Friday, March 21, 2008

 

STUDENTS HELP BUILD HABITAT HOUSE IN MWCC'S FIRST ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK EXPERIENCE

By Janice O'Connor

MWCC student Vanessa Lynch worked alongside Jimmy Baboci, owner of the Habitat house, installing vinyl siding.

A group of 28 MWCC students chose handsaws and hammers over sunscreen and swimming by volunteering in the college’s first Alternative Spring Break this week. The students, along with four staff members, spent a portion of spring break helping to build a house in Townsend for a family of six. Vice Presidents Peter Trainor and Ann McDonald and staff members Greg Clement and Joyce Kulig also participated in the Habitat for Humanity - North Central Massachusetts construction project.

“This is our very first alternative spring break, and we’ve had such a wonderful experience and an overflow of student volunteers,” said Clement, assistant dean of student services. “We had a waiting list for this project. It’s just great to see how big the hearts of our students are and what tremendous student leaders we have.”

Business major Scott Brown worked with fellow students Tim Coelho, Betsy Cox and Pamela Wood to construct a bedroom closet. “I own my own handyman business and I thought I might be of assistance,” he said. “My family does a lot of volunteering, and it’s really important to me to give back to my community.”

Although the alternative spring break effort is new, volunteers from MWCC have pitched in on Habitat projects on many occasions over the years. Mike Nobrega, construction manager for North Central Massachusetts Habitat for Humanity, said the nonprofit organization greatly appreciates the college’s consistent efforts. “It’s a win-win situation,” said Nobrega, an alumnus of MWCC. “It benefits the homeowner and it also trains the up and coming generation on what it means to give back. In a sense, it provides life skills training for them as well.”

The Family Selection Committee of Habitat for Humanity NCM recently announced that the Baboci family will be the owners of the first Habitat house in Townsend. Owners Jimmy and Teuta, who are helping to build the home alongside volunteers, are themselves active volunteers in the community, helping out in the schools, providing daycare at their church, and volunteering at band concerts held on the Townsend common. When the home is completed later this year, they will move in with their three children and Mrs. Baboci's mother.

“The way the community has been helping us, it’s hard to find the words," Teuta Baboci said this week. "The students have been wonderful. A big thank you to everyone!”

MAYORS EXTOL IMPORTANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION AT 8TH ANNUAL JUNIOR SYMPOSIUM

By Janice O'Connor

Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong and Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke spoke to hundreds of area high school students about the importance of a college education, during the eighth annual Junior Symposium this week.

For all their similarities as young, newly elected mayors in North Central Massachusetts, Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong and Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke couldn't resist a bit of good-natured ribbing about their differences during a presentation to more than 350 high school students this week at the Gardner campus. They joked about their ages, how long it took to earn their degrees and who received the greatest percentage of votes on Election Day. But they were in full agreement about the importance of a college education.

The mayors spoke on March 19 during the eighth annual College Search Symposium for Juniors, sponsored by MWCC’s College Access and Preparation Program in collaboration with the division of Student Services.  Students from North Central Charter Essential School, Worcester's North High School, and Fitchburg, Gardner, Athol, Lunenburg, Leominster, Ayer, Quabbin Regional and Murdock high schools attended.

Wong shared that her father grew up in a tiny fishing village in China with no running water or electricity, and very few adult role models, as the village's men were either away on fishing excursions or had not survived the treacherous occupation. With fourth grade being the highest level of education her father could obtain in China, he eventually ran away from the village and became self-educated through intensive studying and reading. Her mother grew up in urban poverty in Hong Kong, the oldest child of six, and worked in a factory with only a package of peanuts to sustain her for the week. Fortunately, she was able to pass an entrance exam into a private preparatory school and eventually became a nurse. After coming to the United States, the couple opened successful restaurants in Cambridge and Haverhill. “They understood the value of an education and the direct relationship to their personal well being,” Wong told the audience.

Wong said her parents’ experiences left a lasting impression. In a three-year span, she graduated with honors from Boston University with a dual bachelor’s degree in economics and international relations and a master’s degree in economics.

Hawke, a member of MWCC’s Board of Trustees, chose to attend Mount Wachusett to build a solid academic foundation before transferring to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for a bachelor’s degree in political science and continuing on for a master’s degree in business administration from Anna Maria College. “The Mount’s slogan, ‘Start Near…Go Far,” really was true for me,” he said. “A college degree really does affect where you go in life.”

