Legacy Society

Building a Strong Future for USM and Our Students

Legacy Society LogoOn a cold December day in 1878, over 700 people braved a snowstorm, traveling by foot, carriage, horse and rail to Gorham to celebrate the dedication of Corthell Hall—the school’s first building. Even in its earliest days as the Gorham Normal School, the people of southern Maine recognized the extraordinary value of higher education in meeting the present and future needs of the community.

To honor those early founders, plus the many alumni and friends who have remembered the University of Southern Maine in their estate plan, we have renamed our Benefactor Society the 1878 Legacy Society. Members of the 1878 Legacy Society have a strong bond with the university and shared commitment to help us today and into the future.

Your legacy gift—no matter the size—has endless potential to support students’ educational dreams. The 1878 Legacy Society recognizes those individuals, past and present, who have included a gift to USM through a will, trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy or life-income gift, such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.

Supporters who include USM in their estate plans leave a lasting legacy with their generous gifts and ensure the university’s enduring impact on future generations.

How to Join USM’s 1878 Legacy Society

To become a member of the 1878 Legacy Society, simply notify us of your intention to include the university in your estate plan. By doing so, you will join a growing group of like-minded supporters who care deeply about USM and, with your help, will help to inspire others to do the same.

For more information, contact Erin Macey at (207) 780-4408 or erin.macey@maine.edu.

Free Estate Planning Tool

Join fellow USM supporters on Giving Docs, a safe, secure, and free-for-life suite of estate plan essentials. If you choose to include USM in your estate plans, you'll be eligible for [Legacy Society] benefits!

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