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PORTLAND, Maine

Woman’s Literary Union adds to scholarship endowment at UNE

Judith Keegan Sturgeon WC ’49 and Jo Anne Vaughan Thomas Hall WC ’49 present a check to William Chance
Judith Keegan Sturgeon WC ’49 and Jo Anne Vaughan Thomas Hall WC ’49 present a check to William Chance

The Woman’s Literary Union (WLU), a Portland organization dedicated to the success of women through education and friendship, has made a generous donation to the University of New England. After 126 years, the WLU is disbanding and the board voted to use its remaining funds of more than $100,000 to create a scholarship for students at UNE’s Portland Campus.

The WLU has strong ties to the Portland Campus, which is the site of the former Westbrook College. Many of its members are alumni, including current President Jo Anne Vaughan Thomas Hall WC ’49 and Vice President Judith Keegan Sturgeon WC ’49. The WLU was also temporarily housed on the campus. Sturgeon spoke of the strong connection the organization had with the college. “Everyone in one way or another was connected to it.”

The WLU was founded to promote the intellectual life of its members through lectures, entertainment, and community work. Over the years, as women’s roles in the community have changed, membership has dwindled. When it came time for the board to decide what to do with its remaining funds, a scholarship endowment was a natural choice. “We’re thrilled,” Hall said. “We wanted the money to help students who are dedicated to their education and their future careers.” 

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions

Judith Keegan Sturgeon, Jo Anne Vaughan Thomas Hall, and William Chance inside Alumni Hall
Judith Keegan Sturgeon, Jo Anne Vaughan Thomas Hall, and William Chance inside Alumni Hall

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.