FA honors 2016 Alumni Award winners
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Foxcroft Academy held its 116th alumni banquet on Aug. 6. In addition to dinner and conversation, the annual trustee award winners were honored.
The Tillson D. Thomas Award is given to a former faculty or staff member who, in the opinion of his/her former students, served the students of Foxcroft Academy with the highest degree of professionalism. Thomas served as headmaster from 1947-72 and his name is synonymous with order, rules and professionalism.
This year the recipient of the Tillson D. Thomas Award is former English teacher Tom Lyford. Lyford is a 1964 graduate of Foxcroft Academy and after college graduation and a few stints at other schools in Maine, he returned home to Foxcroft Academy.
Lyford taught English for the next 23 years and was involved in everything in the department from creative writing, poetry, computer programming and many dramatic and musical productions. After his retirement in 2002, he has continued with his love for the English language and has become an accomplished writer and poet. Lyford was in attendance with his wife of 50 years Phyllis – a 1966 graduate.
The Dr. Mary Chandler Lowell Award is given to an alumnus of Foxcroft Academy who has distinguished him/herself in their particular vocational field. Dr. Lowell was an 1881 graduate who went on to earn the degrees of Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Law and Doctor of Jurisprudence.
This year’s award recipient is Dean Smith, valedictorian of the Class of 1986. Smith was a standout not just in the classroom, but as a student-athlete. After graduation Smith would attend the University of Maine, majoring in electrical engineering while starring on the men’s basketball team. He was awarded the Walter Byers Award, symbolic of the top scholar-athlete in the country. Upon graduation, UMaine named its student-athlete award after Smith, presented to the top ranking graduating male and female scholar-athlete.
Smith has carved out a highly successful career in business world. His current company, Orono Spectral Solutions, works with the Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security and other commercial applications.
He was a member of the first class of the Foxcroft Academy Athletic Hall of Fame and is also a member of the Foxcroft Academy Academic Hall of Fame. Smith will be honored later this summer as he is inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.