Castine Current
doors open: ABSCenterisFormallyDedicated
on Commencement Weekend
(L-R) President Brennan hosted the dedication ceremony. Photo by
Robert D. Somerville '65 offered remarks and welcomed
(L-R) Elizabeth Pingree '15, Keenan Eaton'14, and Edison Ma '18
K Woisard.
Christopher J. Wiernicki. Photo by K Woisard.
present dedication plaque. Photo by College Relations.
onthefirstofMay,2015,theMaineMari- developmentofcleanfuelalternatives,andother thelargestcorporategifttohavebeenreceivedby
time Academy community celebrated the
industry-relevant scientific study," said President
the Academy, financial support also came from
first academic building to be constructed
Brennan. The new Center offers modern class-
very generous gifts, pledges, and challenge grants
on the campus in 30 years: the ABS Center for
rooms and research spaces that wil enhance the
from alumni, friends of the college, foundations,
Engineering, Science, and Research. President
applied science program and strengthen Maine
and businesses (please see the Honor Rol on
William J. Brennan welcomed dignitaries and
Maritime Academy's worldwide reputation as a
page 19 for a complete list of donors to the proj-
guests, faculty, staff, and students to the dedica-
marine engineering center of excellence.
ect). Building costs were also paid for in part by
tion ceremony to celebrate the completion of the
"This facility reflects our belief that the value
Maine voters who approved state bond funding
facility and the crowd gathered to hear remarks
of education cannot be understated. The future is
of $4.5 million in November, 2013 toward the
from Governor Paul LePage; Christopher J.
never certain, but investments in education and
public-private partnership to construct the new
Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEo of the
people always pay off," said Christopher Wier-
facility. The project was nearly six years in the
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS); Robert J.
nicki at the dedication ceremony. "...Dr. Brennan,
making, and is, according to President Brennan,
Peacock II, Chair, Board of Trustees; Robert D.
MMA is now part of the ABS global technology
"likely one of the most important initiatives
Somerville, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees; Repre-
family, and I look forward to working together
MMA has accomplished in this decade."
sentative Kenneth Fredette; Representative Karl
with you to address the future technical needs of
Ward, President, Nickerson & o'Day, Inc. (ABS
our industry. The plaque above the entrance may
"thanks to the people of Maine--the
Center building contractor); and three student
read `ABS,'" Wiernicki said, "but this building
4.5 million-dollar bond approved by the
representatives: Keenan Eaton of Mapleton,
belongs to you: the students, the staff, and faculty.
state--and the inspirational gift from
Maine; Eliza Pingree of East Machias, Maine; and
The next generation of leaders wil be at the
the Harold Alfond foundation, we were
Edison Ma of West Hartford, Connecticut.
forefront of efforts to solve our industry's most
able to finish funding this magnificent
"The ABS Center for Engineering, Science,
pressing challenges, and quite frankly, those of
building that is in front of us today...And
and Research is an essential facility for students
humanity at large."
we can only revel in the great happi-
and faculty who are increasingly engaged in cut-
Funded initial y by a lead gift of $2.5 million
ness for this extremely proud moment
ting-edge research on energy technologies, on the
from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS),
shared by each and every one of us."
~robert d. somerville '65
18

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