University of Southern Maine Alumni

09/04/2026

Students are back on campus and classes are in full swing which means September is packed with events for USM alumni and friends! See the full lineup and stay connected: https://usm.maine.edu/university-alumni/stay-connected/

A few highlights:
Sept 9 — USM Forum on American Democracy: Foundations of Free Expression
Sept 15 — Opening Reception: Visceral Cartography by Dan Mills
Sept 18 — Annual President's Concert
Sept 23 — Secondary Traumatic Stress and Empathic Strain Panel Discussion, in collaboration with Spurwink Services. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCSit2iuJeEN_EUMTRCBKPXpJspDBrfN739quJtW7h1_VXeg/viewform?pli=1
Sept 25 — Homecoming & Family Weekend

09/03/2026

It's one of our favorite traditions. Last week, USM alum Bruce Roullard '84 welcomed students, alumni, faculty, staff, civic leaders, and community partners into his Gorham home for the Open House for Student & Community Leaders — celebrating the start of a new academic year at USM and the vibrant Gorham community that surrounds it.

Councilor David Willis and President Jacqueline Edmondson shared meaningful remarks on the importance of the University's connection to the town of Gorham, and the evening was a wonderful reminder of how strong that partnership can be when students, alumni, and community leaders stay engaged with one another.

Thank you, Bruce, for your generosity in hosting and for your continued commitment to both USM and Gorham. Here's to another great year of connection between campus and community!

08/26/2026

Please join us in welcoming our new Alumni Engagement Council President, Ellie Espling '94!

And a warm welcome to our newest Council members:
-> Martin Foley ’92
-> Peter Harrison ’90G
-> Krisztina Napolitani ’08, ’15G

We can't wait for the fresh perspectives, big ideas, and continued momentum this crew is going to bring. Here's to what's ahead!

Want to meet the rest of the crew? Head over here: https://usm.maine.edu/university-alumni/alumni-engagement-council-aec/

08/18/2026

Guy O'Connell '85 got his degree in accounting from USM, which led him to a career at Original Gourmet Food Company — but in 2021, he pivoted and turned his childhood home's lawn into a vineyard.

By day, Guy sells gourmet lollipops, Dubai chocolates, and other treats to retailers across the region. By night (and weekends, and days off), he's out among the vines.

What started as a pandemic hobby has grown into the dream of a micro-winery. Proof that it's never too late to try something new.

Read Guy's full story from the Portland Press Herald:

Guy O'Connell has transformed an ordinary lawn into a flourishing micro-vineyard.

08/13/2026

Imagine the people you spent every night with on campus... still being your people 70 years later.

Betty Lou Banks '56, Jacqueline Lajoie Laplante '56, Adeline C. Whitney '56, '75G, Janet C. Whitney '56, and Donald A. Cramer '55 don't have to imagine it — they're living it!

The group met at Gorham State Teachers College (now USM) in the early 1950s and have gathered every summer since, without fail, for 70 years. Wedding anniversaries. Grandkids and great-grandkids. Even homes bought together in Florida. Seven decades of memories, all traced back to a college friendship that never let go.

This is what a USM education gives you. Not just a degree, but a family.
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/207-interview/they-graduated-college-together-in-1956-70-years-later-these-friends-are-still-making-memories/97-f788b310-6d10-4992-9eb5-fb9cb419d534

08/11/2026

Thank you to all the USM alumni that participated!

08/11/2026

Huge congrats to our very own Corey Hascall ’99!

She is one of six named to Mainebiz's 2026 Outstanding Women in Business — recognized for the record-setting philanthropic growth she's driving as President & CEO of the University of Southern Maine Foundation.

She started her journey right here at USM, and now she's helping shape its future. That's the kind of full-circle story we love to celebrate!

Join us in congratulating Corey! and read more about her work here: https://mainebiz.biz/honoree/outstanding-women-in-business-corey-hascall-leads-growth-at-the-university-of-southern-maine/

07/21/2026

From the USM community to the airwaves of Maine Public — Annella Linton joined Maine Calling last week to talk all things Community Radio, representing WMPG (our favorite station).

Check out the full episode: https://www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-calling/2026-07-16/community-radio

07/16/2026

Attention alumni with federal student loans!

If you were enrolled in the SAVE repayment plan, big changes are coming — you'll soon need to pick a new repayment option, and it can feel overwhelming to know where to start.

Good news: FAME (Finance Authority of Maine) is hosting a free webinar to help you make sense of it all.

🗓️ Friday, August 7, 2026
🕛 12:00–1:00 p.m.
💬 Guest expert: Betsy Mayotte, a nationally recognized student loan authority

She'll walk through the latest updates and help you figure out which repayment plan makes the most sense for your situation.
It's free, but registration is requested so FAME can plan for the group. Mark your calendar and share with any fellow grads who might need this!

Register here: https://famemaine.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w0J4iq1sRMSaPMD1MD8BJw #/registration

07/04/2026

Celebrating 250 years of red, white, and blue right here on campus. Happy 4th!