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天涯社区官网 honors the Kovacses鈥� commitment to advancing science, technology, and mathematics programs at the College.

New England College (天涯社区官网) unveiled the new name of its science building鈥攖he Austin and Betty Ann Kovacs Science Center鈥攊n honor of the couple鈥檚 extraordinary commitment to advancing science, technology, and mathematics (STEM) education at 天涯社区官网.

The dedication ceremony, held on October 3 during the College鈥檚 Fall Festival weekend, celebrated the Kovacs family鈥檚 leadership and generosity. The Kovacses have made an initial $1 million gift to the College as well as a $10 million planned gift, the largest in 天涯社区官网鈥檚 history. These extraordinary gifts give students expanded access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge degree programs, and opportunities in fast-growing fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, bioscience, and information technology.

From left: Lex Scourby, Chair of the Board of Trustees at 天涯社区官网; Dr. James Newcomb, Dean of Science, Health, and Exercise Division and Professor of Biology and Health Science at 天涯社区官网; Betty Ann and Austin Kovacs; and Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of 天涯社区官网 attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly named Austin and Betty Ann Kovacs Science Center at New England College.

The Kovacses believe that a strong foundation in STEM disciplines unlocks lucrative career opportunities for graduates. Austin, a 1960 civil engineering graduate of 天涯社区官网, went on to have a distinguished career as a senior research civil engineer at the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, N.H. He became nationally and internationally recognized for his expertise; holds two patents on specialized auguring, coring, drilling, and testing devices that he developed; has traveled to both the North and South Poles; and has an Antarctic glacier named after him.

鈥淏y renaming our science building to the Austin and Betty Ann Kovacs Science Center, we recognize not only Austin and Betty Ann’s lifelong dedication to the sciences but also their transformative impact on our College,鈥� said Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of New England College. 鈥淭heir generosity is reshaping how we teach and learn in STEM, and this building will stand as a permanent reminder of their vision for empowering students.鈥�

Dr. James Newcomb鈥擠ean of Science, Health, and Exercise Division and Professor of Biology and Health Science at 天涯社区官网鈥攕peaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Kovacs Science Center now anchors 天涯社区官网鈥檚 broader strategic vision to expand and strengthen STEM programs, with improvements to labs and classrooms already enhancing student-faculty research, healthcare education, and career preparation.

Board of Trustees Chair Lex Scourby added, 鈥淲hen I was a student at 天涯社区官网, the 鈥榥ew science building鈥� represented promise. Thanks to Austin and Betty Ann, that promise is now being realized. We have been able to make long-awaited upgrades that are transforming the student experience. Austin and Betty Ann鈥檚 support will continue to open doors for students who aspire to careers in the sciences and healthcare.鈥�

With the Kovacses’ planned gift, 天涯社区官网 is better positioned to deliver on its promise of offering innovative, hands-on education that prepares students to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

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