Legacy in the room
The Vision
USM creates opportunities for people to pursue new directions-and spaces where the university and its community can learn, work, and gather together. For more than two decades, the University Events Room in the Glickman Family Library has embodied both parts of that vision. Its creation grew from Barbara Briggs’ ’86 gratitude for the university that helped launch her second career and from Barbara and her late husband Russell’s desire to establish a welcoming, student-friendly gathering place. Its new name — the Russell C. and Barbara M. ’86 Briggs Room — now more fully reflects the enduring legacy behind it.
The Impact
Barbara’s USM story began in 1984, when she decided it was time for a career change. She had completed most of an undergraduate degree years earlier, worked in medical laboratories, married Russell, and raised five children. Now, she wanted to finish her degree and pursue a new profession.
USM’s Office of Continuing Education evaluated her previous coursework, accepted her credits, and matched her with an advisor. Barbara completed her bachelor’s degree in history in 1986, then earned a master’s degree in library science from Simmons College. By 1988, she was working as a cataloger at Portland Public Library.
In June 2000, Harold ’94H and Peggy ’94H Osher invited Barbara and Russell to tour the unfinished Glickman Family Library. Barbara imagined the spaces students and library staff would need to learn, study, and work. Her lifelong affection for libraries-and gratitude to USM-led her to envision a student-friendly space. Russell found inspiration in the sweeping seventh-story view of the Portland peninsula, from Maine Medical Center to the Eastern Promenade and beyond. He saw USM at the center of the community he and Barbara had embraced.
On the drive home, Russell told Barbara, “I want to finish the meeting room.” She agreed. In August 2000, the couple pledged $100,000 to complete what became the University Events Room.
The room proved indispensable from the start. University leaders used it, community organizations gathered there, and alumni, donors, students, faculty, and friends came together day after day, year after year.
In December 2006, Barbara hosted a luncheon there. When she arrived, the room was being cleaned after one engagement; as she left, the crew returned to prepare for another event that evening. Seeing how constantly the room was used, Barbara realized it needed loving care.
“We need an endowment,” she told Russell.
“Oh, no,” he replied.
“Oh, yes,” she said.
In early 2007, the Briggs Endowment Fund was established to maintain and enhance the room for future generations. Barbara has continued that commitment through annual contributions and equipment upgrades.
Renaming the space recognizes the full arc of this couple’s generosity: creating an indispensable gathering place, providing for its future, and ensuring that it will continue serving USM and its community for generations to come.