The Junior Symposium is designed to give local students the tools they need to apply to and prepare for college in a fun and interactive way. Workshops included SAT preparation, choosing a major and a career, and financial aid myths and realities. Additional sessions were offered on college lingo, transition to college, admissions requirements for student athletes, college fairs and writing a memorable college essay.

The high school students were welcomed on campus by Executive Vice President Ed Terceiro, who spoke briefly about how a college education prepared him for a career in engineering and in higher education. He thanked the two mayors on behalf of the college and President Daniel M. Asquino for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend the event.

"They recognize that you are the future of their communities," he told the students.

STUDENTS LEADING FUNDRAISING DRIVE TO BENEFIT FOOD PANTRY

By Janice O'Connor

Paralegal studies student Nathaniel Katisch, president of the Legal Studies Group at MWCC, is leading a donation drive to benefit Ginny's Helping Hands food pantry in Leominster. The organization will receive $1 from the Feinstein Foundation for every food item donated during March and April. Pictured with Nathaniel, from left, are pantry founder Ginny White and MWCC students Sara Vaz and Valerie Daigle, who are also members of the Legal Studies Group.

Last year, a fundraising effort led by MWCC students brought in $27,001 and 27,001 food items to help needy residents and families in the region. Organizer Nathaniel Katisch, a paralegal studies major and president of the Legal Studies Group, is hoping for a similar response this year, as he and other MWCC students begin another drive to benefit Ginny’s Helping Hands food pantry in Leominster.

The Feinstein Foundation of Cranston, RI will donate $1 for every dollar or food item donated in March and April as part of its annual $1 Million Giveaway to Fight Hunger initiative. For the 11th straight year, Alan Shawn Feinstein will divide $1 million among hunger-fighting agencies nationwide. Feinstein's past $1 million challenges to fight hunger have reaised a record $760 million for agencies nationwide.

“Our drive was very successful last year, and we hope it will be even more successful this year,” Katisch said.

The food pantry, run by Leominster resident Ginny White, provides food to residents in need from Leominster and throughout the area. “It’s basically a hand-up in life, not a hand out,” White said.

"This is the type of initiative and leadership that makes me extremely proud of our students," said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. "By organizing a fund drive and tying it in with the Feinstein Foundation's million-dollar giveaway, our students are helping to fight poverty and hunger in our region in a way that doubles the usual returns. I encourage everyone in the MWCC community and in our cities in towns who have the means to contribute, to stop by one of the collection sites with a donation."

Collections bins for non-perishable food items have been set up at MWCC’s campuses in Leominster and Devens as well as in Leominster at City Hall, Sovereign Bank and Tim’s Diner.  Bins will also be set up on the Gardner campus. In addition, volunteers from several student clubs will collect donations on campus on the following dates: March 29, April 4, April 18 and April 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and on April 11 during Spring Fling. In addition to the Legal Studies Group, student members of the Marketing Club, the Human Services Club and the Student Government Association are also participating in the effort.

'IMMIGRATION: THE COMMUNITY'S ROADMAP TO SUCCESS' FOCUS OF WHAT'S NEXT? FORUM

By Janice O'Connor

Peter Creticos, president and executive director of the Chicago-based Institute for Work and the Economy, spoke about key issues related to the economic impact of immigration on the regional workforce and the partnerships that can be developed during a presentation this week in Leominster.

When speaking with groups about the integration of immigrants into American communities and the workplace in particular, Peter Creticos often opens with an example that quickly paints an empathetic picture. He asks everyone in the room to stand up, and go to a section of the room that represents where they were born - the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world. Most congregate in the area representing the United States. But when he then asks them to go to the area in the room that represents where a parent was born, and then a grandparent, it doesn't take long before the rest of the room fills out, leaving just a handful of people remaining in the section representing the United States.

Current issues regarding immigration and integration may seem new, but they are similar to the same types of issues raised during the early part of the 20th century, when waves of immigrants from Ireland, Italy and other European nations came to the United States for a better life, he said.

Creticos, president and executive director of the Chicago-based Institute for Work and the Economy, presented a talk on "Immigration: The Community's Roadmap to Success" on March 20 at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster, as part of MWCC's What's Next? Speaker Series. The talk focused on key issues related to the economic impact of immigration on the regional workforce and the importance of developing partnerships.

