MWCC

July 23, 2012
In This Issue
Christine Eck Appointed Student Trustee
MWCC and Rivier University Establish New Transfer Agreements
Area Law Enforcement Officials Recognized for Providing Internship Opportunities
MWCC's Summer UP Program Enters 8th Year
Theatre at the Mount Nominated for 18 DASH Awards
Upcoming Events
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TopChristine Eck Appointed Student Trustee

President Asquino and Student Trustee Christine Eck
President Asquino and new Student Trustee Christine Eck.

Human Services major Christine Eck was sworn in as Student Trustee on July 10. Eck, a Barre resident, was elected by her peers this spring to the one-year position on the Board of Trustees.


As student trustee, Eck serves as a full voting member on the 11-member board. She said she was encouraged to seek the position by former Student Trustee Caroline Horvitz, who graduated in May.


Eck has previously served as secretary of the Student Government Association, and serves as vice president of the Human Services Club. Among her activities this past academic year, Eck spoke before Congressman John Olver and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas in May during a forum on student financial aid and attended the first Massachusetts Public Higher Education Advocacy Day in March to meet with legislative staff to discuss a variety of issues affecting college students. She is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and serves as a student ambassador.


Attending college as an older student "opened a whole new door for me," said Eck. "Like any student, I came expecting to learn and study and take everything in." Her professors and fellow students encouraged her to become more proactive and involved.


"I've met so many individuals who encouraged me to step up."  

Eck is married to Herman Eck, chief forester for the Quabbin/Ware River Region for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. They have three children ages 10 to 19, including a son who studies Criminal Justice at MWCC.

MWCC and Rivier University Establish New Transfer Agreements
Mount Wachusett Community College and Rivier University have established several new transfer opportunities for students interested in the fields of history, political science, nursing, criminal justice, and photography. The transfer agreements enable MWCC graduates in these programs to seamlessly transfer credits to Rivier to earn a bachelor's degree. Beginning with the upcoming academic year, eligible students will be guaranteed admission as juniors to Rivier, located in Nashua, N.H.

"This new partnership with Rivier opens new opportunities for Mount Wachusett students to further their education," said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. "We are pleased to partner with Rivier to expand academic options for students interested in careers in these fields. These transfer agreements are ideal for students interested in advancing their career opportunities through higher education."

"We welcome transfer students from Mount Wachusett to the Rivier University community. This partnership will allow for a seamless pathway to a bachelor's degree and beyond for graduates of Mount Wachusett," said Sister Paula Marie Buley, IHM, President.

Students who continue at Rivier through the Transfer Articulation Program (TAP) are generally able to complete their remaining requirements for the bachelor's degree in two years full-time, or four to six years of part-time study.

Students completing an associate degree in liberal arts with a concentration in history or political science with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher can transfer into Rivier's Bachelor of Arts in History or Political Science degree programs. An acceptance of up to 90 credits will be transferred from MWCC.

Licensed registered nurses who graduated from MWCC's Associate of Science Nursing program with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 can transfer to complete a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Graduates of MWCC's Criminal Justice program and Criminal Justice Corrections track program with a grade point average of 2.0 can transfer into the bachelor's degree program in Criminal Justice at Rivier.

Graduates of MWCC's Broadcasting and Electronic Media degree program with a photography concentration and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 are eligible to transfer into Rivier's Photography and Digital Media bachelor's degree program.

For more information and academic advising assistance, contact MWCC Transfer Counselor Limari Rivera at 978-630-9197 or limari_rivera@mwcc.mass.edu.

Area Law Enforcement Officials Recognized for Providing Internship Opportunities 

Law Enforcement officials with CJ MajorsLaw enforcement officials from throughout the region provided internship opportunities for a number of MWCC's Criminal Justice majors during the spring semester. To thank them for providing real-life, career experiences for the students, department chair Reed Hillman presented certificates of appreciation during a recent gathering on the Gardner campus.


The interns completed a minimum of 120 hours over the 15-week semester at several sites including the Westminster, Fitchburg and Shirley police departments, the Leominster District Court Probation Department, and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office.


"The internships are a great way for students to gain experience while making connections that can lead to jobs," said Hillman, former commander of the Massachusetts State Police.


Pictured: Area law enforcement officials were recently recognized for providing internship opportunities to Criminal Justice students during the spring semester. Pictured, front row: Chief Salvatore Albert, Westminster Police Department, alumnus and advisory board member; Elizabeth Daigneault, Chief Probation Officer, Leominster Court; Mark Leary, Worcester County Sheriff's Office; Sgt. Glenn Fossa, Fitchburg Police Department; Professor Reed Hillman; Sgt. Peter Violette, Shirley Police Department and an MWCC alumnus; Matt Beaudet, Worcester County Sheriff's Office; Back row: MWCC Criminal Justice students Corey Cavaioli, Pamela Wood, Miranda Hamel, Chad Stateler and Derek Gyles.


