Friday, Sept. 26, 2008

 

 

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY HERALDS CONSTRUCTION OF VETERAN REHABILITATION CENTER

By Janice O'Connor

Participating in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Northeast Veteran Training & Rehabilitation Center were, from left, MWCC Executive Vice President Edward Terceiro, Secretary of Veterans' Services Thomas Kelley, MWCC President Daniel Asquino, Veteran Homestead Executive Director Leslie Lightfoot, State Senator Stephen Brewer, State Representative Robert Rice, DCAM Commissioner David Perini and Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke. (Photo by Dana Armstrong)

What began three years ago as a vision to help wounded combat veterans rebuild their lives has become a reality.

Representatives from the nonprofit organization Veteran Homestead, Inc. joined members of the college community, state officials, legislators, local veterans and others – including a New England Patriots linebacker – Friday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the imminent construction of the Northeast Veteran Training & Rehabilitation Center on MWCC's Gardner campus.

Construction of the $8 million, privately funded center will begin in October and continue through 2009, with an anticipated opening date of January 2010. The center will include a rehabilitation facility and 10 duplex housing units to accommodate veterans who have suffered combat trauma while serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.

The Sept. 26 groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino, Veteran Homestead Executive Director Leslie Lightfoot, Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services Thomas G. Kelley, Division of Capital Asset Management Commissioner David B. Perini, Senator Stephen M. Brewer, Representative Robert L. Rice, Jr. and Gardner Mayor Mark P. Hawke.

“This is a great day for Mount Wachusett Community College. This is a great day for our communities. This is a great day for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and this is a great day for our nation,” MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino said. “I’ve been asked, ‘Why are you doing this – why are you giving away 10 acres of land?' My response is, 'It’s the right thing to do for our veterans.' This property, 300 acres, was given by the city of Gardner to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the purpose of the construction of the permanent site for Mount Wachusett Community College. Since then, the college has contributed immensely to our communities, and this is another way for us to continue to contribute."

In August, the Massachusetts Legislature approved a bill allowing MWCC to lease 10 acres on its 269-acre campus to the Fitchburg-based nonprofit organization to build the rehabilitation center to serve veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who have suffered loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries, post traumatic stress and/or disfiguring burns while serving the country. In lieu of payment for the lease, Veteran Homestead is providing the college with internship opportunities for students enrolled in nursing and allied health programs. The 30-year lease includes options for two, 10-year extensions.

The Northeast Veteran Training & Rehabilitation Center, located on MWCC's Gardner campus, will include a rehab facility and housing to accommodate returning combat veterans and their families. (Kuhn Riddle Architects)

In addition to securing funding for the center through grants and contributions, Veteran Homestead has received numerous donations of materials and services. Designed as a model that other colleges can replicate, the center is unique because it combines free rehabilitation services and housing with an academic component, while being located on a college campus. The new facility will be heated with geothermal energy, in keeping with MWCC’s existing renewable energy sources, as well as LEED certified.

Asquino referred to Lightfoot and MWCC Executive Vice President Edward Terceiro as being “nothing but persistent” in their efforts to see the concept succeed, and with the help of DCAM, area legislators and others, the dream of building the center “has finally become a reality.”

Lightfoot, who served as an Army medic during the Vietnam War and is a member of veteran advisory councils on the federal and state levels, and Kelley a recipient of the prestigious Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the U.S. government, for his service in Vietnam, both received standing ovations.

Kelley said the unique partnership between Veteran Homestead and MWCC provides extra value to the veterans and the nursing and allied health students who will work as interns in the center. All will encounter "a life-altering experience" while at the college.

Kelley and Brewer were among several speakers to remark on Lightfoot's compassion for veterans, from homeless veterans of the Vietnam War and those in need of hospice care, to those now returning from combat in the Middle East. With medical advances now enabling more returning veterans to survive their injuries than those who served during Vietnam, Brewer said, "We have an obligation to make them whole. We owe this to our veterans." Rice called the new center "an incredibly great project" but expressed disappointment that more isn't being done at the federal level to support the returning troops. "Thank God for Leslie Lightfoot and others like her who have stepped into this breach and have really gone the extra mile."

