Why we give
By Cookie and Bill Horner
Cookie and Bill Horner
We first came to know of the college as something of a 1970s idealistic experiment. Our perception evolved gradually over the years as we met and began interacting with members of the community teaching there—architect Roc Caivano, ecologist Bill Drury, writer Bill Carpenter, and lawyer Dan Kane. There was a reason these thoughtful, committed people were drawn to this place. The emphasis on human ecology and the environment. The work with whales. The seriousness of purpose. The spirit of inquiry. Still, we weren’t initially deeply invested.
That changed when Cookie’s daughter Jen [Jennifer Judd-McGee (’92)] enrolled. Watching what she gained from her education transformed our understanding. She found her voice. She discovered and deepened her passion for art and for civil rights, and the college nurtured both. It gave her confidence and clarity. It helped her become who she is today. We believe that experience is not unique to her; it happens to many students who pass through this remarkable institution.
Over time, we have also come to see how so many COA graduates have stayed here on Mount Desert Island after graduation and how they have enriched our island community and the state—intellectually, culturally, and economically. They are teachers in local schools, faculty and staff at COA, Acadia National Park employees, leaders of local nonprofits, restaurant and shop owners, artists, musicians, and more. It is hard to imagine the area without them.
From Bill’s perspective, having grown up here, he thought the idea of the college was a long shot. But the value the college adds to the MDI community is immeasurable. The COA Summer Institute, for example, is a fantastic addition to all the college has to offer. We love the intellectual vitality it offers and the meaningful conversations it fosters.
Cookie’s time as a trustee has been deeply meaningful and has only strengthened our commitment to COA. We have found the faculty, staff, and board of trustees to be deeply engaged and invested in the student experience, in the COA mission, and in the future of the college. And as the college continues to grow and evolve, it’s an exciting and sound investment.
