LEWISTON — The University of Southern Maine’s Franco-American Collection has announced the recipients of the Madeleine Giguère Scholarship for the 2013-14 school year. Hattie Freye of New Gloucester and Leah Jutras of Auburn each will receive $1,000 toward their studies at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College.

The scholarship is awarded every year to up to three students who show an interest in Maine’s Franco-American community, whether through their family background, career goals or academic studies. The award is open to incoming freshmen; students must be enrolled at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College for the upcoming school year. The scholarship is the result of a bequest by a co-founder of the Franco-American Collection, Professor Madeleine Giguère, and it aims to encourage the study of Maine’s Franco-Americans, a field which Giguère pioneered during her many years at USM.

The deadline for applications for the 2014-15 academic year will be in March. Contact USM’s Franco-American Collection at 207-753-6545 or franco@usm.maine.edu for more information.