
February 23, 2010
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MWCC's Climate Action Plan Sets Carbon Neutrality by 2020 |

Mount Wachusett Community College recently released its Climate Action Plan detailing the college's commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020.
The climate action plan, submitted in January to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, builds upon the college's existing initiatives in renewable energy and conservation. The plan outlines steps to reduce MWCC's greenhouse gas emissions to 30 percent below its 2000 levels by the end of this year, reach a 60-percent emissions reduction by 2012, and create a zero-emissions campus in a decade.
"Our efforts to make Mount Wachusett Community College a sustainable campus began more than eight years ago, putting us at the forefront of the campus climate movement," said college President Daniel M. Asquino. "This action plan continues a swift pace toward achieving carbon neutrality, while also outlining new educational opportunities for students and the environmental benefits to our region."
The plan, "Moving Toward Zero: Climate Action at the Mount," was prepared by Paul Wolff, MWCC's director of sustainability and energy management, and submitted to the ACUPCC in January. In addition to supporting the ACUPCC goal of carbon neutrality, the college's plan also establishes a framework for reducing carbon emissions that is consistent with Massachusetts Executive Order 484, the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Action Plan the Architecture 2030 Challenge.
As an original signatory of the ACUPCC, Mount Wachusett has made a public pledge to reduce its carbon footprint and minimize its future impact on global warming. As a result, the college has aggressively pursued the use of renewable energy sources on the Gardner campus including biomass heating, biomass gasification, photovoltaics, solar thermal, geothermal and soon, wind power. In addition, the college recently completed 11 new Energy Conservation Measures, including lighting retrofits for the main campus and the Fitness & Wellness Center, new lighting controls and heating and air conditioning upgrades, for additional energy and cost savings.
The report documents the college's existing sustainability practices and curriculum developments, including the creation of a new degree program in Energy Management. It also highlights student engagement in sustainability initiatives, including the outreach activities of The Green Society, and the creation of a Community Garden, a Farmers' Market and a composting program that recycles food waste from the cafeteria and kitchen for use in an organic garden that produces food for the kitchen.
Goals through 2012 include completing the wind turbine project, developing a "Center for Sustainability" at the college and pursuing LEED certification for the Gardner campus.
Had the college not shifted toward renewable energy and energy conservation, "our emissions would be double what they are now," Wolff said. "And it's not just a nice thing to do for the environment, but it's a terrific investment that far exceeds the performance of any other investment that could have been pursued. Collectively, the last round of Energy Conservation Measures had a return on investment of over 573 percent."
Pictured above: Adam Losee, president of the student sustainability club The Green Society, tends to a composting bin on campus that provides fertilization for the Green Street Cafe's garden. | |
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Rollstone Bank Donates $25,000 to MWCC |
 Rollstone Bank & Trust recently donated $25,000 to Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, Inc. as part of the bank's commitment to giving back to the community.
The donation will be used to support the college's economic development initiatives in North Central Massachusetts by providing workforce training and development.
"By investing in higher education, Rollstone Bank is investing in the economic future of North Central Massachusetts," said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. "Strong partnerships between businesses and colleges are vital to the growth and development of the region's workforce and our communities. We truly appreciate this generous contribution."
"Mount Wachusett is such an important institution and economic engine for North Central Massachusetts. We are proud to partner with them in their efforts to further improve our communities," said RBT President and CEO, Martin F. Connors, Jr.
Since 1846, Rollstone Bank & Trust has been serving the people, businesses and organizations of Central Massachusetts. It has seven branch offices, located in Fitchburg, Leominster, Harvard and Townsend.
Mount Wachusett Community College is an accredited, public two-year institution with campuses in Gardner, Leominster, and Devens. The college offers more than
40 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as education and training for business and industry and noncredit community service programs.
Pictured above: Rollstone Bank & Trust President and CEO Martin F. Connors, Jr., left, and Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino recently announced that the bank has donated $25,000 to MWCC Foundation, Inc. to support the college's economic development initiatives. |
Theatre at the Mount Opens 2010 Season with "Curtains" |
 Theatre at the Mount opens its 2010 season with a production of the Tony Award winning musical Curtains, with performances on February 26, 27, March 5 and 6 at 8 p.m., and March 7 at 2 p.m.
It's the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959. Boston's Colonial Theatre is host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the leading lady mysteriously dies on stage the entire cast and crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan!
From the creators of Chicago and Cabaret, this "whodunit" musical is a delight for all ages.
Curtains, directed by Justin McCoubry, features Aaron Whipple as Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, Laurie Marcinkewicz as Niki, Becky Ufema as Georgia, Joel LeBlanc as Aaron, Chelsea Young as Bambi, Michelle Caissey as Carmen and an ensemble of 20 singers and dancers.
Ticketsare $20 for evenings and $15 for matinees and may be purchased at the TAM box office at (978) 632-2403. Subscription packages for the complete 2010 season are also on sale for just $65 for all 5 shows. Individual and season tickets may also be purchased online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu |
MWCC Celebrates Black History Month |
MWCC is celebrating Black History Month, a remembrance of important people and events in the history of African Americans, with a series of events throughout February.
A panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Vincent M. Bates, Dean of Liberal Arts, Math, Education and Developmental Studies, will take place Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the North Cafe.
The panel will reflect on the highs and lows of the first year of President Barack Obama's presidency and what they see as challenges for the future.
The event is free and open to the public.
