MWCC News & Events: What's Up at the Mount

MWCC's weekly e-newsletter

Friday, May 12, 2006

Philanthropist Ronald M. Ansin to Deliver Commencement Address at MWCC’S 41st Graduation

By Lea Ann Erickson

Ronald M. Ansin

Philanthropist Ronald M. Ansin will deliver the commencement address at Mount Wachusett Community College’s 41st graduation, Thursday May 18 at 6 p.m. at the Fitness & Wellness Center. “He is truly a renaissance man,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino of Ansin. “He embodies what we should all aspire to. He has pursued his passions, given back to others and been devoted to his family and his community,” Asquino added.

As part of commencement exercises, Asquino will present Ansin with an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters.

Ronald Ansin, a Worcester native who now lives in Harvard, has inspired and touched the lives of thousands of people with his devotion to civic, social and philanthropic activities. In addition to successful careers in manufacturing and banking, Ansin served as Massachusetts' Commissioner of Commerce and Development from 1983 to 1985. He has spent his entire life dedicating his time, spirit, wisdom and support to improving the quality of lives for those in need. His deep commitment to the arts, education, health care, public policy and social services has impacted communities locally, nationally and internationally.

A sampling of his current community involvement includes serving as a trustee of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, a trustee of Lawrence Academy, a trustee of the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, and as a member of the United Way of America’s National Alexis de Tocqueville Leadership Council. In addition, he has helped the foundation and infrastructure of important and diverse nonprofits such as the Human Rights Campaign, GLSEN, the Youth Services Providers Network, GLAD, and the Equality Forum. In 1999 he was presented with the prestigious national Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award for his outstanding commitment to volunteerism, the United Way of America’s highest honor for volunteer service, joining other notable recipients such as Ambassador Walter Annenberg, Senator John Glenn, former President Ronald Regan and Bob Hope.

As part of the college's Decade for Civic Engagement initiative, students completing qualifying Service Learning projects will be awarded Civic Scholar Medallions as part of the ceremony. “It is our hope that these students will carry the spirit of community service with them,” said Asquino. “I am so proud that they will benefit from the example set by Ronald Ansin.” Also part of the Civic Engagement initiative, members of Phi Theta Kappa will hold its third annual Project Graduation, a food drive for the Winchendon Community Action Council.

Over 660 degrees and certificates will be awarded and two retirees will be granted emeriti designation: Vice President of Institutional Advancement Janice LeClair and Associate Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management Richard Pastor.

 

Cecile Carrier Achieves Goal: 73-year-old Winchendon Resident to Earn Degree

By Janice Battista

Cecile Carrier

Anyone who knows Cecile Carrier knows she’s no quitter. But sometimes life’s twists and turns keep one’s goals at bay. Mrs. Carrier, who has valued education since childhood and had always wanted to earn a college degree, will at long last achieve her dream. On Thursday, May 18, the charming, 73-year-old great-grandmother from Winchendon will don cap and gown and march among hundreds of Mount Wachusett Community College graduates to capture her elusive diploma.

“I am so happy and grateful to all of the people who have helped me do this,” an elated Mrs. Carrier said. “And I’m done! I’m done!”

Mrs. Carrier, who works as a paraprofessional in the Winchendon schools and taught religious education at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for over three decades, off and on, first entered Mount Wachusett Community College in 1985 and majored in business. She left before earning her degree to tend to family responsibilities. She finally returned in 2004 to finish what she started, and will earn a degree in General Studies.

She said she could not have achieved her goal without the support of her husband of 56 years, Norman, her family, and the faculty and staff at MWCC.

“It was something I had to do. I just had such a strong feeling I had to do this. All of the professors have been so supportive. I can’t tell you how respectful and helpful everyone has been,” she beamed.

“It is a great accomplishment for her and it’s something she’s wanted to do for years,” said Mr. Carrier, taking a break from painting the couple’s porch in anticipation of the huge graduation party they planned. “Because money was tight when we were bringing up the family and trying to make ends meet, she gave it up a couple of times. I’m very pleased that she was able to finish a lifelong dream. Education was always her top priority, even when we were young and single. She owes it to herself to do this, because if she can’t do this at this time in her life - in our life, because it’s a joint effort - if she can’t do it now, when can anybody do it?”

