MWCC Alumna Benefits from 3 Plus One Partnership with St. Joseph's College of Maine

When MWCC alumna Kelley MacLean of Gardner walks across the stage May 14 at Saint Joseph's College of Maine to receive her bachelor's degree in Human Services, it will be her first time setting foot on the campus. MacLean, among the first graduates of MWCC's 3 Plus One partnership with the private liberal arts college, completed her bachelor's degree online. She accomplished this while raising four children, including triplets, and working full-time as a family services coordinator at Montachusett Opportunity Council Family Child Care and Head Start.

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MWCC Students Attend Massachusetts Student Leadership Conference

Members of MWCC's Student Government Association attended the 10th Annual Massachusetts Public Higher Education Student Leadership Conference on Friday April 15 at Worcester State University.

The annual student leadership conference is held each spring to provide a forum for students to identify issues of importance regarding campus life and the public higher education experience, and to share these issues with leaders in higher education and state government.

 
The theme of this year's conference, "Students United," was activism. The conference featured several workshops on leadership topics and keynote addresses by Marty Meehan, chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell and former congressman; Mary Joyce, President Obama's New Media Operations manager from his 2008 campaign; and Lindsay McCluskey, president of the United States Student Association.

The event was presented by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in cooperation with the Student Advisory Council.

Pictured: Front row, left to right: Julian Fox, SGA member; Caroline Horvitz, SGA treasurer and student trustee-elect; and Bridgette Woodcock, SGA vice president. Back row, left to right: Assistant Dean of Student Services Greg Clement, SGA advisor; Christina Lajoie, student trustee; Grace Santos, SGA member; Edwin Martinez,SGA president; and Elizabeth Cox, SGA secretary.

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Students Participate in Monument Park Restoration 

Through three days of wind and rain, high school students in MWCC's Division of Access and Transition's Educational Talent Search and Upward Bound Math and Science programs spent part of April vacation restoring Monument Park in downtown Gardner. The students assisted Ralph Hogan, an AmeriCorps member, who coordinated the effort as a service project.  

Hogan and the students from Gardner and Athol high schools started planning the project in October, working with Gardner Municipal Grounds Director Mike Gonyeo, who suggested Monument Park based on its location.  

For three days, the group sanded and repainted the park's Civil War cannons and picnic tables, planted grass seed, raked, put down mulch and picked up trash to help the city's Municipal Grounds Department. Boxes on the bandstand also were painted. 

Hogan is a member of the AmeriCorps Job Ready Program, a partnership between MWCC and Fitchburg State University that address joblessness and job preparedness in North Central Massachusetts.  Through the program, Hogan works closely with the Division of Access and Transition.  

According to Hogan, the project was a way to teach the students about job preparation through two transferable skills - project planning and teamwork. "Our goal is to have them gain these transferable skills and to have this experience on their resume," he said. 

Rebeccah Sonn, assistant dean of Access and Transition, explained that the students were happy to volunteer. "The kids have been fantastic working through the rain and wind. They have had great attitudes and have been really excited to be a part of the project."  

Although the students gave up vacation to participate, Geraldo Perez of Gardner said he didn't mind. "It feels great afterwards. It feels good to do things for the park." 

As a reward for their participation, the students were treated to a trip to the New England Aquarium in Boston. 

In addition to Perez, students who participated in the restoration project include Jaysen O'Brien, Megan Reiser, Nicole Pelletier, Griselda Duran and Kassandra Salcedo, all from Gardner High School, and Edward Billiel from Athol High School. 

MWCC's Division of Access and Transition provided funding and staff for the project, while supplies were donated by Chair City Decorating and KFC/Taco Bell in Gardner.

- Kim Anderson 

Pictured: Jaysen O'Brien and Nicole Pelletier paint a naval cannon in Monument Park.

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Computer Graphic Design Exhibit Showcases Student Talent

Computer Graphic Design students Vilayphet Kruoch, Noah Chicoine and Julianna Thibeault won the top awards during the department's annual spring exhibit and awards ceremony on April 21. Chicoine and Thibeault won Best of Show in the print category for Chicoine's personal stationary and Thibeault's poster of Gandhi. Kruoch won Best of Show for the web category for her Spadyssey website design. The event is a juried honors exhibition of over 125 student design projects from both the print and web design programs.
 
