Mount Wachusett Community College News & Events

Friday, March 28, 2008

 

GOOD MORNING AMERICA NEWS ANCHOR RON CLAIBORNE TO DELIVER 2008 COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

By Janice O'Connor

Ron Claiborne

Ron Claiborne, news anchor for ABC News’ weekend edition of Good Morning America, will deliver the 2008 commencement address at Mount Wachusett Community College. MWCC’s 43rd commencement ceremony will be held Thursday, May 15 at 6 p.m. at the college’s Fitness & Wellness Center.

“We are delighted to welcome Ron Claiborne to our campus this spring,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “His extensive experience covering national and world events for ABC News and his perspective on issues that affect us all complement the college’s goal of developing in our students a strong sense of global awareness and civic involvement.”

Claiborne joined ABC News in 1986 as a general assignment correspondent based in Boston, reporting for World News Tonight, Nightline and Good Morning America. He was part of the ABC News team that won a 2000 Emmy Award for coverage of the seizure of Elian Gonzalez in Miami. In 2003, Claiborne was embedded on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln in the Persian Gulf during the Iraq War, and also covered the first Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991. He is currently assigned to covering the presidential campaign of Senator John McCain.

In addition, Claiborne has covered such stories as the legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts, the Boston Catholic Church scandal in 2002, the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and the Yugoslavia conflict in Belgrade in 1999. He previously worked in ABC’s New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami news bureaus, and has covered stories in Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, China and Europe.

A native of San Francisco, Claiborne earned a master’s degree in journalism from the Columbia University School of Journalism and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Yale University. Earlier in his career, he worked as a reporter for the New York Daily News, and was a reporter and editor for United Press International in New York.

MWCC AND NICHOLS COLLEGE LAUNCH BUSINESS DEGREE PROGRAM

MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino and Nichols College President Debra M. Townsley have created a new "A to B" Business Program that will enable students to attend MWCC for three years before transfering to Nichols for the fourth year to earn a bachelor's degree.

Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino and Nichols College President Debra M. Townsley have established an “Associate’s to Bachelor’s” Business Program (“A to B”) to begin in fall 2008. The joint business program combines the benefits of an MWCC associate’s degree with the advantages of a Nichols bachelor’s degree.

Presidents Aquino and Townsley signed the new program agreement during a brief ceremony on Wednesday, March 26 at MWCC’s Gardner campus.

Under the agreement, MWCC students who enroll in the “A to B” Business Program will be jointly admitted to Nichols. After earning an associate’s degree in business at MWCC, students will complete a third year of business coursework at MWCC, then transfer all 90 credits – equal to three years – to Nichols College and pursue a bachelor of science in business administration degree in their fourth year. Program flexibility is a significant advantage to the student, as fourth-year coursework taught by Nichols professors can be completed on the MWCC campus, on Nichols’ campus in Dudley, or through Nichols’ online program. Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher while enrolled in the program.

Students enrolled in the A to B business program will save money by completing their third year of studies at MWCC. Further, there are significant career benefits associated with being a Nichols graduate. One in 10 Nichols alumni is a president, CEO, or business owner, and 96 percent of the class of 2006 was employed within six months of graduation with an average annual salary of $40,000.

“We are delighted to partner with Nichols College to provide this new opportunity for our business students,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “This agreement offers our students a seamless path to a highly regarded Nichols College business degree, at a tremendous cost savings.” The “A to B” agreement with Nichols is one of several new “3 plus 1” articulation agreements MWCC is developing with four-year colleges and universities to provide students with more options for pursuing a baccalaureate degree.

Nichols President Townsley added: “The agreement complements Nichols’ mission to transform students into tomorrow’s business leaders. We are immensely pleased that a MWCC business graduate now has an opportunity to become a Nichols College graduate.”          

For more information on the “A to B” Business Program, contact, Nancy Greenlaw, associate director of transfer services at Mount Wachusett Community College, (978) 630-9321 or ngreenlaw@mwcc.mass.edu or Rayanne Drouin, director of enrollment services for graduate & professional studies at Nichols College at (508) 213-2150 or rayanne.drouin@nichols.edu

MWCC DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENTS BRIGHTENING SMILES IN REGION

By Janice O'Connor

Dental hygiene students Kristin DeRuzzo and Lucy Merchant apply sealants to the teeth of a seventh grader at the B.F. Brown Arts Vision School in Fitchburg.

MWCC dental hygiene students participate in service learning projects that not only give them something to smile about, but are helping to create brighter, healthier smiles throughout North Central Massachusetts.

Under the direction of dental hygiene program instructor Ellen McCracken, the students implement Fitchburg SEAL, a school-based prevention program, at the B.F. Brown Arts Vision School in Fitchburg. Portable equipment is brought in to the school, transforming the auditorium into a temporary treatment center to conduct screenings and apply protective sealants and fluoride to the teeth of seventh-graders who have received parental consent. The program, now in its second year, also provides every seventh-grader with oral health information on such topics as topics such as protective tooth sealants, tobacco use, fluoride, nutrition, oral piercing and sports guard.

