Southern Maine Community College kicked off its 75th anniversary celebration April 30 with on-campus planting ceremonies to honor its legacy of transforming people and communities through education and training.
Small groups of students, faculty members, administrators, alumni and community partners planted flowering shrubs and trees in simultaneous ceremonies at SMCC’s South Portland campus and Midcoast campus in Brunswick.
Attending the South Portland campus planting ceremony are, from left, Southern Maine Community College professor Brian Tarbox, SMCC Foundation donor Eleanor Redmond, SMCC Foundation board member and donor John Boyne, former longtime SMCC professor David Pratt, Maine Community College System President David Daigler, SMCC student Sarah Metcalf, SMCC student Natalie Potter and SMCC professor Norma Willis. Courtesy photo
“Southern Maine Community College’s roots go back 75 years, to 1946 when we opened in Augusta as the Maine Vocational Technical Institute,” SMCC President Joe Cassidy said in a news release. “And like these shrubs and trees, SMCC will continue to grow in the future, creating opportunities for students and our business and community partners as we adapt to the changing world around us.”
Southern Maine Community College was founded to provide training to veterans returning from World War II as the U.S. economy transitioned from war to peace. That first year, it had 80 students and four programs: Automotive, electrical, machine and radio.
Today, the college serves nearly 6,000 students from around the state and around the globe, and offers more than 40 degree and certificate programs at campuses in South Portland, Brunswick and online, and at satellite locations throughout southern Maine.
The celebratory plantings were limited to small groups because of the pandemic. The South Portland ceremony was led by Maine Community College System President David Daigler, while the Midcoast campus ceremony was hosted by SMCC Midcoast campus Dean Jim Whitten.
Among the guest planters on the South Portland campus was David Pratt, a former longtime SMCC faculty member.
“When I arrived at what was then Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in the fall of 1976, I didn’t realize then that it was the beginning of a 35-year teaching career at a school that specialized in teaching marketable job skills,” Pratt said in an email. “Now we are celebrating the 75th anniversary, and although there have been many changes, SMCC has not lost its focus. Happy birthday SMCC.”
Garden collective plans seedling and plant sale
The South Portland Community Garden Collective is hosting a Seedling and Plant Sale. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 22 at the Hamlin School Community Garden, behind the South Portland Planning Office at 496 Ocean St. in South Portland.
The organization will offer a selection of vegetable, flower and herb seedlings and a limited selection of perennials. There will also be opportunities to learn more about and join the South Portland Land Trust at the seedling sale. The land trust is the fiscal sponsor of the Community Garden Collective.
The 2021 plant sale will be held outdoors from 9 a.m. to noon, rain (under cover) or shine. The general public is welcome. Patrons are invited to bring seeds to swap and find a gardening book. The collective asks that masks are worn to shop, due to spacing considerations. The event is a fundraiser for the Redbank Neighborhood Community Garden, opening in 2022.
For more information, contact Mary Linneman at marymlinneman@yahoo.com or 207-409-4253.
Skillin School received a donation of $5,000 toward school supplies from Burlington Stores, the national off-price retailer, through its partnership with the national nonprofit organization, AdoptAClassroom.org. From left, South Portland Store Manager Rich Campbell with Andi Tobin, regional director of human resources at Burlington Company with Principal Bethany Connolly and Assistant Principal Myra Caron from Skillin Elementary School. Photo courtesy of Gretchen McCloy
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