Sappi Invests $100,000 in USM STEM programs

Sappi Fine Paper North America, lead by CEO and USM alum Mark Gardner '76 , has pledged $100,000 over the course of four years to support the University of Southern Maine Pioneers Program, the first college-level STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) program for high-achieving students in Maine.


The Pioneers Program, established at USM in 2011, is a learning community bringing together the best and brightest students in the STEM fields. USM Pioneers receive competitive four-year scholarship packages, premium housing, a laptop computer, undergraduate research opportunities, internships, and faculty mentors. Learn more


Mark Gardner '78, Sappi Fine Paper CEO, got his start at USM.  Hear his story below.

"The University of Southern Maine gave me the confidence to go out into the working world prepared to face the demands of the workplace"