College trustees name buildings
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The Maine Community College System board of trustees met Nov. 28 at Northern Maine Community College.
Trustees voted to approve the naming of the Akeley Student Center and the Rodney Smith Wellness Center at NMCC.
“By policy, the board has the final say on the naming of big facilities, ball fields and things like that,” said MCCS President John Fitzsimmons. “We’re so honored to name it after the Akeleys and the late Rodney Smith on behalf of his wife, Mary. It’s not often that you have these very dear friends who love what you’re about, care about it and invest in it. Clearly Mrs. Smith has, and this college has benefited from some wonderful things thanks to her.
“The wellness center will be the envy of all the other community colleges in the state,” he said. “It’s going to be very special and will be tied to helping out the whole community, not just our college. It’s an investment in the workforce as our students will enter with healthier minds, bodies and attitudes. That will save companies money and will help our graduates long term.”
The college will be breaking ground next spring on a 10,000 square foot addition to house the wellness center. Renovations will begin in February on existing space in the Christie and Martin Buildings for the new Akeley Student Center. The space will be a gathering spot for students to socialize, do homework, and access services such as the health center.
NMCC was able to move forward with the project as a result of a $5 million gift from Mary Smith, a California resident and Presque Isle native, earlier this year. The college is continuing its work to raise $1 million needed to complete the project.
Also at the board meeting, trustees voted to accept several gifts to the MCCS, approved amendments to a number of system-wide policies, and authorized changes to the MCCS academic inventory.
Dr. Richard Hopper, a higher education specialist with the World Bank, was also appointed president of Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield and Hinckley. Hopper will assume his new post April 22, 2013. The Westport Island resident will succeed Dr. Barbara Woodlee who will retire in April after 30 years as KVCC’s president. She will continue to serve the Maine Community College System as its part-time academic officer.
