ROCKPORT – The Island Institute of Rockland awarded $125,000 in college scholarships Saturday to 59 island students pursuing postsecondary studies.

The awards, ranging from $250 to $6,000 each, were made during a luncheon at the Samoset Resort to celebrate the students’ accomplishments and recognize the support provided to Maine’s islands by the late Carol and Charles McLane.

The amount of the awards is almost $60,000 more than last year’s award total, said Nancy McLeod Carter, vice president of knowledge management at the Institute.

Island Institute President Philip Conkling gave a special award to the adult children of the late Carol and Charles McLane, authors of a four-volume history of the islands of Maine. Conkling presented a framed photograph of island rocks, taken by Institute Vice President and professional photographer Peter Ralston, in memory of the McLanes to their children, Rebecca, Eben and Alec McLane.

Several students received special awards, including Amelia Campbell of North Haven, Echo Presgraves of Peaks Island, Martha Gray of Cranberry Isles, Flora Drury of Vinalhaven, and Danielle Rich of Chebeague Island in Casco Bay.

For information about the Island Institute’s Maine Island Scholarship Program, visit www.islandinsitute.org or call Ruth Kermish-Allen, Education Outreach Officer, at 594-9209, ext. 117 or rallen@islandinstitute.org.

gchappell@bangordailynews.net

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