AUGUSTA -- First, the Student Technology Center at the University of Maine at Augusta took on Richard J. Randall's name.

Now, the university is planning in the coming years to offer a scholarship award bearing the late university president's name.

The Richard J. and Mary Elisabeth Randall Scholarship Fund began accepting contributions in June, said Joyce Blanchard, UMA's Director of University Advancement.

And when the fund balance is right, she said, the kitty will dispense awards to two outstanding UMA students each academic year.

"I think the scholarship fund pays tribute to the students Richard cared about so much," Blanchard said.

Randall, who stepped down as UMA's president in March, died May 31 at his Winthrop home after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer. He was 65.

The University of Maine system Board of Trustees in May accepted UMA President Allyson Hughes Handley's recommendation to name the campus' student technology center for Randall.

Mary Elisabeth Randall, Richard Randall's wife and a former UMA vice president and registrar, made the initial donation to the fund, Blanchard said.