Our alumni continue to make an impact in their communities and professions around the world. This page highlights the outstanding accomplishments they’ve shared with us for our alumni newsletter. We invite you to explore these achievements and celebrate the many ways our graduates are shaping the future.
October 2025 Newsletter
Class Accomplishments
- Gail Spaien ’80 will exhibit her artwork at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art Biennial in Rockland, on view from October 4, 2025, through January 11, 2026.
- Kathryn Smith ’90, ’99G was recognized as School Psychologist of the Year by the Maine Association of School Psychologists.
- Richard St. Pierre ’90 has been appointed Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer EVP at Norway Savings Bank.
- Anne Cyr ’92G has her poem “The Shock of It” featured in the Portland Press Herald, after her work as part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
- Kathy Gillis ’92, ’13G received the Chris Kaufman Award from the Maine Association of School Psychologists.
- Sigrid Sibley ’21 and her fellow bandmates were featured on News Center Maine.
- Josie Chadbourne ’22G was appointed to the role of Director of Special Services in the Kittery School District.
- Ben Clouse ’24 was featured for his performance of the role of Laurie in Castle Craig’s production of Little Women in Meriden, CT.
- Phoebe Elliott ’24 was named athletic trainer at Middlebury College.
- Hailey Alexis Francoeur ’24G, Tour Operations Manager for DCI’s Boston Crusaders, led them to win their first national championship in corps history.
- Tyler DeAngelis ’25G was recognized as Graduate Student of the Year by the Maine Association of School Psychologists.
- Rachel Accurso, a native of Biddeford, Maine, was named Rolling Stone’s 3rd most influential creator of 2025.
- Lisa Hill has been promoted to Director of Sappi North America’s Pulp Business.
- Peter King was promoted to Chief Financial Officer of the Island Institute.
- Dori Leadbetter was featured for her academic pursuits and work with the Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC).
- Megan Vaughan was honored to win the 2025 Red Gendron Memorial Scholarship.
- Lindsey Welch was featured in an article about running the Beach to Beacon.
Past Accomplishments
1980s
- Andrew Schiller ‘89 authors Portland Press Herald Letter to the Editor about renaming USM to University of Maine-Portland.
1990s
- William Buzza ‘93 receives Music Educator of the year from MMEA.
2000s
- Oil painting by Cooper Dragonette ‘01 sets record bid at Cape Elizabeth Land Trust annual fundraiser.
- Kevin Coyne ‘03 joins Colliers as Brokerage Associate in Maine.
- Megan Marino ‘05 played role of the Beggar Woman in Opera Maine’s production of Sweeney Todd.
- Carissa Robb ‘07 elevated to Managing Partner, Banking & Financial Services at SolomonEdwards.
- Daniel Strange ‘07 gives a concert with Hot Fiddle at North Windham Union Church to raise funding for the Fuller Center for Housing.
2010s
- Tanner Grover ‘10 launches “The Cinema Clubhouse,” a free monthly movie screening at the Harbor Theatre in Boothbay.
- Dona D. Vaughn ‘11H served as the Artistic Director for Opera Maine’s production of Sweeney Todd.
- David Nies ‘14 named General Manager of the University of Miami (Ohio) Hockey Team.
- Josiah Petrin ‘14 celebrates 10 years at Broadreach Public Relations.
- Erin Dawley ‘16 receives music educator of the year from MMEA.
- Jeff Mosher ‘16, ‘21 awarded the MMEA Outstanding New Educator Award.
2020s
- Sarah Marshall ‘21G named 2025 Maine County Teacher of the Year for Oxford County.
- Maine fiction author Shannon Bowring ‘22G speaks in Thomaston about her writing process.
- Lauren Gasaway ‘23 featured for her work as Senior Account Executive for Ticket Sales of the Portland Sea Dogs.
- Zoe Barnes ’25 earned All-American honors for track and field by placing 10th in discus.
- Kate Beever ’07 featured in Canvas Rebel article about her work in the field of music therapy and her career growth.
- Alan Bray ’71 showcases his latest exhibition, Inhabited Landscape, in New York City, featuring detailed depictions of Maine’s remote, forested interior, focusing on the quiet complexity of natural structures like nests and burrows.
- William Carrolton ’25 earned All-American honors for track and field by placing 9th in discus.
- Lauren Cornelio ’22, ‘24G started new role as Communications Manager for Catholic Charities Maine.
- Tayla Corsetti ’00 was hired as Community Wellness Coordinator at Ocean View at Falmouth.
- Joshua Pray ’08 hired as Assisted Living Consultant at Ocean View at Falmouth.
- Jacob Curtis ’24 featured in Portland Press Herald article about USM Promise Scholars.
- Ben Drummey ’25 earned All-American honors for track and field by placing 10th in pole vault.