In addition to Senator Brewer and Representative Rice, who introduced the land lease bill in the Senate and the House, the groundbreaking was attended by other area legislators who sponsored the bill, including Representative Stephen DiNatale of Fitchburg and Representative Anne Gobi of Spencer. Area legislators who supported the bill but unable to attend the ceremony included Senator Robert Antonioni of Leominster and Representative Harold P. Naughton, Jr., of Clinton, who served a tour of duty in Iraq, and Representative Jennifer Flanagan of Leominster. Also attending the groundbreaking ceremony were representatives from Naughton's office and from U.S. Senator John Kerry's office, local veterans from the American Legion Post 10 in Gardner and from the Ovila Case Post 905 VFW.

Among the project's donors attending the event was New England Patriots linebacker Larry Izzo, who has raised and distributed more than $600,000 through his "Larryoke" events to assist military veterans and their families since 2005. Izzo said he became award of the Veteran Homestead project 18 months ago when he was contacted by Lightfoot and Michelle Saunders, director of veterans affairs for the national nonprofit organization Hire Heroes USA and director of Veterans Moving Forward, a nonprofit under the auspices of Veteran Homestead.

“It’s just amazing to see Leslie take that vision and make it a reality,” Izzo said. “I’m proud and impressed with what she’s been able to accomplish with the support of the college and from those on the state level. The one thing that is easy to see from today’s program, is that we’ve all met Leslie and saw her passion and all have a similar belief in wanting to support the troops who need the support the most.”

BREWER SHARES VIEWS ON PUBLIC SAFETY LEGISLATION, PUBLIC SERVICE, DURING CLASS VISIT

By Janice O'Connor

State Senator Stephen Brewer spoke with Criminal Justice students during a visit to Assistant Professor Reed Hillman's Criminal Law class.

State Senator Stephen M. Brewer paid a visit this week to Assistant Professor Reed Hillman's Criminal Law course to share his views on public safety legislation, public service and other topics with Criminal Justice majors.

Hillman said he invited Brewer to speak to his class so students could hear first hand some of the history behind Massachusetts laws. "The senator is a very powerful and persuasive speaker," said Hillman, chairman of the Criminal Justice program and former superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police.

In turn, Brewer said MWCC Criminal Justice students will benefit from Hillman's "wealth of experience and talent." Hillman, who served 25 years with the state police and six years as a state representative, joined the MWCC faculty this fall.

Brewer's 40-minute talk on Sept. 23 covered such topics as child protection laws, the importance of civic engagement and the upcoming ballot questions on Election Day including the repeal of state income tax and decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Brewer said he opposes the decriminalization of marijuana "because pot makes you an observer of our society and not a participant," and opposes the income tax repeal because it would eliminate $12.7 billion in state funding that widely supports essential services. The money voters would save each year would have to be made up through property taxes, "so they either get it out of your right pocket or your left pocket."

Brewer said he and Hillman were "seared" by the unsolved murders of Warren lifeguard Molly Bish in 2000 and 10 year old Holly Piirainen in Sturbridge in 1993, which led them to support tougher child protection laws in Massachusetts, including the Amber Alert. He emphasized the importance of investing in "human capital" by reaching children who are vulnerable to growing up into a life of crime with support and encouragement early on, and to strive to build up a culture that values one another. "We're spending more money keeping people in jails than we do on higher education, which I think is a sad commentary on our society."

The senator praised the students for their career interests in public service. "Public service is a noble calling. It's the one thing that can effectuate changes, one person at a time," he said.

 

 More MWCC News:

• More than 1,500 high school and college students attended the New England Association of College Admissions Counseling (NEACAC) College Fair, held Sept. 24 in the Fitness & Wellness Center. Sponsored by the Admissions Office, the event is the largest college fair held in Worcester County. (Photo by Gaurav Khanna)

  Save Energy – Save Money is the theme of MWCC's 2008-2009 What’s Next? Speaker Series, sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Humanity in partnership with The Trustees of Reservations and Hannaford Supermarkets. The series will kick off on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m. with tours of The Trustees of Reservations’ gold-rated “green” building in Leominster – the Doyle Conservation Center. At 6:30 p.m., Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Philip Giudice will give the keynote address. Giudice, a geologist and management professional with more than 30 years experience in the energy industry, will speak on the new programs and opportunities being developed by the Commonwealth to help municipalities, businesses and individuals save money by saving energy. Reservations to the free event are required and may be made by contacting Christine Meleo at (978) 840-3221, ext 216, or cmeleo@mwcc.mass.edu.

