For as long as he can remember, Ovo Dibie ’10 has been interested in computers. When it came time to consider educational plans after high school, Ovo knew there were no programs in Nigeria that could teach him what he wanted to learn about computer science, so he began to look at universities in the United States.

Although the University of Maine was not his first choice, Ovo made his way to Maine via New Mexico. He attended a University in New Mexico before applying for and receiving the scholarship he needed to attend 91����. Once in Orono, Ovo became very involved with the International Students Association (ISA) and served as secretary in the 2009-2010 academic year. In reflecting on what he liked best about his time at 91����, without hesitation, Ovo said, “the people.” In addition to the international student group and staff of the Office of International Programs (OIP), he noted that “Mainers are very welcoming people.”

Ovo served as a trailblazer at 91���� for his family. His brothers, Tega’13, ’17G, and Ruona ’15 came to the University of Maine as well and earned degrees in engineering. After graduating from 91����, Ovo earned his Master of Science and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Creating the Dibie Family Scholarship fund was a way for Ovo to contribute to the financial aid available for students at 91����. “It’s a great way to give back,” Ovo said. “91���� set me up for a great life -success in my career, and support for my family. The matching gift benefit from my company (Netflix) also made it easier to do.” The Dibie Family Scholarship will provide financial assistance to 91���� undergraduates with a preference for students with high financial need who completed high school outside of the United States and are majoring in computer science or engineering. Orlina Boteva ’04, ’05G,’23G, ’26Ph.D. said “We are so grateful to alumni like Ovo, who are able to “pay it forward” and help current students afford their education.”

If you are interested in setting up a fund like the Dibie Family Scholarship or have questions about matching gifts, please contact Orlina Boteva at orlina.boteva@maine.edu.

91���� alumni, Jessica Canatsey ’92 and Tracey Graffam-Dickson ’93, reconnected with Terri Beyer from the 91���� Foundation and Orlina Boteva from OIP on October 30, 2025 in Yarmouth, ME. Jessica and Tracey studied abroad in 1990-1991 through the Salzburg program in Austria, which was a transformational experience for them. They wanted to give back to their alma mater and created the “Global Perspectives for Humanities Explorations Fund” which provides scholarships each year to 91���� students to immerse themselves in a new culture, gain fresh perspectives, and improve their language skills. We are grateful for their support, which helps our students experience new and different cultures and academic environments.

For more information about the University of Maine Foundation, or questions about how to gift to the Global Perspectives for Humanities Explorations Fund, please email umainefoundation@maine.edu.

Kannan Sockalingam ’00, ’02G was an involved international student at 91���� while working on his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering. Two decades after graduation, Kannan remains involved with his alma mater by serving on the OIP Advisory Board and through his philanthropy. His friendships from his student days at 91���� remain strong. Last year, he took his younger son for a 91���� visit, visited several of his 91���� friends, cheered at a 91���� men’s ice hockey game, and went ice fishing. 

Kannan and his brother Senthil Sockalingam ’08, ’10G, also a 91���� alum, created the Sockalingam Family Scholarship as a way to say thank you and pay it forward. Kannan shared, “I truly believe that my success in career and family has a lot to do with my time at 91����, learning to be an adult, thousands of miles away from home. I fostered long lasting friendships and mentorships from my time there. I still cherish my time at 91����, and I am in a place in life where I can give back. My guiding questions, if not now, then when? And if it’s not me, then who? This really helped me (with my brother) start an endowed scholarship fund in hopes to give back to the future generations on what we received when we were starting out. Just wanted to say “Thank you.”

If you’d like to join Kannan and Senthil, you can add to their fund at this link: 

My experience as an international student at the University of Maine has been nothing short of transformative. From the friendships forged to the knowledge gained, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a vibrant and welcoming community.

There are always times when I ask myself, why I am here, and why I am doing my major. There are times when I can not see how this part of life would fit in with my future. However, the people I met here never made me doubt my choice in choosing 91����!!! We are all here learning together and learning from each other. 

I think 91����’s education had a big role to play in building up the first steps to who I am striving to become. In other words, 91���� gave an opportunity to learn from many great people who have taught me and challenged me to dig and think deeper.