ORONO – A longtime staff member at University of Maine who became an instant fan of Vincent Hartgen after taking an art class from him more than 25 years ago is the recipient of the fifth annual Vincent A. Hartgen Award.

Janet Candage Rourke came to work at the university’s Cooperative Extension office in 1956 and held various positions on campus before becoming an executive secretary in the development office in 1977.

She retired from that office in 1999 but she has continued the work she began in 1979 on behalf of the UMaine Patrons of the Arts organization as it struggled to exist with no budget and relying solely on the work of volunteers.

Rourke is described as a tireless motivator and organizer behind the Patrons of the Arts, taking minutes during board meetings, organizing events and trips to museums and galleries and keeping members of the organization informed about the many campus and community activities undertaken over the years.

“Janet organized numerous Patrons’ functions, including receptions, dinners and Montreal Art Tours,” according to program notes from the April 24 award ceremony. “Her dedication to the Patrons well exceeded her 9-5 responsibilities. Janet has spent countless hours being a creative force to enhance the advancement of the patrons … Her intimate knowledge of the university and her caring attitude toward each patron has been responsible for much of the growth of this organization.”

The Hartgen Award is an honor bestowed annually since 1999 on individuals who distinguish themselves in advancing the community of the arts on campus.

Hartgen, who died in 2002, was the art professor who founded the University of Maine art department in 1946 and, with former UMaine president Lloyd Elliott, the Patrons of the Arts in 1963. Hartgen earned respect and recognition for extending the visual arts beyond the UMaine campus and into Maine schools through the traveling art exhibits. The traveling art exhibits continue today, reaching nearly 15,000 people every year, and remain one of the Patrons’ major endeavors.

Hartgen’s early philosophy of sharing art with schools throughout the state is synonymous with the university’s continued interest in sharing the talent, research and expertise of its faculty, staff and students with all facets of Maine communities.