MWCC's weekly e-newsletter
Friday, April 28, 2006
SENATOR BREWER VISITS MWCC TO ENCOURAGE STUDENT ACTIVISM
By Janice Battista
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Senator Steven Brewer (D-Barre), left, wears a Mount Wachusett Community College cap presented to him by Michael Greenwood, right, associate professor of business, on behalf of his economics class. Brewer visited the college on April 24 to speak on the value of community service and volunteerism. |
Senator Stephen Brewer (D-Barre) visited Mount Wachusett Community College on Monday, April 24, to praise students for their ongoing outreach efforts in the community and encourage their continued civic engagement endeavors. Brewer spoke to approximately 40 students and faculty members on the value of community service and volunteerism as part of the Distinguished Speaker program sponsored by the economics class.
Brewer recapped the efforts led by several Massachusetts residents in recent years who affected change in areas of health care, housing and other social issues, peppering his talk with motivational quotes from some of the civic leaders who inspired him to public service, such as U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Vice President Hubert Humphrey.
“It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped,” Brewer said, quoting one of Humphrey's most famous remarks. “When you shine a light on other people, that light reflects back on you,” the legislator said.
Brewer also referred to Kennedy's “Ripple of Hope” speech in which he said that each time a person stands up for an ideal or works to improve the lives of others, he creates a tiny ripple of hope that extends out and builds up a current that has the power to make a tremendous difference in the world.
“It was true then and it is true now,” Brewer said. “We can all make a difference and every one of us should try. You can do that in Petersham or Gardner or Winchendon. Make it happen, engage yourselves in doing things that will make the world better. This is what community service is all about – to adhere to the better angels of your nature and to get out there and make a difference.”
MWCC recently launched the Center for Democracy and Humanity to oversee the many programs and services offered by the college as part of its Decade of Civic Engagement initiative. One of the newest programs to benefit the community is the college's link to volunteersolutions.org, a volunteer matching network that connects people with volunteer efforts in their community. Faculty and students who would like to lend a hand can access the website and find local agencies listing specific projects in need of volunteers.
In addition to Brewer's talk, students heard from two of their peers, Jack Wilson and Sonya Shelton, who spoke about their service learning projects. Wilson recently spoke at the Statehouse about the pending “Stop the Fine Print” legislation designed to ban companies from using misleading advertising techniques, and Shelton has redesigned a brochure for the North Central Charter Essential School in Fitchburg.
Peter Garbus, principal of the school, was in the audience and praised the new look of the marketing piece and the college's emphasis on service learning projects. Students gain “real world” experience and the organizations benefit from the assistance. “It helps on all sides,” he said.
MWCC ANNOUNCES 2006 ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
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Jimmy S. Pappas |
By Kimberly B. Caisse
Passio Consulting founder Jimmy S. Pappas will be honored as the Mount Wachusett Community College Alumnus of the Year at the college's 41 st Commencement, Thursday, May 18 at 6 p.m.
“I'm proud to name Jimmy Pappas as one of our outstanding alumni. He's a superb example of how community colleges make higher education—and future success—possible for anyone,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “So many of our students can identify with Jimmy's story of starting his college education at the Mount while meeting family and work responsibilities—and doing it all as an evening student.”
A 1991 graduate, Pappas started Passio Consulting in 2005 after working six years for the accounting firms Tofias PC, Ernst & Young LLP and Deloitte & Touche LLP. He serves as a managing director at the Boston-based company.
After graduating from MWCC with an associate's of science degree in general studies, Pappas transferred to Amherst College , where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1992. He received a master's degree in accountancy from Bentley College in 1995.
Pappas, who was born in North Carolina but lived in his parents' native Greece between ages 7 and 16, completed high school in North Carolina by attending a nine-month high school completion program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte . Returning to the United States “was something I wanted to do ever since I can remember,” he recalled.
At 18, Pappas joined the Army. While in the Army, he met his first wife. They and their daughter moved to his wife's hometown of Philipston after Pappas left the Army in 1988. It was while working at the Fernald State School in Templeton that Pappas began attending MWCC as an evening student.
“I always knew that I should go to college, but by then I was married, I had a kid, I was building a house and I was working full time,” Pappas said. His wife was working on her bachelor's degree at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
“The Mount was a huge stepping stone for me,” he added. “It enabled me to reach higher for aggressive, sometimes attainable, goals, such as getting into an elite four-year college like Amherst College .”
Pappas brought his two brothers to the United States , and they also attended MWCC while working full-time. Both transferred to Bentley, where they earned their bachelor's and master's degrees. Bill Pappas now is a senior vice president at Bank of America and John Pappas is a senior director at Hudson Financial. “MWCC did tremendous things for all three of us,” Pappas said.
