Friday, March 2, 2007

 

MWCC TO HOST LECTURE BY RENOWNED RENAISSANCE SCHOLAR

MWCC’s English Department is sponsoring a lecture by Renaissance scholar Dr. Arthur F. Kinney on Friday, March 9 from 11:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the north dining area of the college’s Gardner campus. The lecture will focus on Queen Elizabeth I, whose role in world history and literature is depicted in the traveling exhibit "Elizabeth I: Ruler and Legend" on display in MWCC’s Leo & Theresa LaChance Library through March 30.

Dr. Arthur Kinney

Kinney, a Thomas W. Copeland Professor of Literary History and director of the Center for Renaissance Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, is the author or editor of more than 30 books. Some of Kinney’s assembled documents—such as his editions of political documents in Elizabethan Background, his listing of state and church officers in Titled Elizabethans, and his collection of Rogues, Vagabonds, and Sturdy Beggars, all from original documents—have served not only scholars but teachers for more than three decades and some have gone into multiple editions.

Last year, he was presented with the Paul Oskar Kristeller Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest international award for a Renaissance Scholar.

His current interests are the performance of Renaissance drama; the development of Renaissance English poetry and fiction; the history of the book and of reading and literacy; and the use of cognitive theory in understanding the early modern period, which has led to Shakespeare’s Webs to be published in October 2004 by Routledge.

Kinney’s most recent book is “Shakespeare and Cognition – Aristotle’s Legacy and Shakespearean Drama.”

MWCC’s library is one of only 40 public and academic libraries in the nation to host the "Elizabeth I: Ruler and Legend" exhibit. It commemorates the 400th anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth I of England and encourages audiences not only to reacquaint themselves with the Queen, but also to become more familiar with the historical and cultural forces that shaped her personality and her time, and to examine the mixture of history and legend that continues to surround her today.

The American Library Association Public Programs Office, in partnership with The Newberry Library of Chicago and the National Endowment for the Humanities, is sponsoring the traveling exhibit.

Kinney’s lecture and the exhibit are free and open to the public. For more information, contact MWCC Public Relations Specialist Kimberly B. Caisse at (978) 630-9547 or kcaisse@mwcc.mass.edu.

MERCY CORPS DIRECTOR TO CONTINUE MWCC’S WHAT’S NEXT SPEAKER SERIES

The MWCC What’s Next Speaker Series’ focus on poverty continues with a lecture by Paul Dudley Hart, director at-large of Mercy Corps, entitled “Addressing Poverty from a Global Perspective” on Tuesday, March 13 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Doyle Conservation Center, 464 Abbott Ave., Leominster.

Paul Dudley Hart

Hart brings 25 years of senior management experience and a highly successful track record in organizational leadership and management to Mercy Corps, which works to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.

Since joining Mercy Corps’ senior management team in April 2003, Hart has been on a number of assignments both domestically and overseas, including serving as Mercy Corps’ chief of party in Iraq during August and September of 2003 and managing the merger of Mercy Corps with Conflict Management Group of Cambridge. Hart also focuses on funding diversification, strategic alliances and other new agency initiatives nationally and internationally.

Born out of a plan to bring notable leaders in the field of social change under a single theme, the What's Next Speaker Series has blossomed into a forum that introduces students, residents, community leaders and decision-makers in North Central Massachusetts to innovative thinkers and doers from around the country and world. The goal is to show change is possible, to spark creative problem-solving and to inspire action. The 2006-2007 speaker series, now in its third year, focuses on "The Many Faces of Poverty."

A complimentary lunch will be provided, courtesy of the Center for Democracy and Humanity at MWCC. Registration is required. To register, contact Eveliz Rivera (978) 630-9324 or whatsnext@mwcc.mass.edu. The series is sponsored by the college’s Center for Democracy and Humanity, the Twin Cities Latino Coalition and the Montachusett Opportunity Council.

