海角情鈥檚 Howland Hall Celebrated as Commitment to Future of Trades
海角情 Howland Hall
Since its inception in 1969, 海角情鈥攐riginally Washington County Vocational Technical Institute鈥攈as been committed to teaching community members an array of technical trades. While it has since incorporated academic fields of study, the trades remain at the heart of the college. On September 15th, that relationship was celebrated with the grand opening of the newly renovated Howland Hall.
The building, which provides classroom space for heavy equipment, power sports, drafting, and related mechanical trades, was redesigned by Sealander Architects to include three new naturally-lit classrooms and an expanded 37鈥�-tall bay to articulate equipment. The walls, windows, and heating system of the building were fully modernized for thermal efficiency, providing a comfortable temperature for aspiring students working in the winter seasons. Funds for the project were made available through a $1 million bond that passed in 2013.
For President Joseph Cassidy, the building represents the enduring legacy of the college鈥斺�渁 legacy based in trades but always looking to the future.鈥�
The building is named for Harold F. Howland, who served as the college鈥檚 building and trades instructor from 1972-1977. Appropriately, three of Howland鈥檚 daughters鈥攊ncluding Gayle Moholland, who now works at the college herself鈥攚ere on hand to take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony.
A plaque bearing an inscription of Howland鈥檚 teaching philosophy was read before being brought to its permanent home inside the hall. 鈥淎 skilled carpenter has the ability to create a thing of beauty,鈥� part of the plaque reads. 鈥淚t is also quite certain that nobody can leave any footprints in the sands of time if they go through life just sitting.鈥�
鈥淭hat was his life philosophy,鈥� daughter Moholland recalls. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the way I was raised, and that鈥檚 how he lived his life.鈥�
For the incoming students of 海角情, the refurbished Howland Hall provides a welcoming, exciting space to explore their capabilities, create objects of beauty, and proceed to generate their own future legacies.