Residence hall living is a rite of passage for many Southern Maine Community College students on our campus in South Portland. But students on our Midcoast Campus have missed out on that experience — until now.

This Fall, more than 50 spacious, well-appointed suites will be available in Orion Hall on our campus at Brunswick Landing. Each suite will have either one or two beds, a private bath, a living area and a kitchenette. Students will enjoy an on-campus living experience that previously wasn’t available.

SMCC has always been provided a vibrant on-campus experience through clubs and organizations, volunteer opportunities, and college and community activities. You can now add residence hall living to the list for our Midcoast Campus.

Josh Longley is among those who will live in Orion Hall this fall. He’s from Salem Township, in the mountains of western Maine, and graduated this spring from Mount Abram High School.

Josh first considered commuting to and from SMCC each day, but decided that wasn’t realistic — he lives more than two hours away. So when he learned about housing at Orion Hall, he jumped at the chance.

He’s confident that living on campus will help him succeed while enrolled in our Composite Science & Manufacturing program. He’ll live within shouting distance of his classes and our state-of-the-art composites laboratories, as well as the Learning Commons with its comfortable study space, tutoring services, café, and advising and administrative offices.

“It’s all just right there,” he says. “Honestly, I’m in love with composites and SMCC has one of the best programs around. I would have done anything I could to get there, but this makes it so convenient.”

He’s also impressed with the suite he’ll call home his freshman year.

“It’s better than any other college dorm I’ve seen, and I’ve visited a few schools,” he says. “It’s more of an apartment than a dorm room.”

We know that students who live on campus have higher graduation rates and persistence rates than students who don’t live on campus. Students who live on campus are more engaged in college life and form lasting friendships and networks that lead to success. Living on campus provides students with opportunities and support they would miss if they were commuting and living elsewhere.

Orion Hall has a history of residential living. When the Brunswick Naval Air Station was open, the hall was used as residential quarters for bachelor officers.

It will again be used for housing this fall, this time by our students.

Josh Longley says having on-campus housing gives him more than just a place to rest his head. It’s a place where he’ll pursue his dreams.

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Ronald Cantor is president of Southern Maine Community College.