The Alumni Newsletter, June 2026

Greetings!

June in Maine is a season of new beginnings. The days are longer, campuses are quieter, and a new chapter begins for thousands of graduates as they transition into life beyond USM and join the USM Alumni Association.

This year feels especially meaningful to me as I celebrate 10 years since my own graduation from USM. I remember the excitement, uncertainty, and possibility of that moment — wondering what was next and how my education would shape the path ahead. Now, as the Director of Alumni & Community Engagement for the USM Foundation, I have the privilege of welcoming a new generation of Huskies into this community, while also experiencing that connection as an alum myself.

Our newest graduates join more than 65,000 USM alumni who are making an impact across Maine and beyond. Their stories, accomplishments, and journeys are what make this community so special. In this issue, you’ll catch a glimpse of the many ways Huskies continue to learn, lead, serve, and stay connected. Read about:

• Impressive members of the Class of 2026, featured below and in the Pack Chat blog
• Leader of the Pack, Jaycie Christopher ’26, LEC Player of the Year for Women's Basketball
• The inspiring USM alumni who spoke at USM’s 146^th Commencement Ceremony
• Alumni milestones and accomplishments, upcoming events, learning opportunities, and so much more.

One of my favorite parts of this work is seeing the many ways alumni remain connected to the University and to one another. Whether you attend an event, share your expertise with students, volunteer your time, or simply stay informed about what is happening at USM, you help strengthen the Husky community for generations to come.

As we welcome our newest alumni and celebrate all that our community continues to accomplish, I hope you’ll take a moment to explore the stories below and find a way to stay connected that feels meaningful to you. And if you’re looking for other ways to get involved or stay engaged as an alum, please feel free to connect with me — I’d love to help you find an opportunity that’s right for you!

Thank you for being part of the USM family.

With appreciation,

MEET SOME OF OUR NEWEST GRADS

The newest members of the USM Alumni Association are already doing amazing things! Faces from the Class of 2026 include: (Clockwise from upper left) Zoe Barnes ’26; Tim Fogleman ’26; Deklin Fitzgerald ’26; Bridgette Toland ’26; Najmo Ahmed ’26; and Maddox Cahill ’26.

Read their stories and much more in USM's Pack Chat blog.

LEADER OF THE PACK

FEATURED STORIES

Henry A. Giroux ’67 delivered the commencement address and received an honorary degree, recognizing a lifetime of scholarship in education, democracy, and civic responsibility. In his address, Giroux said, "Education is not a luxury...it is a vital resource for understanding the world and changing it."

Learn more about Henry Giroux

Najmo Ahmed, '26, a first-generation college student from Lewiston, Maine, was the student commencement speaker. In her address, Ahmed, who earned her degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, acknowledged the hard work and perseverance required to reach Commencement Day.

Meet Najmo Ahmed

Did you know...?

• 387 members of the graduating class were first-generation students
• 37 countries were represented
• The age of graduates spanned 17 to 79

For a closer look at USM's newest alumni, check out The Class of 2026, by the Numbers in the Pack Chat blog.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Southworth Planetarium: A new view of the cosmos

USM's Southworth Planetarium got its first major upgrade in over a decade this year. Read about the extensive improvements to the Planetarium and be sure to check out the schedule of upcoming shows in June.

Even As We Grieve: An exhibition of work by Peter Bruun

USM's 2026 Artist-in-Residence, Peter Bruun, explores how human connection helps us endure and transform experiences of pain, loss, and crisis. His work is on display at the Crewe Center for the Arts, now through July 31, 2026.

Mum’s the Word: MOMologues Reading & Artist Talk

Join us for a reading of the play "MOMologues," created by Brianna M. Allen ’08 and directed by USM Theatre faculty member Tess Van Horn. Learn more and register for this free event.

7 p.m., Thursday, July 16

Corthell Hall, Gorham campus

PAST EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

President Edmondson on the Power of USM

On Thursday, May 14, President Edmondson held a special live webinar, sharing highlights of the university's recent progress with the wider USM community. She touched on exciting campus developments, emerging academic initiatives, and the growing momentum shaping USM's future. Watch the video to learn how USM continues to expand opportunities for students while strengthening Maine's economy and communities.

USM's Golden Grads: Leading the Way

On the morning of Commencement, we celebrated the legacy and leadership of USM's Golden Graduates. Alumni from the Class of 1976 and earlier caught up with fellow classmates at the Golden Grads Breakfast and then led the Class of 2026 into the Cross Insurance Arena. Their presence honored more than 50 years of leadership, service, and impact across Maine and beyond.

To all our Golden Grads, thank you for being part of this special tradition – and to those who could not join us, we hope to see you next year.

ALUMNI ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Nicole Avery ’87 joined the USM Foundation as Senior Major Gifts Officer.
• Al Bean ’77, ’92G, former USM athletic director and current Little East Conference Commissioner, was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Hall of Fame.
• Jim Damicis ’90G, Senior Vice President, Camoin Associates, received the Distinguished Alumni Award at the 2026 Maine Center Awards event.
• Sasha Deri ’96, founder of bluShift Aerospace, was recently featured on Marketplace Morning Report for helping power the emerging space economy with innovative rocket technology.
• Ryan Koenig ’17 has been promoted to Activities and Events Director at OceanView at Falmouth.
• Katie Nolan ’20, newly named Mayor of Dorchester, MA, was recently interviewed in the Dorchester Reporter.
• Levi Robinson ’17 was recognized in the Eagle News for his leadership in helping oversee public fund accountability and financial operations for the Town of Windham.
• Steven Rouillard ’13, a Hockey East referee, officiated his second Frozen Four, the NCAA Division I men’s college hockey championship.
• Tony Shalhoub ’77, celebrated stage and screen actor, will reunite with his "Monk" team on the new CBS show "Einstein."
• Maryna Shuliakouskaya ’11 was awarded the 2026 Maine Woman of Impact Award from the American Heart Association Go Red for Women campaign.
• Nikki Williams ’15G, 211 Maine Program Director, United Ways of Maine, received the Emerging Leader Award at the 2026 Maine Center Awards event.
• Heidi Wurpel ’11G, VP of Marketing at Emburse, was named among the Top 100 B2B CMOs in the world.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

RECENT OBITUARIES

• Natalie E. Blake ’66
• Julie M. Desaulniers ’99
• Ann Buckley Ruth Golder ’55
• Jill Webber Marshall ’94
• Dianne Colby Massey ’86
• Nate Nickerson ’86
• Janet Leigh (Soucie) Radsky ’75

• Scott Michael Rogers ’80
• Kathleen Ann Shea ’80
• Karen (MacPherson) Silvestri ’83
• Shirley Ann (Lindgren) Stenberg
• Philip E. Tetreau Jr. ’79
• Brian Thomas Wright ’86
• Keith A. Zub ’79

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