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MWCC's Summer UP Program Enters 8th Year
Summer Up 2012 at the Spanish American Center
President Asquino recently visited Summer UP participants and  program counselors at the Spanish American Center in Leominster.
 Local students participating in MWCC's Summer UP program at the Spanish American Center in Leominster recently welcomed President Daniel M. Asquino, who stopped by to visit the group and the center's executive director, Neddy Latimer.

 

Three of the students, Taisha Lopez, who will be a junior at Leominster High School, Christian Flores, who is going into the eighth grade at Skyview Middle School, and Lyzander Rivera-Navarro, who is entering the fourth grade at the McKay Campus Elementary School in Fitchburg, presented President Asquino with a Summer UP t-shirt and shared their thoughts on the program.

"Working at the Spanish American Center for Summer UP brings many opportunities," said Lopez, who is serving her first year as a counselor and previously attended the daily activities when she was younger. "The Summer UP program not only helps teens, but also smaller kids because it gives them something to do in the summer."

Sponsored by the Division of Access & Transition and now in its 8th year, the program provides 120 of area high school and middle school students with jobs as camp counselors. The counselors, who earn a stipend, work with MWCC staff to provide supervised recreation activities for area school children of all ages, who attend the free activities. The four-week program is designed to provide supervised activities that include special field trips for the counselors, as well as meaningful community service projects. With the support of many community partners, Summer UP is running at eight sites this year. In addition to the Spanish American Center, other park sites include Riverside Village in Leominster; Coolidge Park, Longsjo Middle School, Parkhill Park and Green Street Park in Fitchburg; and Olde English Village and Jackson Street Park in Gardner.
Summer UP at Jackson Street Park
Gardner Mayor Hawke, center, with particpants and counselors at the Jackson Street Park site.

 At the Jackson Street Park site in Gardner, Mayor Gardner Hawke recently paid a visit to show his support to the students and the program. This year, the city allocated $10,000 to the program as a way to enhance the city's summer programming by supporting a successful program already in place.


In addition to MWCC, this year's sponsors include the cities of Gardner, Fitchburg and Leominster; VFW Ovila Case Post 905, The Gardner News; the Gardner Deep Sea Club, the Napoleon Club, Knights of Columbus, Circle Track Social Club, the Acadien Social Club, Yen Yen Restaurant, Gardner Fish & Gun Club, the Polish American Country Club and the American Legion Post 129, all of Gardner; the Spanish American Center in Leominster; Girouard Fence Company of Hubbardston; Project Bread of East Boston; ACP Communications Corp of Stoneham; R.C. Rheault Construction of Oxford; Allied Flooring & Paint of Agawam; and M&I Carpet Cleaners & Upholstery of Southbridge.

Theatre at the Mount Nominated for 18 DASH Awards
Theatre at the Mount's Children of Eden
Theatre at the Mount's production of Children of Eden.
The Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres (EMACT) recently announced the nominees for the 2011 - 2012 "DASH" Awards (Distinguished Achievement and Special Honors). Of the 122-plus productions entered in the competition, Theatre at the Mount received nominations in 18 categories, including:  

 

Children Of Eden
* Best Stage Management (musical) - Gail Allen
* Best Specialty Ensemble in a Musical - the "Animals"
* Best Set Design for a Musical - Jeff Boisseau
* Best Supporting Actress in a Musical - Melissa Gates
* Best Costume Design for a Musical - Mary Ann Allen
* Best Director (musical) - Chris Casello
* Best Music Director - Dave Twiss
* Best Production (musical)


Beehive: The 60's Musical
* Best Costume Design for a Musical - Amanda Feeley
* Best Make-up and Hair Design for a Musical - Steve Cristofono


A Year With Frog And Toad
* Best Youth Actor in a Musical - Merrick Henry


Fiddler On The Roof
* Best Supporting Actor in a Musical - Garrett Zecker


Father Of The Bride
* Best Supporting Actor in a Play - David Allen Prescott
* Best Youth Actor in a Play - Merrick Henry


Rent
* Best Supporting Actor in a Musical - Chris Casello
* Best Sound Design for a Musical - Jeff Boisseau
* Best Lighting Design for a Musical - Jannelle Boisseau
* Best Ensemble Performance in a Musical - the cast of Rent


Award winners will be announced at the "DASH" Awards Gala to be held on Saturday, August 25 at Cary Hall in Lexington Centre. Tickets for the event and a complete list of the nominees are available on the EMACT website: www.emact.org.