Associate Professor Leslie Cullen, chair of the Computer Graphic Design department said more than 60 awards were presented in 29 categories.

Prior to the ceremony, a reception was held for the students, their family and friends and other guests. The exhibit will remain on display through early September.
 
In addition to the best of show awards, the following students received awards:
 
Print Advertisement: Emily Carr, best of category; Dan Provost, honorable mention;
Promotional Email: Kristal Thomas, best of category; Noah Chicoine, honorable mention;
Magazine Design: Maegan Beauchamp, best of category; Carina Morand, honorable mention;
Logo Design: Curtis Croteau, best of category; Shelby Skoronski, honorable mention;
Identity Design: Noah Chicoine, best of category; Josh Nichols, honorable mention;
Classic Type Piece: Maegan Beauchamp, best of category; Eduardo Franco and Josh Nichols, honorable mention;
Illustrated Poster: Julianna Thibeault, best of category; Zak Stoddard, honorable mention;
Promotional Poster: Justin Zanghi, best of category; Carina Morand, honorable mention;
Photomontage (3 panel): Katherine Tonet, best of category; Jonathan Van Dyke, honorable mention;
Awareness Subway Panel: Alexander Gyles, best of category; Luke Leblanc, honorable mention;
Website Design 1 Page: Tim Tucker, best of category; Phil Learmonth, honorable mention;
DVD Cover: Julianna Thibeault, best of category; Jim Bures, honorable mention;
Package Design: Maegan Beauchamp, best of category; Curtis Croteau, honorable mention;
Digital Photography: Art Mehrtens, best of category; Matt DeFeo, honorable Mention;
Brochure: Carina Morand, best of category; Curtis Croteau, honorable mention;
Miscellaneous Print: Emily Carr, best of category; Curtis Croteau, honorable mention;
Digital Photo Art: Art Mehrtens, best of category; Emily Joy Ashman, honorable mention;
Illustrated Interface: Emily Carr, best of category; Katherine Tonet, honorable mention;
Event Web Page: Tom Yang, best of category; Trudy Baranowski, honorable mention;
Information Website: Kari Winfield, best of category and honorable mention;
Entertainment & Event Website: Jennifer Leavitt, best of category; Kristal Thomas, honorable mention;
Business Websites: Vilayphet Kruoch, best of category; Ken Cadieux and Kari Winfield, honorable mention;
Nonprofit Organization Website: Eric Beaulieu, best of category; Fabiola Salvant, honorable mention;
Portfolio Website: Kristal Thomas, best of category; Ken Cadieux, honorable mention;
Flash Animation: Ken Cadieux, best of category and two honorable mentions;
Flash Websites: Ken Cadieux, best of category; Tyler Gould, honorable mention;
Ecommerce Website: Noah Chicoine, best of category; Kristal Thomas and Noah Chicoine, honorable mention;
Miscellaneous Web: Sarah Northup, best of category; Ken Cadieux, honorable mention.
  

- Kim Anderson

Pictured: Vilayphet Kruoch, Noah Chicoine and Julianna Thibeault, winners of Best of Show awards in this year's Computer Graphic Design Spring Exhibit.

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Honors Program Students Present Research on Health, Nutrition and Sustainability

MWCC students enrolled in this spring's Honors Colloquium, "Health, Nutrition and Sustainability," presented their research findings during the 17th annual Undergraduate Research Conference, held April 22 at UMass, Amherst, as well as during the Honors Program luncheon on April 14 at MWCC. 

In its second year, the colloquium is taught by Dr. Tom Montagno, biology professor, and Raeann LeBlanc, nursing professor, and is part of the Honors Program coordinated by Sheila Murphy, professor of psychology and human services. The course explored the historical, cultural and political influences on food in the U.S., food sources and the provision of food as well as the health implications of these influences.  

According to LeBlanc, the course gave students the opportunity to conduct research on topics of interest, including probiotics; the history and future of community gardens; implications of chemical additives on human health; food additives such as sweeteners, preservatives, vitamins, acids, food coloring and flavor enhancers; and the carbohydrate hypothesis in relation to obesity and disease. 

