Lunder, longtime supporters of Thomas College.

"Laurie has helped to improve the lives of so many Maine students and their families over the years, and this fund will continue that work," Kevin Gillis, president of the Lunder Foundation.

Thomas College is ranked No. 17 among Maine's largest colleges and universities in the 2025 Mainebiz book of Lists. Rankings were based on full-time undergraduate enrollment in fall 2024.

The Waterville school recently graduated its largest-ever class, which included 40% who identify as first-generation college students and 75% who graduated with honors. Historically, 73% of Thomas College graduates stay in Maine after completing their degree.

 

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