New England College Renames Science Building in Honor of Austin and Betty Ann Kovacs

NEC honors the Kovacses’ commitment to advancing science, technology, and mathematics programs at the College.

New England College (NEC) unveiled the new name of its science building—the Austin and Betty Ann Kovacs Science Center—in honor of the couple’s extraordinary commitment to advancing science, technology, and mathematics (STEM) education at NEC.

The dedication ceremony, held on October 3 during the College’s Fall Festival weekend, celebrated the Kovacs family’s leadership and generosity. The Kovacses have made an initial $1 million gift to the College as well as a $10 million planned gift, the largest in NEC’s history. These extraordinary gifts give students expanded access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge degree programs, and opportunities in fast-growing fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, bioscience, and information technology.

From left: Lex Scourby, Chair of the Board of Trustees at NEC; Dr. James Newcomb, Dean of Science, Health, and Exercise Division and Professor of Biology and Health Science at NEC; Betty Ann and Austin Kovacs; and Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of NEC attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly named Austin and Betty Ann Kovacs Science Center at New England College.

The Kovacses believe that a strong foundation in STEM disciplines unlocks lucrative career opportunities for graduates. Austin, a 1960 civil engineering graduate of NEC, went on to have a distinguished career as a senior research civil engineer at the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, N.H. He became nationally and internationally recognized for his expertise; holds two patents on specialized auguring, coring, drilling, and testing devices that he developed; has traveled to both the North and South Poles; and has an Antarctic glacier named after him.

“By renaming our science building to the Austin and Betty Ann Kovacs Science Center, we recognize not only Austin and Betty Ann’s lifelong dedication to the sciences but also their transformative impact on our College,” said Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., President of New England College. “Their generosity is reshaping how we teach and learn in STEM, and this building will stand as a permanent reminder of their vision for empowering students.”

Dr. James Newcomb—Dean of Science, Health, and Exercise Division and Professor of Biology and Health Science at NEC—speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Kovacs Science Center now anchors NEC’s broader strategic vision to expand and strengthen STEM programs, with improvements to labs and classrooms already enhancing student-faculty research, healthcare education, and career preparation.

Board of Trustees Chair Lex Scourby added, “When I was a student at NEC, the ‘new science building’ represented promise. Thanks to Austin and Betty Ann, that promise is now being realized. We have been able to make long-awaited upgrades that are transforming the student experience. Austin and Betty Ann’s support will continue to open doors for students who aspire to careers in the sciences and healthcare.”

With the Kovacses’ planned gift, NEC is better positioned to deliver on its promise of offering innovative, hands-on education that prepares students to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

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