Corey Hascall '99

President & CEO

USM Foundation

Big News for Promise

Earlier this month, we shared some extraordinary news: we have successfully met the $6 million matching challenge for the Promise Scholarship Endowment. This challenge was issued just three months ago by two generous, anonymous donors, who pledged to give $2 million if our community could raise an additional $4 million by the end of 2024. Raise it we did, and then some! The resulting $6.6 million boost to the Promise Scholarship Endowment brings us two-thirds of the way toward the ultimate goal of a $20 million endowment. The final $1 million gift to complete the challenge came from the estate of Kaye Flanagan ’73, an accomplished nurse known for her service to many Maine charitable organizations. She was predeceased by her husband David Flanagan, a Maine business icon and the 12th president of USM. Honoring Kaye's life of service, the contribution will support a Promise Scholar seeking a career in nursing.

Read all about how this Promise milestone will impact student lives.

Actor Tony Shalhoub ’77 Gives Back

Celebrated actor Tony Shalhoub graduated from USM in 1977 with a degree in theatre. It was his first step on the road to numerous award-winning stage, screen, and television roles. Now this multi-talented alum is giving back with a $60,000 gift to benefit a new generation of aspiring actors. His gift will be used to renovate the small performance Lab Theatre in Russell Hall, home of the Theatre Department on USM’s Gorham campus. As Honorary Chair of the Crewe Center for the Arts Campaign, Tony has generously contributed both his time and resources to the project. In addition to his most recent gift, he made a $150,000 contribution to the Crewe Center in early 2023 and led the groundbreaking celebration later that year. We expect him back on campus to help cut the ribbon in fall 2025, and you can see Tony on our Instagram sending muscular birthday greetings to Dan Crewe '22H on his 90th birthday!

We invite you to explore USM's fantastic theatre department, or go catch a show!

A Legacy of Gratitude and Giving

When Steve ’81 and his wife Suzanne Irish reflect on their journey, one theme emerges: gratitude. Today, the couple’s commitment to USM exemplifies how legacy giving can transform individuals, institutions, and communities. Steve, a member of the USM Foundation Board, and Suzanne are not only advocates but also active contributors to USM. Their philanthropy supports scholarships, the annual fund, planned giving, and capital projects like the Crewe Center for the Arts––demonstrating their belief in USM’s role as an educational and cultural cornerstone in Maine. Through their vision and generosity, Steve and Suzanne are helping to build a stronger USM. Read their story of gratitude in action.

If you'd like to explore opportunities to leave a legacy of your own at USM, please visit our Planned Giving page for more information.

A Glimpse of Greatness

With the Crewe Center for the Arts scheduled to open in fall 2025, many of us can’t wait to get our first look inside the new facility. Patience! Construction crews have moved indoors, and the ribbon cutting is just around the corner. This fall, Dan Crewe ‘22H got a sneak peek inside the building that bears his name. And later, Senator Angus King toured the space, accompanied by President Jacqueline Edmondson, other USM leaders, and members of the project construction team. As “The Crewe” continues to make excellent progress, we are all looking forward to the moment when this transformative facility opens its doors, ushering in a new era of sight and sound at USM. Meanwhile, check out this fly-through of "the Crewe" from our friends at Consigli Construction.

Since kicking off the campaign for the Crewe Center, we have successfully raised nearly $25 million! Today we have $5.9 million left to complete this iconic Maine arts center, and there are still plenty of opportunities for alumni and friends to be recognized inside the Crewe. Some of these include:

• Get A Room! Give USM arts students the gift of space to learn and practice their craft.
• Take A Seat! Put your name in the heart of the Crewe's magnificent performance space or in the cutting-edge arts lab.
• Become a Founding Sponsor! Discover the benefits of supporting the arts at USM.

We're always here to help you make your own impact on the arts at USM. Please reach out to Executive Director of Development Erin Macey today.

A New Home for a Team on Fire

Guess how many players are on USM’s eSports team this year. Did you guess… 225? No? Well it sounds crazy but it’s true. eSports is the largest and fastest-growing club sport at USM. Not only that, but they win a lot. We are proud to help them complete fundraising for their new home: the Collab: eSports Arena by Town & Country.

When our friends at Town & Country Federal Credit Union announced a $750,000 gift to build a leading-edge gaming arena on the Gorham campus, they recognized eSports an incubator of high-tech workforce skills, community belonging, and healthy competition. Now we’re launching the next phase of funding: an opportunity for businesses and individuals to invest in Innovation Sponsorships and other philanthropic investments to bring the arena to life.

Interested in becoming an investor in Maine’s digital-savvy workforce? Email Erin Macey to find out more. 

USM Women in Leadership Event Finds Common Ground

Earlier this month, more than 140 people braved single-digit temps to attend the first USM Women in Leadership event of 2025. Focused on the theme “All Together Now?” the event spurred a stimulating conversation about finding common ground in divided times. The panel of three accomplished leaders included Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, USM President; Melissa Boyd ’97, ’09G, Founder and CEO of Grow Your Knowing; and Jennifer Hutchins ’08G, Executive Director of Maine Association of Nonprofits. With USM Foundation President & CEO Corey Hascall ’99 facilitating, panelists and participants shared their leadership strategies for building bridges and fostering unity. At the event’s close, Corey announced that the community had successfully raised the funds to name a seat in the Crewe Center for the Arts for USM Women in Leadership.

Take a look at our photos of women's leadership in action!

Julie Feld

Senior Director of Finance & HR



A seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience leading Finance and Accounting functions in mission-driven organizations. Her expertise lies in strategic planning and execution and she’s the proud mom of a 2020 USM graduate.

Learn more about Julie

Bri Hayman

Marketing and Content Specialist

Brings valuable experience in social media and digital marketing to the Foundation’s Communication Team. A Maine native, Bri earned her MBA at Husson University in Bangor and is introducing innovative ways to engage with younger alumni.

Learn more about Bri

Avery Levesque-Schott

Engagement Associate

Currently pursuing his master’s in counseling at USM. With prior communications and administrative experience at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke’s in Portland, he is a valued addition to our Engagement Team.

Learn more about Avery