ORONO — University of Maine alumnus Blaine Moores has donated $2 million to launch a symposium series that will bring nationally prominent figures to campus for presentations and classroom conversations on history and current affairs.

Moores, who earned a bachelor’s degree in history from UMaine in 1959 and a master’s degree in education in 1963, has established the Blaine D. Moores '59, '63G History Series Fund through the University of Maine Foundation. The fund will support the creation of a new symposium program, which will invite distinguished figures to speak on campus about historical and political topics, enhancing students’ academic experience and sparking dialogue. 

The Moores series will include in-class visits by symposium presenters to history, political science and leadership studies courses. Reflecting Moores’ vision, the program aspires to attract presidential and political historians and analysts, as well as others whose insights and perspectives would engage students in wide-ranging subjects. 

“I am deeply grateful to Blaine Moores for this remarkable and forward-thinking gift,” said Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of the University of Maine and its regional campus, the University of Maine at Machias. “Thanks to his generous contribution, UMaine will be able to host nationally prominent campus speakers on historical and political topics, as well as in-class visits and related leadership studies courses.” 

“Blaine understands the power of bringing history to life,” said Emily Haddad, dean of UMaine’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “The Blaine D. Moores History Series will ensure that UMaine students and the entire community can learn from and be inspired by some of the most influential voices of our time. By providing a path from the national stage to the classroom, his gift will enable leading experts and national commentators to engage directly with our history students, as well as those in the related fields of international affairs, leadership studies and political science. This is a profoundly important investment in fostering generations of informed citizens and perceptive leaders.”

A native of Springfield, Maine, who now resides in Kennebunk, Moores has a long history of philanthropy with the UMaine Foundation. Beyond this newly established History Series Fund, Moores contributed to the Class of 1959 Scholarship Fund in 2016 ahead of their 60th reunion. Moores generously offered to match all gifts to the class scholarship, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. As a result of Moores' challenge, the fund’s balance jumped from $40,172 to more than $130,000, and currently sits at more than $153,000. 

“Blaine has been a very loyal alumnus, who cares deeply about the future of the University of Maine and appreciates all that his education has provided for him over the years. His gift will provide a deeper connection to history for future Black Bears and expand their knowledge. We are grateful for Blaine’s leadership and generosity,” said Jeff Mills, the University of Maine Foundation’s president and CEO. 

As a result of this gift, Moores was recently recognized at the Katahdin level of the university’s Stillwater Society, which honors donors of $1 million or more.  

The University of Maine Foundation is dedicated to supporting the University of Maine by securing and managing private gifts to enhance the University's mission of teaching, research, and public service. Through the generosity of alumni and friends, the Foundation strives to ensure the continued growth and success of the university.

As Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts/ and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts/.