Friday, July 11, 2008

 

MWCC ART STUDENTS TEAM UP WITH LOCAL BANK ON GARDNER BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT

By Janice O'Connor

MWCC assistant professor of art Thomas Matsuda, right, with students, Linda Simon and her daughter, Audrey Cocci, Elizabeth Peters, Joel Cameron, Matt Dunn and Corinne Goodrich, at the downtown reception.

Six MWCC art students who volunteered to paint murals for a Gardner beautification project were recognized by Colonial Co-operative Bank, the college and municipal and business leaders during a reception Tuesday, July 8 held outside the Goodnow Pearson building on Main Street. Each of the six students devoted many hours to create murals that covered boarded windows at the former department store.

Colonial Co-operative Bank, which acquired the property earlier this year, approached the college about the mural project in May as a way to beautify the vacant building in time for the annual Experience Gardner Sidewalk Sale festivities August 1 – 2. The murals depict a department store theme spanning the decades Goodnow’s was in operation.

The artists are Joel Cameron, who is majoring in general studies, Matt Dunn of Groton, a 2008 graduate of Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, who was dually enrolled at MWCC this past year; and art majors Audrey Cocci, Corinne Goodrich, Elizabeth Peters and Linda Simon.

“Civic engagement has become a hallmark of Mount Wachusett Community College, and this is largely due to the enthusiasm and dedication of our students and faculty, who volunteer their time and talents in so many ways,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “I am very proud of the students who participated in this downtown beautification project.”

"This project gives the community a chance to see the incredible talent we have at Mount Wachusett Community College," added Jay Davis Drake, chair of the college's Board of Trustees.

Since acquiring the property, the bank has secured the building, removed debris and made other improvements to the exterior and interior, said Colonial Co-operative Bank President Ellie Fox. She and Colonial administrative assistant Peggy Brennan worked with Thomas Matsuda, MWCC assistant professor of art, to coordinate the project. “It’s something that’s a win-win for the city and for the downtown area, instead of having people walk by a building that isn’t as attractive as it should be,” Fox said.

“This has been a great opportunity for the students to do a public art project,” Matsuda said. “This project will give them experience and a good future reference. I am impressed that they have been able to put this amount of time aside from their busy work and family schedules.”

Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke, Colonial Co-operative Bank Chairman Edward J. Atter, Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce President Mike Ellis and numerous other officials and representatives from the bank, college, business community and municipal government joined the student artists, Fox, Asquino, Drake and Matsuda in the celebration. Following a brief ceremony recognizing the volunteer efforts of the students, Ellen Bonner, owner-broker of Liberty Way Real Estate and developer Gary Lorden of Benjamin Builders and Mass Avenue Rentals, announced Lorden is under agreement to purchase the property in September. The site, which comprises three buildings, will be renovated to contain 28 residential units and several commercial spaces.

Founded in 1873 in Jaffrey, N.H., Goodnow Pearson & Co., opened its Gardner store in 1899 at the corner of Vernon and Parker Streets. The business relocated to Main Street in the early 1900s, and by 1915 expanded to take over three buildings to create what was billed as “Gardner’s Greatest Store.” In its heyday, the department store featured 11 retail floors and 32 departments, including a toy section that housed the popular Christmas-time attraction Jocko the Monkey. The store closed on Christmas Eve, 1987.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MWCC'S NEW UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM PROVIDING AREA STUDENTS WITH COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

By Janice O'Connor

Upward Bound Math Science students include, from left, Emma Spencer of Athol-Royalston High School, and Gardner High School students Yang Fagan, Joe Santana and Shauna Pratt. (Photo by Dana Armstrong)

With the exception of missing her cats while she's living in a college dorm this summer, Gardner High School senior Shauna Pratt is thoroughly enjoying the opportunities available through MWCC's new Upward Bound Math Science program, a year-round academic program that includes a six-week residential component.

Shauna and peers in grades 9 through 12 from Gardner High School, Athol-Royalston High School and Murdock Middle/High School in Winchendon moved into dorm rooms at Fitchburg State College on July 7. Upward Bound, administered by MWCC's Division of Access and Transition, serves 50 students from the three area high schools who have an aptitude for math and science, are from first generation college families and/or are income eligible. Last fall, MWCC was awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education - $250,000 a year for the four-year initiative. The goal is to help students develop their potential in math and science and encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees in these subject areas.

"The Upward Bound program not only gives area high school students an opportunity to enhance their math and science skills, but does so in a fun and exciting way," said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. "Ultimately, these students will go on to pursue academic degrees and careers in these fields, which is so essential to our country's economy."

During the summer component, the students study math, biology, chemistry, robotics, English, Latin and computer science from 8 a.m. to noon, then following a lunch break, participate in math and science research projects from 1 to 3 p.m., recreational activities ranging from racquetball to yoga from 3 to 5 p.m., and then head to the cafeteria for dinner. From 6 to 8 p.m., they participate in an evening activity for two hours, such as a movie or a campus exploration scavenger hunt, then hit the books from 8 to 10 p.m. to study, work on their high school summer reading assignments, or participate in optional workshops.