The course has been so successful, it will now be offered to students outside the Honors Program, Murphy said. "It was so well received, it will now be offered as a regular college course so that any student can take it as a biology elective."

- Kim Anderson

Pictured: Andrea Gendron, Stephanie Cross, Jesse Roberts and Ann Reynolds were among the 20 Honors Program students participating in the 17th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference on April 22 at UMass, Amherst. They presented on the history and future of community gardens, a project developed during the Health, Nutrition and Sustainability Honors Colloquium this semester.

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Garrison Center, ECE Students, Celebrate Week of the Young Child

"Children care about what's close to their hearts and their minds."  These words, spoken by Early Childhood Education Associate Professor Maureen Provost, served as the perfect opening of the 5th Annual Children's Art Show at MWCC's Garrison Center for Early Childhood Education on April 13. This year's show, celebrating the Week of the Young Child, embodied and illustrated the theme "5 Years of Celebrating Children and the Arts."
     
The show, a collaboration between the Early Childhood Education Department and ECE Club, the Garrison Center for Early Childhood Education staff, MOC Head Start, and the MWCC Computer Graphic Design department, featured a number of original art pieces created by children attending the Garrison Center, as well as note cards on sale by the ECE Club, and advertisement posters designed by Computer Graphic Design student Katherine Tonet.

Artwork on display included sponge paintings, fly swatter paintings, paintings representing the children's favorite colors, balloon paintings, and paintings made using the wheels of toy cars and trucks among numerous others.  As an added bonus to the show, visitors were invited to try their hand at truck painting and creating clean mud.

In addition, the center's youngest children were fortunate enough to create their own clay birds with Professor Joyce Miller, chair of MWCC's Art Department, and the students in her ceramics class. The "flock" was incorporated into the exhibit.

Jim Garrison, chair of MWCC's Board of Trustees and Garrison Center benefactor, attended the event in support of faculty, staff, and the young artists alike.  "It's amazing the variations of media they use," said Mr. Garrison. "It really helps them get a broad perspective."

ECE students enrolled in education classes taught by professors Maureen Provost, Department Chair Dr. Rosanne Morel, and Dr. Maryann Kane, along with other MWCC students, completed approximately 300 hours of service learning in cooperation with this year's art show.  Equally important, these individuals have given the youngest members of the MWCC community the opportunity to see their works of art displayed for their teachers, mentors, friends, and family members.

"I love this time of year," said student Trustee Chrissy Lajoie, an ECE major and student teacher. "It makes me so happy to see the families come show their support for this artistic endeavor." 

- Caela Provost 

Pictured: Jim Garrison, chair of MWCC's Board of Trustees, visits with Juliana Martinez, a student in the Garrison Center for Early Childhood Education, during the center's fifth annual Week of the Young Child art exhibit.

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MWCC Art Department Presents 29th Annual Regional Exhibition of High School Art 

Students from 16 area high schools participated in the 29th Annual Regional Exhibition of High School Art, sponsored by MWCC's Art Department. The exhibit concluded with an awards presentation April 14 in the East Wing Gallery. More than 340 pieces of work were submitted. Cash prizes were presented to 13 students, and a number of students from throughout the region received honorable mentions for their work.

The exhibit featured work in both two and three dimensions, including drawings, photographs, painting, graphic design, collage, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media.

"The Annual Regional Exhibition of High School Art is one of the most popular exhibits," said Joyce Miller, chair of MWCC's Art Department. The pieces were judged on originality and artistic technique by Miller, Art Professor John Pacheco, and Associate Professor of Art Tom Matsuda.

Students receiving cash prizes included Amberlynn Narvie and Naomi Oka, Wachusett Regional High School; Zachary Mafera, Cushing Academy; Ryan Barba,  Gardner High School; Sarah Robinson, Monadnock Regional High School; Keri Gardner and Nicole Skinner, Oakmont Regional High School; Sam Peckham, Quabbin Regional High School; Michael Raspuzzi, Leominster High School; Leah Rosenfield; The Bromfield School; Danica Germain, West Boylston High School; and Chris Chambers, ConVal Regional High School. Annie Trowbridge from West Boylston High School received the Art Club Award.

