MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Friday, May 20, 2005

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY AND OTHERS

THEME OF 40TH COMMENCEMENT

By Lea Ann Erickson

	Several graduates on their way into the Fitness & Wellness Center.

Service to community and to others was the theme of Mount Wachusett Community College’s 40th commencement, Thursday, May 19, when 598 students received certificates and degrees.

The college also presented Gardner business leader, philanthropist and college advocate Leo P. LaChance with an honorary doctoral degree in humane letters. “His service to this community is legendary,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “When our communities were experiencing a severe shortage of nurses and health care providers, he was one of the first people to step up to the plate to create the Nursing Pathway Project. But what this college—and myself—will never forget Leo for, is his amazing leadership on our first-ever capital campaign.”

Martha Coakley

Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley, who delivered the commencement address, also stressed the importance of community service. She recalled her own college graduation 30 years ago. “I was in love with life and all its possibilities and potential,” she said. As district attorney, Coakley said, “everyday I see man’s inhumanity to man. But I’ve also seen the tremendous resilience by many who were victims and their families.” She urged the graduates to face today’s challenges and try to make the world a better place. “The only really truly happy people are those for whom the pursuit of happiness involves the true search for and involvement in personal and professional stuff that matters.”

WBUR Morning Edition Anchor Bob Oakes was honored as the Alumnus of the Year. A 1974 graduate, Oakes is one of the most well-known and respected broadcasters in New England. He

has been the assistant news director and Morning Edition’s anchor for WBUR since 1992. In his remarks he stressed the value of public education in society. He recalled covering war-torn

Bob Oakes

Kosovo and witnessing people without electricity or running water who still kept their schools up and running.

The 2005 Service Above Self Awards were awarded to GFA Federal Credit Union Chief Operating Officer Tina M. Sbrega, United Way of North Central Massachusetts President Philip Grzewinski and Fidelity Bank President and CEO Edward F. Manzi Jr. The Service Above Self Awards recognize those who have made significant contributions to MWCC and the 29 North Central Massachusetts cities and towns that make up MWCC’s service area.

Susan M. Sayball was presented with the Trustees’ Award. Debra L. Boucher, Pat Dakota, Lynda Francoeur and Laura P. Sweatt received President’s Keys. April S. Clemence and Dian M. Russo received Dean’s Key.

Retiring faculty Gene A. Cauthen, Edward R. Cronin, Margaret J. Gillis and Jane G. Doyle were awarded as Emeriti.

MWCC PRESENTS HONORARY DOCTORATE
DEGREE TO LEO P. LACHANCE

By Kimberly B. Caisse

MWCC awarded Gardner business leader, philanthropist and college advocate Leo P. LaChance an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at its 40th Commencement.

Every five to 10 years, MWCC seeks authority from the state Board of Higher Education to award an honorary doctorate degree to an extraordinary citizen and human being who has made a lifetime commitment to the community.

	MWCC Board of Trustees Chairman Jay Drake presents an honorary doctorate degree to Leo P. LaChance during commencement.

LaChance’s work for the college includes helping to create the Nursing Pathway Project, a partnership between MWCC, the Leo P. LaChance Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation and Heywood Hospital to train their employees to become nurses, and chairing MWCC’s recent capital campaign.

“Due to Leo’s pioneering steps for the Nursing Pathway Project, we have an expanded program that is educating a new crop of health care professionals for all of us,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino.

“But what this college—and myself—will never forget Leo for, is his amazing leadership on our first-ever capital campaign,” Asquino said. Under LaChance’s stewardship, the MWCC Foundation has exceeded the $2.25 million campaign goal, raising over $2.3 million in 12 months.

For over a decade, LaChance, 84, has been a tireless fund-raiser in the Greater Gardner area. In 1990, he chaired Heywood Hospital’s “Caring for the Future” capital campaign, which raised $3.1 million—$200,000 donated by him—in eight months. He chaired the hospital’s maternity center campaign in 1992, which raised $3 million—$300,000 donated by him. He also has served as chairman or president of local drives for the Heart Fund, Gardner United Way Drive, Fund Raisers for the Hospital and Holy Rosary Parish Drive.

In addition, LaChance donated to the City of Gardner 26 acres of land that now holds Gardner High School, $52,000 to the Gardner Municipal Golf Course for improvements and $250,000 toward Heywood Hospital’s Century Campaign. He has also supported ARC of Fitchburg, the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Walter E. Fernald School, New England Villages Inc. and the Boca Raton Hospital in Florida. His community involvement also includes sitting on MWCC’s Advisory Board and as president of the Gardner-Athol Mental Health Association.

Born in Frenchville, Maine, in 1921, his business career began in nearby Fort Kent, as the manager of a drug store. He moved to Gardner with his wife, Theresa Bouthot, in 1942 after visiting the city with his brother Arthur two years prior. He worked for John Hancock Insurance Co. before he enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He rejoined the company after his discharge in November 1945.

LaChance is a proven entrepreneur. His first venture, in 1947, was a real estate and insurance business. His businesses grew to include LaChance Furniture and Appliance Co. (now owned by his nephews), LaChance Builders, Eastwood Pines Nursing Home (now Leo P. LaChance Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation) in 1970, Worcester Racquetball Club, Storage Space Rental in Fitchburg and Athol Ten Pins. He also bought Craigin and Wilkins in Fitchburg in 1963 and relocated the company to Gardner as C&W Fabricators, Inc. (Sold to employees in 1991.)

Over the years, LaChance has developed many shopping plazas in the region, including Timpany Plaza in Gardner, Hannaford Plaza on the Athol-Orange town line and Wallace Plaza in Fitchburg. He now owns Hannaford Plaza as well as Cherry Rum Plaza in Greenfield and Victory Plaza in Milford.

