University of Southern Maine President Jacqueline Edmondson was 17-years-old when she auditioned for the Piano Performance Program at Penn State. She felt the weight of possibilities – stepping into a future that no one in her family had navigated before. How she played in that room would determine not only where she spent the next four years, but also the trajectory of the rest of her life.
Edmondson had been admitted to Penn State on academic merit alone, but hesitated to commit without the assurance that she could continue pursuing her true passion – music. Piano had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember, and she wasn’t ready to give it up. Now she was preparing to audition for a chance to continue developing her skills as a student and musician. Entering the audition, she was greeted by Dr. Steven Smith, Professor of Piano, unaware that it would mark the start of a formative connection for them both.
“About a week after the audition, he called to say that I was admitted to his piano studio,” Edmondson reflected. “This forever changed my life.”
Dr. Smith saw something in Edmondson that day and chose to open a door for her – one that would lead to countless opportunities and show her the value of great mentorship.
“I do remember that she was a quiet, serious, talented and shy young woman,” he recalled. “She always took suggestions seriously, and worked hard. Like high achievement in sports, to play the piano or any other musical instrument requires us to work long and hard.”
Even as she turned her studies toward Elementary and Kindergarten Education, Dr. Smith’s guidance gave Edmondson the skills, discipline, and confidence to carry her through college and beyond. Those lessons stayed with her, shaping her path towards becoming President of USM and her leadership in bringing the new Crewe Center for the Arts to life.
A musician herself, Edmondson poured significant effort and intention into establishing this new hub for arts and music. It also offered a unique opportunity to pay tribute to the mentor who had made such a difference in her life.
“We wanted to honor Dr. Smith in some way,” she said. “It seemed appropriate to us to name a practice room after him because this is where the real work happens when you are a music major.”
In a gesture of gratitude, Edmondson and her husband Michael dedicated a practice room in the new Crewe Center to Dr. Smith. They decided it was a fitting symbol of the focus and dedication Dr. Smith had instilled in her.
“Our hope is that students will be inspired in this space – and throughout the building,” she said. “There are many names on practice rooms, classrooms, and other spaces – and I hope they know those are all names of people who believe in them and want them to find success in their pursuits.”
Dr. Smith, who had the chance to play in the room for the first time during the dedication, described the experience as, “lovely” He added, “It’s a beautiful studio with an excellent new Steinway B. Students should enjoy working there immensely.”
For Edmondson, the moment was deeply meaningful.
“It was a bit surreal,” she said. “I always hoped he would be able to see this space and to play the piano in it.”
The opening of the Crewe Center was marked by its first performance, the Inaugural President’s Concert, which featured an impressive performance by Dr. Smith. The Professor Emeritus performed alongside Edmondson’s current piano teacher, Dr. Laura Kargul, adding a memorable moment to the program that celebrated both her musical past and present.
“The Crewe Center is a hub for musical and artistic excellence, and it demonstrates our commitment to world-class music and arts education and to cultural leadership in the region,” said Edmondson. “The entire day was the very best of my professional career.”
From that pivotal audition at Penn State to leading the University of Southern Maine and celebrating the opening of the Crewe Center, Edmondson’s story is a testament to the powerful impact of seeing potential in someone and giving them a chance to succeed. What began as a single audition with Dr. Smith not only shaped her career but continues to inspire future generations of students in the very space that now bears his name.
As a mentor who has shaped countless students’ paths, Dr. Smith offered this advice for those pursuing music at USM: “Work diligently and optimistically, but don’t be locked into only one model of a career; if one door closes, look hard and creatively for other open ones.”