Creticos explained many of the challenges and issues occuring throughout the country as numerous states experience significant increases in the numbers of new immigrants. He emphasized the importance of strengthening communities and workplaces through a number of steps, such as expanding English as a Second Language training to reduce and overcome language barriers and increasing cross-cultural understanding. "It is a local and state effort," he said.

The Institute for Work and the Economy is an independent, not-for-profit think tank operated in cooperation with Northern Illinois University under the direction of a national board of directors. Its mission is to recognize and address emerging issues in workforce development policy and management and to develop novel solutions and strategies for resolving structural problems facing the workforce system. More information, including the institute's "Roadmap for Integrating Immigrants in the Workforce," can be found at www.workandeconomy.org

This year’s What's Next? Speaker Series, "Embracing the New Economy" is sponsored by MWCC’s Center for Democracy and Humanity in partnership with the Trustees of Reservations, the North Central Massachusetts Economic Development Council and the Partnership for Latino Success (formerly known as the Twin Cities Latino Coalition).

The series will conclude on Thursday, April 17 with the presentation "Entrepreneurial Spirit: The Pulse of the Economy," from noon to 2 p.m. at the Doyle Conservation Center. Robert D. Ansin, chief executive officer of MassInnovation, will discuss his work transforming vacant mills to vibrant, mixed-use centers that embody sustainable development principles, as well as what it takes to make an entrepreneurial idea succeed. Lunch will be provided. Reservations are required and may be made by calling Nancy Hawkins at 978-630-9163 or emailing nhawkins@mwcc.mass.edu

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION SPONSORING SEVENTH ANNUAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Several MWCC students will participate next week in the Seventh Annual Student Leadership Conference, coordinated by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in cooperation with the Student Advisory Council. Student Trustee Isaura Luna, Student Government Association President Katie Forgues, SGA Vice President Lindsay Cormier and SGA members Gennilla Millan and Brad Swanson plan to attend the conference taking place Friday, March 28 at Framingham State College. Greg Clement, assistant dean of student services, and assistant professor and SGA advisor Candace Shivers also will attend the conference.

The annual event draws students from all of public higher education, and provides an opportunity for them to hear from - and speak to - higher education leaders and elected officials. This year, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (5th Congressional District) will provide the keynote address. In addition, Board of Higher Education Chairman Fred Clark and Commissioner Patricia Plummer will lead a roundtable discussion with students. Student breakout sessions will focus on the following topics: Business Etiquette of Networking; Do's and Dont's of Professional Courtesy; Conflict Resolution; Time Management; and Promoting Student Leadership Through Diversity.

The conference is held each spring to provide a forum for students to identify issues of importance regarding campus life and the public higher education experience and to share these issus with leaders in higher education and state government.

The conference begins with registration and breakfast at 8:30 a.m. with the program running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration for students and faculty advisors is still open. For more information about attending the conference, contact Sandra Arsenault in the office of Student Life at (978) 630-9133.

 

More MWCC News:

• The MWCC Wellness Committee and Human Resources are co-sponsoring Wellness Fair 2008 on Monday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Commons area, followed by a week of wellness events. Free activities include chair massages, presenations on a variety of topics, tours of the MWCC Fitness and Wellness Center, chiropractic screenings, blood pressure screenings, body composition and hand strength screenings, respiratory screenings, stress management, cancer prevention and self detection instruction, healthy snacks and recipes for children, and more.

• The Art Club and Human Resources are co-sponsoring a lecture by AIDS activist Tim Bullock on Tuesday, March 25 from 9 to 10 a.m. in the North Cafeteria. Bullock will speak about his working with AIDS sufferers in Africa and his experience on the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage, a year-long journey that retraced the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade from the United States to West Africa to South Africa. For more information, contact Assistant Professor of Art Tom Matsuda at (978) 630-9340 or tmatsuda@mwcc.mass.edu.

