Education News: Hutchinson Center; MMA; Riley School
Patricia Libby named associate director of Hutchinson Center
BELFAST — Patricia Libby, a member of the instructional and student services staff at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center since 2011, has been named associate director of the Belfast-based outreach facility.
Libby will join Monique LaRocque, associate provost for the UMaine Division of Lifelong Learning (DLL), in leading the Hutchinson Center, which has become an educational and cultural focal point for Maine's midcoast area since its opening in 2000. Their goals for the center include offering new graduate degrees and certificate programs, and additional conferences and events.
LaRocque joined UMaine in July after an eight-year career at the University of Southern Maine. In UMaine's Division of Lifelong Learning, which includes the Hutchinson Center, LaRocque is helping develop online program offerings, particularly at the graduate level, and leading the growth of UMaine's Summer University.
LaRocque noted that Libby has a great sense of the needs of the Midcoast region and the potential for quality programming at the Hutchinson Center. "She brings great team-building and a strong set of managerial skills to her work, and I am very pleased to have her leadership at the Hutchinson Center," LaRocque says.
At the Hutchinson Center, Libby has served as assistant director for student and academic services, and as the instructional and student services coordinator. She has played a key role in the development of the DLL Advising Center, and implementation of the Adult Degree Completion Initiative and the University of Maine System Concierge Program.
Before joining UMaine in 2011, Libby spent more than 16 years in the business sector. She served as operations manager of Libby Sales Corp., and then as a senior account manager at MBNA. In addition, Libby has been a community leader through her involvement at the Penobscot Bay YMCA, and her 12-year tenure on the school boards of SAD 28 and Five Town CSD.
Libby is a licensed social worker who holds a master's degree in social work from UMaine.
Maine Maritime Academy elects board members
CASTINE — The Maine Maritime Academy Board of Trustees held their annual meeting on Friday, August 8 in the Holmes Alumni Heritage Room, located at the Harold Alfond Student Center on the campus in Castine.
The principal action item for the Board was to elect officers, which were offered via resolution by the nominating committee. The following officers were nominated to serve in their capacities for another one-year term: Captain Robert J. Peacock, II of Eastport as chair; Robert Somerville of Fort Lauderdale, Florida as vice chair; and John F. "Dugan" Shipway of Bath as treasurer. Rhonda Varney of Bucksport was elected board secretary.
The Board approved a strategic plan that will be reviewed on a regular basis by the Governance Committee and incorporated into the annual budget cycle. President of the college, Dr. William J. Brennan, reported to the Board of Trustees that Maine Maritime Academy was ranked the #1 Best Public College, #4 College That Adds the Most Value, and #12 overall on MONEY's list of Best Colleges, released in the magazine's August issue.
Standing Committees of the Board of Trustees met throughout the day on Thursday, August 7 to discuss Committee business and reports.
Orientation for the Class of 2018 has begun and the 2014-15 academic year begins officially on Monday, Sept. 1. The next MMA Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Friday, Nov. 7 at 8:30 a.m.
Riley School welcomes new teachers
ROCKPORT — Joining the faculty this year are Steve Weston and Elizabeth Deliso.
Weston will lead the Performing Arts Program. He received his B.M.E. from the University of Maine and his M.M. in choral conducting from New Mexico State University. During and after his studies, he was a professional chorister for numerous years, singing and performing all over the world. He has taught choral studies, orchestration, vocal pedagogy and musicianship for ages four through 90-something. He has directed the Bangor children chorus and most recently, been the director of music for the First Congregational Church of Camden.
Deliso has a B.A. in human ecology from the College of the Atlantic, and master’s degree from Yale University. She attended Putney School and has a deep understanding of and commitment to Progressive Education. Her focus is to create a creative, interdisciplinary, academically vigorous and student centered curriculum as the global studies and history facilitator.
The Riley School is a progressive elementary school in Glen Cove based on the premise that all children deserve personalized enrichment at all levels and an education that is grounded in inspired, foundational growth. At Riley, children are engaged in meaningful learning that is reflective of their own interests, style and progression.
Children work in in small, ungraded, classes, allowing the development of the skills and attitudes which will help them become lifelong learners and innovative, independent thinkers.
Applications are still being accepted for children ages 7 -12. There is a wait pool for ages 4-7 and 12-14. Visitors are welcome by appointment. Call or email for more information: 596-6405 or info@rileyschool.org.
