New Kilns Enhance Programming

USM’s kilns serve almost every single student in the school, so when they began failing in late fall of 2024, the situation required urgent attention.

It quickly became apparent that purchasing new kilns would be more cost effective than continuing to fix ailing, outdated equipment, so Worthey submitted a capital request for consideration. Stuart Cushman, chief operating officer, reviewed her request and, thanks to the USM Fund, was able to approve it within a few days.

The USM Fund—the school’s annual giving program—supports every area of USM life, from supplies and equipment to tuition assistance. Because tuition alone does not fully cover what it costs to educate each student, the USM Fund is vital to bridging that gap. “The USM Fund makes it possible for us to address unexpected issues like needing new kilns, among other things,” said Cushman. “It directly supports the student experience and enhances our programming.”  

The two new kilns, purchased locally, were installed during winter break and ready to fire up when students returned in January. They are controlled via an app, allowing Worthey to set a specific temperature and be alerted when the firing is over. Unlike the old kilns, these can be serviced by USM’s own maintenance team, making them more cost effective to maintain and operate. Worthey and Cushman expect them to last 20 years or longer. “I love these kilns,” said Worthey. “They are faster, easier to use, more efficient, and can handle more complex firings. Most importantly, they give students more options for projects.”