• "Developing Your Business Plan," a presentation by Lisa Derby Oden, director of MWCC's Leominster campus and the Entrepreneurial Resource Center, will kick off this year's SB2 workshop series on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at the North Central Chamber of Commerce, 860 South St., Fitchburg. The Entrepreneurial Resource Center provides seminars, an Incubator Without Walls, and an award-winning regional business plan competition. The SB2: Supporting Home based and Small Businesses program is led by a group of local business professionals in combination with staff from the NCCC. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact NCCC Program Director Marissa Torres at 978-353-7600, ext. 235.

• The LaChance Library is sponsoring an Open House and Antiques Appraisal on Friday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring Paul Royka, nationally known expert, author and appraiser seen on the PBS series Antiques Roadshow. A former resident of Worcester, Royka now owns a gallery on Newbury Street in Boston representing several artist estates working with individuals, trusts and institutions. Attendees are invited to bring items to be appraised, with proceeds benefitting the library. The cost is $10 per item or $25 for three items. Items that will be excluded from the appraisals are weapons, coins, stamps, jewelry, rugs or ancient antiquities. For more information about Paul Royka visit www.roykas.com.

• Students and members of the college community enjoyed participating in the Angel Wagner Latin Workshop featuring a Latin quartet. The mobile seminar on Latin and Caribbean music was sponsored Sept. 24 by the Office of Student Life in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. (Photo by Sandra Arsenault)

  The Little Sisters of Hoboken return to Theatre at the Mount in Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue! Those fun-lovin’, singin’ and dancin’ nuns from Nunsense are back – and this time, they’re taking over Las Vegas. The setting for the newest adventure of the world’s most popular Sisters is the Pump Room Lounge, high atop the third floor of the Mystique Motor Lodge in the soul of Sin City. And that means more fans, more feathers, more hats, more canes, more hoopla and more hijinks that ever. Theatre at the Mount is hosting the central Massachusetts Premier of Nunsensations with Gail Steele as director, Diane Cushing as Music Director and Choreography by Susie Michaud. The production runs October 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. and October 12 at 2 p.m.For tickets to Nunsensations, call the Theatre at the Mount box office at (978) 632-2403 or purchase tickets online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu and remember “What happens at Theatre at the Mount, stays at Theatre at the Mount!”

• "Recent Painting and Collage," an exhibition by artist Heidi D'Entremonte can be viewed through Oct. 12 in the Raymond LaFontaine Fine Arts Center. "Prelude to New Work," an exhibit of new works in clay by Professor Joyce Miller, is on display in the glass cases of the East Wing Gallery through Oct. 20. Both exhibits are sponsored by the Art Department.

• MWCC Foundation will honor long serving community volunteer Scott B. Howard as the 2008 Harold E. Drake, Jr. Citizen of the Year. Howard, chief operating officer of Bemis Associates, will receive the award during the Annual Foundation Dinner on Oct. 30 at the Colonial Hotel in Gardner. Outstanding MWCC students who receive foundation scholarship funds also will be honored. The Harold E. Drake, Jr. Citizen of the Year Award is presented in memory of Harold E. Drake, treasurer and former president of Royal Steam Heater Co. and Lynde Hardware & Supply, Inc. The award recognizes community members who exemplify Mr. Drake’s extraordinary commitment to the North Central Massachusetts region. Tickets to the Annual Foundation Dinner are $75 per person. A social hour will begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Reservations are required and may be made by contacting Darlene Morrilly at (978) 630-9276 or dmorrilly@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: A.S. Nursing: Oct. 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Center, Room 12; Practical Nursing Certificate: Oct. 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Devens campus; Dental Hygiene: Oct. 1 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Burbank Campus in Fitchburg; Complementary Health Care/Massage Therapy & Physical Therapist Assistant: Sept. 29 and Oct. 20 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Center, Room 12; Clinical Laboratory Science: Oct. 15 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Heywood Hospital, Laboratory Education Area; Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing: Oct. 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Gardner 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

• 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 guidelines and applications are available at http://erc.mwcc.edu. For more information, contact Lisa Derby Oden at (978) 840-3221 ext. 163.