SMCC pays tribute to outstanding faculty, businesses

Southern Maine Community College employees have been named recipients of the A Light on the Point President’s Award for their tireless work and dedication over the past year.

In making the presentation at the Feb. 4 virtual A Light on the Point event, President Joe Cassidy said faculty and staff found new approaches to continue delivering a quality education in a safe environment after SMCC “was called upon to turn our work on its head” with the COVID-19 outbreak last March. Throughout the year, he said, employees have discovered new ways of teaching, new ways of doing business and new ways to support students and each other.

“Thank you for all that you’ve done this past year and continue to do,” Cassidy said. “I’m incredibly proud to be associated with each and every one of you.”

The foundation also paid tribute to faculty, an alumnus and an area business for their achievements and contributions to SMCC:

• Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award: Jessica Dreves, SMCC nursing faculty clinical coordinator, who has successfully managed the safe clinical placements for nursing students during the pandemic.

• Outstanding Alumnus Award: Lacy McMoarn, who as a CPA in Portland gives back to SMCC by speaking to accounting classes, providing advice to students and promoting SMCC in the business community.

• Outstanding Business Award: Steve Arnold, owner of Yarmouth Boatyard and Marina Holdings, who partnered with SMCC in establishing the Yamaha Outboard Motor Repair Training Course to meet the marine industry’s demand for certified marine technicians.

The SMCC Foundation raises funds that are used to enhance academic programs, revitalize classrooms and equipment, and provide scholarship support for deserving students. In any given year, the foundation awards scholarships totaling over $200,000 to more than 200 students, with scholarship applications far exceeding the available funding.

Recognition

Townsquare Media, along with Berlin City and Atlantic Federal Credit Union, introduced the first person to be honored as Mainers Who Inspire Maine. Jeff Shaw, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Maine Academy of Modern Music, has been inspiring the musical talents of Maine kids for over 13 years. Under Shaw’s vision and leadership, MAMM helps kids discover their talents in all phases of creating music.

Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, Maine’s leading luxury property company, with offices in Portland and Brunswick, announced it again retained the No. 1 ranking for 2020 Waterfront Home sales in Maine, based on total dollar sales volume. Legacy Properties closed 338 transaction sides, totaling $350 million in property value.

Hires, promotions, appointments

Habitat of Humanity Greater Portland recently welcomed native Mainer Carson Davis to its team as an AmeriCorps Construction Leader.

Portside Real Estate Group is proud to announce the addition of Ellen Domingos and Sarah Singer of Brunswick to their growing Midcoast team.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced that Tess Haller, a native of Cape Elizabeth, has been hired as a staff assistant in her Washington, D.C., office. Haller is the daughter of Jim Haller and Sharon Elizabeth. She previously served as an intern in Collins’ D.C. and Portland offices in 2019 and 2020.

At the United Insurance’s annual shareholder meeting in December, Zack Frechette was elected the next president and CEO, effective Jan. 1. Frechette has served as vice president and agency manager and most recently as the chief operating officer at the Portland-based company.

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