MWCC HOLDS 32ND NURSES’ PINNING CEREMONY

Eighty-five graduates of MWCC ’s Nursing Program were presented with nursing pins at the 32nd annual Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony in the college auditorium Tuesday, May 17.

	Nursing graduates prepare to go into the theater and receive their pins.

During the ceremony, each graduate, dressed in a traditional nurse uniform, was welcomed into the profession by having a nursing pin fastened to her/his lapel by a fellow nurse—a family member, friend or faculty member. The eight-star pin is imprinted with the words “Service to Humanity and the World” with the nursing symbol in the middle.

The nursing pin symbolizes the medal of excellence Florence Nightingale presented to the women who nursed the wounded of the Crimean War, explained Deborah Orre, dean of the School of Health Sciences. Nightingale also led a candle-lighting ceremony, with a lamp representing “the care and devotion the nurse administers to the sick and injured regardless of time of day, level of fatigue or need of respite,” Orre added.

“Hold nursing in your care, because at the deepest level, I promise that it will give back more than you know as long as you invest your heart and soul in its keeping,” she said.

MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino encouraged the nursing graduates to “keep this euphoria, enthusiasm and optimism” that they now have about their profession in the years ahead.

“We have all worked very hard, given up time with our family and friends to achieve this one main goal,” said Lauren Clark, president of the Day Nursing Club. “That goal is to become the best nurse that we can be.”

“As we journey off to our new careers, we will be able to reflect back and be grateful for the skills and knowledge that was given to us from all of you,” said Shannon Cuddahy-Martinez, president of the Evening Nursing Club, to the nursing professors.

Graduate Bill Chadbourne presented six new educational videos to the Nursing Department from the Class of 2005.

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

Upcoming Campus Events:

• Phi Theta Kappa is taking orders for a graduation DVD. The DVD cost $15. The price includes shipping and handling. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Gardner Community Action Council. If interested, please contact Professor Sheila Murphy at smurphy@mwcc.mass.edu.

• Over 1,000 parents and children are expected to attend the second annual Kid Expo sponsored by the Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety at MWCC Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature a variety of hands-on health and safety activities including free distribution of Molly Bish child safety I.D. kits. For more information, contact Adam Ewert at aewert@mwcc.mass.edu.

• “Flights of Fancy,” a spring pops concert by the Greater Gardner Community Choir, will be held at MWCC on Sunday, May 22 at 4 p.m. Under the direction of Diane Cushing, the choir features nearly 100 members from Gardner and the surrounding communities. The concert will feature John Rutter’s “Fancies,” Moses Hogan’s “Elijah Rock,” a unique choral arrangement of Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up,” “For Good,” from the musical “Wicked,” “Unchained Melody” from the movie “Ghost,” “Moon River” from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and other popular favorites. Patriotic selections will include a rousing “Stars and Stripes” and Irving Berlin’s “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor.” Tickets for the concert will be available at the door for $5 per person. Senior citizens will be admitted at no charge. For more information, contact Professor Gail Steele at (978) 630-9162.

• The Institute for Nonprofit Development at MWCC will hold the seminar “Strategic and Business Planning: What is the difference and why do you need to engage in both?” on Tuesday, May 24 from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Murphy Conference Room, near the college’s main entrance. Lisa Derby-Oden, director of MWCC’s Entrepreneurial Resource Center, will lead an examination of the difference between strategic planning and business planning and how they complement each other; core components of a business plan and how a non profit develops a business plan; and how to monitor your business plan. The cost is only $25 for members; $45 for non-members. To register, call (978) 630-9591 or send an e-mail to jfoster@mwcc.mass.edu.

• Theatre at the Mount will hold auditions for the Rodgers and Hart musical “Babes in Arms” on Monday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m. sharp in room 182 at MWCC. Director/Music Director Jeff Williams and Choreographer Nicole Couture are looking for a large cast of teens and adults (ages 16 and up). Please prepare a short vocal selection (accompanist provided), expect to be taught a short dance combination and wear appropriate clothing and footwear (tap dancers should bring tap shoes.) Cold readings from the script may also be required. The tentative rehearsal schedule is Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m., beginning June 12. Performances of “Babes in Arms” are Friday, Aug. 12, Saturday, Aug. 13, Friday, Aug. 19 and Saturday, Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 14 and Sunday, Aug. 21 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.

• As part of MWCC’s What’s Next Speaker Series, the college, the Twin Cities Latino Coalition and MWCC Entrepreneurial Resource Center will co-host a free lunchtime lecture by renowned economist Otto Scharmer at the Four Points by Sheraton in Leominster Friday, June 10 from noon to 2 p.m. Scharmer’s research on affecting change and innovation has been embraced by businesses and nonprofit organizations worldwide. Affiliated with MIT, the Helsinki School of Economics and Fujitsu Global Knowledge Institute in Tokyo, Scharmer has consulted with multinational firms and international institutions in the United States, Europe and Asia. He is a co-author of the book “Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future” and expands on his “presencing” theory in “Theory U: Leading from the Emerging Future.” The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and Community Builders, a partnership between MWCC and the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, are co-sponsoring the lecture. For more information or to register, call (978) 630-9547 or send an e-mail to whatsnext@mwcc.mass.edu.

• MWCC will hosts the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life from Friday, June 10 at 6 p.m. to Saturday, June 11 at 6 p.m. 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). For more information about the college’s team, the MWCC Pacers, contact Sue Goldstein, JoAnn Brooks and Jan LeClair.

Lea Ann Erickson
Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs
Mount Wachusett Community College
Phone: (978) 630-9322 Fax: (978) 630-9561
cell: (508) 517-5202
lerickson@mwcc.mass.edu

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