On August 5, 1875, six recent alums (they were all recent alums back then!) met to form what is
known today as the University of Maine Alumni Association. Of course, this month marks 150
years since that meeting, so it seems most appropriate to turn our alumni spotlight this month
onto the six alums who had the vision to start this association so long ago.
Walter Balentine, Class of 1874 – Walter went on to earn the first master’s degree (agriculture)
conveyed by the University in 1881, and then became a professor at the University. He passed
away in 1894. Balentine Hall was actually named in honor of his wife, Elizabeth.
George Shaw, Class of 1875 – Records show that commencement in 1875 was held on August 4,
and the meeting to form the Alumni Association was held the following day. Therefore, George
was an alumnus for just one day when attending the meeting to form the Alumni Association.
George Weston, Class of 1872 – George was one of six members of the University’s very first
graduating class in 1872. Several of his descendants went on to attend the University of Maine.
The extended Weston family was recognized with the Alumni Association’s Fogler Legacy Award
in 2022.
Edwin Haskell, Class of 1872 – Edwin was also one of six members of the University’s first
graduating class, and also has several descendants who are UMaine alums. The Haskell family
was recognized with our Fogler Legacy Award in 2006.
John Oak, Class of 1873 – Originally from Garland, Maine, John earned his degree in the second
graduating class from UMaine. He had a varied career that included being the postmaster in
Bangor, and also served as the Board Chair for the Alumni Association from 1906 to 1909.
Fogler Library has a copy of a notebook that he kept from lectures attended as a student.
Russell Eaton, Class of 1873. – Russell earned a civil engineering degree in our second graduating
class.
We are grateful for the vision of these founders and take great pride in continuing to connect
our alumni with one another and with the University of Maine 150 years later.