MWCC FOUNDATION, INC. AWARDS $60,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS
By Janice Battista
The Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, Inc. awarded $60,000 in scholarships this academic year and for the first time in its 35-year history, was able to award scholarships to incoming freshmen. A reception took place on Tuesday, April 25 to honor the recipients of the 2006 awards and thank the scholarship donors.
MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino congratulated the students on their awards, and thanked them for selecting Mount Wachusett . “Whether this was your first choice or your last choice, this was your best choice,” he said, before explaining that all four of his children began their academic studies at a community college and established successful careers in their fields.
Darlene Morrilly , executive director of the Foundation, thanked the donors for their support of MWCC students. Their generosity, she said, makes “dreams come true by making college accessible and affordable.”
Laura Gage of Winchendon, a student in the Early Childhood Education program, was the featured speaker. Gage who comes from a family of 10 and graduated from Murdock Middle/High School in a class of just 72 students, emphasized the importance of enrolling in a college that has affordable tuition, small class sizes and a supportive environment.
“Mount Wachusett Community College means everything to me at this point in my life. In order to reach my goals, I have made education my first priority. I plan on pursuing and gaining as much experience and education as I can so that I can succeed in the world. Children are our future. Their insight and innocent views on life are precious and very valuable, which is why it is important for me not to just be a good teacher, but to be the best. By awarding me with this scholarship, you are helping me to come one step closer to the success of reaching my goals. Thank you for giving this opportunity to myself and many other MWCC students. Because of your generosity, many students are able to better themselves by continuing their education.”
The following scholarship recipients were announced:
Albert H. and Reuben S. Stone Fund Scholarship: Christopher Aho, Rebekah White
Alumni Association Scholarships: Michael Cloukey, Stacy Wilson
Arthur F. Haley Scholarships: Jennifer Berg-Gill, Marianne Brouillett, Erika Burke, Brenda Dill, Joana Dos Santos, April Elliott, Laurie Ernst, Katie Forgues, Amanda Grover, Kaitlyn Lemoine, Adam Nadeau, Gregg Pappas, Serena Russo, Katie Salerno, Marianne Thomas, Stacy Wilson
Aspasia Anastos Award: Gimena Suarz
Barbara Chaplin Memorial Scholarship: April Jordan
Barnes & Noble Scholarship: Tuan Nguyen
Burton Award: Rose Campbell, Nathan Dowd
Carl Tammi Award: Sean Thieme
Carlton E. Nichols Scholarship: Erin Pfeiffer, Rebekah White
Carrie Progen Scholarship: Elizabeth Benoit
Cindy Stange Scholarship: Karen Arseneau, Dawn Lambert
David H. Butler Memorial Scholarship: Jimeno Punales-Santiago
First Congregational Church of Gardner Scholarship: Steven Nadeau
H. Marilyn Kiosses Scholarship: Gregg Pappas
James O. Garrison Early Childhood Education Scholarship: Dominique Baker, Cassandra Colon, Caryn Conway, Rebecca Currier, Laura Dignard, Laura Gage, Michele Geary, Katie Gelinas, Kari Holm, Deanna Kuehl, Robin Lemire, Bobbie-Jo Lucander, Lynden Persuitte, Elaine Rice
Jonathan C. Craven Scholarship: Cheri Becker
Kathi J. Pullen Scholarship: Elizabeth Lombard
Millie McGuire Foundation Scholarship: Vickie Lewis
MWCC General Endowment Scholarship: Jessica Billiel, Michele Croce, Evan Collette, Belengola Jordan, Tricia Lambert, Jason Lizotte, Crystal Machonis, Kevin Newton, Kathy Robinson, Michelle Simmington, Mason Wooley
MWCC Stone Fund Scholarship: Kayla Quebec
NCCI Scholarship: Jeffrey Giles
Rebecca Ann DesJardins Memorial Scholarship: Donna Dion
Robert H. Gilman Memorial Scholarship: Amanda Dibble
Robert Weibel Art Award: Joshua LaBarre
Sandy Signor Scholarship: Marilyn Rivera
Sara Kajel Award: Shelby Sicard
Soph NU Award: Katie Salerno
SunGard Higher Education Scholarship: Briana Nobrega
Thomas and Alice Kymalainen Scholarship: Carmen Sanchez
Twyla J. Haley Memorial Nursing Scholarship: Jeanne Lirette
BUSINESS STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO ALPHA BETA GAMMA INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
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Tina Wilson, associate professor of Computer Information Systems, presents a check to Richard Veilleux of the Chernobyl Children Project during the Alpha Beta Gamma induction ceremony and dinner. Students in Wilson 's class, Alpha Beta Gamma and the International Club raised money for the nonprofit organization as part of a service learning project. |
Forty five students majoring in business at Mount Wachusett Community College were recently inducted into the Alpha Beta Gamma international business honor society. The inductees, along with family members, faculty and administrators celebrated the achievement during an induction ceremony and dinner on Friday, April 21.
