Rick ’77 and Phyllis ’76 Vail have been close to USM since their undergraduate days. Phyllis, a retired teacher, and Rick, the former President of Mechanics Savings Bank, believe deeply in the power of education to transform lives. Rick has served on both the USM Foundation Board of Directors and the USM Board of Visitors.
Three years ago the couple established the Vail Endowed Scholarship with a generous commitment of $500,000. The scholarship supports USM juniors and seniors from Cumberland and Androscoggin Counties and has helped seven deserving students – five of whom have successfully graduated from USM and two who are pursuing their undergraduate degrees.