Monday, June 22, 2009
SIXTH ANNUAL MOLLY BISH KID EXPO PROMOTES SAFETY
Senator Brewer Honored During Event
By Janice O'Connor
 |
Eddie Kurban takes a seat on a firetruck during the 2009 Molly Bish Kid Expo. (Photo by Ellie Armstrong). |
Thousands of area residents turned out for the sixth annual Molly Bish Kid Expo on Saturday, June 20 to learn first-hand about ways to stay safe and healthy, while also experiencing an array of fun activities.
"We're just happy to be here making kids safe," a smiling Magi Bish said while photographing tykes for the free Child Safety I.D. kits provided by the Molly Bish Foundation. "It truly does take a community in sharing the responsibility of caring for our kids," she said. The foundation's volunteers distributed more than 700 I.D. kits during the four-hour event.
"I can't tell you how this makes my heart fill with a glowing, positive feeling," added John Bish. "All these children are safer, all these families are united together, and all of us together can protect our children."
The Bishes have served tirelessly as child safety advocates following the June 27, 2000 abduction and murder of their 16-year-old daughter, Molly, while serving as a lifeguard at Comins Pond in Warren. The Molly Bish Institute at MWCC was established by President Daniel M. Asquino and the Bish family in memory of Molly. The free festival, hosted by the college's Molly Bish Institute with the support of numerous community sponsors and partners, raises awareness of child health and safety issues by providing hands-on learning opportunities.
During the event, President Asquino and the Bishes recognized State Senator Stephen M. Brewer for his work strengthening child safety laws and for his support of the Molly Bish Institute at MWCC. "The Bishes are doing wonderful work for our communities and our state and our nation, and the individual who has stood by them and filed legislation for child safety year after year is Senator Stephen Brewer," Asquino said, before announcing the Molly Bish Institute conference room in the Garrison Center for Early Childhood Education will be named in honor of the senator.
Added Magi Bish: "He has held our hand on this journey, but most of all, he's been a fighter to make sure that child safety laws are supported."
 |
Magi and John Bish, State Senator Stephen M. Brewer and MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino took a break from the festivities to pose for a photo after it was announced a conference room will be named in honor of the senator for his work on behalf of Massachusetts children and families and MWCC's Molly Bish Institute. (Photo by Dana Armstrong). |
Brewer commended the Bish family for their advocacy on behalf of others, and the college for keeping community service an integral part of its mission. "This is the most user-friendly, community-focused college campus, and that is a tribute to Dan Asquino and the trustees and the work they have done," he said.
New attractions at Kid Expo this year included appearances by Radio Disney and Mrs. Massachusetts Robin Allain-Moody of Winchendon; dental and medical mobile units to provide general consultation and demonstrations; rides on a seven-person bicycle from Bike and Walk Your Health Up; and a Teddy Bear Clinic offering repairs to dolls, action figures and stuffed toys.
In addition to the free child safety ID kits, Kid Expo featured the distribution of nearly 600 free bike helmets, courtesy of Heywood and HealthAlliance Hospitals, with fittings supported by the Gardner Police Department; ambulance, fire and police vehicles to explore; a LifeFlight helicopter landing; Worcester County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue dog; costumed characters, including Smokey Bear; a resource fair featuring two dozen agencies and organizations; face painting; music and dance presentations; bike and gift basket raffles; crafts; fitness activities; healthy snacks; and many more activities.
Kid Expo 2009 was made possible through the generous support of numerous businesses and organizations in the region. In addition to the Molly Bish Foundation and MWCC’s Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety, premier sponsors were: GFA Federal Credit Union, Hannaford Supermarkets, Heywood Hospital, HealthAlliance Hospital, The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Anna Maria College’s Molly Bish Center for the Protection of Children and the Elderly, and Community Health Connections Family Health Center.
STATE EARLY EDUCATION COMMISSIONER TO VISIT MWCC
A community meeting with Massachusetts Commissioner of Early Education and Care Sherri Killins will take place on Wednesday, July 1 at 3:30 p.m. at Mount Wachusett Community College’s Gardner campus. The meeting, geared toward early childhood educators and care providers, is open to the public and will take place in the South Cafeteria.
Commissioner Killins will discuss the EEC’s strategic plan and field questions from the audience, followed by a presentation from consultants with Abt Associates, Inc. on the Universal Pre-Kindergarten program. During her visit to MWCC, Dr. Killins also will meet with administrators and faculty in the Early Childhood Education department, as well as tour the college and its Garrison Center for Early Childhood Education.
