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Sometimes it just feels darn good to be a Husky, doesn’t it?
I had one of those feel-good moments a few weeks ago, when we welcomed 1,600 new graduates into the USM Alumni Association. Of those, more than 1,100 crossed the stage at the Cross Insurance Arena in front of family, friends, faculty, and the greater Southern Maine community. It was a beautiful, joyful celebration of everything USM stands for: talent, tenacity, and transformation.
As a member of the USM Alumni Engagement Council, I had the privilege of watching our incredible alumni community in action—cheering from the stands, volunteering behind the scenes, and showing up at 18 different graduation ceremonies across our campuses. From the first doctoral hooding to the final diploma awarded, alumni helped make every moment unforgettable.
Now, we get to watch this new class step forward as ambassadors of the USM experience. And what a group they are. Here are just a few great examples:
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Emma Brearley ’25 found her voice at WMPG and used it to lift others.
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Joie Paciulli ’25 is taking her degree and passion for healthcare to the Caribbean.
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Kyle Penton ’25 balanced his time as a student and athlete with determination and grit.
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Maddie Weston ’25 discovered a second academic passion that brought her college journey full circle, culminating in her role as the Class of 2025 commencement speaker.
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Belviga Mpolo ’25 began her USM journey with quiet determination—and ended it as a proud graduate.
The Class of 2025 is now part of a proud network of more than 63,000 USM graduates across the world. We can’t wait to see where you go next — and how you’ll keep lifting others as you rise.
This issue is packed with details about USM's 145th Commencement and accomplishment by our amazing alumni of all classes. Read on about USM's new alma mater, a USM degree 40 years in the making, the USM Student Commencement Speaker, upcoming events, and more.
With Husky pride,
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