Friday, Jan. 25, 2008

 

MWCC ENERGY INITIATIVES FEATURED IN NEW NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION CAMPUS CLIMATE PUBLICATION

By Janice O'Connor

Mount Wachusett Community College’s renewable energy initiatives are featured prominently in Higher Education in a Warming World: The Business Case for Climate Leadership on Campus, a newly released publication of the National Wildlife Federation showcasing schools that are leading the way toward a sustainable future.

The report highlights “the business, educational and moral arguments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions on campus, with best practices from U.S. colleges and universities.” The report demonstrates how schools are stepping up efforts in response to the potential threats of global warming and how these institutions are reaping multiple rewards.

MWCC’s energy initiatives are cited throughout the 63-page document, and the college is one of four institutions highlighted for large reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The report notes the college’s conversion five years ago of its all-electric main campus to a biomass heating system, accomplished in a cost-effective manner through the acquisition of federal and state grants to fund the expense. MWCC’s plans to install a large scale wind turbine and new photovoltaic solar energy panels at the Gardner campus this year are also noted.

“It is a tremendous honor to be included in this ground-breaking report,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino, who is a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and a member of its Leadership Circle. “Even more significantly, we are glad the expertise we have gained is being shared at a national level to help other colleges and universities make important steps in reducing their carbon footprint as well.”

Ed Terceiro, MWCC’s executive vice president and resident engineer, was asked to be a reviewer for the publication, which highlighted the energy conservation measures and strategies used by the college to shrink the campus carbon footprint. Terceiro, who is a member of the American Council on Renewable Energy’s Higher Education Steering Committee, has been in great demand for his expertise in the energy field. He was recently asked to be a participant at the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference Official Government Ministerial Meeting, which will be held in March.   

Recognizing that it could not successfully protect wildlife without also working to stabilize the environment, the National Wildlife Federation in 2005 established global warming as one of the organization’s three chief concerns. The NWF’s Campus Ecology program, established in 1989, has earned respect as a national leader in the campus sustainability and climate solutions movement.

“From a climate standpoint, colleges and universities can be regarded as collections of energy-consuming buildings, ranging from weekday-only classroom and office centers to energy-intensive 24-hour-a-day research laboratories…The energy requirements of buildings is by far the largest factor in the carbon “footprint” of most schools,” the report notes. “In the National Wildlife Federation’s view, global warming is a solvable problem. And while it encourages all sectors of society to do their share, NWF looks to higher education to be an example for others.”

Packed with examples from over 100 schools, Higher Education in a Warming World, is an illustrated guide for taking climate action. It covers the science of global warming, the opportunities and challenges confronting higher education, steps required to create a campus climate action plan, as well as dozens of cost-effective, practical solutions to reduce CO2 emissions on campus. These include energy efficiency, renewables, co-generation, green buildings, transportation alternatives, habitat improvement and behavior change.

The report was sponsored by the Energy Action Coalition of Washington, D.C., and the Gaylord Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The report can be viewed online at www.nwf.org/CampusEcology/BusinessCase

COMMUNITY HEALTH CONNECTIONS DENTISTS HONORED FOR COMMITMENT TO MWCC'S DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM

MWCC recognized the commitment of Community Health Connections dentists and staff this week. Pictured from left are Dr. Joel Treewater; Donna Markarian, CHC director of operations; Dr. Stephen Shea, associate director of CHC; Dr. Cynthia Stevens, dental director of CHC; MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino; Anne Malkasian, MWCC Dental Hygiene program director; Dr. Rekha Hariwala; and Dr. Ali Maddahi.

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, MWCC recognized the dedication and commitment of five Community Health Connections dentists who have shown exceptional support for the college's Dental Hygiene program.

The dentists were awarded a certificate of appreciation for their participation in the MWCC dental hygiene program. The honorees were Dr. Cynthia Stevens, Dental Director of CHC, Dr. Stephen Shea, Associate Director of CHC, and staff dentists Dr. Rekha Hariwala, Dr. Ali Maddahi and Dr. Joel Treewater. Donna Markarian, CHC director of operations, was also recognized for her work coordinating patient appointments. MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino and Executive Vice President Ed Terceiro attended the event, held at the Dental Hygiene program site at HealthAlliance's Burbank campus in Fitchburg.

Asquino recapped the college's decades-long dream of launching a dental hygiene program, and recalled the numerous supporters who backed the endeavor. MWCC's program was established three years ago and has been granted full accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. It also achieved the rare distinction of receiving two commendations for excellence during the accreditation process.

"Thank you really doesn't seem to be a powerful enough word to really express our appreciation to all of you for helping to make a dream of ours a reality," Asquino told the group of CHC dentists and staff gathered for the event.

"With the assistance of the dentists and staff of Community Health Connections, we are able to provide comprehensive, excellent care to our patients," said Anne Malkasian, director of MWCC's Dental Hygiene program. To date, MWCC students have provided various preventive hygiene service to more than 1,400 patients, she said.

The CHC dentists conduct examinations on patients seen daily during the week by MWCC's dental hygiene students, and serve as mentors, Malkasian said. "They are an integral part in our students' clinical experience."