The commissioner's visit to MWCC is one of four scheduled this summer. She developed the idea of visiting the campuses while meeting earlier this year with Massachusetts community college early childhood professors, said Rosanne Morel, chair of MWCC's ECE department.
Commissioner Killins was appointed to the post in December, 2008 by Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville, and sworn in to the position in March by Governor Deval Patrick. She has worked as an advocate for children and families in a variety of ways for more than 20 years, both as a provider of direct care and in leadership roles on issues relating to children and families.
Prior to her appointment, she served since 2004 as vice president for human development and operations at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an organization that promotes public policies, human-service reforms and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today’s vulnerable children and families.
In addition, she served as the founding president and chief executive officer of the New Haven Empowerment Zone, was a mayoral candidate in New Haven, Conn., and led operations and programs for both the Empowerment Zone Corporation and the Family Preservation Initiative of Baltimore.
Dr. Killins holds a nursing degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s of administrative science from Johns Hopkins University, and a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Sarasota.
Massachusetts is one of a small number of states in the nation with a department dedicated to promoting access to quality early education and care programs. The Governor’s Education Action agenda includes a sharp focus on educational and enrichment programming for young children so they arrive ready to learn when they reach kindergarten.
KAREN COSTA RECEIVES COURSE OF DISTINCTION AWARD IN DISTANCE EDUCATION
 |
Karen Costa |
Karen Costa, assistant director of enrollment services at Mount Wachusett Community College, was recently recognized with a Course of Distinction Award in distance education during the sixth annual Massachusetts College Online (MCO) E-Learning Conference for her “First Year Experience” seminar. Costa’s course was one of the 16 selected from more than 1,400 courses offered through Massachusetts Colleges Online, a consortium of the state and community colleges in Massachusetts. The conference was held June 9 at Framingham State College.
The First Year Experience seminar facilitates the transition to college for incoming MWCC students. The course was developed and implemented in response to research that shows that first year seminar courses improve student success in college. The online version provides an excellent option for students who choose not to enroll in the classroom-based version. Major topics in the course include: time management, goal setting, critical thinking and career development. The goal of this course is to help students develop existing and new skills in order to become more effective learners.
Each week, students view a brief, interactive PowerPoint lecture, which complements, rather than summarizes the readings from the text and typically includes real-life scenarios to be meaningful to students’ lives. Once students have viewed the lecture for the week, they are directed to complete assigned readings from texts and supplemental sources.
Students then complete self reflection assignments that are geared toward their own life experience, and also participate in a weekly Blackboard discussion on the topic for that week. In addition, major assignments include a paper, cover letter, resume, career report and final portfolio. While teaching the course for three semesters, Costa found ways to revise and improve the course, for example increasing the frequency of the Blackboard discussions and embellishing the career research component, which proved popular with students.
Costa was nominated for the award by Dr. Vincent Ialenti, assistant dean of distance learning and instructional technology at MWCC.
“Since FYE type courses are known for the interactive nature, translating this course into the online medium was particularly challenging,” Ialenti said. “Karen has been able to successfully duplicate the engaging nature of the land-base FYE course and strike a balance between variety, which is necessary to keep students interested in the content matter, and consistency, to create comfort with the course and allow students to know what to expect next.”
MWCC student Carmen Cruz enrolled in the course with no prior experience taking online classes and immediately excelled. “I made the dean’s list for the first time in my life,” she said. “I’m so glad that it took the FYE 101 class online because it is very complete and well put together. I think this makes it easy for any new college student to benefit from,” she said.
Jessamyn Nelson, who also completed the course, said she found it beneficial in helping her establish solid study habits, identify learning barriers, set goals and develop a plan to reach them. “Due to some hearing loss, my learning ability is unique, and through this class I was able to learn ways to adopt new learning skills,” she said. “I would recommend the First Year seminar for new students, returning students and for students who will be taking Web classes.”
In addition to receiving the award, Costa was invited to present an overview of her course as part of the conference’s Best Practices Showcase. Costa holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. She currently is pursuing a doctorate in education at Northeastern University.
For more information on MCO, including online course offerings, visit the website at www.mco.mass.edu.
THEATRE SOUND BOOTH DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF LONG-SERVING VOLUNTEER
 |
Chris Allen |
As a long-serving crew member and technical advisor to Theatre at the Mount, Christopher Allen may never have received the top-billing reserved for lead actors, but his contributions left an indelible mark just the same.
On June 19, Theatre at the Mount dedicated its new state-of-the-art sound booth in memory of Allen, a 27-year-old Leominster resident who died June 27, 2008. The sound booth and commemorative plaque were unveiled by Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino and theatre Director Gail Steele prior to the opening production of The Miss Firecracker Contest.
