PRESQUE ISLE – Dozens of local and state officials gathered last Friday for the opening and dedication ceremony for a new state-of-the-art videoconferencing facility on the Northern Maine Community College campus.
The new Peter G. Hunt, Sr. Multi-Media Classroom, named after the late Aroostook County businessman, will support the growth of distance education and the college’s mission to serve the educational needs of northern Maine.
Funded through a $101,161 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the former Christie Lecture Hall was re-opened with an attractive new look and, more importantly, a new purpose. The new 1,170-square-foot “smart” classroom will not only help NMCC better meet existing demand in the region for the college’s nursing program, but will allow for expansion in other course and program offerings in allied health and sciences, as well as other academic and career training programs.
This will be the case for classes originating from NMCC that will be transmitted to distant sites such as nursing courses, which will originate from the new facility and be broadcast to Houlton and Madawaska this coming fall semester.
Among those joining NMCC in celebrating the opening was U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who championed the federal funding for the facility.
“Peter G. Hunt, Sr. devoted his life to strengthening his community, to improving health care, and to Northern Maine Community College,” said Collins. “I am delighted to have successfully secured federal funding for this important project that will help continue Peter’s legacy and greatly advance the college’s mission to meet the educational needs of all of northern Maine.”
In addition to serving students enrolled in allied health programs at NMCC, the enhanced lecture hall with distance learning technology will be available to local hospitals and other health care facilities throughout Aroostook County. Other academic programs at the college, including offerings coordinated through the continuing education division, which are designed to enhance County workforce development, will also benefit from the facility.
“NMCC is proud to place Peter G. Hunt, Sr.’s name on the newly renovated multi-media classroom in the Christie complex,” said NMCC President Timothy Crowley. “Peter was a supporter of the college and a supporter of many who graduated from this institution. The college benefited from his entrepreneurial spirit and his willingness to get involved and to get others involved. He was an independent thinker who brought people together in business and in support of worthy causes. His commitment to ‘The County’ and his friends created opportunities for many. We are pleased to recognize Peter’s contributions to Aroostook in this way.”
Also marking the occasion and paying tribute to his late friend and fellow board director on the NMCC Foundation Board was Michael Kelley, Sr. Kelley, who served as master of ceremonies for the event, spoke about how appropriate an honor it was to name the new multi-media center after Hunt.
“Peter served on a large number of boards. However, one of his favorites was the Community College Foundation Board. Anyone who knew Peter will never deny his life-long passion for Aroostook County and its people. Peter would and often did work tirelessly for his friends, associates and customers to make sure they got a fair shot at success,” said Kelley.
The potential for the new multi-media classroom to enhance regional economic development activity is in part what led college officials to name the facility after the well-known and highly respected county business and community leader. Peter G. Hunt, Sr. was one of the founders of the statewide United Insurance Group (UIG) and established and successfully operated a number of businesses in The County and beyond, including acquiring, in recent years, the Harry’s family of businesses comprised of Top of Maine Insurance Co., Harry’s Honda and Harry’s Motor Sports in Presque Isle. He passed away June 28, 2007 at the age of 63.
Members of Hunt’s family, including his widow Jane Hunt, were on hand for the opening. She addressed those gathered with words of appreciation.
“Peter was excited and enthusiastic about the college and the educational opportunities afforded to students both in this area and in other parts of the state,” said Hunt. “He would be proud to have this multi-media center in his name. I would like to express our family’s deep appreciation for the wonderful honor bestowed upon Peter today.”
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
THE MARKER THAT WILL GRACE the new Peter G. Hunt, Sr. Multi-Media Center at Northern Maine Community College was unveiled during the opening and dedication ceremony July 17. Participating in the unveiling were, from left: Hunt’s children Peter Hunt, Jr., Robert Hunt, Jennifer Hunt-MacLearn, Melony Hunt LeShane, Hunt’s widow Jane, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, NMCC President Tim Crowley, NMCC Foundation board member and Hunt friend Michael Kelley, Sr., and NMCC Foundation Board Chair Richard Engels.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
THE OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING for the Peter G. Hunt, Sr. Multi-Media Center at NMCC took place just before the more than 80 guests gathered at the event were shown the new facility. Cutting the ribbon were, from left: Hunt’s children Robert Hunt, Jennifer Hunt-MacLearn, Melony Hunt LeShane, Hunt’s widow Jane, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, NMCC President Timothy Crowley, NMCC Foundation Board Chair Richard Engels, and NMCC Foundation board member Michael Kelley, Sr.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
U.S. SEN. SUSAN COLLINS gets her first look at the new Peter G. Hunt, Sr. Multi-Media Center at Northern Maine Community College during the official opening July 17. Collins was instrumental in securing funding for the facility. In the background are members of the family of the late Peter G. Hunt, Sr., who are being shown the new facility and the technology in the center by NMCC President Tim Crowley.
