HCC Receives Grant
For Advanced Mfg. Center

Housatonic has been awarded a share of a $17.8 million grant, which it will use to create The HCC Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center for Southwestern Connecticut at the college. The center will expand the college's manufacturing education capability to give students the 21st century knowledge and skills needed by today's manufacturers. It will feature a manufacturing lab, an engineering/design studio, and a welding lab to be used to support the college's credit and non-credit manufacturing courses. U. S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal headlined a panel of speakers at a news conference announcing the event.

New Manufacturing Ctr.

Wins Editorial Praise

HCC's Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center has won kudos from the weekly Trumbull Times. "Today's manufacturers require specialized skills and training," said a Times editorial. "Housatonic's new program will be among the finest in the state at teaching those skills" The editorial went on to laud the spirit of cooperation that resulted in the $17.8 million grant that will fund the project's completion. "Educators and local, state and federal politicians shared the (news conference) stage with machinists and shop foremen." the editorial continued. "And most importantly, no one was concerned about who got the credit. This manufacturing center is a tribute to hard work and common goals."

HCC Prof. Discusses
Connecticut Indian Wars

Housatonic Community College Professor David Koch discussed Indian Wars in Connecticut during a recent talk at the the Monroe Public Library. Early in its history, Koch noted, the state saw bloody battles, both between Native American tribes and between natives and colonists. His talk focused on two of these: King Philip's War and the Pequot-Mohegan War, which ended in a battle fought in Fairfield in 1637. The talk is one of 11 appearances Koch will make at various venues in the area.

Sociology Prof. Quoted

On Trailer-Park Living

HCC Sociology Professor Henry Schissler was interviewed by the Connecticut Post recently on trailer-park living. In the interview, Schissler pointed out that there is a stigma to trailer-park living that stems from our culture's obsession with status and status symbols. "People who live there are thought to be white trash," he said.  "People believe you have to possess certain things to have worth. It's gotten worse in recent years, with people wearing brand name labels to impress," he added. The article ran in the Post, Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time.

NY Sculptors Exhibit On Display in Museum

Sculpture in the 21st Century, an exhibit featuring work by members of the New York Sculptors Guild, will be on display at the Housatonic Museum of Art through March 23. The founding of the Sculptors Guild in 1937 was an important moment for Modern sculpture in America and Guild members have ranked among the most prestigious and significant artists of the past seven decades. A reception for the artists will be held Sunday, Feb.  26 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Burt Chernow Galleries. This event is open to the public at no charge.