Shelby Gilcott, a student graduating with top honors from Thomas College on Saturday, said she will go into Mother’s Day knowing her mother, also a Thomas graduate, was a key to her success.

“I have my mom to thank for so much these last four years,” she said.

Shelby’s mother, Cyndy Gilcott, encouraged her to attend Thomas, the same institution where she earned an associate’s legal secretarial degree in 1984.

“Now we share some of the same memories of college and even professors,” Shelby said.

During her freshman year, she said, she often called her mother while eating lunch or dinner in her car to talk about her problems, or just to talk.

Looking back, she said, she realized that the emotional support was critical to her success.

Advertisement

“Shelby is a sharp, hardworking, enthusiastic young lady, and I think she personifies the Thomas College experience,” said Shonna Humphrey, the college’s director of corporate and foundation relations, said.

A 2009 Skowhegan High School honor student graduate, Gilcott consistently made the dean’s list and the president’s list for strong academic work at Thomas. While taking classes, she held consecutive internships with the Maine Red Claws Basketball franchise and the Morning Sentinel.

Gilcott also has been an active part of the college community. When Laurie Lachance was installed as Thomas’ fifth president in September, she singled out Gilcott as a good example of student leadership, saying Gilcott helped shape her approach to relationships between administrators and the student body.

On Saturday, Gilcott was one of three class marshals, and she graduated magna cum laude with a major in general studies and a minor in sport management.

With a professional career awaiting her, she said she knows she’ll continue to draw on her mother for support.

“My mom has always been my confidante,” she said. “When I am lonely, I call her. When I have a question, I call her. When I’m crying, I call her.”

Shelby’s mother, Cindy, grew up in North Anson and attended Carrabec High School. Before becoming a paralegal, she worked at Al’s Pizza in Skowhegan, where she met her husband, Robert Gilcott.

Matt Hongoltz-Hetling — 861-9287
mhhetling@centralmaine.com


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.