ORONO, Maine (WABI) – The current president of the University of Maine Student Government became the first recipient of a new scholarship created in honor of Sen. Susan Collins’ late parents.
Winn native, UMaine junior Keegan Tripp is the inaugural awardee of the Patricia and Donald Collins Scholarship.
The $1,000 endowed scholarship is in memory of the Collinses, who were both UMaine graduates and former Caribou mayors. Patricia served as the first female chair of the UMaine System Board of Trustees among other organizations.
At the award presentation Friday at UMaine’s Buchanan Alumni House, Sen. Collins said a scholarship is the perfect way to commemorate her parents’ commitments to public service and leadership.
And to her, Tripp is a great inaugural pick to continue their legacy.
“He understands how important the commitment to public service is, and since that was the characteristic of both my parents, it’s really nice to see it reflected in the first recipient of the scholarship in their name,” Sen. Collins comments.
Beyond his role as President of UMaine Student Government, Tripp is also a member of the Alumni Association. He also interned with Collins in her Bangor office.
He says his time at the university, which he describes as combining large school spirit with close-knit community values, has allowed him to fully immerse himself in what it means to be a steward in public service.
“To receive a scholarship in the name of people who I never unfortunately got the pleasure to meet, but I know has trickled down into and built up what this institution has become, it’s one of the greatest honors I’ve had so far,” Tripp says of the recognition.
As an endowed scholarship, the Patricia and Donald Collins Scholarship will be awarded to a student every year to recognize achievement in leadership and public service.
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