Dear Friends,
Let’s talk about bridges. Some are small, like the ones built by trail stewards to help hikers keep their shoes dry. Others are awe-inspiring feats of engineering, built to span miles and stand the test of time. But every bridge has the same purpose: to help us overcome obstacles, keep us moving, and get us where we’re meant to go. In other word: bridges sustain the power of our momentum.
Corey Hascall ’99, President
The USM Foundation’s 2025 fiscal year was a period of building bridges—between the success of the Great University Campaign and the next exciting chapter to come; between initiatives that will support the University today, tomorrow, and forever; and most importantly, between the generosity of our community and the opportunities you create for USM students.
Last year, we celebrated milestones that speak to the heart of this University. We completed the $6 million Promise Scholarship Matching Challenge, opening even more doors for first-generation and low-income students.
We secured endowed chairs and scholarships across nursing, business, music, and public policy, helping us prepare graduates to meet the challenges Maine faces today and tomorrow. And we gathered together in spaces filled with gratitude, reminders that philanthropy is not only about impact, but also about belonging. This was a year made possible by you. Your generosity, vision, and belief in USM have given us momentum and confidence as we look ahead to what’s next. With your partnership, we will continue to build bridges that offer new paths for students, connect our beloved University to Maine’s future, and transform our individual gifts into the Power of US.
With gratitude,
Corey Hascall ’99, President
Steve deCastro, Chair, Board of Directors
THE POWER OF…
Consistency
Jack Sutton ’72G joined USM’s counseling faculty in 1978, eventually shaping the program for nearly three decades. Today, a scholarship established with his late wife Annie supports future counselors at USM and provides an outlet for Jack’s belief in consistent, meaningful giving, proving that steady, heartfelt giving is its own legacy.
Place
Michael J. Marocco ’81 has built a distinguished career in finance—but it’s his passion for the arts that shaped a remarkable gift to USM. By welcoming students into his creative sanctuary, Marocco helped extend the university’s mission beyond the classroom—and offered a lasting reminder that inspiration begins with space to breathe.
Community
Paul Kapothanasis ’82 used a tight budget to earn an Accounting degree from USM’s School of Business, a decision that proved life changing. With his dad, he used his skills to grow and lead a thriving Maine family business and now helps support the next generation of USM business students through a named accounting scholarship.
THE POWER OF…
Gratitude
Grammy Award-winning musician Andrew Pelletier ’95 credits USM with providing not only professional training but also the space to grow and build lifelong friendships with mentors like Prof. Peter Martin. Recently, Andrew named a Crewe Center teaching studio in memory of his beloved professor.
Enduring Excellence
Endowed chairs are among the most powerful investments in a university’s future—ensuring that students learn from top-tier faculty and that academic programs remain responsive to urgent regional needs. Last year, far-sighted gifts opened the door to renewed excellence in three key USM programs.
A Name
Last summer, Chip ’90 and Laura ’87 Foye were so impressed with the continued success of the Promise Scholars program, they decided to put their names on it. Their generous gift established one of the first named Promise Endowed Scholarships— a new way to support current and future Maine students at USM.
THE POWER OF…
Legacy
When Rob and Margie Hillman learned that Rob’s aunt, Kathleen “Kaye” Flanagan ’73, had left a significant portion of her estate to their discretion, they felt both humbled and determined to honor her legacy. Their decision to designate $1 million to USM’s Promise Scholarship came at a pivotal moment.
Partnership
Rick ’77 and Phyllis ’76 Vail have been close to USM since their undergraduate days. They believe deeply in the power of education to transform lives. Three years ago the couple established the Vail Endowed Scholarship, which supports USM juniors and seniors from Cumberland and Androscoggin Counties.
Pathways
In just two years since the opening of the McGoldrick Center, our community of founding sponsors has helped bring about a remarkable success story within the Career & Employment Hub. The number of internship opportunities for students has surged, creating new career pathways for hundreds of students each year.
