On June 17, the University of Southern Maine welcomed Gorham’s business community to campus for the first time, hosting the Gorham Village Alliance’s “Good People, Great Connections” networking event. The casual mixer drew dozens of local business owners and residents for an evening of food, drinks, and conversation — a milestone in the ongoing effort to strengthen ties between the university and the Gorham business community.
Launched in 2024, the networking series was started by the GVA to fill a gap left by the closure of the Gorham Business Exchange — Wednesday’s gathering was the fourth installment. Attendees represented an array of local industries, from banking and manufacturing to local news and restaurants. A brief program featured a variety of spotlight speakers highlighting new local businesses, recent ownership changes, and emerging initiatives.
“The response has far exceeded our expectations, with strong participation from businesses across the community,” said Kathy Garrard, president of the GVA. “People appreciate the opportunity to learn what others are doing, share ideas, and build relationships with other members of the Gorham business community.”
USM’s ties to Gorham go back to its founding, when the town’s land donation made the Gorham Normal School — the university’s predecessor — possible. Wednesday’s event added a new chapter to that history, as the GVA brought its networking series to campus for the first time.
While the GVA has historically held its events at venues in downtown Gorham, bringing “Good People, Great Connections” to the USM campus this year was a deliberate choice. The event was made possible through a partnership between the Gorham Village Alliance, the USM Office of the President, and the USM Office of Student Affairs.
“Gorham is our college town,” said Andrew Pollom, vice president of student affairs. “It has been from day one.”
Pollom, who also serves on USM’s Gorham Community Connections Committee, said hosting the event was a way of inviting the town onto campus.
“We are welcoming our neighbors into our home and saying, ‘You have a place here with us,’” he said.
The evening’s opportunities for connections extended to USM students too, as Career Hub representatives worked to build and strengthen internship opportunities with local business leaders.
Pollom said local businesses play a larger role in students’ experience than many may realize.
“They provide community, experiential learning, student employment, they hire our interns, partner with student and faculty researchers, and provide support and retail services that our students want and need,” he said. “The potential in this space for our students is truly exceptional.”
The event marked another step in a partnership that both USM and the GVA say continues to grow — one that organizers hope will bring Gorham and the university even closer together in the years ahead.