MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Friday, April 8, 2005

2005 UNSUNG HEROES RECGONIZED AT SPECIAL DINNER CEREMONY

By Kimberly B. Caisse

Mount Wachusett Community College, the Sentinel & Enterprise and more than 150 well-wishers saluted this year’s Unsung Heroes with a gala dinner and award ceremony Thursday, April 7 in the college’s dining area.

Some of the 2005 Unsung Heroes

This year’s Unsung Heroes are: the Rev. David R. Cote, Jane Duffy, Elizabeth Ellis, Nancy Green, Miguel “Mickey” Guzman Sr., Betsy Hannula, Leslie Lightfoot, The Polus Center in Worcester, the Young Republican Club at St. Bernard’s High School and Bill Webber.

“When we contacted tonight’s honorees to tell them they had been nominated as unsung heroes—without exception—they protested that certainly there were more deserving heroes,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “Many of them were a little embarrassed that a friend or co-worker had nominated them. This is how we knew we had selected exactly the right people. Their contributions were made completely unselfishly.”

Asquino also thanked Sentinel & Enterprise Publisher Asa Cole, who was unable to attend the

	Ken Ansin

event, for the newspaper’s support for Unsung Heroes. “Readers of the Sentinel & Enterprise nominated those in their community who work so hard on behalf of others but don’t seek the spotlight for themselves. The Sentinel & Enterprise has proven to be a valuable community resource that not only informs its readers—but engages them as well,” Asquino noted.

Cole selected the evening’s keynote speaker, local philanthropist Ken Ansin, based on a letter from him about his trip to the West African country of Mali as part of his sponsorship of a child through Save the Children.     

“It is a privilege to stand here before such a heroic group,” Ansin said. “I cannot imagine a group more deserving of recognition for all that you so quietly do, than you.”

Ansin noted that the annual Celebration of Unsung Heroes “is a wonderful way to acknowledge, and thank, heroes like you. In addition, I believe it also serves to remind us of some real good

Some of the 2005 Unsung Heroes

going on, and encourages more of our friends to do the same.”

Don Cloutier, the Sentinel & Enterprise graphic artist who designs the Unsung Hero profiles in the newspaper, presented special plaques to each honoree.

Also in attendance were state Sen. Robert Antonioni, state Rep. Brian Knuuttila, state Rep. Lewis Evangelidis, Fitchburg Mayor Dan Mylott, Gardner Mayor Gerald St. Hilaire, Gardner City Council President Neil Jenssens, Gardner City Councilor Cleo Monette, MWCC Trustee Lance May, MWCC Trustee Sergio Paez and MWCC Student Trustee Susan Sayball.

The 2004 Unsung Heroes also were invited to the event. “Not only did you blaze a trail, but you were an invaluable resource as we planned this, our second annual event,” Asquino said.

AREA DENTISTS SUPPORTING MWCC'S NEW DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM

By Kimberly B. Caisse

Mount Wachusett Community College has reached out to the area dental community to make the college’s plan for a new dental hygiene program a reality. The generous response—over $23,000 to date—demonstrates local dentists support MWCC’s plan to establish this program in Central Massachusetts.

This year’s Yankee Dental Congress Clinician of the Year, Dr. Maurice Martel, a retired dentist from Holden who gave his $1,000 award to MWCC’s dental hygiene program, is just one example of this assistance.

MWCC’s program has received initial accreditation by the Council on Dental Accreditation, and the first students will begin the program in September. It will be located at the HealthAlliance Hospital-Burbank Campus in Fitchburg. An important component of the program is hands-on training. This will benefit MWCC partner Community Health Connections, Dental Service, a clinic that serves low-income patients and is located in the same building the program will occupy. Students will help attend to CHC-DS’s high volume of dental care cases.

“The response from the area’s dental community is vital to create a dental hygiene program in Central Massachusetts that will address the critical shortage of dental hygienists in our communities,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino.

Martel, a clinical professor at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine who practiced in Holden for 40 years, said he chose to give his award to the MWCC program based on a letter he received from the college that explained the reasons behind establishing the program. “I know there is a great need for dental hygienists in the country,” he said. “The program will have immediate results for the community.”

According to the Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance, the projected job growth rate in the dental hygiene field from 2000 to 2010 is 23.4 percent, with 2,690 dental hygiene advertised positions going unfilled. For that same period, the Career InfoNet ranks dental hygiene as the sixth fastest growing profession in the state, with a projected growth rate of 31 percent and a potential of 1,830 new jobs.

