“ 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 .