- Kim Anderson

Pictured: A painting by Michael Raspuzzi of Leominster High School, one of many winners in the 29th Annual Regional Exhibit of High School Art.

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Employees Recognized During 2011 Service Awards Celebration

President Daniel M. Asquino and the Human Resources department honored employees who reached milestone years of service with the college during the 16th Annual Employee Service Awards Ceremony on April 20 in the North Cafe. Collectively, the group contributed 570 years of service to students and the community.

In addition to the service awards, MWCC announced the recipients of the 2011 Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance, and the recipients of the college's inaugural da Vinci Parachute Award.

Don Knower and Heather Layton were presented with the Commonwealth Citation. Knower, who supervises the college's print shop, was recognized for numerous attributes, including his expertise, work ethic and professionalism delivering quality, affordable and timely products campus-wide during three decades of service. Layton, director of grants development, was lauded for securing multiple major grants over the past year totaling more than $4.2 million to create new programs and enhance existing ones that provide support services to students.

MWCC initiated the da Vinci Parachute Award this spring as a way to recognize employees who demonstrate innovation and creativity.  The recipients for individual awards were Heidi McCann coordinator library services, and Sheila Murphy, professor of human services/psychology and Honors Program coordinator. Among McCann's accomplishments were the creation and implementation of the information literacy component for most of the courses taught at MWCC along with her volunteer work on campus and in the community.  Murphy, as a member of the Civic Engagement team, dedicated numerous hours of forward thinking and developmental work toward a more civically engaged campus as well as volunteering for multiple organizations in the community.

The group da Vinci Award went to the Media Services department - Art Collins, director, and Chris Chouinard and Ben Mertzic, audiovisual technicians, for integrating new media, software ideas and practices to accommodate the needs of faculty and staff, along with the development of "Page AV" and other initiatives. 

Dean of Academic & Instructional Technology Vincent Ialenti and Professor Kenneth Takvorian were recognized for 40 years of service to MWCC.
 
Don Knower, John Pacheco and Mary Plummer were recognized for 30 years; Kathleen Suchocki was recognized for 25 years; and Rosanne Morel, Patricia Sabulis and Madhu Sharma were recognized for 20 years of service.

Employees recognized for 15 years of service: Denise Bolduc, Edna Gray, Susan LaBonte, William Land Jr., Ann Marshall, Kathleen McGinn, Jo-Ann Meagher and Jacqueline Shakar.
 
Employees recognized for 10 years of service: Dana Armstrong, Eleanor Gauthier, Constance Helstowski, Deborah Holland, Angela Lunn-Marcustre, Joyce Maynard, Heidi McCann, Anthony Semidey, Paul Swerzenski and Tina Wilson.
 
Employees recognized for five years of service: Candice Conner, Peggy Dow, Dawn Fontaine, Andrew Goodwin, Amy Kendrick, Janice Keskula, Kathleen Laperriere, Heather Layton, William Lefrancois, Thomas Matsuda, Kathleen Panagiotes, Charity Parker, Marsha Poor, Ellen Pratt, JoEllen Soucier, Tammy Tebo and Collene Thaxton.

Pictured:  President Daniel M. Asquino, with da Vinci Parachute Award recipients Heidi McCann, Sheila Murphy, Art Collins, Ben Mertzic and Chris Chouinard.

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Upcoming Events

Coexist a film about the genocide in Rwanda, will be shown on Wednesday, April 27 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the North Café. The film depicts the experiences and perspectives of victims, perpetrators, and survivors of the genocide, and the challenges Rwandans face as they try to end the cycle of violence that has caused catastrophic loss, incalculable suffering, and continued fear in their country. Refreshments will be provided. The film is co-sponsored by the Diversity Committee, Human Resources and Student Life. Those wishing to attend are asked to register by phone at extension 0 or by e-mail at information_center@mwcc.mass.edu.

