More than 120 school superintendents, guidance counselors, business and community representatives and Nassau BOCES faculty, administrators and board members attended the formal dedication of the newly renovated Joseph M. Barry Career and Technical Education Center on Dec. 10.

The 213,000 square foot facility in Westbury, previously called the Nassau Technological Center, was renamed to honor Joseph M. Barry, a long time Nassau BOCES Board member who championed technical education for students. Barry, who died in January 2003, served as vice district clerk of the Nassau BOCES Board from 1987 to 1995 and district clerk from 1996 until his retirement in 2001. He earlier served as a member of the boards of education of Valley Stream District #30 and the Valley Stream Central High School District.

In 1989, Barry received the Distinguished Service Award from the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association and in 1993, he received the group's Presidential Award. In 1994, he received the Everett R. Dyer Award for Distinguished School Board Service from the New York State School Boards Association.

Noting Barry's commitment to students, Board President George Farber said, "He believed very passionately that a nation that failed to invest in its children was failing to invest in its future."

In accepting a plaque commemorating the dedication, Barry's wife, Lois, said, "I hope the passion that inspired everything Joe did will permeate every nook and cranny of this beautiful building, and will take hold of all the students who are already attending and all those who want to attend."

The Westbury building, nicknamed "Barry Tech," features a spacious atrium, skylights that illuminate previously dim corridors, energy-efficient classrooms and new state-of-the-art equipment.

Tracing the history of the facility, which Nassau BOCES moved into in 1971, Dr. Jerry W. Shiveley, district superintendent, said the purchase of the building, approved in a referendum, was the key step that enabled Nassau BOCES to renovate and modernize it.

At the dedication, New York State Senator Carl Marcellino said that Barry Tech sets a positive, high-tech "tone" for the courses taught there. He noted that the technical education program at Nassau BOCES provides "a very necessary service" for youngsters who choose a non-academic career path.

A former public school teacher and administrator, Marcellino said the Long Island delegation in Albany is committed to education as a "top priority" and is working to "make sure BOCES is properly funded and properly positioned to continue its good work."