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The dedication of the Arthur P. Girard Innovation Hall took place on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, on ɫ����Ƶ’s Portland Campus.

Over the years, local developer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Art Girard and his family have made several generous gifts to ɫ����Ƶ.

“Art’s vision and generosity have been instrumental to ɫ����Ƶ’s growth over the past decade,” commented ɫ����Ƶ President James Herbert.

In 2014 Girard and his family gifted Ram Island in Saco Bay.

“I grew up on the waters of Saco Bay, and I have always had an interest in these coastal waters,” explained Girard.” I knew ɫ����Ƶ’s Marine Science programs would benefit from having Ram Island as a place for students to carry out research.”

The island serves as a marine research field station for ɫ����Ƶ’s Marine Science programs based out of the Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center.

The former National Guard armory, now housing Innovation Hall, has a special connection to Girard.

“In 1947, I used to play baseball in the field behind the armory,” he said. “When I enlisted there in 1952, I met my role model, Sgt. Asdourian. It has come full circle to have the building named for me.”

The Arthur P. Girard Innovation Hall is the home to ɫ����Ƶ’s Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center, seven simulation labs with adjoining fully-equipped control rooms, debriefing rooms, as well as additional classrooms and a large-scale function space.

“This facility named in Art’s honor will be central to ɫ����Ƶ’s creation of a unique health sciences campus in Portland, where we will train the next generation of doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and other health care professionals, while conducting cutting-edge biomedical research,” said Herbert.