New roommates Kassandra Salcedo of Murdock Middle/High School in Winchendon and Stephanie Clark of Athol-Royalston High School move into their dorm room. (Photo by Rebeccah Sonn)

The residential component simulates the college experience, so the students will have less apprehension and a greater comfort level when the time comes to enroll in college, said MWCC's Upward Bound Director Drew Goodwin. "This is a great opportunity to get a leg up on that, in a setting that's structured, and go home on weekends."

The students met throughout the past academic year on the Gardner campus for academic advising, counseling and mentoring, MCAS and SAT preparation, math and science research projects, financial aid and scholarship workshops, educational and cultural field trips. In addition to Fitchburg State, other partners providing academic and career opportunities include Heywood Hospital, NYPRO Industries, and University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

"I'm really interested in science and math, and this program sounded very interesting from the start," said Stephanie Clark of Athol-Royalston High School. "I thought if I got a head start here, it would help me in the future. I want to become a marine biologist," she said.

"I'm really excited to be here," said Genesis Santana of Gardner. "It's really different, and a good experience."

BROCKTON LEGISLATOR PRAISES PN GRADUATES FOR ACTIVISM

By Janice O'Connor

State Rep. Christine E. Canavan of Brockton with PN class representatives Stephanie Wilbur and Pamela Christy.

During a traditional pinning ceremony at Mount Wachusett Community College’s Gardner campus on Monday, June 30, State Rep. Christine E. Canavan, D-Brockton, encouraged the Practical Nursing graduates to continue to advance in their profession through education and to remain politically active.

Canavan became acquainted with the class this past academic year. The 27 area students, who attended the PN program at MWCC’s Devens campus, inspired the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a joint resolution encouraging Congress to create an Office of the National Nurse.

The students and their professor, Collene Thaxton, wrote letters to legislators last fall, and Canavan, who is a nurse, embraced the cause. In March, Massachusetts became the second state to enact such a resolution.

“These students, these nurses, were learning to use their voice in politics,” Canavan said. “They were learning how to make others listen to them when it came to their field of expertise. I hope that all of you take that lesson with you as you move forward in the field of nursing. You must be active. You must use your voice. You must share your knowledge. Realize and be proud of the fact that you are now considered an authority,” she said.

The Office of the National Nurse would complement the Office of the Surgeon General and would encourage nurses to become involved in their own communities to support local prevention efforts. Advocates for the new position believe a National Nurse would help generate a cultural shift to prevention at a time when the country is seeing record numbers in chronic conditions such as obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.

MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino encouraged the students to maintain their excitement for the “very noble profession” they have joined. “Maintain your commitment, maintain your zeal, maintain your enthusiasm for humankind, and continue to give back to your communities,” he said.

During the ceremony, each graduate, dressed in a traditional nurse uniform, was welcomed into the profession by having a nursing pin fastened to her or his lapel by a fellow nurse—a family member, friend or faculty member. MWCC’s 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.

The 2008 Devens PN graduates are: Pamela Christy, Sally Colley, Tina DePrimeo, Deborah Falode, Wilner Francois, AnnMarie Franklin, Juliet Huruko, Sandra Irizarry, Firewoini Kebede, Jane Kibe, Ashley Legere, Jill McDowell, Deborah McGeeney, Yvonne Munji, Nice Nabitaka, Veronicah Nyaigoti, Nancyver Omeler, Eileen Scanlon, Michael Shell, Jessica Sloan, Isaura Valentin, Albert Waiganjo, Genny Wesley, Nichole Wheeler, Stephanie Wilbur, Heather Wilson and Ruth Young.

COMMUNITY BUILDERS FELLOWS CELEBRATE THEIR SUCCESS

By Karin Oliveira

Community Builders fellowship awardees include, from left, Chris Casavant of Winchendon Pop Warner; Wil Darcangelo founder of Rollstone Performing Arts Series; Barbara McGowan, creator of the Be Safe children's safety manual; Judy Gentry, founder of Warmer Winters; Yaw Addow, Jr. founder of Twin City Soccer Academy; David Gordon, founder, Fitchburg Police Athletics/Activities League; Rose Bissonnette, founder, Central Massachusetts Limb Loss Support Group; and Pete Cormier, founder of Sterling Music Exchange.

Community Builders Fellows gathered at the annual Fellowship Dinner to celebrate the positive impact their volunteer programs have had on communities throughout North Central Massachusetts over the past year.

During the dinner celebration at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster, fellowship recipients Chris Casavant of Winchendon Pop Warner, Yaw Addow Jr., of Twin City Soccer Academy, Rose Bissonnette of the Central Massachusetts Limb Loss Support Group and Pete Cormier of Sterling Music Exchange shared how the seed money provided through the fellowship program helped launch or expand their programs.

