Broadreach Public Relations Expands Support for USM Promise Scholars

PORTLAND, Maine — (September 8, 2026) The University of Southern Maine Foundation has received a $5,000 gift from Broadreach Public Relations in support of the Promise Scholars Program, bringing the combined scholarship support from the firm and personal gifts from Broadreach President Linda Varrell ’00 and her husband, Paul Cormier, to $50,000. The gift was inspired by the Foundation’s Promise 10 for 10 Campaign and its recently announced $5 million matching challenge.

Promise 10 for 10 seeks to raise $10 million before the tenth anniversary of the Promise Scholars Program, which provides comprehensive financial, academic, and personal support to first-generation, low-income students from across Maine. Earlier this year, the endowment campaign received a transformational $5 million matching challenge, helping propel it beyond the halfway point toward its goal and inspiring new investments from donors committed to educational opportunity.

“Broadreach has always believed in investing in the people and organizations that strengthen Maine’s communities, workforce and future,” said Varrell. “The Promise Scholars Program reflects that commitment by giving students not only financial support, but the resources and encouragement they need to complete their education and build successful, independent lives.”

Varrell's connection to USM spans generations. Her grandmother graduated from Gorham Normal School, one of the institutions that would later become the University of Southern Maine. Decades later, while working full time, Varrell enrolled at USM's Lewiston-Auburn College to complete what she has described as "unfinished business." She earned her degree in 2000 while balancing work, family, and school, benefiting from a university that recognized her professional experience and helped make completing her education possible.

That experience shaped a lifelong commitment to ensuring today's students have the same opportunity to build successful, independent lives.

"For me, USM represents access and excellence, and the opportunity for students to leave school prepared to support themselves and contribute to their communities,” said Varrell. "Finishing my degree was critical to my success, and I was able to graduate without debt because USM made it possible for me to balance work, life, and school. When students can complete their education with little to no debt, they have far greater freedom to build careers, buy homes, and start businesses. That's why I believe so strongly in the Promise Scholars Program. It's creating opportunities not only for individual Maine students, but for Maine's future."

Varrell has remained deeply engaged with the university as an instructor, volunteer leader, advocate and donor. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, chaired USM Corporate Partners, and served nine years on the University of Southern Maine Foundation Board of Directors. Broadreach Public Relations has supported that connection by welcoming interns and employing numerous USM alumni, including providing a USM intern the opportunity to join the Maine Beer Box project in Iceland in 2017.

"Linda has been one of USM's most dedicated champions for many years," said Corey Hascall, President and CEO of the University of Southern Maine Foundation. "As an alumna, educator, volunteer leader, and donor, she has consistently invested in the success of USM students. This latest gift reflects her unwavering belief that higher education transforms lives, strengthens communities, and builds Maine's future. We're grateful for her partnership and inspired that the Promise Scholars motivated yet another investment in our students."

The Promise Scholars Program provides scholarships and wraparound support that help first-generation, low-income students persist through graduation and launch successful careers. Since 2018, the program has invested millions in direct aid to students from all 16 Maine counties. Nearly 80 percent of Promise Scholars are the first in their families to attend college, and the program has maintained first-year retention rates above 92 percent for four consecutive years.

To learn more about the Promise Scholars Program and the Promise 10 for 10 Campaign, visit https://usm.maine.edu/foundation/current-priorities/promise-scholars-pro.....

About the University of Southern Maine Foundation
The University of Southern Maine Foundation inspires philanthropic support to advance the mission of the University of Southern Maine. Through partnerships with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations, the Foundation helps create opportunity for students, strengthen academic excellence, and support the university's impact on Maine and beyond.

About Broadreach Public Relations
Founded in 2007, Broadreach Public Relations is a women-owned, award-winning strategic communications firm located on Portland’s historic waterfront. The firm helps organizations build trust, strengthen reputations, navigate change and lead through complexity.

Broadreach has served more than 425 businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations and has earned more than 75 local and national industry awards. The firm runs on the Entrepreneurial Operating System®️ and takes pride in helping clients build credibility, raise their profiles and expand their reach. Learn more at www.broadreachpr.com.