Jack Sutton ’72G’s journey to counseling—and ultimately to USM—began in the Army in 1968, where he served as an officer working with young, drafted troops. Stationed in southern Maine, he toured high schools and met counselors, sparking an interest in guiding others. This led him to take his first counseling course at the University of Maine at Portland (now USM), where he earned his master’s in 1972. After completing a doctorate, Jack joined USM’s counseling faculty in 1978, eventually shaping the program for nearly three decades until his retirement in 2004.
Today, a scholarship established with his late wife Annie supports future counselors at USM and provides an outlet for Jack’s belief in consistent, meaningful giving. Inspired by his father’s quiet act of tithing—a single dollar in the church basket each week—Jack learned that giving, no matter the size, builds a habit of generosity and purpose. Jack has made annual gifts to USM for over 15 years. His reward? Connection. He writes a note to each scholarship recipient, inviting them to lunch, sharing stories, and celebrating their successes.
Befitting a lifelong counselor, Jack believes that true generosity means “giving your full self to others,” a concept he traces to the teachings of famed psychologist Alfred Adler. For Jack, philanthropy is not transactional. It’s an enduring way to be an integral part of USM’s community and create opportunities that will outlast his own lifetime—proving that steady, heartfelt giving is its own legacy.