Hundreds gathered Wednesday for the unveiling of the new McGoldrick Center on the campus of the University of Southern Maine in Portland. The $26.6 million building will be used for students’ career development and business engagement, among other uses. It is named for Carolyn and Dick McGoldrick, philanthropists and longtime supporters of USM. Photo courtesy of the University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine celebrated two milestones Wednesday: the opening of its new career center and the early closure of the fund-raising campaign that helped make the center a reality.

The McGoldrick Center, designed as a hub for student-employer engagement and career-development programs, is a new 41,000-square-foot building on its Portland campus. Its $26.6 million cost was paid for by a combination of philanthropy, corporate sponsorship, and a workforce development bond approved by voters in 2018, according to a release from USM.

On the center’s second floor is a large multi-purpose space, divided into three salons, that will host career fairs, employer presentations, banquets and other events.

Carolyn and Richard “Dick” McGoldrick, for whom the new building is named, led the official ribbon-cutting. The McGoldricks have been longtime supporters of USM through their personal philanthropy, advocacy and volunteer service. Joining the McGoldricks were many other supporters of the new center, including Bath Savings, Oakhurst Dairy Native Maine Produce & Specialty Foods, and the Prentice organization.

Real estate developer Dick McGoldrick cuts the ribbon on the new McGoldrick Center on the Portland campus of the University of Southern Maine Wednesday. Photo courtesy of the University of Southern Maine

L.L. Bean sponsored “Bean Green,” a 1-acre green space, adjacent to the McGoldrick Center. It and a newly opened Portland Commons residence hall were also initiatives of USM’s just-completed fundraising campaign. Originally planned as a five-year effort, the Great University Campaign exceeded its original $46 million goal for a total of over $50 million in just three years – the most philanthropic dollars raised in the shortest time in USM history.

“The success of the Great University Campaign represents the deep commitment of our USM community – the alumni, friends, faculty, staff, students and employer partners who are investing in the future of this important university,” said USM President Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson at the ribbon-cutting. “The campaign raised millions of dollars for scholarships, the arts, key academic programs and athletics. Beautiful new spaces like the McGoldrick Center and the Center for the Arts, now under construction on our Portland campus, will provide state-of-the-art facilities for our students. These meaningful philanthropic contributions from our community position us well for our next chapter.”

The McGoldrick Center is on track to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold certification, an indication of its sustainable design. It will take advantage of passive solar heating in the winter through the large glass openings, and has a 33.3 kW photovoltaic solar array on its roof. The building also incorporates smart-energy strategies and sustainable building materials throughout.