MASTER LOGGER COMPANIES HONORED AT MWCC CEREMONY

Four southern New England logging companies were honored for attaining Master Logger certification at a ceremony hosted by MWCC’s Forest and Wood Products Institute Tuesday, Feb. 27. Master Logger, which is administered by the Forest and Wood Products Institute, is an independent, third-party certification of logging practices that evaluates each company’s environmental, safety and business practices.

Master Logger Gerry Bellows receives his certificate from FWPI Director Joseph Smith.

The companies receiving certification were King Timber Harvesting of Hubbardston, Tim Robinson Logging of Barre, Sawyer Logging of Union, Conn., and GB Firewood and Logging of Sterling, Conn. These companies join 11 other southern New England loggers and 213 companies in the US and Canada that are currently certified as Master Loggers.

Joseph Smith, director of the Forest and Wood Products Institute, explained that these companies represent the best of the logging industry. “We inspected their operations and found that their work consistently met our standards for protecting water quality, protecting soil productivity, improving forest ecosystems, protecting cultural and aesthetic values and ensuring workplace safety,” he said.

The institute, in partnership with the Northeastern Loggers’ Association, established the Master Logger Program in southern New England in 2004. “Master Logger is the only international certification system that fo¬cuses on the field performance of wood harvesting companies, the sector of the wood production chain that potentially has the greatest direct impact on the health of the forest,” said Smith. “Our region has many outstanding logging contractors, and we’re pleased to be able to recognize their good work. These are companies that are aware that their livelihoods depend on the maintenance of a healthy forest, and they take pains to ensure that their work meets that goal.”

At the ceremony, the four companies received commendations from Massachusetts Chief Forester James DiMaio, Connecticut Chief Forester Donald Smith and the Massachusetts and Connecticut legislatures. Speakers at the event included Smith, John Gunn of the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands, who spoke about the current state of forest certification in the Northeast, and Wendy Bowden of Maine Custom Woodlands, who spoke about how her company has utilized their Master Logger certification.

In addition to recognizing the quality of their work, the Master Logger certification enables these companies to sell their products to consumers and manufacturers requiring wood from sustainable, certified sources.

“One aspect of the program is to make landowners aware of what good logging practices entail, and to encourage them to seek out professionals who employ good environmental practices while working safely,” Smith said.

Gerry Bellows of GB Firewood and Logging, Sterling, Conn., has been logging for 29 years, since he was 19 years old. He started with a chainsaw and pick-up truck, but is now operating with a feller buncher and forwarder. His son began working with him in the woods last year. Gerry works exclusively on woodlots managed by foresters, on both state and private land. He produces hardwood and softwood logs and firewood.

Tom King of King Timber Harvesting in Hubbardston began logging in 1977, doing work for a local sawmill. His son, Shawn, joined him in 1993. They operate a high-tech Timber Pro Harvester machine, working mostly in Massachusetts state forests. They produce hardwood and softwood logs, firewood, and pulpwood that goes to paper mills in northern New England.

Tim Robinson has been a logger since 1975, when he went to work for his brothers. Two older brothers were loggers and were one of the first loggers in the area to purchase a skidder. He went into business for himself in 1980 with a skidder and a chainsaw. He now owns an array of high-tech harvesting machinery and employs nine people. He works mostly on private woodlots managed by consulting foresters, producing logs, firewood and pulp.

Perry Sawyer has been logging for 12 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry at the University of Maine, but after a short stint as a forester, he decided that he would rather be logging. Perry owns a cable skidder, but has lots of experience operating other machinery and has worked all over New England. No one in his family worked in woods, but from an early age he was fascinated by logging and his enjoyment of it has never waned. He cuts logs and firewood, mostly on private lots managed by foresters.

For more information about the Forest and Wood Products Institute at MWCC, contact its director, Joseph Smith, at (978) 630-9360 or jsmith@mwcc.mass.edu, or visit http://www.mwcc.mass.edu/programs/FWP/default.html.

More MWCC News:

• As part of its Works in Clay exhibition series, the Art Department presents the work of Terry Rumble, which will be on display through Friday, March 16 in the East Wing Gallery. The gallery is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Professor Joyce Miller at (978) 630-9221.

  MWCC is hosting the annual Gardner Rotary Club auction. The auction will be carried live on Gardner cable access station Channel 9 and will stream live from the college's website. To view the auction over the Internet, visit http://www.mwcc.edu/LiveTV/.
• Theatre at the Mount's presentation of “Smokey Joe’s Café” continues tonight at 8 p.m. “Smokey Joe's Café” is an explosion of immortal hits including “Stand By Me,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “There Goes My Baby” and many more. Other performances will be held on Saturday, March 3 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 4 at 2 p.m. Tickets for “Smokey Joe’s Café” are on sale at the Theatre at the Mount box office Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., or call (978) 632-2403. Tickets can also be purchased online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu. Tickets are $20 for evening performances and $15 for matinees, with discounts available for children, Mount students and groups. Subscriptions for Theatre at the Mount’s 2007 season, at total of five shows, are also available for just $65.
• IRS-trained volunteers, including 30 MWCC students, will be helping low- and moderate-income taxpayers prepare and file their federal tax returns for free as part of the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. At the Leominster campus, the service will be offered on Fridays through April 13 from 1 to 8 p.m. except on March 16, when classes will not run because of the Evacuation Day state holiday.) At the Gardner campus, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site will be in Room 250 on Thursdays through April 12 from 1 to 8 p.m. MWCC’s financial aid officers will be on hand at some sessions to assist taxpayers interested in attending college with filling out financial aid forms. To schedule an appointment, taxpayers may contact Denise Whitney at (978) 630-9124 or dwhitney@mwcc.mass.edu.
• Free college. Earn a paycheck. Apply to be a Community Scholar at MWCC. Community Scholars receive free tuition, fees and books, guaranteed employment working at a local nonprofit organization, leadership development opportunities and a $1,000 education award toward a four-year degree. For a brochure, send your name and mailing address to communityscholars@mwcc.mass.edu.
• MWCC’s Leo & Theresa LaChance Library and Office of Academic Affairs are sponsoring a book discussion and signing by Kris Holloway, author of “Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali,” on Tuesday, March 6 at 11:20 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the commons area of the Gardner campus. Books will be available purchase, with proceeds supporting Clinique Monique in Kauri, Mali. The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Linda Oldach at (978) 630-9126 or loldach@mwcc.mass.edu.
• MWCC’s new Biotechnology program will host information sessions Wednesdays March 7, April 11 and May 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. at the main campus, 444 Green St., Gardner. Sessions will be held at the Leominster campus, 100 Erdman Way, on Monday, March 19; Monday, April 23; and Wednesday, May 23 from 6 to 7 p.m. With the decision by the drug manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb to locate a large biotechnology company at Devens, the college anticipates starting the biotech program in fall 2007 at the Devens and Gardner campuses. Registration is required. To register and for more information, contact MWCC’s Dean of Science Charles Weitze at cweitze@mwcc.mass.edu or (978) 630-9207.
• MWCC’s Office of Academic Affairs will host an informal discussion with Jibreel Khazan, formerly Ezell Blair Jr., one of the “Greensboro Four” who took part in the Woolworth sit-ins of the Civil Rights Movement, on Friday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the theatre. The decision of four African American students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College to stage a sit-in at the Greensboro Woolworth lunch counter on Feb. 1, 1960, led to civil rights sit-ins in 54 other cities in nine states. By the end of July 1960, Woolworths decided to integrate its lunch counter. For more information, contact MWCC Public Relations Specialist Kimberly B. Caisse at (978) 630-9547 or kcaisse@mwcc.mass.edu.
• MWCC’s English Department is sponsoring a lecture by Dr. Arthur F. Kinney, Thomas W. Copeland Professor of Literary History and director of the Center for Renaissance Studies at UMass-Amherst, on Friday, March 9 from 11:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the north cafeteria of the Gardner campus. Kinney is the author or editor of more than 30 books and his work has served scholars and professors for more than three decades. Last year, he was presented with the Paul Oskar Kristeller Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest international award for a Renaissance Scholar. Kinney’s most recent book is “Shakespeare and Cognition – Aristotle’s Legacy and Shakespearean Drama.” For more information, contact MWCC Public Relations Specialist Kimberly B. Caisse at (978) 630-9547 or kcaisse@mwcc.mass.edu.
• The Art Department is hosting the exhibit “Connected Partners: Sharing a Life and an Aesthetic Vision” featuring works by Dug Morton (’86) and Dawn Haley Morton in the East Wing Gallery through Saturday, March 10. The paintings on display were done by Dug; the photographs taken by Dawn. A reception for the artists will be held Friday, Feb. 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. The East Wing Gallery, located in the Raymond M. LaFontaine Fine Arts Center at the Gardner campus, is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Professor John Pacheco (978) 630-9184 or jpacheco@mwcc.mass.edu.
• MWCC’s Leo & Theresa LaChance Library will host the "Elizabeth I: Ruler and Legend" traveling exhibit through March 30. The library is one of only 40 public and academic libraries in the nation to host this exhibit. This new exhibit commemorates the 400th

