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

MWCC's weekly e-newsletter

Friday, May 19, 2006

NEARLY 600 STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM MWCC

By Kimberly B. Caisse

Philanthropist Ronald M. Ansin told nearly 600 Mount Wachusett Community College graduates to use their education to “change the world” during his commencement address at the college’s 41st graduation on Thursday, May 18 in the college’s Fitness & Wellness Center.

Ronald M. Ansin

“It sounds like a great burden—but it isn’t,” Ansin said to “fellow members of the class of 2006.” “And I know you are already doing that. I know your nursing students have been working for years with new mothers to give them education and support. I know your student clubs and organizations have collected thousands of pounds of food for the hungry. I know you have built homes for those in need. I know you have tutored local middle school students in after-school programs. And I know by looking at each one of you that great change is not only possible with this class—it is inevitable.”

As part of commencement exercises, MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino presented Ansin with an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters. “Thanks to this degree,” Ansin said proudly, “I’m now an alumnus of Mount Wachusett Community College.”
In his address to the graduates, Asquino said: “We are here this evening to congratulate you and pay tribute to your success and your hard work. We wish you to convey a final lesson, one that will allow you to flourish in the journey of life. It is the lesson for the value of lifelong learning, of civic engagement and of giving back to community and human kind.”

“It is our hope that one day you too will be on this podium being recognized as one who has provided service to human kind, or as Alumnus of the Year, or indeed as the person providing our commencement address and as one who is receiving an honorary degree,” Asquino added.

MWCC also honored three area business leaders as 2006 Service Above Self Award recipients: The Gardner News President and Publisher Dr. Alberta Saffell Bell, Leominster Credit Union President and CEO Jack Caulfield and Tim Richards, founder and owner of the Orchard Hills Athletic Club. The college gives this award to individuals who have made significant contributions to MWCC and the 29 North Central Massachusetts cities and towns that make up MWCC’s service area.

Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management Ann McDonald introduced the 2006 Alumnus of the Year, Jimmy S. Pappas. “It’s great to be back at the Mount,” Pappas said. “The honor really belongs to the faculty and staff of this school.”
Pappas thanked three individuals who “enabled me to reach higher goals:” McDonald, Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts Dr. Richard Shine and Professor Emeritus of History Tom Malloy.

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.

Asquino bestowed emeritus status to Dr. Richard Pastor, associate vice president of student services and enrollment management, and Janice LeClair, vice president of institutional advancement. Both are retiring.

As part of the college’s Decade for Civic Engagement initiative, students completing qualifying Service Learning projects were awarded Civic Scholar Medallions as part of the ceremony. Also part of the Civic Engagement initiative, members of Phi Theta Kappa held its third annual Project Graduation, a food drive benefiting the Winchendon Community Action Council.
A total of 668 degrees and certificates were awarded to 594 graduates.

 

Future Nurses Celebrate Achievement During Traditional Pinning Ceremony

By Janice Battista

Debbie Bellefeuille, wearing a traditional MWCC nursing cap, is pinned by friend Brenda Morgan, RN, as Director of Nursing Eileen Costello looks on.

Eighty-eight graduates of MWCC’s Nursing Program were presented with pins during a Pinning Ceremony in the college’s auditorium on Tuesday, May 16.

Dressed in traditional nurse uniforms, the students were welcomed into the profession by having the program’s nursing pin fastened to their lapels by a fellow nurse, a family member, a friend, an alumnus of the program, or a faculty member, to the cheers of family and friends in the packed auditorium. The pin symbolizes where the nurses completed their studies to become an RN and distinguishes them from other health care professionals. The eight-star pin is imprinted with the words “Service to Humanity and the World.”

The students also took a nursing pledge that dates back to Florence Nightingale, who distinguished herself during the Crimean War by coming to the aid of sick and wounded British soldiers. Through her selfless duty, she became known as the “lady with the lamp.” As a tribute to her dedication, each student receives a traditional oil lamp and lights it during the ceremony to represent the care and devotion they will have to their patients.

MWCC Executive Vice President Edward Terceiro congratulated the class on behalf of the college, and lauded the family and friends of the graduates for providing unwavering support throughout the rigorous academic program. “Without their support, we would not be standing here tonight.”

Deborah Orre, Dean of the School of Health Sciences, read a passage from novelist Jodi Picoult’s book, “My Sister’s Keeper,” in which nurses are called the “seasoned sergeants” who serve as lifelines to patients and families.

Dorothy McNamara uses her oil lamp to light the lamp of Robert Narkevicius during the ceremony.

“This level of care is what separates us from others,” Orre said. “Our focus is on the patient and the family. As I welcome you into the nursing profession, I wish for you the courage, devotion and support you need to practice fully and holistically.”

Kristie Foley, president of the day class, delivered the appreciation address, Cheri Becker, co-president of the day class, paid tribute to the faculty, and Katie Salerno, president of the evening class, recited the nurse’s prayer. Laurie Ernst, treasurer of the day class, presented the MWCC nursing department with a gift from the Class of 2006 - computer software that will be used by current and future students to test their nursing skills in emergency situations and routine care.

The nursing graduates will go on to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses.