The Impact Newsletter | March 2025 | | There may be bare branches reflected in the windows, but the Crewe Center is blossoming inside! | | |
Dear Erin,
Did you know that Maine is growing? It’s true! Since COVID began five years ago, our state has added over 20,000 new residents—big news for a state with more trees and buoys than people. For decades, “Maine’s brain drain” challenged our workforce and economy. Now, we have an opportunity to turn that tide.
At the USM Foundation, our work helps USM stay ahead of Maine’s changing landscape. Here’s how:
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This past fall’s challenge campaign to grow the Promise Scholars endowment by $6.6 million means that more Maine high school students will access a high quality college education, and more Promise grads will head off into careers that continually advance Maine. Let’s call it “Maine’s brain gain.” (See what I did there?)
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Our work to complete fundraising and construction of the Crewe Center for the Arts will put an innovative beacon of excellence in arts education on the campus of a public university in the state’s growing arts hub, drawing more future artists and musicians from Maine and away.
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The campaign to finish funding the Collab: eSports Arena on the Gorham campus will take an already outstanding club team to the next level, and build a pipeline of tech talent ready to move Maine companies forward.
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The recent completion of a $3 million campaign to fund the MEMIC John T. Leonard Chair in Risk Management and Insurance (see the story below) is a reflection of Maine’s insurance industry collaborating to enhance their workforce to meet new risks, and their trust in USM’s RMI program to help them prepare for the future.
I’m proud to see Maine grow. And with your support, I’m even prouder that my alma mater is positioned to help it grow well. USM has always punched above its weight—but now, it’s delivering impact that will extend far beyond the classroom.
On behalf of our students, university, and the state of Maine—thank you for helping us amplify our impact now and for years to come.
With gratitude,
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Corey Hascall '99
President & CEO
USM Foundation
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| PS. Despite yesterday's classic late March snow squall, I'm happy to see that the crocuses outside the Glickman Family Library are insisting that spring is on its way! | | | USM Prof. Dana Kerr will be the inaugural holder of the MEMIC John. T. Leonard Endowed Chair in Risk Management | | | | |
Bridging Education and Opportunity: $3 Million RMI Campaign Success
Last month, we announced the successful completion of our $3 million campaign to fund the MEMIC John T. Leonard Endowed Chair in Risk Management and Insurance (RMI). What does this mean for our students? It significantly strengthens USM’s growing RMI programs and forges new connections with employers in the insurance sector, one of Maine’s most important industries. Funded with the support of The MEMIC Group, Cross Insurance, Clark Insurance and other industry partners, this achievement will help prepare students for the “many well-defined career paths in the RMI field,” said Prof. Dana Kerr, the first to hold the newly endowed chair.
Read how this RMI milestone will impact career opportunities for our students
| | Arts patrons are invited to name one of the new Steinways headed for the Osher School of Music | | |
USM Is Going All In For All-Steinway!
Cue the applause: USM is poised to become Maine’s first All-Steinway college or university––a designation that’s symbolic of the highest-ranked music programs and virtually unheard of at a regional public university like ours. Not only will it be a point of pride for USM, but it will also help fuel enrollment growth for the Osher School of Music.
Becoming an All-Steinway School means we’ll be equipping the Osher School of Music with 26 new Steinway grand pianos, ensuring that our students will learn and perform on world-class instruments. And now, thanks to arts champion Daniel Crewe ’22H, you’ll have a chance to name one of those 26 Steinways!
Announcing the $250,000 Name Your Steinway Challenge.
If we can raise $250,000, Dan will double match it with a $500,000 gift, bringing the grand total to $750,000! Thank you, Dan, for going all in for All-Steinway.
Contact Erin Macey to learn more about naming a Steinway!
| | | New Faces at the Foundation | | We are pleased to welcome the newest member of our USM Foundation team. | | |
Aurilla (Dee Dee Thibodeau) Fusco
Director of Major and Planned Gifts
Dee Dee has over 25 years of experience in leadership, mentoring, development, and business management. A Washington, D.C., native, with strong family ties to Maine, she has lived and worked all over the world. We're thrilled she is settling here with us!
Learn more about Dee Dee
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Ready, Set, Play!
The new Collab: eSports Arena by Town & Country, soon to open on our Gorham campus, will serve as an incubator of high-tech workforce skills, community belonging, and healthy competition on campus. You, too, can be a player in the development of Maine’s digital-savvy workforce by becoming an Esports Innovation Sponsor!
Contact Erin Macey for more on sponsoring innovation at USM
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Your Invitation Awaits
Is the University of Southern Maine included in your estate plan? If so, please get in touch so we can properly welcome you to USM’s 1878 Legacy Society. Time is of the essence because the 1878 Legacy Society Tea is right around the corner on June 4–– and we’d love to send you an invitation to our party!
Contact Aurilla (Dee Dee) Fusco and join us for tea!
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