PRESS RELEASE: George Stevens Academy Announces Anonymous Gift to Establish the John Herrick Chair for Career & Technical Education
Naming honor recognizes beloved Blue Hill craftsman and GSA alumnus; gift funds new CTE Coordinator position anchoring expanded trades programs
BLUE HILL, Maine — George Stevens Academy is proud to announce the establishment of the John Herrick Chair for Career & Technical Education, made possible through a generous anonymous gift. The endowed position will fund a dedicated Career &Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator to lead GSA’s rapidly expanding trades and career pathways programming — a role designed to connect students across the Blue Hill Peninsula with hands-on learning, industry credentials, and direct access to meaningful careers and college plans.
The chair is named in memory of John Wesley Herrick, a 1979 GSA graduate whose life embodied the values this program seeks to instill. A U.S. Navy veteran and master carpenter, John built his career — and hundreds of beloved homes — right here on the Blue Hill Peninsula. He was known not only for the quality of his craft, but for the warmth and loyalty he brought to every working relationship. John passed away in December 2025, leaving a community that felt his absence immediately and deeply.
“John Herrick is exactly who we hope our students become,” said Dan Welch, Head of School. “Someone who learned a trade, served his country, came home, built things that last, and made the people around him better. Naming this position in his honor isn’t just a tribute — it’s a statement of purpose.”
The John Herrick Chair for CTE will support a part-time CTE Coordinator responsible for program quality, curriculum design, instructor recruitment, employer partnerships, and the development of articulation agreements with post-secondary institutions. The position is central to GSA’s multi-year CTE expansion plan.
Expanding Opportunities for Peninsula Students
GSA’s Career & Technical Education programs are growing. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, GSA will launch two new pathways: a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification program. The current welding program, which has been in place for many years, is being further developed to pursue dual enrollment in partnership with Maine Maritime Academy, creating a bridge from high school credentials to post-secondary technical education.
In 2027–28, GSA will add a carpentry program — a fitting expansion for a school now carrying John Herrick’s name in its CTE leadership.
These programs join GSA’s existing offerings in CTE- Media Arts, Engine Technology, Earthworks, Ocean Studies, Woodworking, and Culinary Arts- building out a comprehensive suite of options for students who want to learn by doing and graduate with credentials that open doors.
“The trades are not a fallback — they are a foundation,” said Chris Gray, GSA Trustee and owner of Blue Hill Cabinet & Woodworking. “These programs are a direct investment in the economic future of our region, and in students who deserve every opportunity to find their path.”
For more information, contact Amy Strother at 207.266.4848 or a.strother@georgestevens.org
