Greg Clement Receives National Diversity Achievement Award

Greg Clement, assistant dean of student services at MWCC, has long been recognized by students, faculty and staff for providing exceptional services and programs to the college community. Now, Clement has been nationally recognized by the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) with this year's  Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award.

"This is an extraordinary honor which makes me extremely proud of the student life staff and Mount Wachusett Community College," said Clement, who was honored in February during NACA's national convention in St. Louis, Missouri. "I am pleased that our ongoing efforts to ensure diversity programs and events at MWCC are a major part of our program and co-curricular activities." 

The Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award was established to recognize individuals at NACA member institutions who have contributed positively to the development of programs and services promoting cultural diversity, understanding and awareness.  

Clement was nominated by his colleagues for the award based on his six-year track record of providing diversity education programming while overseeing the student life office. Clement has brought a variety of events to campus, including film festivals, unity dinners, panel presentations and guest speakers covering issues such as autism, sexual orientation and race relations.  

"My favorite part of my job is to support activities and initiatives geared toward achieving and maintaining a campus environment that reflects the diversity of our community," said Clement. 

Executive Vice President Ann S. McDonald, one of four who nominated Clement for the award,  attributes his enthusiasm, dedication and creativity to his success. "Greg has left an indelible mark on the college community and student body and symbolizes all of the hallmarks of a stellar student affairs and diversity programming professional," said McDonald. 

Clement was also nominated by Dr. Vincent M. Bates, dean of Liberal Arts, Math, Education and Developmental Studies, Karen Costa, director of Student Success and co-advisor of the PRIDE Club, and Marsha Poor, human resources information systems specialist, cultural diversity co-chair and
liaison to the Minority Coalition of North Central Massachusetts.

The NACA awards committee selects up to two awards annually, selecting individuals who are full-time professional staff members from a NACA member institution that contributes and serves diverse populations, demonstrates a record for enhancing awareness and understanding of diverse cultures, and creates original programs and services.  

NACA is an organization that advances campus activities in higher education through a business and learning partnership, creating educational and business opportunities for its school and professional members. Established in 1960 to help increase the buying power of campus programming dollars, NACA now has more than 950 college and university members and over 500 associate members who represent artists, lecturers and performers. 

- Kim Anderson

Theatre at the Mount Begins New Year with Awards and Exhibit

Theatre at the Mount certainly has started the new year in the spotlight. Not only have two long-serving members been recognized for their dedication, but the Gardner Museum will open an exhibit this week celebrating the 35-year history of the theatre. 

Moments before the opening of The Drowsy Chaperone on Feb. 25, Gardner resident Eeva Stromski was honored with the American Association of Community Theatre Spotlight Award for her volunteer service. Stromski has been a part of Theatre at the Mount for more than 25 years after her son Ed, who frequently played trombone "in the pit," encouraged her to get involved with community theatre. At his urging she auditioned for Anything Goes and was cast in the production.

Since then, Stromski has moved from onstage to backstage working as a member of stage crew for nearly every production and doing every thing from costumes to ushering. She's even ironed the stage curtain.  

"If Eeva is working in a show, there is a feeling that it will be a great show. It is always reassuring to know Eeva is there to help dress, set props, or place set pieces," said Diane Twiss, a Theatre at the Mount performer. "She is that quiet, steady presence backstage that calms both actors and stage crew alike." 

AACT, based in Texas, is a networking, advocacy and support organization representing more than 7,000 theatres, including Theatre at the Mount.

Professor Gail Steele, Theatre at the Mount director, will be recognized in March by the Federation for Children with Special Needs during its Visions of Community 2011 celebration at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. Steele will receive the Community Partner Award for Theatre at the Mount's work to create and support the inclusion of individuals with disabilities, those at-risk, or those who face cultural or linguistic barriers. 

To keep the celebration going, Another Opening, Another Show, an exhibit exploring the 35-year history of Theatre at the Mount, will be on display March 2 through June 10 at the Gardner Museum. Photos, costumes, set pieces, props and more will be on display as part of the museum's exhibit on "Central Massachusetts' Premier Theatre." A wine and cheese reception will take place March 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Regular museum hours are Wednesdays through Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free for museum members, and $3 for non-members.  

Pictured: Professor Gail Steele, Theatre at the Mount director, left, and volunteer Eeva Stromski.

Peace Walkers Visit MWCC 

Upcoming Events

Reservations are now being accepted for the MWCC Foundation's Annual Dinner and 40th Anniversary Celebration, which will take place Wednesday, April 6 at the Colonial Hotel. Paula and Francis d'Entremonts, key organizers of the highly successful Greater Gardner Relay for Life, will be recognized as the Harold E. Drake, Jr. Citizens of the Year. Entertainment will be provided by stand-up comedian Jimmy Tingle. Student scholarship recipients also will be recognized. The celebration begins with a social hour starting at 5:30. Tickets are $75. Reservations are required and may be made by contacting Jessica Connors at 978-630-9387 or jconnors@mwcc.mass.edu.  

