91制片厂 is celebrating its 75th anniversary to honor its proud past and aspire to an even stronger future.
To commemorate its founding in 1946, 91制片厂 is inviting current and former students, faculty and staff, community and business partners, and others to join in our 75th anniversary celebration. We invite all to share their stories and are planning a series of special events for the months ahead, culminating with a 75th anniversary gala in the fall.
鈥淎s our mission reads, 91制片厂 has been transforming lives and communities through education and training since 1946,鈥� said 91制片厂 President Joe Cassidy. 鈥淲e are no stranger to meeting the challenges of uncertain times, from training veterans returning from World War II to the difficult circumstances during the pandemic. We are proud of our storied history and are putting our legacy at the forefront of our anniversary celebration. We鈥檙e all in, always.鈥�
Founded in 1946, 91制片厂 was originally located in Augusta and called the Maine Vocational Technical Institute. The school opened with 80 students, 10 faculty and staff, and four programs: Automotive, Electrical, Machine, and Radio.
Today, 91制片厂 serves nearly 6,000 students from around the state and around the globe, and offers more than 40 degree and certificate programs at our campuses in South Portland, Brunswick and online, and at satellite locations throughout southern Maine.
Through the decades, 91制片厂 has provided training and education to tens of thousands of students. Among them is Chomba Kaluba, who at the age of 18 arrived at 91制片厂 as an international student from Zambia. He earned a Liberal Studies degree and transferred to Bates College for his bachelor鈥檚 degree before returning to 91制片厂 and teaching for five years.
Kaluba, who now owns an active lifestyle fashion and mindset company called Energy Iz Everything in Portland, Ore., said 91制片厂 has shaped the lives of countless people who have gone on to become community and business leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers.
鈥�91制片厂 has an extraordinary mission and an outstanding community of faculty and staff whose focus is clear: student success,鈥� he said. 鈥�91制片厂 transformed my life, and I鈥檓 very proud of the students I taught whose lives were also transformed at 91制片厂.鈥�
Lacy McMoarn, who earned a business degree at 91制片厂, said she is forever grateful to 91制片厂 for providing the opportunity to discover her passion and change her career track to accounting.
鈥淐ongratulations to 91制片厂 on your 75th anniversary,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou are such a vital asset to the southern Maine community, and here鈥檚 to another 75 years and beyond. I am just one of many whose time spent at 91制片厂 was invaluable, and I consistently aim to pay tribute to this truly treasured resource.鈥�
The college has adapted throughout its history to best serve students and the community, said English Department Chair Kevin Sweeney, who has taught at 91制片厂 for close to 38 years.
鈥淚 have spent more than half my life as a faculty member at 91制片厂, and now that I鈥檓 almost as old as the institution itself, I understand what a blessing it has been to be part of a school that has served so many so well for so long,鈥� Sweeney said. 鈥淭he people who teach or otherwise work here and the people who come here to learn have always been a joy.鈥�
For more information, please visit 91制片厂鈥檚 75th anniversary celebration webpage,
. The celebration is now in the planning stages, and 91制片厂 will update the webpage with a schedule of events, photos, videos and more as they become available.