“I always encouraged her to do the best you can and be the best you can. That’s what I always strived for and we brought up our children to do the same,” said Mr. Carrier, 75, a retired instructor at General Electric in Fitchburg.

From the moment they met in childhood, the couple sensed they were destined for each other, said Mrs. Carrier, a native of South Ashburnham. The devout couple raised four children in Winchendon. They have eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

When the coursework got difficult, Mrs. Carrier would look at an inspirational quote she kept taped to her refrigerator. “It says ‘Ways to reach a goal – motivation, determination, hard work and perseverance.’ And that is what I lived, with that quote in mind.”

 

MWCC Celebrates Student Excellence

Andrienne Clark was presented the Curriculum Award in Art by Professor John Pacheco

Mount Wachusett Community College honored the academic achievements of more than 150 outstanding students at the gala “Evening of Excellence” dinner on Thursday, May 11 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Leominster.

Twenty-two students received Curriculum Awards; five students received Memorial Awards; three students received Nursing Awards; 57 students received Honors Society recognition and 11 Honors Program students were recognized. In addition, 60 students were recognized with Outstanding Achievement Awards, including 47 students who have been honored with inclusion into “Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges.”

MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino commended the students for their hard work and achievement. “The Evening of Excellence honors those individuals who are the best of the best, who have gone above and beyond, who have contributed in a number of ways to the quality of Mount Wachusett Community College,” he said.

The awards were presented by faculty and staff members who spoke about the recipients’ accomplishments. Professor Vincent Ialenti, who served as co-master of ceremony with Professor Rosanne Morel, likened the students’ academic success to problem solving skills demonstrated by the great, such as Leonardo Da Vinci, as well as less than stellar popular game shows. “Da Vinci observed that ‘Just as eating against one’s will is injurious to health, so study, without a liking for it, spoils the memory, and it retains nothing it takes in.’ I hope your experiences at Mount Wachusett Community College have helped you to develop a healthy appetite for learning, and a thirst for knowledge that you will never be able to quench.”

‘Evening of Excellence’ Award Recipients:

Brenda Tatro presents the Medical Assistant Curriculum Award to Jennifer Keller

Curriculum Awards:
Automotive Technology: Alan F. Gaetani of Baldwinville
Business Administration: Shirley Hursey of Gardner
Business Administration Career: Emisael Vazquez of Fitchburg
Computer Information Systems: Matthew D. Duquette of Gardner
Medical Assistant: Jennifer A. Keller of Westminster
Nursing: Cheri L. Becker of Baldwinville, Debbie D. Bellefeuille of Leominster
Art: Andrienne G. Clark of Fitchburg
Computer Graphic Design, Print Concentration: John M. Nobrega of Gardner
Computer Graphic Design, Web Concentration: Wendy M. LeBlanc of Orange
Complementary Health Care: Ross G. Kenyon of Winchendon
Physical Therapy Assistant: Charlene M. Shaver of Jaffrey, N.H.
Liberal Arts: Todd D. Bowditch of Fitchburg
Liberal Arts and Sciences: Christina J. Thomas of Gardner
Liberal Arts Elementary Education Concentration: Dawn Murphy of Gardner
Liberal Arts Fitness Leadership & Exercise Science Concentration: Thomas C. Howe of Holden
General Studies: Monica L. Bourgault of Fitchburg
Human Services: Mychal A. Machado of Leominster
Paralegal: Majella M. Filipi of Fitzwilliam, N.H.
Early Childhood Education: Rebecca Vasquez of Webster
Broadcasting & Telecommunications: Nataliya I. Cancel of Gardner
Computer & Electronic Technology: Thomas M. Deam of Orange

Memorial Awards:
Aspasia Anastos Award: Gimena Suarez of Fitchburg
Judge Moore Awards: Christopher B. Moorhead of Ashburnham, Cheri L. Becker of Baldwinville
David H. Butler Scholarship: Jimena L. Punales-Santiago of Fitchburg
Robert H. Gilman Scholarship: Amanda L. Dibble of Winchendon

Nursing Awards:
Sophomore Nursing Club Awards: Katie E. Salerno of Townsend, Laurie L. Ernst of Shirley
Sara Kajel Scholarship: Shelby L. Sicard of Fitchburg

