Occupants enjoying Abromson Center’s modern space
Students have a great opportunity to acquaint themselves with the new Joel and Linda Abromson Community Education Center during the open house on Tuesday, April 26. Rather than specifically catering to students, the Center houses community oriented offices engaging the larger Maine community.
“This center encourages business contribution to USM which benefits everybody,” said Bob Hansen, one of the Center’s new in habitants. Hansen is the executive director of Community and Professional Education. His office wants students to understand the positive impact community education will bring to USM as a whole.
Hansen’s office was previously at Payson Smith Hall, one of the Portland campus’ oldest buildings. Adjusting to the new Center has been dramatic. “I love it,” he said. “It continues to grow on me.”
Most of the folks who work in the Center came from University offices at 68 High St. in Portland. Tom Juenemann, director of the Institute of Family Owned Business, now found at the center, said the modern space of the center is exciting, comparing it to prominent campuses in America. “UCLA was an impressive campus,” he said. “USM’s Abromson Center and the University Commons plan will make USM a truly first-class university. We were shoe-horned before [at 68 High St.], and now have this wonderful, light, environmental space.”
The Center is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, “green building.” Heat is provided through geothermics, recycling is a major component of the building’s design and, rainwater is captured on the roof to flush toilets.
The adjoining Hannaford Lecture Hall is built either entirely of recycled material, or from items available within 100 miles of Portland. The Hall features a big screen theater which will show highlights of the historic 2004 Red Sox victory season the open house.
The open house is from noon to 4 p.m. Baseball fans should check out Professor Mike Brady’s presentation “Baseball and Society,” 3 p.m. in the Hannaford Lecture Hall.
Capital Campaign at halfway mark
USM’s Capital Campaign, “Transforming USM,” received two large private donations bring the campaign to the half way point. Joe and Carol Wishcamper of Freeport generously contributed $1.5 million, while Richard and Carolyn McGoldrick of Cape Elizabeth also made a sizable, though undisclosed, gift.
The record-setting campaign began in 2004 and hopes to reach $25 million for new facilities and programs by December 2006. According to Elizabeth Shorr, vice president for University Advancement and Planning, because of these gifts, roughly