The Southern Maine Community College Foundation in South Portland has received two sizeable donations toward scholarships in support of student success. The donations total more than $42,000 and will benefit students enrolled in the college’s Early Childhood Education and Precision Machining programs.

The Mary Louise Williams Haskell Scholarship was named for Haskell, a Yarmouth resident, who donated stock valued at more than $30,000 just prior to her death to establish an endowed scholarship in her name that will benefit early childhood education students in perpetuity. The scholarship will be awarded starting in the 2017-’18 academic year.

Haskell died in June at the age of 94 and her daughter, Sarah, said, “She wanted to make a difference and she especially wanted to make a difference in the field of early childhood education. She was passionate in her belief that a person’s early childhood experience and education is the foundation for a happy and successful life.”

The Gene Haas Foundation, based in California, has donated $12,500 to provide scholarships to precision machining students for the next two years. The foundation provides scholarships to community colleges, high schools and special educational programs that help build skills within the machining industry. This scholarship will be awarded to six precision machining students who will receive approximately $2,000 each.

In addition to its new scholarships, Southern Maine Community College has announced that a record-high 93 students, including 41 new students, will live at fire stations in area communities for the upcoming academic year.

Students who participate in the program receive fire-rescue and emergency medical services training and live and work at fire stations while enrolled full time in the fire science, paramedicine or criminal justice programs at the college.

Now in its 27th year, the program started with just six students — two each at the South Portland, Gorham and Scarborough fire departments. This year’s participants will serve at 31 stations in 17 communities stretching from Kennebunk in the south to Topsham in the east to as far inland as Raymond.

“This program is a partnership between our students, our partner communities and the college,” said Steve Willis, chairman of the fire science program. “Students receive valuable career experience, education, training opportunities and economic benefits. Participating communities benefit from well-trained and enthusiastic student employees. The college benefits by having students gain in-the-field experience to apply their academic knowledge.”

In other news, the college also recently announced the creation of new health sciences degree program. The new degree provides courses and support that lead to careers in health-care administration or health-care education. In addition, it provides the base coursework needed to earn a professional health-care degree.

“The health sciences program gives people the opportunity to explore the numerous options that are available in the health care industry,” said Ron Cantor, the college president. “This program helps students find a good match for their interests and go on to high-demand careers in the fastest-growing industry in the United States.”

Classes begin on Aug. 29 and the program is flexible, offering both online and in-class courses that allow students to assess the various career and transfer options that are available to them while earning an associate of science degree.

The program offers three educational pathways – health-care administration, health-care education and pre-professional health care provider.

The administration and education tracks provide training for students interested in working in a health care setting as health-care administrators, case managers, social workers, health-information specialists, educators or other support positions.

The pre-professional health care provider track is designed for students who are interested in a career in direct patient care and plan to transfer to a four-year institution after earning an associate degree at Southen Maine Community College.

Direct patient-care careers include positions such as physicians, physician assistants, chiropractors, dentists and pharmacists.

Those seeking more information can call 741-5800 or email  admissions@smccME.edu.

Mary Louise Williams Haskell, who recently endowed a scholarship at Southern Maine Community College, with her granddaughter, Zoe Fowler, at the college’s May 22 commencement ceremony.

Forty-one new students will live and work at area fire stations while enrolled as full-time students. In preparation for the live-in program, the new students will develop basic firefighting and EMS skills during a three-week Summer Fire Academy that begins Aug. 8.