Honor Society Recognition:
Alpha Beta Gamma Scholarship: Joana M. Dos Santos of Fitchburg

Phi Theta Kappa:
Joseph E. Atkinso of Berlin, Melanie M. Barber of Leominster, Caitlin J. Barclay of Royalston, Esther E. Barry of Leominster, Debbie D. Bellefeuilleof Leominster, Verona A. Bentley of Barre, Anne M. Blake of Baldwinville, Sarah M. Blouin of Ayer, David A. Breen of Baldwinville, Stephanie L. Brissette of Fitchburg, Rebecca S. Bruce of Phillipston, Tarrah A. Bushee of Fitchburg, Susan B. Byrne of East Templeton, Andrienne G. Clark of Fitchburg, Michelle D. Cournoyer of Jaffrey, N.H., Michele L. Croce of Hubbardston, Kathleen A. Cronin of Gardner, Chris R. Dana of Winchendon, Alita N. Divoll of Fitchburg, Joana M. Dos Santos of Fitchburg, Cheryl A. Feeney of Petersborough, N.H., Majella M. Filipi of Fitzwilliam, N.H., Karylan F. Frazier of Royalston, Jamy L. Gaynor of Fitchburg, Michele M. Geary of Hubbardston, Cassandra L. Januskiewicz of Ayer, Cheryl L. Jones of Westminster, Jennifer A. Keller of Westminster, Ross G. Kenyon of Winchendon, Katherine R. Kusza of Ashburnham, Sharon M. Ledford of Gardner, Richard R. Legros of Winchendon, Julie A. Littlefield of Fitchburg, Andrew R. Loescher of Westminster, Mychal A. Machado of Leominster, David W. Marshall of Athol, Susan N. Mbugua of Worcester, John M. Nobrega of Gardner, Ryan R. O’Rourke of Gardner, Jari M. Pesonen of Gardner, Mathew D. Quattrocelli of Orange, Kathy A. Robinson of Barre, Sara B. Ruschioni of Winchendon, Brandie M. Sawyer of Fitchburg, Barbara J. Seidenberg of Shrewsbury, Kimberly J. Shea of Winchendon, Lisa M. Sordoni of Winchendon, Wendy A. Stevens of Templeton, Andrea Suarez of Fitchburg, Jessica M. Theriault of Gardner, Marianne L. Thomas of Sterling, Jackie C. Walsh of Ashburnham, Linda C. Webster of Fitchburg, Rebekah White of Gardner, James M. Wilson of Fitchburg, Hong Zhu of Marlborough.

Honors Program Graduates:
Cheri L. Becker of Baldwinville, Kristin M. Bergman of South Barre, Majella M. Filipi of Fitzwilliam, N.H., Charles E. Fisher of Greenville, N.H., Katrin Goerz of Gardner, Alia M. Murphy of Templeton, Mathew D. Quattrocelli of Orange, Christopher B. Moorhead of Ashburnham, Christina J. Thomas of Gardner, Emisael Vazquez of Fitchburg, Kristy M. Webster of Fitchburg

Outstanding Achievement Awards:
VISIONS Program Award: Kathy L. Lyon of Athol
All USA Academic Team Nominees: Tuan H. Nguyen of Leominster, Caitlin J. Barclay of Royalston
University Scholar: Ross J. Hauptman of Pepperell
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Scholarships: Jason T. Forbis of Athol, Michelle L. Wood of Athol
Carol F. Tammi Scholarship: Sean M. Thieme of Gardner
Jean Tandy Award: Carlo J. Barbieri of Ahsburnham
Sandy Signor Award: Marilyn Rivera of Leominster
Student Services Award: Kacie R. Randolph of Templeton

Students named this year to Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges

Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges:
Caitlin J. Barclay of Royalston, Cheri L. Becker of Baldwinville, Amy B. Belanger of Winchendon, Cynthia D. Berlied of Hubbardston, Selena A. Berlied of Winchendon, Jean M. Bills of Winchendon, Anne M. Blake of Baldwinville, Abby L. Brockelbank of Orange, Gail F. Brooks of Ashburnham, Matthew E. Brown of Gardner, Rose M. Campbell of Gardner, Erica J. Connor of Winchendon, Johannah W. Contis of Rutland, Charity A. Cooley of Barre, Sharon A. Coombs of Leominster, Peter E. Dekant of Winchendon, Joana M. Dos Santos of Fitchburg, Laurie L. Ernst of Shirley, Kristie A. Foley of Gardner, Jason T. Forbis of Athol, Katie M. Forgues of Fitchburg, Jacqueline A. Herron of Leominster, Christine M. Johnson of Gardner, Kathleen M. Kelly of Athol, Donald Kitzmiller of Warwick, Lindsey M. Larry of Athol, Isaura Luna of Gardner, Mychal A. Machado of Leominster, Kerreye D. Marcoux of Hubbardston, Heather J. Meattey of Gardner, Tuan H. Nguyen of Leominster, Gregg R. Pappas of Westminster, Amber M. Pfeiffer of Wales, Erin E. Pfeiffer of Gardner, Mai C. Pha of Leominster, Shannon M. Poole of Leominster, Serena L. Russo of Rindge, N.H., Katie E. Salerno of Townsend, Charlene M. Shaver of Jaffrey, N.H., Sonya L. Shelton of Gardner, Sara L. Sherritt of Worcester, Christine M. Stymiest of Barre, Meghan A. Thayer of Winchendon, Angela M. Verheyen of Orange, Jack Wilson of Ayer, Stacy M. Wilson of Athol, Jennifer Wright of Leominster.

Best of English 101: Heather A. DeLeon of Ashburnham, Jacob S. Dickinson of Fitzwilliam, N.H., Colleen R. Thorp of Gardner

 

Honors Students Benefit Community Through Cancer Awareness Project

Charlie Fisher, Katrin Goerz and Joana Dos Santos

Many adults and children in North Central Massachusetts are more informed about warning signs of cancer and area resources for treatment and prevention, thanks to a group of honors students who developed “A Road to Cancer Awareness” campaign as part of their service learning project.

Liberal Arts major Charles Fisher created a website, listing local resources, support groups and links to area hospitals offering services and programs as a way to assist cancer patients and family members with accessing information on what is available in the region. The website address is http://cisweb.mwcc.edu/st40/brochure/cancerbroch.htm.

“The website provides an easier way to find out what places offer, rather than calling every hospital for information. It will help ease people’s minds.”

Classmate Joana Dos Santos, a business major, presented information about skin cancer awareness to elementary school children in Fitchburg, delivering the lessons in English and in Spanish at the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center. “It was good for them because they found out something that was really useful and something they could explain to their parents,” she said.

Katrin Goerz, who is graduating with a degree in nursing, volunteered at Heywood Hospital in the American Cancer Society’s “I Can Cope” program for cancer patients and their family and friends. “We had different speaker come in and discuss pain management, nutrition during treatment and other resources.”

The three students were among a group of MWCC’s Honors Program students who participated in the 12th Annual Massachusetts Statewide Undergraduate Conference on April 27 in Boston. The conference provides an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their talents to the academic community, said Professor Sheila Murphy, Coordinator of the Honors Program. This year the colloquium course, How Cancer Works: A Biological and Human Perspective, was offered by Professors Paula d’Entremont and Christine Kisiel. In addition to Fisher, Dos Santos and Goerz, presenters at the conference were Caitlin Barclay, Kristen Bergman, Stephanie Brissette, Majella Filipi, Alia Murphy, Emisael Vazquez and Colleen Vera.

According to American Cancer Society statistics, there will be 1,399,790 new cases of cancer diagnosed in the United States this year. To increase awareness in North Central Massachusetts, this service learning project developed several different outreach projects. The intention was to provide greater cancer awareness and prevention techniques to the local community and to provide information about cancer related legislative advocacy issues. The dual goal of the project was to provide tools and information for cancer prevention and to provide support for those already diagnosed. Various methods were used to achieve these goals, including assisting with “I Can Cope” sessions for cancer patients and their families, as well as participating in interactive information sessions for young children and adolescents.

In addition to the Cancer Awareness project, student Christina Thomas worked with faculty sponsor Alan Dernalowicz on a project titled “Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Transcendental Philosophy Continue to Inspire” and also presented at the conference about the Massachusetts native and transcendentalist.