- Jen Dupree ’15G featured in Maine Public for a discussion of her new book What do You Want From Me?
- Bonnie Faulkner ’91 featured in Portland Press Herald article for her work with the Maine Shaker community.
- Dr. Nathan Hamilton ’77 with a group of students participated in an archeological dig at the Isle of Shoals.
- Hailey Haskell ’25 featured in Portland Press Herald article About USM Promise Scholars.
- Nathan Henry ’22 receives The Imagine Award “Volunteer of the Year” from The Portland Chamber of Commerce.
- Daniel Kleban ’04, co-founder of Maine Beer Company, wins Maine green business award.
- Robin Lane ’24 performed at the USM President’s Reception and is a cello instructor with Palaver Strings.
- Andrew Lloyd Goodman ’05 featured in Providence Business News.
- Michael Marocco ’81 hosts Kate Cheney Chappell Center for Book arts Student Residency Worskshop at his home and garden showplace in Redding, CT.
- Connor Marsh ’24 will be attending Chapman University – Fowler School of Law in the fall, on a full-ride merit scholarship.
- Keith Morang ’87 to be inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Christelle D. Mutoniwase ’23 is a Student and Program Manger with Palaver Strings.
- Joie Paciulli ’25 trades campus life for the Caribbean to teach kids how to sail.
- Phyllis Paris ‘03, ‘03G and her husband, Jay donate a collection of nautical items to support the Sabino Hall preservation Fund.
- Jayne Sawtelle ’84 was elected to the Portland School Board.
- Ethan Shain ’25 earned All-American honors in track and field by placing 10th in the 100 meter dash.
- David Shaw ’76G, ’15H joined President Jacqueline Edmondson for a keynote interview at the University of Southern Maine’s Thinking Matters symposium on April 18, where they discussed his book, Wave Making.
- t love smith ’24, received grant funding to publish their book – Monster Beauties – and community activities associated with www.transpoeticsarchive.org.
- Estelle Watson Sanders ’67, ’00 publishes 3 books: A Kitchen Table Book, Shattering the Glass Ceiling, and Leaves Falling Upon the Sky.
- Tanya Whiton ’93 is a recipient of the 2025 St. Botolph Club Foundation Emerging Artist Award for Literature.
- Noor Al Dulaimi was a winner of the second annual Distinguished Alumni Awards hosted by the Foundation for Portland Public Schools
- Joel Bancroft ‘01 is hired as Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at the University of the Pacific
- Al Bean ’77, ’92G has a Gorham campus street named after him to commemorate his decades of service as USM’s Athletic Director
- Kristina Beauchais is hired as Manager of Basketball Operations for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA
- Jarrod Bennett is named Atlas Performing Arts Center’s New Executive Director
- Peter Brown recently celebrated the release of his new book, I Am Jayvyn, on January 25th. He will be speaking at Graves Memorial Library in Cumberland on May 14
- Christa Carmen, Bram Stoker Award-Winning author, has an upcoming book, How to Fake a Haunting, featured in review
- Madison Chadbourne ’21 was welcomed onto the staff of the Madison Area Health Center on their professional healthcare team.
- Dan Costigan, former USM Men’s Basketball Coach (1996-2003), is being inducted as a “Legend of the Game”
- Kevin Coyne ‘03 started a new job as a Brokerage Associate at Colliers, a global leader in commercial real estate services
- Dan Cunningham ’74 recently gave a talk about his experience as a reenactor of the 3rd Maine Regiment at the Joshua L. Chamberlain Civil War Round Table
- Robin Davis ’24 was recognized for their work at the USM Free Press, recently nominated for Best Newspaper at the NENPA Awards
- Kathleen de Silva was hired as Vice President and Director of Marketing and Communications at R.M. Davis
- Steph Gilbert ’04 was featured on WABI for her performance with Floydian Trip at the Waterville Opera House
- Griffin Gingrich ’22 is working at Ayan Mastering as an Assistant Engineer
- Andrew Graham ’08G was featured for his work with Kinonik in the Portland Press Herald
- Fred Greenhalgh ’06 was announced as Director for an official Star Trek audio series based on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
- Maria Gwinn ’87 was promoted to leadership role of Senior Vice President and Tax Director at Spinnaker Trust
- Robert Hawkes ’89, ’00, was named Director of PA program at the University of New England
- Marc Hebert ’74, to be inducted into the Biddeford-Saco Music Hall of Fame
- Khalid Hersi on the starting roster for the Portland Hearts of Pine during their inaugural season
- Mykayla Hoggard ’24 was recognized for their work at the USM Free Press, recently nominated for Best Newspaper at the NENPA Awards
- Amanda Johnston ’13G, Texas Poet Laureate and Founder/Executive Director of Torch Literary Arts, to be honored at the Carver Museum