The U.S. Department of Labor claims that the dental hygiene profession has a much faster growth rate, 36 percent or more, than other occupations through 2010.

Fueling this is an increased demand for dental care and the greater use of dental hygienists to perform services previously done by dentists. Overall population growth and greater retention of natural teeth are the primary factors for the increased demand.

“We greatly appreciate all the support for this important program,” said MWCC Foundation Executive Director Darlene Morrilly.

Yankee Dental Congress’ Clinician of the Year award money must be donated to an educational institution, according to Martel. The Yankee Dental Congress is presented annually by the Massachusetts Dental Society in cooperation with the dental societies of Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

To date, the MWCC Foundation, Inc. has received $23,600 in donations from dentists in the Worcester and Wachusett areas. Other dental organizations, including the Massachusetts Dental Society and Dental Services of Massachusetts, have made donations toward the program’s high startup expenses. For more information, contact MWCC Dental Hygiene Program Director Anne Malkasian at (978) 630-9367. To make a donation, call Morrilly at (978) 630-9276.

Upcoming Campus Events:

• Mount Wachusett Community College’s 23rd annual Regional Exhibition of High School Art will be in the college’s East Wing Gallery through Friday, April 15. A reception and award ceremony will be held Thursday, April 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, contact Professor Joyce Miller (978) 630-9221.

	MWCC student Tracy Ulrich speaks with Victoria Anderson of UMASS Medical School’s Colorectal Cancer Outreach Project for Worcester County during the Stand Up Against Cancer day Monday, April 4. The event was organized by Honors Colloquium students.

• MWCC’s Campus Crusade for Christ Club will host a Night of Worship Friday, April 8 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the South Café. The event will feature Worship Bands and individual musicians from various churches in the area. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact club advisor Glenn Roberts at (978) 630-9237.

• MWCC will host Spring Expo 2005 Saturday, April 9 from 8:45 to 11 a.m. at the main campus. The expo gives high school juniors and seniors, transfer students and adults a chance to learn about MWCC’s majors, transfer tracks and career options. Faculty and students will be available to answer questions, and participants will receive a tour of the campus. For more information or to pre-register, contact the Admissions Office at (978) 630-9110.

• MWCC will host a poetry reading with Diane Gilliam Fisher, author of the recently published “Kettle Bottom,” Thursday, April 14 from 9:40 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Gardner campus. The Poetry Center at Smith College states that in “Kettle Bottom” Fisher “re-imagines the West Virginia coal mine wars of 1920–1921 through the voices of immigrant, miners, and their families. In taking on the voice of each character that populates the work’s larger historical narrative, Fisher brings intimacy, immediacy and compassion to the retelling of a violent time.” “Kettle Bottom” has been nominated for the Appalachian Book of the Year and was a finalist for the Weatherford Award given by the Appalachian Studies Association. It also is a Book Sense Top Ten Poetry Pick for 2005, nominated by independent booksellers from across the country. Smith College selected “Kettle Bottom” for the summer reading choice for all incoming first-year students. For more information, contact Michele Valois at (978) 630-9364.

• The Computer Graphic Design Spring Exhibit will be held Thursday, April 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. in MWCC’s main lobby across from the Admissions Office. The annual awards ceremony will be held in room 125 at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Leslie Cullen at (978) 630-9347.

• The annual Alpha Beta Gamma Induction Ceremony will be held Friday, April 15 starting at 6 p.m. in the south dining room. Fifty ABG members and four honorary members will be recognized. Janice Wentworth, owner of Warren Farm in North Brookfield. For more information, contact ABG advisor Linda Bolduc at (978) 630-9385.

• MWCC will hold an American Red Cross blood drive Wednesday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus. To register, contact Marianne Stoy at (978) 630-9136. Walk-ins are welcome.

• Tim Wise, a national lecturer and author on race issues, will be MWCC’s fourth What’s Next Speaker Series presenter, Wednesday, April 20 at 4 p.m. at Fitchburg Public Library, located at 610 Main St., Fitchburg. Wise has spoken to over 80,000 people in 47 states and on over 350 college campuses. He’s written many essays on race issues and two books on the subject that will be released this year. As a What’s Next Speaker Series guest, Wise will speak about “Profit and Loss: White Privilege and its Consequences for Racial Equity & Justice.” Wise will return to assachusetts this summer when he serves as an adjunct faculty member of the School of Social Work at Smith College in Northampton. For more information or to register, contact Melissa Delaney at (978) 630-9288 or Kim Caisse at (978) 630-9547, or send an e-mail to whatsnext@mwcc.mass.edu. All What’s Next Speaker Series events are free and open to the public.

