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Tim Fogelman class of '26 in full commencement regalia.

Class of ’26: Tim Fogleman on Finding His People — and His Voice — as a Transfer Student at USM

Tim Fogleman arrived in Maine having visited the state exactly once. Two years later, he’s graduating from the University of Southern Maine with a public health degree, a Free Press byline, and friendships he calls the bedrock of everything. Keep reading to hear how a leap of faith led him to USM, what he found when he got here, and what he wants students to know about building community from scratch.

Najmo Ahmed smiles in front of a wall of bookshelves.

Class of ’26: Meet Najmo Ahmed, USM’s Student Commencement Speaker

Najmo Ahmed has a lot going on. She’s finishing her bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral sciences at the University of Southern Maine, interning at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and working toward a master’s in public health — all while preparing a commencement address her mother doesn’t even know about. Keep reading to hear how she got here, what drives her, and what she wants people to take away from her story.

Lisa Struebing references a quantum mechanics textbook while writing an equation on a whiteboard in the Dubyak Center on USM's Portland campus.

Class of ’26: How One Adult Student Kept Her Promise — and Earned Two USM Degrees Along the Way

When Lisa Struebing was in her twenties, she made a promise to her mother: she would finish the college degree that she’d started and set aside. Keep reading to hear how decades of determination, two USM degrees, and one introductory physics class led her here.

A portrait of USM senior Deklin Fitzgerald with illustrated graduation cap and tassel, part of the Class of '26 commencement series.

Class of ’26: Where There’s a Will, There’s Deklin Fitzgerald

Last September, USM senior Deklin Fitzgerald stood in front of more than 700 people and told his story — and when he stepped offstage, strangers approached him one after another to say the same thing: “I feel seen.” Keep reading to find out how four years of saying yes to just about everything led him there.

A USM student smiles in a campus common area wearing a Huskies hoodie, with an illustrated lemon and iced lemondade graphic overlaid on the image.

Class of ‘26: Lizzy Fogg on Turning Lemons into Limonata

As she prepares to graduate from the University of Southern Maine, Lizzy Fogg is closing out a chapter defined by performance, international research, and the relationships that helped her grow into both an artist and a more confident version of herself.

Keep reading to learn how a moment on a hiking path in Italy came to define Lizzy’s growth, confidence, and experience at USM.

Zoe Barnes mentally preparing with shot put loaded on shoulder ahead of her heat.

Meet Zoe Barnes: USM Nursing Student and National Champion

Zoe Barnes is preparing to graduate from the University of Southern Maine in August 2026 with a nursing degree and a national title in shot put. Now in her fifth and final year, the New Gloucester native is reflecting on her athletic and academic career. Like many students, she navigated uncertainty before ultimately finding her path in the classroom and in competition.

We caught up with Zoe to find out how it all came together — and what it took to finish strong.

Bridgette smiling on the Eastern Promenade at sunset, overlaid with polaroid-style images: a lit-up Gorham campus soccer field, a picnic with friends, and her walking with a friend across a street. Dark blue doodles including a star, wave, location icon, and lines decorate the polaroids.

Class of ’26: Why I Chose USM — A Home Away From Home

As I near graduation, I’ve been reflecting on my four years at USM and the sense of belonging I felt from the very start. Keep reading to see how the campus, community, and experiences made it feel like a true home away from home.

Illustrated headshot of USM junior Ted Campbell, accented with white line graphics and a decorative arrow gesturing toward a state building graphic.

5 Questions With a USM Junior Interning at the Maine Secretary of State’s Office

Ted Campbell is a USM junior double-majoring in political science and economics, currently interning at the Maine Secretary of State’s Office. Keep reading to learn how he got there — and why he didn’t see it coming.

Christina Hart smiles while holding the hand of a simulation dummy, demonstrating patient care and compassion in the nursing lab.

From Nursing Student to Professor: Christina Hart’s Accelerated Path Back to USM

The first time Christina Hart walked into Masterton Hall in 2002, she was a nursing student unsure if she belonged. Keep reading to see how, 23 years later, she’s back as a USM professor guiding the next generation.

A Polaroid photo frames Maddox Cahill mid-jump as he clears a hurdle during a track meet, it overlays his painting titled “Forever.”

A USM Track Captain Pulled Off His First Gallery Show in L.A. — and Made It Back in Time for Practice

University of Southern Maine senior studio art major and track captain Maddox Cahill landed a debut solo show in Los Angeles this fall. Keep reading to learn how he balances leadership in Division III athletics with a growing art career, and his advice for students chasing creative goals.