 

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Upcoming Events

MWCC is hosting a series of advising and registration events to provide new and prospective students with a one-stop opportunity to streamline the enrollment process in preparation for the upcoming fall semester. During the Smart Start Registration events, newly accepted and prospective students will receive academic advising, assistance with course selection and information about financial aid options. Assessment testing, student IDs and information about academic technologies also will be available. The half-day events will take place at the college's main campus in Gardner at 9 a.m. on July 25, Aug. 7, Aug. 11, Aug. 14 and Aug. 16 and at 3 p.m. on Aug. 15; on the Devens Campus at 5 p.m. on Aug. 8; and on the Leominster Campus at 5 p.m. on Aug. 13. For more information or to register for a Smart Start event, call the Office of Admissions at 978-630-9110, go online at mwcc.edu/rsvp or email admissions@mwcc.edu

 

facebook and twitter logosThe Summer Business Luncheon Training Series, with a focus on social marketing, continues with the following sessions: "Profitable E-mail Marketing Strategies" on July 27; "Trailblazing with Twitter" on Aug. 10; and an overview on ways to obtain training grants through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund program on Aug. 24. All social media sessions take place from 12 to 1 p.m. in the North Café at MWCC's Gardner campus, 444 Main Street. The Workforce Training Fund session will take place from 12:30 to 1:30. The cost for each session is $10 when pre-registered or $13 at the door and includes a complimentary lunch. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register for one or more sessions by calling MWCC's Division of Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development at 978-630-9575 or email training@mwcc.mass.edu. 


Summer Programs for Kids & TeensKids looking for something to do? There's still plenty of summer camp fun remaining at MWCC! Upcoming Summer Programs for Kids and Teens include Archaeology, Spotlight on Musical Theatre, Art Explorers, Art School for Teens and Art for a Day beginning the week of July 30; and Movie Making, An Instrument a Day, Art for a Day and MWCC's Glee, in August. Sports camps include Field Hockey Camp the week of Aug. 6, and tennis lessons the week of Aug. 13. For more information or to register for a course, contact the Division of Lifelong Learning & Workforce Development at 978-630-9525 or visit the website at mwcc.edu/continuing

Theatre at the Mount is tickled pink to present Legally Blonde The Musical in August. Based on the hit movie, Legally Blonde The Musical is a fresh and effervescent evening of musical fun, stylishly wrapped up in a smart pink bow! Elle Woods is the college sweetheart and homecoming queen who doesn't take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her for someone 'serious,' Elle puts down the credit cards, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. The production stars Ashley Beck of Clinton as Elle Woods, and also features Ryann Brown, Chris Casello, David Allen Prescott, Sumner Pratt, Jeannie McGartland, Shani Farrell, Chelsea Young, Laurie Marcinkewicz, Amanda Carpenito, Francis Free, and Rachel Twiss. Performances are Aug. 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 8 p.m., and Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for evening performances, $15 for the matinee, and $10 for MWCC students and children under 17. For tickets and reservations, call the box office at 978-632-2403 or purchase tickets online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu.
 
"Bike Wachusett," an event sponsored by the MWCC Fitness & Wellness Center's Multi Sport Team, will take place Sunday, Sept. 16. Beginning at 8 a.m. at the Fitness & Wellness Center, riders may participate in a 31, 50 or 101 mile bike ride. Families and friends are invited to enjoy a day of riding through area towns. Rest stops with water and snacks will be available along the routes for riders. For more information or to register, go to www.mwccmultisportteam.org or contact the Fitness & Wellness Center at 978-630-9212.
 
MWCC is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: Automotive Technology: Aug. 8 from 5 to 6 p.m., Gardner Campus, Murphy Conference Room; Associate Degree in Nursing: Aug. 22 from 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner Campus, room 204; Practical Nursing certificate: Aug. 8 from 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner Campus, room 204. Prospective students interested in attending an information session are asked to call the Admissions Office at 978-630-9110 (TTY 978-632-4916), or email admissions@mwcc.mass.edu.


To submit to the MWCC e-News or request coverage for your event, contact the Public Relations Office at 978-630-9547. Archived issues of Mount Wachusett Community College e-News can be found online at http://mwcc.edu/marketing/news-public-relations/

Janice O'Connor
Director of Public Relations
Mount Wachusett Community College
978-630-9547
joconnor@mwcc.mass.edu