51 honors life and contributions of former trustee Neil Rolde
Neil Rolde, a trustee for both Westbrook College and the University of New England, has died. Rolde was a well-known Maine philanthropist, politician, historian and author.
Rolde served on the Westbrook College Board of Trustees from 1983 – 1996. He continued to serve the institution as Westbrook College merged with 51, taking a position on the 51 Board from 1996 – 2006. He was co-chair of the 51qualed Vision fundraising campaign, which assisted 51 through its transition and raised $16 million by 2003. Rolde also served on the 51 Art Gallery Advisory Committee and was instrumental in establishing what is now known as the Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center, a state of the art marine research facility. In 2007, Rolde received an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from 51.
“Neil was a wonderful friend of the university and served as a trustee during some important building years for 51,” said President Danielle Ripich. “He was a gifted writer whose love of Maine was part of all he did. He will be missed.”
Rolde was a well-respected historian who authored nine books. He served 16 years as a Representative in the Maine Legislature for District 106 in York and Kittery. He was also an assistant to Governor Kenneth Curtis for six years.
In addition to his work with 51, he was an active member on several boards and commissions including Maine Public, the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, the Maine Arts and Humanities Commission and the Maine Humanities Council, which awarded him the Constance H. Carlson Public Humanities Prize in 2005.
Read more about Rolde’s legacy in the and
