Good morning MAVA Colleagues,
I wanted to bring your attention to this award that will be presented to our longtime friend and colleague Roger Bourgeois. He will be presented with the first Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award.
It will be presented this evening at the Larkin Gala on the campus of Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School.
We are extremely pleased that Roger will be the recipient for he is truly deserving. We thank Superintendent Heidi Riccio for bring this to our attention.
David
Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award
Roger Bourgeois has devoted more than 40 years to advancing agricultural and technical education in Massachusetts. Beginning his career as a carpentry instructor, he later rose through leadership roles, serving as Superintendent-Director of both Essex Agricultural and Technical High School and Greater Lowell Technical High School.
At Essex, he transformed school culture, raised student achievement, and oversaw the launch of a $134 million building project. At Greater Lowell, he stabilized the district during a period of turmoil, completed a $65 million renovation project on time and under budget, and guided the school to higher accountability rankings.
Since 2017, Roger has continued his service as an education consultant, helping districts secure nearly $10 million in Skills Capital Grant funding and gaining DESE Chapter 74 approval for dozens of new programs that expand opportunities for students across the Commonwealth. His statewide leadership includes serving as President of the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators, Co-Chair of the state Advisory Council for Career/Vocational Technical Education, and Commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission for LGBTQ Youth. He has also been recognized nationally with the ACTE/NIOSH Occupational Safety and Health Award and holds honorary life memberships in both SkillsUSA Massachusetts and FFA Massachusetts.
Guided always by the principle of putting students first, Roger Bourgeois leaves a lasting legacy of stronger schools, new opportunities, and tireless advocacy for vocational technical education.
Roger resides in Middleton with his wife, Robin, and has a grandchild who is currently a junior at ENSATS and another who graduated last year.
Congratulations, Roger!
This award is given to a member of the North Shore community who has had a significant impact in agricultural and technical education. There were 14 nominations this year, the most ever, and a committee determined that Roger was the best suited because of his continued passion for vocational education. He continues to be active in the Essex Tech community. The award will be presented this evening at the Annual Larkin Gala.
More information on the Gala can be found HERE.
Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education
LEARNING THAT WORKS FOR MASSACHUSETTS
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira