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AWARD B U S I N E S S L E A D E R S O F T H E Y E A R W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 M A R C H 2 3 , 2 0 2 6 proposition: the center would expand access for students, elevate the reputation and reach of the Osher School of Music, strengthen downtown Portland's cultural infrastructure, and generate long-term economic and civic impact across Maine. Strong financial stewardship and consis- tent communication built the confidence needed to invest at scale. e USM Foundation has raised $25 million to bring the Crewe Center for the Arts to life. is fall, we launched the Crescendo Campaign — the final movement of our effort to bring this building to life. We are now focused on completing the remaining $4.5 million by securing naming support for two spaces, the Great Hall Gallery and the Performance Hall. MB: How did the Crewe brothers get involved? JE: Dan Crewe attended a School of Music performance in Corthell Hall on the Gorham campus with President Rich Patenaude more than 30 years ago. He recognized the caliber of our students, and he believed they needed a state-of-the-art facility to learn, practice and perform. Dan never lost sight of the vision and one of the greatest days of my presidency was being with Dan on the first day of classes at USM this year. MB: How did you choose the site? JE: Locating the Crewe Center in Portland ensures strong community engagement and reinforces USM's role as Maine's metropolitan university. e site integrates the university more deeply into the city's cultural and business ecosystem. MB: After leading such a transformative project, what's next? JE: I'm focused on ensuring that USM is seen as the intellectual and cultural hub of Southern Maine. is includes enroll- ment growth, financial sustainability and expanding experiential learning oppor- tunities that connect students directly to Maine's workforce needs. MB: With an arts center planned for Gorham, how do you think about growth across campuses? JE: e new art building in Gorham will house sculpture, pottery, metal, wood, along with photography and digital arts. Our theater and music theater will continue to be housed in Gorham and we are in the process of adding a new dance major, which will also be primarily in Gorham. Rather than duplicat- ing efforts, we're creating comple- mentary assets that strengthen the university system as a whole. MB: Is USM focusing on growth in the arts? JE: Yes — strategically. Many col- leges and universities emphasize workforce development and technical skills. While those are vital, USM's commitment to ensuring every stu- dent has meaningful engagement with the arts and humanities signals something deeper: an understanding that education is not just about what you can do, but who you become. e arts prepare students for jobs that may not exist today, but will exist in the future. In a time when employers seek creativity, communication and col- laboration, USM's emphasis on the arts and humanities becomes a differentiator. Students trained to think critically and express themselves powerfully are more innovative across all fields — from engineering and business to health sciences and education. Alexis Wells, Mainebiz Digital Editor, can be reached at awells @ mainebiz.biz Find a credit union near you at mainecreditunions.org Leadership You Can Bank On. The best business leaders know that success is about more than growth; it's about impact. Maine Credit Unions lead with purpose while investing in people like you. We strengthen local businesses and care about the financial well-being of Mainers across the state. Discover a financial partner that will help lead you to a stronger future for your business and your community. In a time when employers seek creativity, communication and collaboration, USM's emphasis on the arts and humanities becomes a differentiator.

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