• The Admissions office is sponsoring a Healthcare Expo on Wednesday, March 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Commons area for current and prospective students interested in MWCC healthcare programs. Faculty will be available to answer questions and to provide information regarding each major. Admissions, Financial Aid and Transfer counselors also will be available to assist students. Academic programs represented include: Certified Nurse Aid, Complementary Health Care, Emergency Medical Technician, Dental Hygiene, Fitness Leadership & Exercise Science, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting & Medical Office, Nursing, Phlebotomy, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Clinical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing. To register for this event, contact the Enrollment Center at (978) 630-9284, or email admissions@mwcc.mass.edu

• 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 continues on March 27 with Race, Women & Women of Color from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Fitchburg State College. This free, regional community forum will focus on promoting, inspiring and supporting women in leadership and will include a panel presentation, a vocalist, poetry and interpretive dance. The panel discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Sibyl Brownlee, vice president of student affairs at Worcester State College. Panelists will include Renae Gray, Boston Women's Fund; Lysa Mosca, YMCA-Battered Women's Resources; Kathleen McDermott, Montachusett Opportunity Council, Inc., Sayra Pinto-Wilson, of MWCC, the Twin Cities Latino Coalition and the Partnership for Latino Success; Emily MacRae, Macrae Enterprises; and Seema Williams, Black Tyz Entertainment, Inc. On-site child care will be available. To register, email theminoritycoaltion@mwcc.mass.edu or call (978) 342-6011.

• The Advising and Counseling Center is sponsoring Choose a Major Week March 31 through April 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students are encouraged to stop by the center to receive advising about selecting a major. Career assessments, transfer programs information, and degree requirements will be available for students. A raffle will be conducted for a $25 bookstore gift card. Contact the center at (978) 630-9568 for more information.

• MWCC's Institute for Nonprofit Development is hosting a Town Hall Meeting for Nonprofit Organizations on Thursday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, 860 South Street, Fitchburg. The free event will provide an opportunity for representatives from nonprofit organizations to meet, network, collaborate and take action around national priorities for the nonprofit sector. The Town Hall is part of the Nonprofit Congress, an initiative of the National Council of Nonprofit Organizations. The program will be facilitated by Susan Nicholl of the Massachusetts Network of Nonprofits and Michael Weekes of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, also known as the Providers Council. The event is being co-sponsored by the INPD, and the Providers Council, a member of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations.

• The 26th Annual Regional Exhibition of High School Art will take place April 7 through April 18 in the East Wing Gallery of the Raymond M. LaFontaine Fine Arts Center. The show includes the works of more than 200 students from 17 local high schools. MWCC Art Department faculty will judge the pieces and award cash prizes to individual students at a reception on Thursday, April 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. All are welcome to attend the reception.

• Members of Theatre at the Mount’s youth theatre will present 10 performances of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr in April. The 39 performers, ages 8 to 18, will take the stage for the general public on Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m. and 2p.m. Special matinees for school groups will be presented on April 15, 16, 17, and 18 at 9:30 a.m. and at 12 noon. Join Alice’s madcap adventures in Wonderland as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game! Classic Disney songs like “I’m Late,” “The Un-birthday Song” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” will have the whole family singing along! All tickets are $6 and may be purchase by calling the TAM box office at 978 632-2403 or online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu

• Registrations are now being accepted for the spring Saturday Morning Classes for Kids, offered through the Division of Lifelong Learning & Workforce Development. Course topics include cooking, oceans in motion, scrapbooking, health and safety, board games, bookmaking, babysitting, calligraphy, Lego engineering, online video game making and more. Session one runs for three consecutive Saturdays beginning March 29 from 8 a.m. to noon. Sessions two and three run on three consecutive Saturdays beginning May 3, from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information or to register, contact Enrollment Services at (978) 630-9123.

• Free 2007 income tax preparation services will be offered to eligible area residents at MWCC's Gardner and Leominster campuses. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is being offered on Thursdays through April 10 at the Gardner campus and on Fridays through April 11 at the Leominster campus. Appointments can be made by contacting Denise Whitney at (978) 630-9124 or dwhitney@mwcc.mass.edu. The VITA program, an initiative of the IRS, is a service-learning project for MWCC business students coordinated by the Division of Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development and the Business Department.

• 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: April 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Heywood Hospital, Dining Room B; Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing: March 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Leominster Campus, 100 Erdman Way and April 15 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Gardner campus, room 341; A.S. Nursing: April 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Practical Nursing Certificate program: April 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Complementary Health Care: March 24 and April 28 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Dental Hygiene: April 2 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Burbank Hospital, Fitchburg. 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