Community Builders seeks entrepreneurial volunteers that see a problem in their community, have an idea on how to solve the problem and can mobilize other volunteers to help.  These “ramped up” volunteers receive a small amount of seed money, technical assistance, support and networking opportunities with like- minded peers to accelerate the process and enhance the fellows ability as north central Massachusetts emerging new leaders of social change.

Community Builders Fellows mobilized over 1400 volunteers that contributed 36,458 hours of service.  This translates to an astounding total $711,295.58 in volunteer service, according to the Independent Sector's study on the dollar value of volunteer time.

With the average Massachusetts grassroots nonprofit agency budget size reported at below $250,000 a year, it is safe to assume that volunteers have the potential to enhance and expand area nonprofit agency’s through volunteer staffing, volunteer consulting and volunteer labor by as much as 28% according to the scenario above.

That being said, the real celebration is not in the numbers.  It’s in the community’s ability to view the Community Builders Fellows as changemakers: visionary, innovative and inspirational in their passion to drive positive social change.  Once this new leadership is exposed, supported, recognized and promoted by the area’s well known and respected leaders more and more individuals from the citizen sector will move from idea to action, working collaboratively to build a healthier more vibrant community to live and work in.

Community Builders celebrates our Fellows and the extraordinary differences they are making in our communities. Your leadership is admirable; your passion is inspiring and your persistence to pursue your initiatives unparallel.

Our Fellows' success is directly related to the unique partnership that resulted in the Community Builders program.  Mount Wachusett Community College and the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, led by the extraordinary leadership of President Asquino and President Grzewinski have paved the way for new and innovative ideas to spread as emerging leadership arises from the citizen sector.  Other partners, Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, Bemis Associates, Inc. and Unitil, have played an integral part in our fellows' success as well. Finally, Community Builders Chairperson Karson Aubuchon has made it her passion to promote and recognize all volunteers throughout North Central Massachusetts. Our greatest resource for a healthy more vibrant community lies within our community. As Karson is known to say, "People helping people, it’s that simple!”

 More MWCC News:

• Theatre at the Mount’s production of Disney’s High School Musical opens August 8 for six performances only. Based on the wildly popular Disney Channel original movie, Disney’s High School Musical follows Gabriella, a shy, brainy new student, and Troy, the captain of the basketball team, as they discover a love for singing and audition for their high school musical. Their attempt to break out of their cliques turns the world and their school upside down! Show dates are August 8, 9, 15, 16 at 8 p.m. and August 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for evenings, $15 for matinees, and $10 for children ages 16 and under. For tickets visit http://theatre.mwcc.edu, or call the TAM box office at 978 632-2403. 

• Registrations are now being accepted for MWCC Foundation, Inc.’s 13th Annual Golf Tournament to benefit student scholarships. The tournament will take place Monday, August 18 at Gardner Municipal Golf course, with the 19th hole at the Colonial Hotel in Gardner. Sir Jeremy Bell (aka Man in a Skirt), dressed in full highland kilt with bagpipes blaring, will emcee the post-game awards ceremony with hilarious roasts and toasts. The cost is $150 per person to play and attend the post-game dinner and awards ceremony at the Colonial, or $40 for the dinner and ceremony only. Registration begins at 8:30 AM with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The tournament will conclude with a social hour at 3 p.m., followed by dinner, an auction and the awards ceremony with Sir Jeremy Bell, who has entertained celebrities from Clint Eastwood to Julia Roberts. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit www.mwcc.edu/alumni and click on golf tournament for details. For more information, contact Carol Cullins at (978) 630-9594.

• The Entrepreneurial Resource Center at MWCC is accepting applications for the fourth annual Business Plan Competition. The competition, open to residents in MWCC's 29-town service area, gives innovators an opportunity to submit business plans and vie for up to $12,000 in cash prizes and more than $8,000 of in-kind services. One finalist will be chosen in each of the following three categories: start up profit, expanding profit business and start-up and expanding nonprofits. A grand prize winner will be selected from among the three finalists. Competition workshops will take place July 25 in partnership with Wachusett Chamber of Commerce at Clinton Hospital, and on Aug. 1 at Experience Gardner. Competition guidelines and applications are available at http://erc.mwcc.edu For more information, contact Lisa Derby Oden at (978) 840-3221 ext. 163.

• 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 2008 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. PTK students will donate the other 50 percent of the profits directly to the Greater Gardner Community Health Center's food pantry. To place an order in advance, contact Sheila Murphy, PTK advisor, at smurphy@mwcc.mass.edu.

• 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. 20 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Heywood Hospital; Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing: Aug. 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Gardner campus, room 341, and Aug. 20 from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Leominster 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 an information session are asked to call the Enrollment Center at (978) 630-9110 (TTY (978) 632-4916), or send an email to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu