Happy Holidays!
On behalf of the Board and staff of MCCC, a very happy holiday season to you, and our best wishes for 2011.

Spring Semester to Begin Jan. 24
MCCC will welcome its students back for the Spring Semester on Jan. 24. All are encouraged to register early for the best course selection. Click on "Browse Credit Courses" here.

CCS Offers Computer Training
Focusing on applicable skills and professional growth, MCCC's Center for Continuing Studies is offering a wide spectrum of noncredit business and management courses this winter, taught by experts in their fields. A Spring Program Information Session is set for Wed., Jan. 5 at 6 p.m in the MCCC Conference Center. More here.

You are Invited to "La Bella Notte," the 2011 Dinner Dance
MCCC's annual Dinner Dance Gala is set for Saturday, March 26 at the Hyatt Regency Princeton.  The community, alumni and friends of the college are cordially invited. A committee of volunteers is now seeking sponsorships, ads and donations for the silent auction. For more information contact Amy at 609-570-3293.

MCCC Addresses Depression and Suicide Prevention
Dr. Valerie Brooks-Klein, a counselor in MCCC's Student Success Center, presented a workshop for students on "Resilience and Hope: Depression and Suicide Prevention Strategies" during "It Gets Better Week" with numerous activities designed to enhance outreach for students who may be at risk. Photos here.

Students Inducted Into Foreign Language Honor Society
At a Nov. 23 ceremony, 12 students were inducted into Alpha Mu Gamma, the Foreign Language Honor Society.  All had achieved at least a 3.25 cumulative average in a foreign language for two semesters. Each student gave a brief presentation in the language courses he or she is studying. Entertainment was provided by a current student and a recent graduate. Faculty members Steve Richman and Dan D'Arpa facilitated the event.

Radiography Announces New Equipment/Lab
Courtesy of a Carl D. Perkins federally-funded grant, MCCC's Radiography Program has received state-of-the-art digital radiographic equipment to enhance instruction. Replacing conventional film-based radiographic units, the new equipment displays images on a computer monitor. More here. 

Event Endows Scholarship; Honors Jim and Fannie Floyd
"Floyd Fest" committee members recently presented a check for $35,000 to endow the Jim and Fannie Floyd Scholarship Fund at MCCC. Mr. Floyd, a member of the college's Foundation Board for more than 30 years, devoted his life to education. The event was held at the Nassau Inn Oct. 17, and drew 180 guests.  More here.

Celebrity Sighting at MCCC!
Last season's "Top Chef" winner, Kevin Sbraga, made a surprise visit to the MCCC Culinary Center in November to enjoy a meal prepared by students, who took turns assuming all of the roles in a restaurant--from chefs to waiters to dishwashers. Sbraga sampled a variety of items from a menu that included salmon, skirt steak, homemade pasta, lamb chops, chocolate mousse, cheesecake and more. Photos here.

Phi Theta Kappa Inducts 107
Mercer's Alpha Theta Gamma Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for Two-Year Colleges inducted 107 students Nov. 11 at Kelsey Theatre. Guest speaker Maria Palar, president of the PTK Middle States Region, spoke about scholarships and other opportunities for members.

MCCC Plays a Big Part in "Ceramics Invitational"
For its December/January "Ceramics Invitational," Trenton's Ellarslie Museum selected seven pieces of ceramic art by MCCC Associate Professor Michael Welliver, and the work of seven of Welliver's students. The show runs through Jan. 2 at the museum, located in Trenton's Cadwallader Park. More here.

A Rewarding Soccer Season for First-Year Coach Povia and Players
Two games during the regular season foretold a satisfying ending for the men's soccer team. Under new coach Larry Povia, the Vikings regained the Region 19 title and earned a 7-0 record in the region and a 13-4 record overall. More here.

Two Soccer Players Selected As All-Americans
MCCC soccer player Kadeem Dacres, a sophomore midfielder, has been named a First Team NJCAA All-American. He was named the Region 19 Men's Soccer Player of the Year and was selected to the Region 19 and Garden State Athletic Conference First Teams this fall.

On the women's side, freshman forward Cristina Alonso was named a Second Team NJCAA All-American. Alonso was named the Region 19 Women's Soccer Player of the Year and was selected to the Region 19 and Garden State Athletic Conference First Teams this fall. More here.

New Athletics Facebook Page
Keep up with sports news and photographs! Click "Like" at MCCC's new Athletics page on Facebook here.

Alumni Success Stories:

For MCCC alumna Michele Green '82 (AAS, Advertising Design), art was not a choice, but a calling. She notes that artists are "blessed with a gift, and burdened with a desire to relay the mind's images." Green's paintings have been featured in Delaware Today and Outdoor Delaware magazines and one of her landscapes hangs in the home of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. More here.

Susan Dilts '01 (AS, Nursing) has always embraced a deep compassion for others. Today, as a charge nurse at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, she plays a key role in helping patients reintegrate successfully into the community. Assessing total patient care, monitoring medication, and problem solving on the spot are just some of the myriad skills she has mastered over the years. More here.

What's Coming to Kelsey Theatre
 

Dec. 17-21: "The Nutcracker" and "El Sueno"