UM alumnus pledges scholarship funds

ORONO – Studying wasn’t the only activity that kept Thomas Laskey busy as a mechanical engineering major at the University of Maine more than 50 years ago.

Growing up in Old Town, one of eight children whose father worked at the pulp mill in the Great Works area, he spent much of his time at UM juggling his studies with an assortment of odd jobs. “Money was tight,” Laskey said.

Now the 1953 graduate, who lives in Woodstock, Conn., is hoping to ease the way for other needy students. He has pledged $100,000 to Campaign Maine, UMaine’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, for scholarships to benefit undergraduates who have exhibited leadership potential in high school or been involved in community service.

First preference for the Thomas P. Laskey ’53 Family Scholarship Fund will be given residents of Penobscot County or graduates of a Penobscot County high school.

“I want to help as many Penobscot County students go to college as possible. This school was good to me and I’m trying to give back,” said Laskey, who received a number of scholarships when he was an undergraduate.

Eric Rolfson, UM associate vice president of development, said Laskey’s gift will have a lasting effect.

“There is nothing more important to the future of our state than to guarantee our young people’s access to college,” he said. “Mr. Laskey’s thoughtful and generous scholarship will impact the lives of Penobscot County students for generations.”

UMaine has become a tradition in his family, said Laskey, whose brothers Henry and Harold also earned degrees at the state’s flagship university.

Laskey, who lived at home for most of his UM years and often would ride his bike or hitchhike to campus, said his parents encouraged their children to excel in college.

“My older brother got all A’s and they expected me to get all A’s, too,” he recalled.

Even though his free time at UM was limited, Laskey made room in his schedule to participate in the cross country and track teams. In his senior year he lived at Phi Eta Kappa fraternity, where he served as vice president and “had lots of close friends.”

His hard work at UM paid off. He was employed at companies including Pratt & Whitney and Chandler Evans. Then, in 1984, ready to spread his wings, he started his own construction company, Key Builders LLC.

Designing and building condominiums, apartment houses and single-family homes, Laskey found his calling.

“It was a lot of fun. I like the feeling of accomplishment when you see them put up,” he said. Although he retired 10 years ago, he continues to be involved in the business and works as a general contractor on one house each year.

Laskey made it a point to maintain close ties with UM over the years. For his 50th class reunion he helped raise some $180,000 to support various projects on campus.

He has established yet another tie with Maine, recently purchasing a summer home in Camden. “It’s a nice old 1840s farmhouse,” he said, “but it needs a lot of renovation.”

Always mindful of civic responsibilities, Laskey said he wants recipients of his scholarship to be enthusiastic and committed citizens and active in politics, entrepreneurial pursuits and other activities.

“I think it’s nice when young people get involved with different things in school, whether sports or band,” he said.

Frank Pickering, formerly of Deer Isle, another mechanical engineering major from the class of 1953, who still keeps in touch with Laskey, praised his friend’s civic mindedness.

“I know he had been thinking about what he could do for UMaine for some time,” said Pickering, recalling that Laskey has been “very generous with his time and his money.”

“He’s a loyal Black Bear,” said Pickering.

The Laskey family scholarship will enable the university to make 50 or more “substantial awards” over 25 years said Gianna Marrs, associate director of student aid. “It’s a wonderful gift. It epitomizes the goals and spirit of Campaign Maine because it provides direct support to Maine students. It also recognizes not just the aspirations of students, but also their leadership efforts in service to their own communities and to the university community.”

At age 76, Laskey still is a civic leader. “I try to volunteer as often as I can,” said the father of three and grandfather of eight who, along with his family, has donated to his hometown hospital and high school. Determined to nurture his grandchildren’s community spirit, as well as their business acumen, he gives each one $1,700 as a 17th birthday gift.

“They have to put $1,000 into a mutual fund and use the other $700 to contribute to a charity or help their parents with their education,” he said.