“ I cannot overstate how transformational the Residential Life program has been to Thornton Academy . The students are kind , polite , and they take their studies seriously .”
6 the time . He presented the video at the University of Southern Maine where he continued his education by enrolling in Media Studies . Immersed in video editing , he basically “ lived in the computer lab ” mastering Final Cut Pro , which provided a strong technical foundation and led him to sign up for a very challenging programming class . Ben remembers it as an invigorating and humbling experience . “ I was so scared , but I remember saying , ‘ I really like C ++ and Java . I can do this .’”
After graduating from USM in 2003 , he seized the opportunity to return to his alma mater to work in tech support where he could bring his experience to “ add immediate value ” to the school . Henry Beeukes was the Director of IT at the time . “ It was so fun to go to work because it improved people ’ s lives . I loved being able to add that value ,” said Ben . When the Director position opened in 2006 Ben transitioned into the role , moving the IT Department more towards the network side of operations because of the interconnected nature of educational technology .
Students from all over the world love to spend time in the Nasse Family ’ s apartment in Stasio Hall .
Ben ’ s team currently includes Technology Integration Specialist Amanda Doyle , IT Assistant Bruce Van Der Riet , and IT Assistant Amanda ( Tanguay ) Normand ’ 06 . Beyond assisting with solving problems , they also work to empower staff and students to be able to find solutions independently , while encouraging faculty to innovate their teaching methods . Ben explained that they are constantly asking questions like , “ How do we integrate ? How do we get staff
to adopt new technologies into daily practices ?” From devices in classrooms to locking doors to overseeing the Residential Program ’ s needs , the IT Department ’ s responsibilities are farreaching . Now that Thornton has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School , what comes next ? Technology doesn ’ t sit idly . The team is hard at work putting together long-term strategic plans and partnerships with goals that include moving students and faculty to use the exact same devices , and continuing to push forward with initiatives that enhance classroom experiences .
Whether he ’ s playing tug-of-war at Hill Stadium for the Dorm Olympics , watching his daughter dance across Garland Auditorium ’ s stage in The Lion King , or serving dinner for students at his apartment in Stasio Hall on a snow day , Ben goes above and beyond any job description to ensure that the Thornton Academy experience is rewarding , distinguished , and fun . His hard work ethic carries over to his free time as he participates in several triathlons , including the iconic half Ironman — a demanding course consisting of a 1.2-mile swim , a 56-mile bike ride , and a 13.1-mile run . He likes that it ’ s a personal challenge requiring stamina . Motoring through the water , pedaling down a paved road , or leaping across the finishing line , similar to when he ’ s tackling a complicated technology problem at school , he ’ s only competing with one person : himself .
So … how about a full Ironman ?
“ No , the half was enough for me !” he said with a laugh . But with Ben , you just never know .
STORY BY KRISSY MAILMAN | PHOTOS BY EMMA DEANS
Talking business & community with
Maine influencer
“I value honesty, integrity, a strong work
ethic, and compassion. Giving back makes
me a better person.”
Jim Godbout ’80
While this interview was taking place at
Starbucks, an elderly gentleman sitting
nearby suddenly started gasping for air
and panicking. Without hesitating, Jim
Godbout ’80 ran over to comfort the
frightened man and to see how he may
be able to help until the paramedics
arrived. Once the gentleman was in
good hands, Jim walked back over to
complete the interview without skipping
a beat.
Named one of the Top Fifty Influential
People in Maine, Rotarian of the Year,
recipient of the Rotary Humanitarian
award, as well as Saco’s Outstanding
Community Service award, and
10
several accolades for the success of Jim
Godbout’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air
Conditioning, one might think Jim
has accomplished everything he’s set
out to do. Not so. “My goal is to work
as long as I can to make as much of an
impact on as many people as I can. It’s
not what you have, but what you are
remembered for.”
Forced to grow up quickly, Jim
Godbout learned responsibility, hard
work, and perseverance at a young age.
At five years old, Jim’s twin brother,
John, died of leukemia. His father left
the family shortly afterward and Jim
was in charge of helping to raise his
younger brothers. Aside from having
to help with the cooking and cleaning,
Jim went to work at age 12. “All the
money I made went to family and
paying the bills. That was not common
back in my generation. I learned early
on that my work ethic and drive could
help the people I cared about most.”
During his high school years, Jim
had ongoing health issues that
made academics a challenge. He
was disinterested in class work and
needed a better option. With the
suggestion of his guidance counselor,
Richard Beaumont, and Headmaster
Jim Jortberg, he was introduced to
Jim Godbout
Plumbing
and Heating,
Inc. has
been named
one of the
top 100
Plumbing
& HVAC
companies
in the U.S.
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