Prior events also included the films "Road to Brown," "Strange Fruit," and "Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North," earlier this month. |
MWCC Offering FAFSA Workshops |
The financial aid office at Mount Wachusett Community College is offering FAFSA Filing Workshops to assist students and parents with online filing of the 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The free workshops will take place at MWCC's campus in Gardner, as well as at several area high schools and are open to students who are preparing to attend any private or public college or university this year. The FAFSA helps students and parents determine their eligibility for federal and state student financial aid, including Pell grants, Stafford loans, MASS Grants and other state and federal programs. In addition, the FAFSA form is used by colleges to determine awards for non-federal aid.
FAFSA Filing Workshops will take place at
Murdock Middle/High School in Winchendon on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m.; Fitchburg High School on Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.; Leominster High School on Thursday, Feb. 25 from 4 to 7 p.m.; Gardner High School on Tuesday, March 2 from 4 to 7 p.m.; and Monty Tech High School on Thursday, March 4 from 4 to 7 p.m.
FAFSA workshops also will take place at MWCC's Gardner campus, room 240, on Saturday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Tuesday, April 27 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Registration is not required; families may stop in anytime during the workshop hours for assistance with filing the FAFSA. Students and parents are advised to bring the following documents: 2009 W2 forms; 2009 federal tax forms; value of assets; and Federal FAFSA PIN (if a prior-year filer). The MASS Grant deadline for filing the FAFSA is May 1. |
Upcoming Events |
"Negotiants+Transitioners: New Works in Drawing," an exhibit by artist Kevin Dacey is on display through March 6 in the East Wing Gallery of the Raymond M. LaFontaine Fine Arts Center. An artist and educator, Dacey currently lives on Eagle Hill in scenic East Boston. From there, he can look back to formative years spent looking and listening while working for the Fogg Art Museum as a researcher and archivist for collections of photographic media. In 2002, he received his BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, returned to work for Harvard University, and in 2007 graduated with an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studio Arts and Theory from Maine College of Art. He is currently an adjunct professor at the Wentworth Institute of Technology in the design and architecture departments and at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, in the art department. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The gallery will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15.
Celebrating Women with Children's Literature and Illustration, an event for children age two years, nine months to age 8, will take place Tuesday, March 2 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. in MWCC's LaChance Library. The event, in honor of Women's History Month and the National Education Association's Read Across America Day, is being sponsored by the library, the Early Childhood Education Department, the Early Childhood Education Club and the office of Student Life. Student, faculty and staff volunteers will read stories and share artwork created by Jane Yolen, Denise Fleming, 2009 Caldecott winner Beth Krommes and others. RSVP to Heidi McCann at hmccann@mwcc.mass.edu or call (978) 630-9255.
On-Campus Volunteer Fridays will continue on March 5 with a Warmer Winters Knit-a-Thon from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Commons to benefit Warmer Winters, a local nonprofit organization that enlists volunteers of all ages and skill levels to create hand-knit and crocheted clothing for area residents in need. Volunteers are asked to register ahead of time for planning purposes at www.mwccconnects.us/events. Donations of yarn or hand-made items can be brought to room 279 prior to the event for those who are not able to participate. The event is sponsored by the Center for Democracy & Humanity.
"Musical Theatre University" comes to Theatre at the Mount/Mount Wachusett Community College on Friday, March 12. This day of master classes in music, dance, acting and technical theatre is a workshop program for high school theatre students, teachers and directors, and is an outreach of the popular TAMY Awards program for high school musicals. Workshops will be taught by local professionals and will cover such topics as: Building the Perfect Monologue, Dancing with Props, Costume Essentials, Basic of Stage Make-Up, Vocal Performance, Energizing the Actor, Painting with Lighting, Sound Technology and many other areas.Participation is open to all area high schools. For more information or to obtain a pamphlet and registration form, call Professor Gail Steele at (978) 630-9162 or visit the TAM web site at http://theatre.mwcc.edu Free assistance with 2009 income tax returns is available to low and moderate-income taxpayers through Mount Wachusett Community College in cooperation with the IRS. Trained volunteers will assist with basic tax forms and help residents understand tax benefits. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is being offered Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m. at MWCC's Gardner campus. Appointments are required and may be made by calling (978) 630-9124. Area residents interested in receiving assistance are asked to bring documents to the appointment, including their 2008 return, 2009 W-2s, 1099 forms and all other information relevant to income and expenses for 2009. Photo identification is necessary, and both spouses must be present for those filing a joint return.Due to the enactment of the Massachusetts Health Reform Act, Massachusetts residents must bring verification of health insurance. If a taxpayer does not prove insurance or becomes denied for an exemption, a penalty is applied. Insured taxpayers should bring the 1099 HC form, mailed to them in January by private insurers, or proof of government issued insurance, such as a MassHealth/Medicare card. The Enrollment Center is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: Associate Degree Nursing Program: March 9 from 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Practical Nursing Certificate: April 13 from 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Dental Hygiene: March 3 from 2 to 3 p.m., Burbank Hospital; Complementary Health Care/Massage Therapy/Physical Therapist Assistant: March 9 from 2 to 3 p.m., Enrollment Center; Clinical Laboratory Science: Feb. 24 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Heywood Hospital, Laboratory Education Area; Energy Management, March 18 from 3 to 4 p.m., Devens campus; Accelerated Business Administration: March 16 from 6 to 7 p.m., Gardner campus, room 125. In addition, small group information sessions are offered daily Monday - Thursday beginning at 3:00 p.m. Prospective students interested in all other information sessions are asked to call the Enrollment Center at (978) 630-9284 (TTY (978) 632-4916), or send an email to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu
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Archived issues of Mount Wachusett Community College e-News can be found online at http://www.mwcc.edu/info/newsarchive.html To submit a story idea or request coverage for your event, contact the Public Relations Office at (978) 630-9547.
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Janice O'Connor
Director of Public Relations Mount Wachusett Community College (978) 630-9547 joconnor@mwcc.mass.edu
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