The Alumni Newsletter, October 2026 | | Fall into a Good Story: Books, Events, and News from USM | | |
Greetings!
There’s a particular kind of Maine autumn morning, crisp air, a mug of coffee, and a good book, that I look forward to all year. As I write this from Bowdoinham with the leaves at their peak, I’m feeling grateful for the season and for the USM community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Homecoming. It was a joy to see so many alumni back on campus, trading stories and reconnecting. If you couldn’t make it, I hope you'll be able to join us next year.
October is National Book Month, a theme close to my heart. After more than 30 years in public education, I’ve come to believe that learning never really ends, and few things nourish it like a great book. This issue celebrates our alumni authors, including a new release from John Herrick ’02G. If you’ve published a book, we’d love to hear about it. Visit our alumni authors webpage to browse their work and share your own.
Looking ahead, we hope to see you at USM Women in Leadership with Victoria Rowell ’05H on November 10 or the OLLI Creator’s Fair on November 19. You’ll also find Osher School of Music performances on PortTix, plus alumni accomplishments, ways to get involved, and information on how gifts to the new Opportunity Scholarship open doors for USM students.
Before you dive in, please take a moment to update your contact information so you never miss an invitation or a story. Know a fellow alum who isn’t hearing from USM? Pass the link along so they can stay connected. And if you’d like to reconnect with USM in a way that feels meaningful to you, please reach out to Zoë Cumler, Director of Alumni and Community Engagement, at zoe.cumler@maine.edu.
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Robert Curtis ’74G
Member, Alumni Engagement Council
USM Foundation
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Stay in touch!
Make sure we have the most up-to-date contact info so you never miss out on news, events and opportunities from us.
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National Book Month
October is National Book Month, and USM alumni have been busy filling the shelves. From novels and memoirs to poetry, children’s books and more, our alumni are telling stories that inform, move, and inspire readers well beyond Maine.
This month, we’re proud to highlight John D. “Jasper” Herrick ’02G, whose new book, No Good War: An Infantry Memoir of the Vietnam War, a memoir of a drafted infantryman’s year of combat in Vietnam and life after coming home. We’re also celebrating the accomplishments you’ve shared with us, found below.
| | We invite you to browse USM Alumni authors and/or submit your own book. | |
President Edmondson on Why Reading Matters
In a recent Portland Press Herald op-ed, President Jacqueline Edmondson makes the case that reading is essential to our democracy and that strengthening it is work for the whole community, including USM. She shares how our faculty, students, and programs like USM Reads are helping build confident, curious, lifelong readers.
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Raised to Rise:
Victoria Rowell ’05H on the Women Who Shape Our Lives
A USM Women in Leadership Event
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Reception at 4:45 p.m.| Program at 5:30 p.m.
McGoldrick Center Salons, Portland Campus
Victoria Rowell ’05H returns to USM for Raised to Rise, a free evening honoring the women who shape our lives. She’ll be joined by Linda Webb ’69, ’93G for a conversation about mentorship, belief, and paying it forward. Attendees will enjoy a reception, raffles, and a book signing.
Reserve Your Spot
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USM Reads with Nadine Strossen
November 18, 2026 | 12:30 p.m.
Wishcamper Center, Room 102
Legal scholar and former ACLU President Nadine Strossen joins USM on November 18 for the Democracy Forum, with a special USM Reads session earlier in the day on her book Hate: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship. Don’t miss this conversation on protecting free speech in modern democracy.
Let us know you're coming
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Creator’s Fair
November 19
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wishcamper Center, Portland Campus
Browse handmade pottery, knitting, paintings, photography, baked goods, and more at the OLLI Creator’s Fair, a great place to find a one-of-a-kind gift while supporting local makers. Admission is free and open to all, so stop by and bring a friend.
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Osher School of Music Announces 2026–2027 Season
The Osher School of Music has a full season of concerts ahead, from student recitals to ensemble performances at the Crewe Center for the Arts. Buy your tickets on PortTix.
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Theatre Department Announces 2026–2027 Season
The USM Department of Theatre has unveiled its lineup for the 2026–2027 season! All productions will take place at Russell Hall on the Gorham campus. Reserve your seats through PortTix.
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Open House for Student & Community Leaders
| | | | We kicked off the start of the school year with a special event hosted by alum Bruce Roullard ’84, who opened his Gorham home to students, alumni, faculty, staff, civic leaders, and community partners. The evening celebrated the new academic year at USM and the Gorham community that surrounds it. Councilor David Willis and President Jacqueline Edmondson shared remarks on the importance of the University’s connection to the town. | | |
Thank you to everyone who came home to USM! Alumni took the stage for the alumni band concert, a MASH helicopter landing honored our veterans, and graduates connected at the Mocktail & Networking event.