	One hundred, fifty sixth-graders from Gardner Middle School visited MWCC Thursday, April 7 as part of the Kids to College program sponsored by CAPP. Here, Taylor Blake, in foreground, Lauren Piantedosi, just behind her and to the right, tryout the equipment in the BCT studio.

• MWCC’s Entrepreneurial Resource Center at the Devens campus will hold two new small business and entrepreneurship seminars in April. “Computers: What Small Business Professionals Need to Know” on Wednesday, April 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. will cover the basics of buying a computer and backing up files, security issues of viruses and hackers and selected software options. The cost is only $40. “Hiring the Right People: Interviewing Process” on Wednesday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to noon will develop skills in identifying staff needs, outreach and recruitment, pre-interview preparations, interview process, employee selection and employee support. The cost is only $50. For more information or to register, contact Lisa Derby Oden at (978) 630-9569.

• MWCC will welcome new freshmen and prospective students during the annual Spring Fling Monday, April 25, featuring solo guitarist and singer John Rush. The event includes a barbecue, special desserts, vendors, novelties and more, and is open to MWCC students, faculty and staff. Spring Fling is sponsored by the Office of Student Life, the Admissions Office, GEAR UP, and CARS (Committee for Activities and Recreation for Students). For more information, call the Office of Student Life at (978) 630-9252.

• Auditions for the Stephen Sondheim musical, “A Little Night Music,” will be held on Sunday, April 24 and Monday, April 25 at 7 p.m. sharp in room 182 at the MWCC Gardner campus. Director Lorien Corbelletti, music director David Twiss and Choreographer Rob Houle are looking for a cast of 10 adult women, 10 adult men and one teenaged girl (13 to 15 years old). Those who tryout need to prepare a short vocal selection (accompanist provided) and should expect to be taught a short dance combination (Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.). Cold readings from the script may also be required. The tentative rehearsal schedule is Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. beginning May 1. Performances will be Friday, June 24, Saturday, 25, Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 10 at 2 p.m. For more information contact Professor Gail Steele at (978) 630-9162 or visit the Theatre at the Mount web site at http://theatre.mwcc.edu.

• For National Poetry Month, the MWCC Library and Lifelong Institute for Enrichment will host a poetry panel Wednesday, April 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room 127. A group of published poets—MWCC’s very own Saúl Torres and Jess Mynes, along with Deborah Kang Dean, BG Thurston and Rodger Martin—will be answering questions about being published and writing poetry. For more information, contact Reference and Instructional Services Librarian Heidi McCann at (978) 630-9338.

	Venessa Peguero (far left), vice president of the ALANA Club, ALANA Club President Isaura Luna (center) and former MWCC student Tamika Starks help a visitor during Gardner High School’s Multicultural Festival Friday, April 1.

• The MWCC Library and Lifelong Institute for Enrichment also will hold an Evening of Poetry/Poetry Slam in the Library on Wednesday, April 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will feature one hour of poetry readings by FD Reeve, Bob Clawson, BG Thurston, Rodger Martin and Deborah Kang Dean. Then there will be an open-mic poetry reading for students and members of the community. For more information, contact LIFE Program Coordinator Lorraine Wickman at (978) 630-9176.

• To help students prepare for final exams, the MWCC Library will hold extended hours on Friday, April 29 until 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call the Library at (978) 630-9125.

• Time slots for members of the MWCC Pacers to walk the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11 are going fast. Contact Sue Goldstein, JoAnn Brooks and Jan LeClair to get your relay packet and sign up to fill the last remaining spots. The 2004 Relay raised $758,000, the highest amount of the other 156 relays in New England. The Gardner Relay has raised over $5 million dollars since its inception 11 years ago. This year’s goal is to raise 800,000. Other benchmarks reached at the 2004 Relay include having 733 survivors walk the track, a number unheard of at any of the other relays, and being ranked No. 11 nationwide in funds raised (out of 4,200 relays).

Lea Ann Erickson
Director of Community Relations
Mount Wachusett Community College
Phone: (978) 630-9322
Fax: (978) 630-9561
cell: (508) 517-5202
l_erickson@mwcc.mass.edu

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