Psychology students in Professor Sheila Murphy's class will host a Suicide Prevention Awareness Day on Thursday, April 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Commons area. Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), a suicide recognition and intervention workshop, will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Murphy Conference room. At 12:30 p.m., student Emily Shaffer will perform a modern dance interpretation, followed by a panel presentation of agency representatives and those impacted by suicide. The event will feature representatives from MWCC's Counseling and Health Services departments, along with area agencies including North Central Human Services, LUK Crisis, the Samaritans, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program. In addition, Susan Blauner author of How I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying to Kill Me: One Person's Guide to Suicide Prevention, will have copies of her book available. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the college.

Gardner Mayor Mark P. Hawke will be the guest speaker during the Alpha Beta Gamma Induction Ceremony on Friday, April 29 in the South Café. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Reservations are required. For tickets, contact Professor Linda Bolduc, ABG advisor, at 978-630-9385.

Love fresh vegetables but short on space? Consider planting and harvesting your own produce at The Community Garden at MWCC. Applications are now being accepted for 30 plots, located adjacent to the MWCC Fitness & Wellness Center. Now entering its third growing season, The Community Garden is sponsored this year by W.E. Aubuchon Co., Inc., and MWCC. Gardeners of all levels of experience may participate and are encouraged to bring their own tools. Tools also will be available on site for those who need them. The cost is $20. To apply for a plot, go to www.mwcc.edu/communitygarden or call 978-630-9262 to request an application form.

The Pathways Early College Innovation School at MWCC, which enables high school juniors to enroll full-time in college-level courses to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and an associate degree, is hosting a series of information sessions for prospective applicants. Twenty seats are available for the academic year beginning Sept. 6. Information sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 2 to 3 p.m. on May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 and June 7 and 14; and on Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. on May 4, 11, 18, and 25, June 1, 8, and 15. All sessions will take place at the Gardner campus, 444 Green Street, in the Murphy Conference Room. To register for an information session, call 978-630-9248.

Water to the People, MWCC's first United Way Youth Venture team, will discuss a plan to provide filtered water on campus during a presentation on May 5, at 3:30 p.m. in the Commons. The team, consisting of members Andrew Tataronis and Joe Berube, will present their project to UWYV panelists in order to receive funding for the project.

The spring Business Capstone Presentation by students enrolled in Dr. Michael Greenwood's Strategic Management course will take place Friday, May 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Frank Hirons multi-media complex, room 127. This semester, MWCC served as the students' "client," with Robin Duncan, vice president of Marketing and Communications, and Brenda Schelling-Biggs, director of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness, working with the class to develop the final case study analysis. A reception will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the formal presentation at 9. 

The academic achievements of MWCC students will be celebrated Thursday, May 12 during the
annual Evening of Excellence. The event will take place at the Four Points by Sheraton, Leominster and will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and an awards ceremony. Students will be honored with merit and scholarship awards during this special ceremony. For more information, contact Jackie Suhoski at 978-630-9142.
 
MWCC's Dental Hygiene Pinning Ceremony will take place Friday, May 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Raymond M. LaFontaine Fine Arts Center. Dr. Esther Wilkins, author and renowned periodontist and dental hygienist, is the keynote speaker. Graduates will be pinned and freshmen will recite the Dental Hygiene Oath.
 
MWCC's 46th Commencement will take place Thursday, May 19 at 6 p.m. in the Fitness & Wellness Center. Author Ben Coes will deliver the commencement address. <mbers of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society will conduct the 8th annual "Project Graduation" food drive. All graduates and their guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the rehearsal or ceremony, which will be donated this year to the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center in Gardner.
 
MWCC's 38th Annual Nurse Pinning Ceremony will take place Friday, May 20 at 6 p.m. in the Fitness & Wellness Center. Students will be welcomed into the profession by having the program's nursing pin fastened to their lapels by a fellow nurse, a family member, a friend, an alumnus of the program, or a faculty member.
 
Another Opening, Another Show, an exhibit exploring the 35-year history of Theatre at the Mount, is on display 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.
 
MWCC is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: Clinical Laboratory Science: May 24, 4 to 5 p.m., Heywood Hospital; Dental Hygiene: May 18, 2 to 3 p.m., Burbank campus, room 204; Physical Therapist Assistant: April 26, 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, room 204; A.S. Nursing: May 19, 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, room 204; and Practical Nursing Certificate: May 17, 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 interested in attending an information session 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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