- Shawn Lambert, Assistant Superintendent of Brunswick Schools, is featured for his contributions to the school community
- Iona Lee ’98 was appointed Director of Food and Beverage at Kimpton Claret Hotel in Denver
- Kayla Lewis ’24 is featured in community spotlight in the Saco Bay News
- Becky Longacre ‘06 was named Best Health Coach Award for 2024 (Best of 207)
- Chris Marine ’11 and Benn Marine ’20, brothers and owners of Campfire Consulting, were 2024 finalists in the Quick Service Restaurant category for their Aroma Joe’s ad at the Planning and Buying Awards in New York in April
- Josh Meyer ’08, CEO, and Matt Bolduc ’07, COO, are co-founders of Brickell Brands, which was named Sustainable Business of the Year by South Portland’s Economic Development Committee in February
- Todd Miranda (’89) will be inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall and Husky Hall of Fame
- Linda Morin ‘00 was celebrated for contributions to the Field of Nursing
- Phil Page ’75, “The spirit of Lincoln Academy,” has announced he will retire after almost 49 years in education
- Ben Palubiskas (’66) to be inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall and Husky Hall of Fame
- Whitney Parrish Perry was hired as Maine’s Government Relations Director at The American Heart Association of Maine
- Clara Perka ’20, ’22G co-wrote an article in the Portland Press Herald along with USM faculty and staff members
- Travis Ramsey ’03 premiered his commissioned composition, “Fire,” performed by ChoralArt and conducted by USM Music Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert Russell
- Claude Rwaganje ‘03 was appointed by Governor Mills to serve on the Office of New Americans Council
- Estelle Watson Sanders ’67 published her new book, A Kitchen Table Book
- t smith ’24 was recognized for their work at the USM Free Press, recently nominated for Best Newspaper at the NENPA
- Abby Snell ’24, as part of the FORK Food Labs team, was recognized as Business of the Year by the City of South Portland in February
- Zachariah Stearn releases memoir, ‘5 Places: Memoirs of a Theatre Kid; interviewed on NewsCenter Maine’s 207; and interviewed about his work with Dirigo Theatre Company in Wisconsin
- Daniel Stevenson ’93, ’96G was interviewed about his new role as the Executive Director of the Midcoast Redevelopment Authority
- Regan Thibodeau ’03, 19G is featured in News Center Maine article regarding her work as an ASL interpreter during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Annie Wenstrup ’22G gives a public reading as part of the Midnight Sun Visiting Writer’s Series at the Museum of the North in Fairbanks, Alaska
- Tara Whiton begins her new role at the Form Lab
- U.S. Army Master Sergeant General Samuel Woodhead ’96 will be a featured performer in the American Trombone Workshop
- Rachel “Miss Rachel” Acurso announces new deal for TV show with Netflix
- Mimi Gregoire Carpenter ‘69 art displayed at Portland’s Roux and Cyr International Fine Art Gallery for the month of January
- Lucas Desmond ‘10 obtained a new certification: became a Certified Financial Planner
- Angel Elderkin ’99 inspires at National Girls & Women in Sports Day
- Angelica Eling ’07, ’15G began a new job as Senior UX Operations Designer, AI Strategy and Tools at Indeed
- Aiydan Fenderson ‘24 started a new job in sports media and broadcasting in Boston for Northeastern University as a Video Producer, directing and producing nationwide broadcasts on ESPN, NBC, and NESN
- Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette ’14 testified before Congress on government efficiency
- Fred Greenhalgh ‘06 was recognized for making waves in the world of audio storytelling with his audio drama company, Dagaz Media
- Corey Hascall ‘99 was named the USM Foundation’s new President and CEO
- Robin Lane ‘24, cellist, gives Reading Room Concert, Feb. 27
- Spencer McBreairty ‘14 began a new job as Director of Community Standards at Sacred Heart University
- Kaila McCracken ‘16 was promoted to Vice President of Business Intelligence and Analysis at MEMIC
- Cassandra McGinnity ‘12, published her book, Waves: A Day in the Life of a Sonographer
- Becky McKinnell ‘06 awarded Portland Chamber of Commerce’s PROPEL Entrepreneur of the Year
- Norma Quintanilla ‘24 takes on new co-ownership of Waterville, ME staple Mexican restaurant, Buen Apetito
- Sarah Rines started a new position as Director of the Center for Tobacco Independence at MaineHealth
- Shane Robertson ‘20 promoted to Director of Audience Development and Insights at StatSocial – one of the leading Audience intelligence tools on the market
- Theresa Secord ‘81 was honored with an award for her work in the Arts as a basket maker
- Valerie West was named Assistant Principal of Kennebunk High School
- Riley Worth ’24 was appointed to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees.
