Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
Photo / Michele Stapleton
Bowdoin's president will oversee the selection and visits of Dreer Fellows, working with the campus and alumni community.
Bowdoin College will use the bulk of a $2 million gift announced Wednesday to set up an endowed fellowship to bring inspiring leaders who overcame disadvantaged backgrounds to campus.
The donation comes from Kenneth I. Chenault, who graduated from the Brunswick liberal arts college in 1973 and received an honorary degree in 1996, and his wife, Kathryn C. Chenault. He is a former CEO and chairman of American Express Co.
In making their gift, the Chenaults have named the fellowship in honor of 1910 alumnus Herman S. Dreer, whose life story Kenneth Chenault detailed in his history honors thesis. Dreer was only the second Black man to graduate from Bowdoin, 84 years after 1826 alumnus John Brown Russwurm. He graduated in just three years as the second-highest-ranked student in his class.
Ken Chenault wrote in his thesis that Dreer had “a lifelong mission: Helping Black people in any way he possibly could, be it educating them, tending to their spiritual needs, or as he did in November of 1972, engaging in a fierce political struggle to help Blacks gain elective office in St. Louis.”
Along with historian Carter G. Woodson, Dreer initiated the observance of Black History Month in the United States.
"I stand on the shoulders of people like Herman Dreer who, despite being denied the opportunities they deserved, paved the way and valiantly forged ahead,” said Ken Chenault. “Kathy and I are privileged to honor Herman Dreer and give him the long overdue recognition that he so justly deserves. The Herman S. Dreer Leadership Fellowship will ensure that Herman's legacy lives on to inspire future generations of trailblazers."
The Herman S. Dreer Leadership Fellowship aims to bring honorees from all walks of life from business to the arts to Bowdoin for a semester or an academic year, with the expectation they will visit campus several times, deliver a public lecture and engage with students and the greater Bowdoin community.
Additionally, fellows may also attend classes at the invitation of faculty, hold office hours to provide students career and mentoring advice and meet with alumni (particularly young alumni). They will also be invited to meet with student groups and share meals with students, faculty members and staff in the dining halls.
“This is both a generous gift and a beautiful idea that will bring to the fore an incredible alumnus who had largely been forgotten at the College — a person very important to Ken, whose life he and Kathy want us to understand and celebrate,” said Bowdoin President Clayton Rose. “Dreer Fellows will be an essential part of a new and deliberate effort at the College to further develop leadership skills in our students, to underscore that a Bowdoin education prepares them to accomplish anything they want in their lives, and to aim high — very high.”
Bowdoin's president will oversee the selection and visits of Dreer Fellows, working with the campus and alumni community.
As of fall 2022, Bowdoin's student enrollment was 1,909 on campus and 103 off campus. The school employs 206 faculty members.
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn More
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn More
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
0 Comments