The Alumni Newsletter, April 2026

USM graduates attending the Commencement ceremony at the Cross Insurance Arena

Greetings!

April in Maine always feels like possibility.


After the long winter, you can feel things just starting to move again. At USM, that same shift signals the movement toward one of the most hopeful moments of the year: Commencement.


Soon, our newest graduates will cross the stage and step into the arms of proud families, into careers they’ve worked hard to prepare for, and into lives that are just beginning to take shape or changing for the better. It’s a powerful reminder of what a USM education makes possible, and of the role this community plays in helping students get there.


That same spirit of connection and shared purpose was on display recently in my cherished School of Business. The most recent Conversations and Connections event brought together fellow Business alumni who are making a real difference in Maine’s nonprofit and business communities. Panelists Tae Chong ’98, ’08G of Furniture Friends; Sarah Lentz ’20 of the Maine Philanthropy Center; Mark Jones ’85 of Saco & Biddeford Savings Bank; and Heather Paquette ’99 of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine represent the very best of what it means to be part of USM. Their work and their willingness to stay connected illustrate the power of our network in action.


I see that power up close through my work with the Alumni Engagement Council. Every day, I’m reminded that USM alumni are leaders, problem-solvers, and community-builders across Maine and beyond. And just as importantly, they continue to show up for one another and for the students following in their footsteps.

If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved with USM, I encourage you to take that next step. Whether it’s volunteering at Commencement, attending an event, sharing your expertise, or simply staying informed (check out the new USM Pack Chat blog!), there are so many ways to strengthen this community. Zoё Cumler ’16 and the Alumni Engagement team would love to hear from you and help you find the right fit.


This season is all about what’s next. I’m grateful to be part of a community that continues to grow, give back, and move forward together.


With appreciation,

LEADER OF THE PACK

UPCOMING EVENTS

President's State of the University Address: The Power of USM

Join us for a live webinar featuring USM President Jacqueline Edmondson, who will share highlights of USM's recent progress, including campus developments, emerging academic initiatives, and the momentum shaping USM's future. This virtual event is free and open to all alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students, and community partners. A moderated Q&A will follow.

President's State of the University Address

Thursday, May 14, 2026

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT

Zoom Webinar



Register today.

USM WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP – A MORNING THAT INSPIRED

The 2026 USM Women in Leadership networking event on March 11 delivered inspiring stories, practical advice, and words of wisdom.

ATHLETICS SUCCESS

ALUMNI ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Mo Awale ’17 will be hosting a comedy show at the Mast Landing Brewing Co. in Freeport on April 17.
• Rob Barrett ’09 and co-owner Josh Schlesinger ’07 opened a new music venue, Live at Madrid’s, in Portland.
• Kendra Downs has been appointed as the next principal of Mitchell School in Kittery.
• Julia Edwards ’05 started a new position as Associate Broker at the Masiello Group of Better Homes and Gardens.
• Jennifer Hutchins ’08G will be honored with the “She Unites” award by the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce for her work as the Executive Director of Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP).
• Joseph Jackson ’16G, executive director of the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition, has been recognized as a 2026 Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year.
• Daniel McCormack ’07G was selected as UNE’s 2026 commencement speaker.
• Heather Paquette ’99, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank, has been recognized as a 2026 Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year.
• Sarah Rodgers ’96, past USM Alumni Engagement Council member, begins her new position as Chief of Staff at Axiom.
• April Ylvisaker Tardiff ’04 has been named to the 2026 Forbes “Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State.”
• Emilia Toth ’25 will lead community conversations at the Ellsworth Public Library, following the screening of The Inquisitor, a film on the life of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan.
• Lorrie Winslow ’06G, CEO of The Lincoln Home, reflects on a career leading and strengthening nonprofit, community-focused care for older adults in Maine in a Lincoln County News interview.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES FOR USM ALUMNI

RECENT OBITUARIES

• Raymond A. Bishop ’63
• William W. Boynton ‘65
• Robert E. Brown ’75
• John J. Colvin, III ’72
• Donald M. Dube
• Mary J. Fontaine
• Andrew Glayton Garrett
• Jay Gould Hamilton III ’72G
• Marjorie Hess ’80
• Stanley R. Howe ’66
• Donald Hughes

• Bruce D. Maurer ’04
• Ann K. Messinger ’99
• Damon Newcomb ’91
• Judith Dana Parker
• Susan C. Pendleton ’98G
• Martha Ann (Dyro) Pillsbury
• Jonathan D. Seaver ’75
• Anna Catherine Snyder ’75G
• Daniel St. Peter ’22
• Richard "Rick" Urban ’15
• Priscilla Ann (Soule) Yerxa

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