Featured speaker Richard Veilleux, a representative of the Dedham-based Chernobyl Children Project, spoke about efforts to assist children and families affected by the 1986 nuclear accident in Russia . Members of the honor society, along with students enrolled in the Computer Technologies class and members of the International Club raised nearly $500 through bake sales and candy sales during the spring semester to donate to the Chernobyl Children Fund. The Computer Technologies class incorporated the fundraising effort and classroom assignments into a civic engagement project to help the organization.
Since its incorporation in 1997, the nonprofit Chernobyl Children Project has welcomed more than 1,000 Belarus and Russian children to host families in the Boston area for medical treatment and respite from their contaminated environment. An average of 150 children and chaperones now arrive each year.
“I thought it would be interesting to let students learn about this organization, especially since it occurred to me that the Chernobyl accident happened before many of the students were born,” said Tina Wilson, associate professor of Computer Information Systems. Wilson learned about the CCF through a video about a similar outreach program initiated by students in Ireland.
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Business student Maria Casey accepts an induction certificate from business professor and club advisor Linda Bolduc. |
Alpha Beta Gamma is an international honor society established in 1970 to recognize and encourage scholarship among two year college students in business and related curricula. Since its founding, over 35,000 business honor students from accredited community, junior and technical colleges have been initiated into the society.
The following students were inducted into the honor society: Debra Austin, Sarah Bauch, Lori Bergquist, Dannell Betbeze, Ann Blake, Stephanie Brissette, Edward Brown, Donna Bursey, Susan Byrne, Nataliya Cancel, Maria Casey, Carol Cissone, Charity Cooley, Kim Correa, Ashley Davieau, Joana Dos Santos, Katie Forgues, Alice French, Robin Goguen, Ross Hauptman, Constance Helstowksi, Jacqueline Herron, Shirley Hursey, Cheryl Jones, Michelle MacNeil, Tammy Marrama, James Martin, Timothy McAuliffe, Meghan McKeon, Veronica Meneses, Kyle Parnaby, Lisa Rhoades, Matt Richard, Joshua Robichaud, Debbie Robillard, Stephanie Roy, Kelly Sevigny, Thomas Strazdas, Andrea Suarez, Joshua Taylor, Bonnie Tenen, Kayla Wakefield, Jack Wilson, James Wilson and Robert Wojdak.
In addition to the student inductees, honorary membership recognition was granted to Richard Veilleux for his involvement in the Chernobyl Children Project, Jane Carney, Dean of Business and Social Sciences at MWCC, and Annie DeMartino, entrepreneur and Fitchburg city councilor.
FINDING SOLUTIONS: NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER
The North Central Massachusetts Network of Nonprofits and the Institute for Nonprofit Development will host a panel discussion, “Finding Solutions: Nonprofits and Government Working Together” on Friday, May 5 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. the North Cafeteria. At this event, participants will explore and identify ways for elected official staff and nonprofit staff to work together to improve the lives of individuals and families and to build healthy communities. The event is free and open to the public.
This workshop is designed to bring together the two sector front line staff in an informal and comfortable setting so each can learn from the other how they serve their constituents and how they can work collaboratively and help each other as resources of support when dealing with critical issues. Opening remarks will be given by Senator Robert Antonioni, and members of the panel include, Patricia Pistone, Congressman John Olver's Office, Wendy Weeks, Senator Robert Antonioni's office, Alan Agnelli, Representative Robert Rice's office, Rebecca Bialecki, Executive Director, North Quabbin Community Coalition, and Alida Herring, Executive Assistant, Town of Winchendon . The panel will be moderated by Mike Vito, former Regional Director for John Kerry.
The North Central Nonprofit Network is an informal group of nonprofits from the Greater Gardner and Twin Cities area that have come together to improve their effectiveness to create change and serve the needs of residents from the region.
Joanne Foster, Coordinator of the Institute for Nonprofit Development at Mount Wachusett Community College , explained that the Institute helps to facilitate Network meetings and provide staff support to the Network. “We view our work with the Network as a unique opportunity to serve our mission of building a healthy nonprofit sector by helping build the capacity of the nonprofits to communicate and collaborate more effectively,” Foster said.
Those interested in attending may register by May 3 by contacting Andrea Hart at (978) 840-3221 extension 197 or by fax (978) 840-4398 or by email to ahart@mwcc.mass.edu.