“Last summer, the Theatre at the Mount family suffered a devastating loss when our dear friend Christopher Allen lost his battle with cancer,” Steele said. “As sad as this is, all of us have taken great comfort from the many memories of Chris that fill this stage and indeed this whole theatre.”
Whether he was operating the spotlights from the catwalk, photographing the productions or building sets and painting scenery, Allen served as a dedicated volunteer for many years. Steele also recalled his sense of humor, relating a prank he once pulled on her regarding her tradition of giving away theatre tickets to one audience member holding a lucky program. Unbeknown to Steele, Allen arranged for an entire section of the audience to stand up to claim the prize.
The new sound booth will serve as a reminder of Chris Allen’s many contributions to Theatre at the Mount and his enormous generosity and spirit, Steel said. “Christopher’s mark is indeed all over this theatre, and tonight we honor him by putting his mark in a permanent place of honor."
The dedication was attended by his parents, Bob and Gail Allen, his sister and brother-in-law Melissa and John Celli, and nephew Oliver. “The Allens are all part of the Theatre at the Mount family,” Steele said. Melissa Celli has performed on stage and worked on lighting and stage crew. Bob Allen is a lighting designer and Gail Allen serves as stage manager.
“Like the rest of us, I know that the Allens also feel close to Christopher when they are here at Theatre at the Mount,” Steele said. “Chris was a proud ‘techie’ and that sound booth was something he dreamed and talked about for years and years and years. So I know that as we christen it tonight, he is smiling down on us.”
 |
Gardner's 16th annual Relay for Life, held at MWCC June 12-13, drew thousands of participants and raised an astounding $648,000 for the American Cancer Society for research and cure development. |
- Her reputation is just a bit tarnished – she’s called Miss Hot Tamale, after all – but Carnelle Scott has a plan to win the admiration of the townsfolk in her small Mississippi community. She plans to overcome her past by winning the local Fourth of July beauty pageant in The Miss Firecracker Contest, Theatre at the Mount’s first show of the summer. The comedy will continue its run on June 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. and June 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for evenings and $15 for the matinee.The Miss Firecracker Contest was written by Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright Beth Henley, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie version staring Holly Hunter. It’s a play about quirky southern families in a small town, people we all can relate to. For information and reservations, contact the Theatre at the Mount box office at (978) 632-2403 or purchase tickets online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu.
- MWCC, in association with the Broadcasting and Electronic Media program and Phi Theta Kappa, is pleased to once again offer Commencement DVDs. This professional quality, edited DVD of MWCC’s 2009 graduation ceremony will be available for a limited time at a cost of $15 each. 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, and half will be located to the Greater Gardner Community Health Center's food pantry. To order a DVD, contact Sheila Murphy, PTK advisor, at smurphy@mwcc.mass.edu.
- Gateway to College Graduation 2009 will take place Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. at MWCC's Gardner campus, South Cafe. The program, launched in 2006 through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and their partners, is open to all Massachusetts residents age 16 through 20 who did not earn a high school diploma or are at risk of dropping out of school. Since its inception at MWCC, the program has expanded into a self-sustaining model partnering with the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District and the North Central Charter Essential School.
- The academic success of graduates of MWCC’s Practical Nurse program at Devens will be recognized during a traditional pinning ceremony at the Gardner campus Monday, June 29 at 6 p.m. During the ceremony, each graduate, dressed in a traditional nurse uniform, will be 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. For more information about the PN Program at Devens, call or (978) 630-9448.
- Registrations are now being accepted for MWCC Foundation, Inc.’s 14th Annual Golf Tournament to benefit student scholarships. The tournament will take place Monday, July 13 at the Oak Hill Country Club in Fitchburg. The cost is $165 per person to play, which includes brunch and dinner, or $40 for dinner only. Registration and a buffet brunch begins at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. The tournament will conclude with a social hour at and awards dinner, and auction from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information or to register, call (978) 630-9387.
- The enrollment center is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: Clinical Laboratory Science: Aug. 19 and Sept. 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Heywood Hospital, Laboratory Education Area; Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing: Aug. 10 and Aug. 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Devens campus. In addition, general information sessions and tours take place on Mondays (except holidays) at 3 p.m. at the Enrollment Center. Prospective students interested in attending a biotechnology information session should contact Tami Morin at (978) 630-9578, (TTY (978) 632-4916) or tmorin@mwcc.mass.edu. Prospective students interested in all other information sessions are asked to call the Enrollment Center at (978) 630-9110 (TTY (978) 632-4916), or send an email to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu