African American History Month Events Set to Inspire
"Lifting as We Climb" is the month-long theme for MCCC's observance of African American History Month. A packed schedule of events includes presentations by inspiring African American leaders, dance and other entertainment, and an open house that explores the cultures of Africa. Details here.

MCCC to Host College Goal Sunday 2012
College faculty and staff will volunteer at College Goal Sunday on Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. to help low-income families and first-generation students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The event takes place at nine locations throughout the state, including MCCC's James Kerney Campus. For further information click here, or contact Bilquis Zaka at 609-570-3217.

Save the Date for MCCC's Spring Fundraiser April 2
April is National Community College Month -- the perfect time to show your support for MCCC.  The MCCC Foundation has changed its Annual Dinner Dance Gala to Spring Into Student Success! The community is invited to come and network, enjoy the talents of music and horticulture students, bid on exciting items in our Silent Auction, and participate in our Raffle -- all to raise crucial funds for scholarships and student support. The big event takes place Monday, April 2, at 6 p.m. at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village. Click here for information on tickets, advertising and sponsorships.

Tribute to Legendary Basketball Coach Howie Landa 
A committee chaired by former MCCC Athletics Director/Professor Emeritus Al Leister is organizing a tribute to MCCC's legendary former men's basketball coach, Howie Landa. Plans include fundraising to inscribe his name on the gymnasium floor, and hosting a ceremony Sept. 15 to unveil the court in the gym, followed by dinner at the Conference Center. The committee is searching for alumni and retirees who would like to participate and reunite with Landa, who will attend the event with his family. Details here.

CCS Offers Full Range of Classes for Adult Learners
As people explore new career options in an uncertain economy, MCCC's Center for Continuing Studies (CCS) offers an abundance of courses and certificate programs. The full Spring course bulletin is linked here.  For details on programs in health care, click here. For more on business programs click here.

For those seeking to learn culinary techniques from the pros or add exciting new recipes to their household menus, the CCS Culinary Center at MCCC's West Windsor campus offers evening and weekend courses through May that range from baking, to international cuisine, to creating tasty, low fat meals. Details here.

RWJ Grant to Fund Scholarships
MCCC has received a $50,000 grant from the Princeton-based Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to support the Jim and Fannie Floyd Scholarship Fund, designated for the most needy students. The first Floyd scholarship was granted this fall to Gwendolyn Alexander, a returning adult student and Funeral Service major who hopes to own a funeral home in the future. More here.

Twenty-Six Celebrate Nursing Graduation
On Jan. 18 the Nursing Program hosted a pinning ceremony for 26 new graduates at Kelsey Theatre, with Director of Nursing Madeline Gervase presiding. Class valedictorian Vi Hoang thanked her husband for helping her through the difficult course work. She has two young children. Photos here.

MCCC's Oldest Student Profiled
Jeanne Calo, a former professor at The College of New Jersey, has been taking art classes at MCCC for more than 20 years. Now 95, Ms. Calo and her professor, noted artist Mel Leipzig, were featured in the Trenton Times recently.  Read the story here.

Fire Science Transfer Agreement Signed
MCCC has entered into a transfer agreement with Holy Family University. Graduates of Mercer's Fire Science Technology program will be able to continue their education and earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fire Science and Public Safety Administration in just four additional semesters at Holy Family. More here.

Holocaust/Genocide Resource Center's New Co-Directors
The Mercer County Holocaust/Genocide Resource Center, located on the second floor of the Library, has announced new co-chairs. MCCC Assistant Education Professor Elizabeth DeGiorgio and Susan Goldberg of the Lawrence Township schools are currently planning new programming for the spring semester. More here. 

Elizabeth Bondurant Brings Policing Experience to the Classroom
Former Plainsboro Police Chief Elizabeth Bondurant finds her new role as a professor of Criminal Justice at MCCC to encompass "all of the positive and none of the negative" aspects of her former career in policing. She notes that her best moments as a police administrator were spent mentoring others. More here. 

Carla Fallone Teaches Entrepreneurship Locally and Globally
Carla Fallone has taught business courses at MCCC since 2007, including the grant-funded Entrepreneurial Training Program for the Unemployed, an intensive 60-hour course for those who want to start their own small business. This fourth generation businesswoman also brings her expertise to the world. Her most recent destination was Kenya, Africa, to help the women of a very poor area learn to launch, run and grow a business. More here. 

The Winter Viking is Here!
MCCC's Winter Viking newsletter for alumni and friends contains abundant news and information. Read it here.

Alumni Success:

Paul Jones completed high school in June 2011. Just six months later, he graduated with highest honors from MCCC with an associate degree in Liberal Arts. While taking a Java Programming course at Mercer, Jones made the decision to major in Computer Science. He is continuing at Rutgers University. Full story here. 

Juan Chavez-Valdes, a 2008 Business Administration graduate, completed his bachelor's degree in Finance and Economics at Pace University, and works at TD Bank, where he is a financial services representative. With a flair for numbers and problem solving, he enjoys helping people with their banking needs. He returned to campus recently to talk to students about the banking industry. More here.

Klaus Thalinger is a small businessman and a flight instructor, but first and foremost, he is a pilot. A 2002 Aviation Flight Technology graduate, he is chief of everything as the owner/operation of Airlink LLC, a seaplane service and flight instruction company based in Waterville, Maine. More here.

Jeffrey Yuhasz a 1989 Radio graduate, is the Contractor Insurance Programs Supervisor of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He graduated cum laude from Whitman College in 1999 with a B.A. in English and a minor in comparative religion. He then went on to the University of Washington School Of Law on a full scholarship, and graduated in 2002 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence. Yuhasz credits Mercer as the first rung on his ladder to success. Read his full story here.