GARDNER HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND LEOMINSTER MAYOR NAMED AS MWCC ALUMNI OF THE YEAR HONOREES

 

(GARDNER)—Gardner High School Principal Bob Gillis (Class of 1968) and Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella (Class of 1977) will be honored as Mount Wachusett Community College Alumni of the Year at its 2003 commencement, Thurs., May 22. “These two alumni have touched the lives of countless people in our community,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “Students, families and citizens have all benefited from their dedication to others. We are proud to be honoring them.”

Gillis, who has played bagpipes at MWCC commencement exercises for the last six years, will instead, this year, be seated on the platform with other honorees and dignitaries. Gillis, who was inspired to take up bagpipe lessons after visiting Scotland in 1990, said he also performs at Gardner High School’s annual multi-cultural festival.

During his college years, Gillis played basketball and won one of the college’s first sports trophies. After averaging 30 points per game, he won the Most Valuable Player Award at the 1968 Greenfield Community College Invitational Basketball Tournament. He also remembers playing football on the lawn where the “Big Chair,” in Gardner now stands.

In talking to high school students today, Gillis reminds them on the importance of higher education. “Today, a high school diploma is just not enough,” Gillis has escorted Gardner High School students to the MWCC campus to talk about their college plans. “We are very fortunate to have a school like the Mount in our backyard. When I graduated from the Mount, I was accepted at virtually every college I applied to.”

Mazzarella said he had a similar experience when transferring to a baccalaureate college. “Every single college credit I received from the Mount transferred to Northeastern University.” Mazzarella studied Criminal Justice and Business at MWCC. He joined the Leominster Police Department after receiving his MWCC Criminal Justice Degree. “I could have just taken the civil service test to become a police officer, but wanted to be a better professional with more education.”

Mazzarella singled out several college professors who made an impression him, including Professor Tom Malloy, who will be honored with Emeritus status at the 2003 Commencement. “Not a day goes by that I don’t remember something he said and how it relates to our community,” said Mazzarella. “Especially as it relates to American History and how immigrants assimilated into our culture.”

Over 500 graduates will receive degrees and certificates at the MWCC Commencement, Thurs., May 22 at 6:00 p.m. Former Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Affairs Gloria Cordes Larson will deliver the commencement address.