In celebration of Mardi Gras, the Student Life office and CATS will sponsor the annual Mardi Gras Carnival on Thursday, March 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. is the South Cafe. The carnival will feature karaoke from 6 to 8 p.m. and dancing from 8 to 10 p.m. Costume prizes of $100, $70 and $30 will be awarded and a door prize of $100 will be awarded hourly. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Admission is free for MWCC students, faculty and staff and a guest.

Another Opening, Another Show, an exhibit exploring the 35-year history of Theatre at the Mount, will be on display March 2 through June 10 at the Gardner Museum. Photos, costumes, set pieces, props and more will be on display as part of the museum's exhibit on "Central Massachusetts' Premier Theatre." Museum hours are Wednesdays through Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free for museum members and $3 for non-members. A wine and cheese reception will take place March 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Theatre at the Mount's production of The Drowsy Chaperone continues March 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. and March 6 at 2 p.m. A modern-day musical theatre addict listens to his rare record of a 1928 musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone. The musical magically bursts to life in his very apartment. In his own front row seat, he learns the tale of a pampered Broadway starlet who wants to get married and leave show business forever. The characters surrounding this starlet are her producer who tries to sabotage the nuptials, her chaperone, her charming groom, the dizzy chorine, the Latin lover, and a pair of gangsters who pose as pastry chefs. Tickets are $20 for evening shows, $15 for the matinee, and $10 for students and may be purchased at the TAM box office, by phone at 978-632-2403 or online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu.
 

A Rediscovery of Analog Photography," an exhibit of photography by MWCC Computer Graphic Design instructor Sonya Shelton, is on display through March 18 in the East Wing Gallery of the Raymond M. Lafontaine Fine Arts Center. The gallery will be closed on March 17. Regular hours are Mondays through Fridays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MWCC nursing students and the Montachusett Opportunity Council's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program will present an Environmental Health Fair on Wednesday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Health Connections' Bullock Building Lobby, 275 Nichols Road, Fitchburg. Topics covered will include lead poisoning, healthy homes, asthma, cosmetics, personal care products, pesticides and green cleaning.

Professor Sue Goldstein's Journalism I class and the office of Student Life will present the Women's Herstory Project March 9 through March 31 in the South Cafe. The display, in celebration of Women's History Month, highlights 10 women from the MWCC community who play an important role in the lives of students on campus.

MWCC's offices of Admissions and Career Services will offer a free workshop, "Career Night: An Opportunity for Career Exploration and Development," on Wednesday, March 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in room 127 and in the Commons area. Participants will be given an opportunity to discover their personality types using Holland's Theme Codes, a system that classifies jobs into work personalities. The work personalities are then used to determine possible career choices compatible with the individual. Attendees will be guided through the process of finding occupations, predicting job availability, salaries, required education, appropriate academic majors, and more. Advisors will be available to answer questions and provide information on admissions, financial aid and transfer opportunities. Several MWCC alumni will speak about their theme codes and how their particular codes affect job performance and satisfaction in their current occupations. Register by March 14 by calling 978-630-9568 or email admissions@mwcc.mass.edu. 

MWCC's new Rx Program for students interested in health care careers will host an Opening Kick-off reception on Tuesday, March 22 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in room 071 in the LaChance Library. The Rx Program is an educational opportunity TRiO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide support services for students enrolled in MWCC's health sciences programs. The Rx Program helps low-income, first-generation college students and/or students with disabilities achieve their academic goals and assists those who wish to transfer to a four-year institution.

The Student Life Spring Film Festival will continue on Wednesday, March 23, at 12:30 p.m. in the North Cafe with Iron Jawed Angels, in celebration of Women's History Month. This film tells the story of two important women in the history of suffrage in the United States. Alice Paul and Lucy Burns began a more radical branch of women fighting for the right to vote. They found themselves up against powerful men, an atmosphere of chauvinism, an unconcerned President and even their own more conservative counterparts as they risked their lives and loves to fight for what they believed in.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is available at MWCC's Gardner and Leominster campuses. In Gardner, assistance is available in room 240 on Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 978-630-9124. At the Leominster campus, appointments are available on Fridays from noon to 6 p.m. Appointments can be made through MOC by calling 978-343-5706. In addition, assistance is available in Fitchburg at the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center on Mondays and Wednesdays by calling 978-342-2069, ext. 200 and on Tuesdays and Saturdays at the MOC office by calling 978-343-5706.

MWCC is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: Clinical Laboratory Science: March 23, 4 to 5 p.m., Heywood Hospital, Gardner; Physical Therapist Assistant: March 22, 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, room 204; Dental Hygiene: March 16, 2 to 3 p.m., Burbank campus; and Practical Nursing Certificate: March 7, 5 to 6 p.m., Devens campus, room 124 and March 15, 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, room 204. In addition, small group information sessions are offered daily Monday through Thursday beginning at 3 p.m. Prospective students are asked to call the Enrollment Center at 978-630-9284 (TTY 978-632-4916), or send an email to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu.