Friday, April 4, 2008

 

MWCC NURSING STUDENTS INSPIRE LEGISLATIVE ACTION ON NATIONAL NURSE INITIATIVE

By Janice O'Connor

State Rep. Christine E. Canavan (D-Brockton), front center, invited Devens Practical Nursing students, assistant professor Collene Thaxton, Director of Nursing Nancy Duphily and Dean of Health Sciences Eileen Costello to the statehouse to recognize their efforts in the Office of the National Nurse initiative.

Students in the Practical Nursing program at Devens inspired the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a joint resolution encouraging Congress to create an Office of the National Nurse.

The students and their professor, Collene Thaxton, wrote letters this past fall to legislators urging the action. State Rep. Christine E. Canavan, (D-Brockton) who is a nurse, embraced the cause and introduced the resolution, which passed on March 24. The Office of the National Nurse would complement the Office of the Surgeon General and will encourage nurses, particularly students and retirees, to become involved in their own communities to support local prevention efforts. Advocates for the new position believe a National Nurse will be a prominent visible symbol to generate a cultural shift to prevention at a time when our nation is seeing record numbers in chronic conditions such as obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.

The resolution received wide support in the Massachusetts Legislature. Twenty-two members of the House of Representatives and three Senators signed on to the resolution, including all Registered Nurses in the Legislature and local Representatives Anne Gobi, Cory Atkins, Jennifer Flanagan and Geoffrey Hall.

Practical Nursing students in Thaxton's Devens class have been involved in the initiative ever since leaders in the movement spoke at the college in April, 2006. Members of the current class were invited to Boston on April 2 to meet with Rep. Canavan and receive a tour of the statehouse.

“This resolution shows what a grass roots effort can accomplish,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “As a college, we emphasize the importance of civic engagement, and this initiative represents student involvement at its best. I am very proud of our students and their professor, Collene Thaxton, for raising awareness about the need for an office of the national nurse to ensure improved health care throughout the country,” he said.

“We are delighted that the Massachusetts Legislature recognizes the importance of having an Office of the National Nurse to complement the work of the U.S. Surgeon General in promoting preventive healthcare,” Thaxton said. “As a teacher, I am excited that my students saw the importance of this role and took the initiative on a state level.  It is great for them to see that they actually can make an impact.”

Student Sandra Izzuara said she was happy to be part of the effort. "I feel that this country does need a national nurse. It would do a lot for our country, as far as helping people with health care. A lot of people have preventable diseases, but many just don't have the proper education to understand what to do. With a national nurse and teams of nurses throughout our communities working together to educate people, I think it would result in a big turn-around in our nation's overall health," said Izzuara, who plans to bride to the college's RN program and then continue on to become a nurse anesthetist.

"In our great country, professional nurses are a valuable resource” Canavan said this week. "Nurses need to have a recognized and accepted voice in public policy.  At the local level, an individual nurse's involvement, especially in areas that are politically sensitive to the profession, can be more important than many realize. I hope the Office of the National Nurse will encourage my nursing colleagues to give of themselves to their communities and share their special insights."

Teri Mills a nursing program coordinator at Portland Community College in Oregon who is a national advocate for the new position, commended the MWCC students for their efforts. "As nursing educators, this is just what we want to see with our nursing students - this caring taken to a higher level and advocating not just for patients at the bedside, but for our whole nation's health," Mills said. "With the presidential candidates talking about prevention, what a wonderful time for nursing students to be involved. It's exciting to see and we're thrilled."

Massachusetts is one of the first states to enact such a resolution, Mills said. "It is definitely important when state Legislatures speak, because then the members of Congress are more likely to listen and recognize the need. We do want to get this Office of the National Nurse up and running as soon as possible, because we're seeing record levels of chronic conditions that are preventable."

MWCC STUDENTS NAMED TO ALL-MASSACHUSETTS ACADEMIC TEAM DURING STATEHOUSE CEREMONY

By Janice O'Connor

Participating in the statehouse celebration were Board of Higher Education Chairman Frederick W. Clark, Jr., left, MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino, and honorees Katie Forgues and Colleen Hayes. (Photo by Gaurav Khanna)

MWCC students Katie Forgues and Colleen Hayes were honored as members of the All-Massachusetts Academic Team during a recognition ceremony at the statehouse on April 2.

Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society, together with USA Today and the American Association of Community Colleges, sponsors the All-USA Academic Team which annually recognizes outstanding two-year college students. Colleges are invited to nominate students to this prestigious team. This year, Forgues and Hayes were recognized as All-Massachusetts Team members and nominated by the college to the All-USA Team for their outstanding academic achievements, as well as their service to the college and the community.

The two exemplary students were awarded medallions and certificates during the ceremony for public higher education institutions in Massachusetts. Both are members of the Visions program at MWCC and Phi Theta Kappa.

"It is always such a tremendous pleasure to see our students recognized for their acheivements," said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. "Katie and Colleen not only worked hard to achieve their own personal goals, but reached out to other students along the way to provide support and encouragement. I am very proud of them."

"This is an exciting and rewarding experience for me," said Forgues, a member of the state Board of Higher Education and president of MWCC's Student Government Association. "Before I came to college, I was an extremely shy student...I couldn't even read out loud in school without turning 18 shades of red. But now I've given speeches at Orientation and Leadership conferences. I've become more outspoken and I take on more challenges. In my opinion, MWCC helped me to come out of my shell and grow as a person."

"It was an honor to receive this award," said Hayes, a mother of three who is a biology tutor for the college's Visions program and for the Academic Support Center. "It had been several years since I was in school, and the Mount really helped me get started again. Now I'm looking to transfer to Smith or Mount Holyoke, and the Mount was my stepping stone to get to this point."

The award ceremony coincided with Public Higher Education Week in Massachusetts.

Governor Deval L. Patrick proclaimed this past week the first-ever Public Higher Education Week in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The House and Senate also offered a joint congratulatory resolution honoring public higher education. The designation follows the Governor’s recent reorganization of public education in the Commonwealth - from pre-school through K12, higher education, and workforce development - in order to ensure a more seamless system and successfully move students through the education pipeline. A week of general advocacy efforts and outreach were capped with the first-ever “Friends of Public Higher Education Dinner” on Friday, April 4 in Boston, with proceeds being used to create new scholarships for students attending public higher education institutions in Massachusetts, with a particular emphasis on public service.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT TERCEIRO RECEIVES CHAMBER'S 2008 LEADERSHIP AWARD

By Janice O'Connor

Executive Vice President Ed Terceiro, the receipient of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Leadership Recognition Award, is congratulated by Michael Ellis, president and CEO of the Chamber.

Executive Vice President Ed Terceiro learned during a surprise party in his honor that he will receive the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Leadership Recognition Award. Chamber President and CEO Michael Ellis visited the campus on Monday to announce the award.

MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino called Terceiro the "driving force" behind the renewable energy initiatives that have earned the college national recognition as a leader in the sustainability movement. "This is a most appropriate award for Ed to receive, because he truly is a leader."

Terceiro, in turn, recognized the good work of Rob Rizzo, director of facilities administration, and Bill Swift, director of facilities maintenance and mechanical systems, in the college's renewable energy operations. Terceiro credited the president for taking a "leap of faith" to pursue renewable energy on campus long before it became popular, and recognized the commitment of former state Sen. Robert Wetmore, who was present for the award announcement this week, and others who supported the college's efforts.

"Ed has really been a leader in creative and innovative approaches to solving problems," Ellis said. "The renewable energy initiatives here at Mount Wachusett Community College are a great example. He just has a new and fresh approach to a whole host of things that have resulted in new programs and new ideas for Mount Wachusett. And he has extended this leadership beyond the college by helping other organizations and institutions in the region, the state and the nation learn what they can do to find similar solutions."

Terceiro is a member of the American Council on Renewable Energy’s Higher Education Committee and serves on the advisory committee of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, and is a frequent speaker on renewable energy technology.

He will receive the award during the Chamber's annual meeting and awards recognition dinner on May 7.

MWCC AND HEYWOOD HOSPITAL TO PRESENT 'TEEN SPACE'

MWCC's Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety and Heywood Hospital are teaming up to present "Teen Space: What You Don't Learn in Textbooks," a free health and safety expo for teens and parents. The interactive program, developed to open dialogue on a range of pertinent issues, will take place Wednesday, April 16 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gardner campus.

Additional partners include District Attorney Joseph Early's office, Hannaford Supermarkets, Communities for Care, the Partnership for Latino Success, the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, the Rape Crisis Center and many other local organizations in the region. Dozens of MWCC students plan to volunteer during the event.

"Families throughout the region have embraced our annual Kid Expo, which we implemented five years ago with John and Magi Bish in memory of their teenage daughter, Molly. Just as that popular event has educated more than 16,000 children and adults about ways to keep young children safe, we wish to provide a similar program to raise awareness about the issues teenagers face," said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino.

The Teen Space program will include a resource fair and snacks throughout the event and a variety of forums with tracks for teens and parents led by health, nutrition and law enforcement professionals. Topics for teens include "Breaking Boundaries on Violence: Teen Dating Violence and Its Effect on Health," "Eating Healthy, Living Well," and "Body Image and Mind." For parents, the event will offer breakout sessions on "Internet Safety," "Parents Guide to Feeding Well," and a dialogue on communicating effectively with teenagers.

For more information about the Teen Space expo, contact Andrea Hart de Gravelle at ahart@mwcc.mass.edu or (978) 630-9458.

More MWCC News:

• Rob Rizzo, left, director of facilities administration, and professor Tom Montagno, right, chairman of the Natural Resources program, were joined by students John Cody, Amanda Dettloff and Heidi Kowalski in a presentation on the greening of Mount Wachusett Community College during the North Quabbin Energy Expo on Saturday, March 29 in Athol.

  The Advising and Counseling Center is sponsoring Registration Week April 7 through April 11 to encourage continuing students to register early for the summer and fall semesters. An advising booth will be set up to provide students with information on the advising process.

• 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 16 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. Music will be provided by the Gardner High School jazz band. All are welcome to attend the reception.

• "Steps to Starting Your Own Business," a seminar co-sponsored by the Center for Women and Enterprise and Mount Wachusett Community College's Entrepreneurial Resource Center, will take place Wednesday, April 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Leominster campus. The seminar, which will be conducted in Spanish, will be led by Ivette Olmeda, business development and training specialist for the Center for Women and Enterprise, and M. Yanneth Bermudez Camp, Esq. Information will be provided about the many factors needed to succeed in launching a new business, including trends, location, marketing, research, operational issues and insurance. The fee is $35. Scholarships are available for income-eligible participants. To register, call (508) 753-9206.

• The offices of Admissions and Student Life will welcome more than 200 accepted students and their families at the annual Admitted Student Reception and Spring Fling on Friday, April 11. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature a continental breakfast, a presentation on "Making College and Career Count" by Monster.com and campus tours. Student Life is also hosting a barbecue lunch, music group Mass-Conn Fusion and novelties that include airbrushed hats, big chair photos and caricature drawings. Admitted students are encouraged to bring their family and friends. For more information, contact the admissions office at (978) 630-9284.

• Chris Mitchell was one of many students attending Job Fair 2008 on April 2. Representatives from two dozen employers, including Sgt. Amanda Colby of the Essex County Sheriff's Office, met with students to discuss career opportunities.

  For the second year the Early Childhood Education Department, the Early Childhood Education Club, The Molly Bish Institute for Health and Safety, and the teachers and children at the Garrison Center for Early Childhood Education will be hosting a Children's Art Show to celebrate The Week of the Young Child. The event will take place in the Garrison Center and in the Molly Bish Institute conference room on Wednesday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to noon and again in the evening from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Alumni from MWCC's Early Childhood Education program will return to campus on Wednesday, April 16 to participate in an Early Childhood Education Career Panel. The program, sponsored by the Advising and Counseling Center, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in room 127. Alumni will discuss their career path, current positions and experience. For more information, contact the center at (978) 630-9568.

• The Spring Film Series concludes on Wednesday, April 16 with "Super Size Me," an alarmingly personal investigation into the health hazards wreaked by our fast food nation. Filmaker Morgan Sprulock won the best director award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival for this irreverent look at obesity in America and one of its sources - fast food corporations. The 96-minute film will be shown at 11:30 a.m. in the North Cafeteria and is free and open to the public. For more information about the film, go to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521

• MWCC's What's Next? Speaker Series will continue on Thursday, April 17 with the free presentation, “Entrepreneurial Spirit: The Pulse of the New Economy,” from noon to 2 p.m. at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster. Robert Ansin, CEO of MassInnovation, LLC will speak on the conversion of the Anwelt Factory in Fitchburg embodying sustainable development principles and what it takes to make an entrepreneurial idea succeed. The speaker series 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. 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

• 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, scrapbooking, health and safety, board games, bookmaking, babysitting, calligraphy, Lego engineering, online video game making and more. Classes 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: 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: April 28 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Dental Hygiene: May 7 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