School says it will name building after Dukakis

By Adam Sell, Globe Correspondent

Students at the New England Center for Children will soon swim laps in what the school is billing as the first building in the state named for former governor Michael S. Dukakis.

The Southborough-based school for children with autism, Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive development disorder will hold a ceremony Friday morning to officially dedicate the Michael S. Dukakis Aquatic Center.

Dukakis, his wife Kitty, lieutenant governor Tim Murray, and 200 friends and supporters will be present, the school said today.

Joe Ziska, director of donor relations at the school, said Dukakis spearheaded efforts that raised $5.5 million to build the facility.

“It’s truly a milestone for the New England Center for Children to have raised $5.5 million, and it’s a milestone for Massachusetts to have this facility named after the former governor,” Ziska said.

Dukakis served three terms as governor. In 1988, during his third term, he was the Democratic nominee for president, pointing to the "Massachusetts Miracle" as evidence he could do a good job running the country. He lost the election to George H.W. Bush.

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