At the helicopter landing, student and Army veteran Nick Cornelissen ’27 and Daniel Place ’25, ’27G presented Husky Veterans Challenge Coins and alumni swag to Brigadier General Mark Stevens ’97, 1st Lt. Donald Ouellette ’24, and Major John-Justin “JJ” Marcigliano ’11 of the Maine Army National Guard.
We also celebrated the 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees: Adam Lemieux ’04, Caterina Riitano Murphy ’07, Stephen Valastro ’09, Nicole Poulin ’13, Zach Miller ’17, and Dan Webb ’18, ’22. Congratulations as well to our award winners Dave Eid (Weiden Award), Jon Paradise ’87, ’99 (Drew Award), and Shannon Kynoch Bollhardt ’08 (Costello Award). The weekend’s honors also included Jess Williamson ’18, inducted into the Little East Conference Hall of Fame for volleyball, and David Hughes ’99 and Al Bean ’77,’92, who were honored at the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. We hope to see you back on campus next Homecoming!
| | Alumni Band Concert event participants (left to right) Jonathan Murray ’16, Heather Hastings ’13G, David Gowen ’84, Laura Manduca ’10, Eyezaya Mcfetridge ’26, Soph Thompson ’25, Tom Michaud ’92, ’19G, Loren Peters ’83, ’96, Melissa Meserve ’24G, Jean Ginn Marvin ’96G, Dr. Will Kinne, Director of Bands, Associate Professor of Music. | USM student & Army veteran Nick Cornelissen '27 presents a Husky Veterans Challenge Coin and alumni swag to 1st Lt. Donald Ouellette ’24 of the Maine Army National Guard at Blackhawk Landing MASH event. | | Husky Hall of Fame inductees group photo | | Alumni Help Shape Portland’s Music Scene | | | | |
Josh Schlesinger ’07 and Rob Barrett ’09 are helping shape Portland’s music scene with the opening of Live at Madrid’s, a new 800-person venue on Fore Street. Designed to give local and regional artists a mid-size stage, it hosts everything from rock and folk to hip-hop, DJs, and special events.
See the interview with Josh Schlesinger
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Alex Bell co-curated YESfest Hope in Maine, in partnership with Sweet Tree School, a festival celebrating hope, creativity, community and positive change
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Allison Fogg ’22 ’25G worked with grad student Luc Harrison to protect Casco Bay
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Jenn Forge became the first woman in the state to earn her advanced certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers
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John D. "Jasper" Herrick ’02G's "No Good War: An Infantry Memoir of the Vietnam War" is released for pre-orders
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J.T. Leonard ’95, Wiscasset School Department's new transportation director, is ready to take the wheel
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Lois Lowry ’73, ’96H, award winning author of over 50 books, hosted at Rufus Porter Museum of Art & Ingenuity for an intimate presentation of "A Writer's Retrospective"
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Maria Millefoglie ’90G, ’20G shared her story in "Daughters of Stone & Tide: Loss & Resilience in a Fishermans Family"
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Josh Newton ’10, ’12G opened a new business location for J. Plum Home and won the Best of 207
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Guy O'Connell ’85 transformed his back yard from pandemic hobby to micro-vineyard
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Antonio Rocha ’92, award winning storyteller, presented Once Upon a Hill in Maine: The Pedro Tovvokan Parris Story
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Jonathan Ross ’02G,’19 C.A.S. stepped into interim role as superintendent of schools for Maine School Administrative District 17
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Sam Woodhead ’96 celebrated 25 years of being a member of "Pershing's Own", the Top US Army band
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Professional Development & Continuing Education
Interested in advancing your own skills or bringing your staff up to date? USM offers a wide spectrum of in-depth programs, including professional development workshops, test preparation, certificate and individual courses.
Check out your options here!
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
OLLI offers an extensive array of courses in the liberal arts and sciences for students aged 50 or older. There are no entrance requirements, grades, or tests; it's your experience and love of learning that count, no college background is necessary.
OLLI classes and programs open today!
| | | A New Way to Support USM Students | | | | Any student. Any time. Any reason. The new USM Opportunity Scholarship gives the University a flexible way to support students whose circumstances might not fit the requirements of other scholarships. Your gift of any size can help a student stay enrolled, earn their degree, and build a stronger future. (And with a gift of $1,000 or more, you can name an Opportunity Scholarship for one year—for yourself or in honor of someone else.) | | | | | |
