Getting involved with John Chandler’83
The University of Southern Maine is very fortunate to have a wealth of committed and talented volunteers who work tirelessly for the institution– some are alumni, others are not. When you ask John Chandler, Managing Principal and CEO at Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker since 1999, about his commitment to USM, he says it was the service of others that motivated him. He had observed numerous community leaders, without school ties to USM, working to help the institution accomplish its mission. They weren’t alumni, but understood the important role USM plays in the community and the region from an academic, cultural and economic standpoint. Their service impressed him and led to his own involvement.
When John was deciding on which college to attend, financial consideration was a big factor. While he didn’t realize it during his college years, after graduation, he grew to appreciate the value of his education and saw firsthand the strong ties that USM has to the community. He’s happy that he chose to attend USM, and knows that he has benefited significantly from his education.
John is a graduate of the School of Business, and has been active in various projects at the School. He has mentored two students, served as a judge for the Student Business Competition, and this past spring, was the keynote speaker at the School's annual Student Recognition Event. In addtion to his efforts with the School of Business, John has been active with USM's Corporate Partners program, and recently helped to lead fund raising efforts that supported Transforming USM: The Capital Campaign, the most successful campaign in USM's history.
John has also helped foster a solid working relationship with Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker and USM over the years. There are two School of Business scholarship programs in memory of founding firm Partners; the Burchard A. Dunn’57 scholarship, and the Robert W. Berry scholarship. Additionally, a USM graduate has led Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker for 24 of its 33 years of existence. Just this year, the firm and the School of Business created the Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker Distinguished Fellow of Accounting and Taxation to support the educational needs of students and business professionals. John feels great person statisfaction from his association with the University over the years because he knows that the USM is helping people to realize their potential.
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