  The "Greensboro Four" (Jibreel Khazan is second from the right.)

  anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth I of England and encourages audiences not only to reacquaint themselves with the Queen, but also to become more familiar with the historical and cultural forces that shaped her personality and her time, and to examine the mixture of history and legend that continues to surround her today. The American Library Association Public Programs Office, in partnership with The Newberry Library of Chicago and the National Endowment for the Humanities, is sponsoring the traveling exhibit. All showings of the exhibition and related programs will be free and open to the public. For more information, contact Reference and Instruction Librarian Ellen Pratt at (978) 630-9125.
• The What’s Next Speaker Series’ focus on poverty continues with a lecture by Paul Dudley Hart, director at-large of Mercy Corps, entitled “Addressing Poverty from a Global Perspective” on Tuesday, March 13 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Doyle Conservation Center, 464 Abbott Ave., Leominster. Mercy Corps works to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Complimentary lunch will be provided. Registration is required. To register, contact Eveliz Rivera (978) 630-9324 or whatsnext@mwcc.mass.edu by Friday, March 2. The series is sponsored by the college’s Center for Democracy and Humanity, the Twin Cities Latino Coalition and the Montachusett Opportunity Council.
• The Institute for Nonprofit Development at MWCC, together with the college’s Entrepreneurial Resource Center and Community Builders, will host a free Appreciation Day Workshop entitled “Relevant Trends, Valuable Tools” for area nonprofits and small businesses on Thursday, March 15 at the Leominster campus, 100 Erdman Way, from 8:15 a.m. to noon. Space is limited. Registration is available via erc@mwcc.mass.edu. A complementary light breakfast will be served. Participants will have a chance to win a free membership to the ERC and a free membership to the INDP.
• Computer Graphic Design and Computer Information Systems professionals and MWCC alumni will discuss their careers and answer students’ questions on Wednesday, March 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the commons area of the Gardner campus. The panel is aimed at students who are thinking about working with computers, interested in designing web pages or print ads, have a knack for learning new software and programming languages or curious about the field of network administration. For more information, contact MWCC Academic/Career Counselor Michelle Contey at (978) 630-9482 or mcontey@mwcc.mass.edu.
• MWCC’s Advising & Counseling Center is sponsoring Choose a Major Week between March 26 and 30 in Room 134 at the Gardner campus. With summer and fall registration just around the corner, this is the best time for students to select a major. Advisors are available for drop-in meetings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or students may schedule an appointment at a more convenient time. Light refreshments will be provided each day. To schedule an appointment, or to get more information, call (978) 630-9568. Information is also available at http://www.mwcc.edu/prospective/advising.html.