A Hub for Applied Science & Research
The new laboratory will be housed in the ABS Center for Engineering, Science and Research, a three-story $14
million high-technology facility scheduled to open in January 2015. On September 21, 2013, Maine Maritime
Academy broke ground for this facility, the first academic building to be constructed on campus in over 30 years.
The ABS Center for Engineering, Science and Research will be located at the heart of the Academy's campus, di-
rectly below the Harold Alfond Student Center, and will represent the centerpiece of learning in MMA's efforts to
remain America's top-ranked maritime college in the decades to come.
John MacDonald, Vice President, Occupational
Health and Safety at ABS speaking at the ceremony.
Student Trustee, 1/C Ryan Armstrong '14 & Student
Government President, 1/C Danielle Holt `14 speaking
at the ceremony.
"Enrollment at MMA has expanded from 650 to 950 full-time students over the last 15 years. During that time,
there has been little expansion of educational facilities on our campus," said Dr. William J. Brennan. "The new
facility is an investment in our students, in the technology necessary for the specialized education we provide, and
in the industry-relevant research our faculty and students are immersed in here on campus."
Robert Somerville '65, Former Chairman of ABS, and MMA's
Vice Chair speaking at the ABS Center for Engineering, Science and
Research groundbreaking, September, 2013.
When complete, the ABS Center will become a hub for classroom learning, student capstone projects, faculty/
student studies and world-wide industry-relevant research. It will offer modern classrooms and state-of-the-art
research spaces that will enhance MMA's applied science programs and strengthen the college's reputation.
The benefits of this building extend well beyond MMA students and faculty. Maine Maritime Academy is a unique
part of the State of Maine's public higher education partnership. "We are focused STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics) institution offering a very specialized program of study in engineering, manage-
ment, science and transportation, prescribed by the U.S. Maritime Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard,"
explains President Brennan. Today MMA faculty members are developing innovative STEM initiatives with local
high school educators. The ABS Center will greatly enhance these efforts, offering outstanding educational and
training opportunities for Maine's K-12 students and teachers.
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