More MWCC News:

• The Student Government Association is organizing a collection to benefit victims of the devastating fire in Lawrence earlier this month that destroyed nearly a full city block and left many people displaced. Lazarus House has joined with the Red Cross, the lead emergency response agency, in caring for those whose lives have so devastatingly been affected by this horrific fire. On Thursday, Jan. 31, SGA members will be at the SGA booth near the cafeteria to collect cash or checks made out to Lazarus House and the following new items: sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, child/adult toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels, disposable razors, diapers, baby formula and baby-wipes and non-perishable food items. The following items are also being accepted in new or like-new condition: sets of dishes, pots and pans, silverware and cutlery, drinking glasses, clock radios with alarm settings, games for children and teenagers. Donations can also be dropped off at the office of Student Life.

• The United Way of North Central Massachusetts and MWCC are launching the North Central Massachusetts Community Wealth Workshop Series, which is a free, six-month development process designed to help nonprofit organizations become more self-sustaining by creating a for-profit business to support the philanthropic works of their organizations. The series will be led by Community Wealth Ventures of Washington, D.C., which is a for-profit subsidiary of Share Our Strength, one of the nation’s leading anti-hunger and anti-poverty organizations. Up to eight nonprofit organizations will be selected this year to engage in a rigorous business planning process to help them launch or grow an earned income venture. A free information session will take place on Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Four Points Sheraton in Leominster. Registration is required. Interested agencies can call Jennifer Wiley-Cordone at MWCC’s Institute for Nonprofit Development at 978-840-3221, ext. 199.

• MWCC is a founding sponsor of the North Central Massachusetts Minority Coalition’s first-ever forum on Race, Poverty and Justice. This four-part community initiative includes the following free sessions: "Structural Racism" on Feb. 6; "Race, Women & Women of Color" on March 27, and "Race & Health Disparities," on March 28, each taking place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Fitchburg State College. The fourth forum, the capstone event and luncheon, will be sponsored by MWCC on June 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton, Leominster. The topic of the forum is "Internalized Racism: Racial Inferiority & Superiority." Admission is $25. The North Central Massachusetts Minority Coalition is a strategic alliance between the region’s five minority-led agencies (Spanish American Center, Hmong-Lao Foundation, Three Pyramids, Inc., Twin Cities Latino Coalition, and the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center). The Minority Coalition also includes faith-based and agency representatives, who are working within the coalition to organize, empower and support people with disabilities and other disadvantaged poor and working class people. For more information contact MWCC's Minority Coalition representative Marsha Poor at (978) 630-9374 or m_poor@mwcc.mass.edu To register for any or all of the forums, go to theminoritycoaltion@mwcc.mass.edu

• Volunteer musicians and singers are needed to perform in educational recording sessions during an advanced audio production course at MWCC. Students enrolled in the college’s Broadcasting and Telecommunications degree program will record the performers on Wednesday evenings between 5 to 8 p.m. throughout the spring semester as part of the academic program. Choirs, quartets, soloists and other singing groups are needed, as well as woodwind, brass, percussion and string musicians, a brass quartet and a big band jazz band. Rock bands are not being recorded as part of this course. The volunteer performers will get an opportunity to learn more about the recording process as it pertains to their specialty. Some performances may be aired on cable access stations. For more information, or to reserve a recording space, contact adjunct instructor John Little at jlittle@mwcc.mass.edu.

• An American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Commons area. To register, call health Services at 978-630-9136. Walk-ins are welcome.

• Tickets are now on sale for the 2008 season of plays presented by Theatre at the Mount. The music of legendary rock and roller Buddy Holly takes center stage as the season kicks off. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, featuring over 20 hit songs such as Peggy Sue, Chantilly Lace and That'll Be the Day, will run on Feb. 22, 23, 29 and March 1 at 8 p.m., and March 2 at 2 p.m. Summer heats up with the powerful musical Ragtime, painting a portrait fo the melting pot of America at the turn of the 20th century. Performances of Ragtime are June 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. and June 29 at 2 p.m. the Disney Channel's smash hit movie High School Musical comes to life in August. This amazing blockbuster will be performed on Aug. 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16 at 8 p.m., and Aug. 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Dan Goggins' Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue brings the zany Sisters of Hoboken back to the stage. In this all-new, sixth edition of the Nunsense series, a parishioner has promised the Little Sisters of Hoboken $10,000 for their school if they go to Las Vegas and perform at a friend's showplace. Show dates for Nunsensations are Oct. 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. Home for the Holidays will conclude the 2008 season. This Christmas spectacular promises to put audiences in the festive spirit with dazzling sets, stunning costumes, Broadway-style dancing, traditional holiday songs and a visit from Santa. Home for the Holidays runs Nov. 28, 29, Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets or request a season brochure, call the TAM box office at 978-632-2403. Tickets also may be purchased online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu

• The enrollment center is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: Clinical Laboratory Science: Feb. 13 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Heywood Hospital, Dining Room B; Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing: Feb. 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner Campus, room 341; A.S. Nursing: Feb. 12 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Practical Nursing Certificate program: Feb. 21 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Complementary Health Care: Jan. 28 and Feb. 25 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Dental Hygiene: Feb. 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, Room 12. Prospective students interested in attending an information session are asked to call the enrollment center at (978) 630-9110 (TTY (978) 632-4916), or send an email to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu

• Stressed? Why not schedule a relaxation massage to ease your tension? The MWCC Student Massage Therapy Clinic provides relaxation massage at a reduced rate to the public, faculty, staff and students. One-hour sessions with student massage therapists enrolled in MWCC's Massage Therapy Program are just $15 for students and MWCC employees and $30 for the general public. Many people have already discovered the advantages of this service as a way to relax and reduce stress. To schedule an appointment, call (978) 630-9212.