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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 A P R I L 2 9 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S 3 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y Bates College in Lewiston dates to 1855. In 2021, its 65,000-square-foot Bonney Science Center opened as the centerpiece of a $75 million proj- ect to upgrade science teaching and research facilities. Unity Environmental University, dat- ing to 1965, moved in 2021 to Pineland Farms in New Gloucester and expanded remote education programming. Founded in 1894 in Waterville, Thomas College underwent moves and expan- sions through the decades. In the 1980s, it established a Computer Information Systems major, an internship program and Portland Center. Developments through the 2000s included Laurette Ayotte Auditorium, partnerships with the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and Putnam Investments, renovations to the Dining Center and opening a 100-bed student residence. e Harold Alfond Athletic Center opened in 2006, followed by the George and Marty Spann Student Commons, Harold Alfond Academic Center, Henry and Ellen Hinman Hall, Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation, Peter & Paula Lunder School of Education and an 18,000-square-foot athletic facility. Since its founding in 1794, Bowdoin College in Brunswick has reshaped its footprint multiple times. Its first build- ing, Massachusetts Hall, originally held the entire college. For a short while, Bowdoin was home to the Medical School of Maine. Bowdoin became carbon neutral in 2018. In 2022, innova- tive mass timber products helped build Barry Mills Hall and the John and Lile Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies. Founded in 1813, Colby College in Waterville has 16 LEED-certified buildings and spaces and a 5,300-panel solar installation. In 2020, it opened the 350,000-square-foot Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center. Colby and Waterville Creates commissioned the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, which opened in 2022. is year, Colby received $50 million from the Lunder Foundation to expand the school's financial aid program. Founded in 1969, College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor became the first carbon-neutral college in the U.S. in 2007. Recent developments include the Davis Center for Human Ecology, using mass timber construction, solar, wood fiber insulation and triple-insulated— COA's first academic building since the early 1990s. A new dormitory is designed to passive house principles. Community colleges Maine's community colleges started as vocational technical institutes. e 1980s brought a name change to tech- nical colleges and bonding for capital improvements. e institutes became community colleges in 2002. e Maine Community College System was established in 2003, followed by capital upgrades, program and student support expansions. Developments in recent years include the 2021 launch of the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce. Southern Maine Community College in South Portland splashed a new marine science training vessel and plan to start a mobile learning lab van for STEM training and a state-of-the-art health care simulation lab. Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz Business Property and Liability Insurance Products Cyber and Data Breach Liability Insurance Employment Practices Liability Insurance, EPLI & Equipment and Mechanical Breakdown INSURING MAINE BUSINESS — INSURING MAINE PEOPLE We've been in business more than 140 years, and continue to innovate by providing you a portfolio that offers the kind of protection your business needs — today. Visit Patrons.com to find an independent agent near you. INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR TODAY'S BUSINESS CHALLENGES. P ROV I D E D P H O T O / T H O M A S C O L L E G E P ROV I D E D R E N D E R I N G / H G A Thomas College's campus from the 1990s is seen well before major construction of the 2000s. Bowdoin College's Barry Mills Hall, left, and the John and Lile Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies showcase mass timber and CLT construction.

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