More MWCC News:
• Superintendents, principals and guidance directors from area high schools were on campus Thursday, April 27 to attend an information seminar on the Gateway to College dropout recovery initiative being launched by MWCC this fall. The initiative will begin by servicing 40 former high school dropouts on the campus of MWCC, with the goal of expanding service to a total of 300 students by the fall semester of 2008. Through this pathway, former dropouts or students on the verge of dropping out, will receive a real second chance to achieve educational success by simultaneously working on the completion of a high school diploma and a college certificate or associate's degree. This initiative will be carried out by means of a $300,000 planning and startup grant provided by Portland Community College in Oregon , with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and their partners, the Carnegie Corporation of New York , the Ford Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
• Students and faculty spoke about a variety of service learning projects underway in their classrooms during the presentation “Invisible Hands: Connecting Our Connections,” on Monday, April 24. Among the many projects discussed, several nursing students spoke about their assistance building a Habitat for Humanity House in Ayer, and working with children suffering from brain injury at Seven Hills of Groton . The forum was arranged by John Ballantine, adjunct professor at Brandeis University , who is working with a group of MWCC faculty on civic engagement projects. A summer institute for faculty interested in becoming involved in the Invisible Hands project will take place on Monday, May 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. with follow-up sessions on May 16 and May 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Refreshments and stipends will be given to those who attend. For more information, email John Ballentine at john@tools-for-business.com
• MWCC's annual Evening of Excellence will be held on Thursday, May 11 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton in Leominster . Students will be honored with merit and scholarship awards during this special ceremony. For more information, contact Jackie Suhoski at (978) 630-9142.
• Philanthropist and former Massachusetts Commissioner of Commerce and Development Ronald M. Ansin, will serve as commencement speaker at the college's 41st Commencement , Thursday, May 18 at 6 p.m. Jimmy S. Pappas will be recognized as MWCC alumnus of the year and three Service Above Self honorees will be recognized.
• Members of MWCC's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa will hold the third annual Project Graduation, a food drive for the Winchendon Community Action Council, on Wednesday, May 17 and during commencement on Thursday, May 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fitness and Wellness Center . Project Graduation is a service project of Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society that began in 2002 with the mission of battling the “social issue of hunger by collecting non-perishable food items at college commencement ceremonies for distribution through community relief agencies.” To date, PTK chapters in 500 community colleges in the United States and abroad have collected over 220,000 non perishable food items! This year's PTK president at MWCC, Cheri Becker, a nursing student who is graduating this year, is the team leader for this event. Nearly 1,000 food items were collected over the past two years, and donated to the Gardner Community Action Council. For more information, contact Professor Sheila Murphy at smurphy@mwcc.mass.edu.
• MWCC, in association with the BCT program and Phi Theta Kappa, is pleased to once again offer 2006 Commencement DVDs. This professional quality, edited DVD of MWCC's 2006 graduation day ceremony will be available for a limited time at a cost of $12 each when pre-ordered, or $15 each when ordered on graduation day or later. This low cost includes the cost of shipping and handling. Fifty percent of the profits from the DVD sales will go to MWCC's Phi Delta Chapter of the PTK Honor Society. PTK students will donate the other 50 percent of the profits directly to the Winchendon CAC. To place an order in advance, contact Sheila Murphy, PTK advisor at smurphy@mwcc.mass.edu
• MWCC's popular Kid Expo is doubling its efforts this year to provide health and safety information to families by holding events on two dates in two locations. Kid Expo 2006 will take place on Saturday, May 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the college's Gardner campus, AND on Saturday June 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus. Both events will feature a wide variety of hands-on health and safety activities for children and families, food, music and fun. Free ID kits from the Molly Bish Foundation will be available to children. For more information, log on to http://mollybish.mwcc.edu or call Amanda Landry at (978) 630-9564.
• There's still time to be a member of the MWCC Pacer's Team at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life , taking place at the college June 9 and 10. Please consider joining our team and walking to raise funds for cancer research! You can register for our team online at http://www.acsevents.org/relay/MAgardner or you can complete a registration packet available from Jan LeClair, JoAnn Brooks, or Sue Goldstein.
• Registrations are now being accepted for MWCC Foundation, Inc.'s 11th Annual Golf Tournament to benefit student scholarships. The tournament will take place Tuesday, July 18 at Sterling National Country Club, 33 Albright Road , Sterling . The cost is $175 per person to play and $40 for dinner guests. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available. Two raffle drawings and an auction will be held. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. with a breakfast buffet starting at 9. The shotgun start will be at 10 a.m. The tournament will conclude with a social hour from 3 to 4 p.m. and dinner and awards at 4. Players must wear soft spiked golf shoes. Proper attire is required: All golfers must wear a collared shirt. For more information about registering or becoming a sponsor, contact Diane Hamilton at (978) 630-9387 or dhamilton@mwcc.mass.edu.