In addition to sealant application, a retention evaluation is being done in accordance with the Center for Disease Control to evaluate the eighth graders who received sealants last year, McCracken said. The MWCC students work in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Oral Health and the Community Health Connections Family Health Center in Fitchburg to ensure sustainability and expansion to serving all seventh graders in Fitchburg over the next three years.

This semester, MWCC students had collectively placed 277 sealants on 35 middle school students. “The long-term health benefits of the sealants last throughout the soda and candy years and into adulthood,” said Anne Malkasian, director of the dental hygiene program.

 “We’ve had such a wonderful relationship with The Mount on so many different programs. This one in particular provides a tremendous opportunity for our families to take advantage of this free service,” said B.F. Brown Principal Craig Chalifoux. “This is such a great preventive program.”

In addition to the sealant program, the dental hygiene students have provided oral health education over the past two years to various preschools, middle schools, nursing homes and assisted living residences, as well as at outreach centers throughout Leominster, Fitchburg and North Central Massachusetts.

As part of their community dental health practicum, the students are giving age-appropriate demonstrations to children and adults on oral health topics. The hygienists-in-training provided oral health screenings on preschoolers to detect any potential problems and information sheets were sent home to the parents. Three groups of students visited more than 200 preschool children who attend preschool programs at Fitchburg State College, the Guild of St. Agnes, Busy Bee, Bennett school and the YMCA. The students also made presentations at the Institute of Professional Practice in Westminster, Alternatives, Unlimited in Fitchburg, Our Fathers House Homeless Shelter and the Montachusett Outreach Center for Veterans. This year the students also will serve on a a mobile dental van sponsored by the Massachusetts Dental Association. The van travels around the state to provide dental care to those who otherwise would not have access to the services.

Christine Riccardi, who will be among the dental hygiene program’s graduates this year, said she has enjoyed the outreach efforts. “It takes us out and into the community, and it’s nice to be able to provide this service.”

 

More MWCC News:

Mount Wachusett Community College received the Wachusett Chamber of Commerce's first Environmental Impact Award during the Chamber's 93rd annual meeting and awards ceremony held March 26 at The Manor Restaurant in West Boylston. President Daniel M. Asquino accepted the award, which was presented by Robin Duncan, first vice chair of the Wachusett Chamber and assistant vice president of community relations at MWCC.

• The Advising and Counseling Center is sponsoring Choose a Major Week March 31 through April 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students are encouraged to stop by the center to receive advising about selecting a major. Career assessments, transfer programs information, and degree requirements will be available for students. A raffle will be conducted for a $25 bookstore gift card. Contact the center at (978) 630-9568 for more information.

• Employers from throughout the area will be on campus on Wednesday, April 2 to participate in the 2008 Job Fair, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Commons.The Job fair provides a wonderful opportunity for students to meet with employers and to explore career opportunities in a wide range of fields, including business, human services, computer information systems, computer graphics and criminal justice. Participating employers include Citadel Broadcasting, the Department of Corrections, Fidelity Bank, GFA Federal Credit Union, Great Brook Valley Health Center, PNF Global Financial Group, Seven Hills, T-Mobile, the U.S. Department of Justice, Y.O.U., Inc. and many others. A raffle for Red Sox tickets will take place. For more information, contact Patricia Brewerton at (978) 630-9254.

• MWCC's Institute for Nonprofit Development is hosting a Town Hall Meeting for Nonprofit Organizations on Thursday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, 860 South Street, Fitchburg. The free event will provide an opportunity for representatives from nonprofit organizations to meet, network, collaborate and take action around national priorities for the nonprofit sector. The Town Hall is part of the Nonprofit Congress, an initiative of the National Council of Nonprofit Organizations. The program will be facilitated by Susan Nicholl of the Massachusetts Network of Nonprofits and Michael Weekes of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, also known as the Providers Council. The event is being co-sponsored by the INPD, and the Providers Council, a member of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations.

• The offices of Admissions and Student Life will welcome more than 200 accepted students and their families at the annual Admitted Student Reception and Spring Fling on Friday, April 11. the event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature a continental breakfast, a presentation on "Making College and career Count" by Monster.com and campus tours. Student Life is also hosting a barbecue lunch, music group Mass-Conn Fusion and novelties that will include airbrushed hats, big chair photos and caricature drawings. For more information, contact the admissions office at (978) 630-9284.

• Professor Nola Sapienza, chair of the Fitness Leadership and Exercise Science department, MWCC alumnus Martin Morock and MWCC Community Scholar Jessica Putney provided information about health and fitness and free Body Mass Index screenings during Wellness Fair 2008. The March 24 fair featured numerous exhibits and demonstrations and kicked off a week of wellness activities sponsored by the Wellness Committee and Human Resources

  The 26th Annual Regional Exhibition of High School Art will take place April 7 through April 18 in the East Wing Gallery of the Raymond M. LaFontaine Fine Arts Center. The show includes the works of more than 200 students from 17 local high schools. MWCC Art Department faculty will judge the pieces and award cash prizes to individual students at a reception on Thursday, April 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. All are welcome to attend the reception.

• The Advising and Counseling Center is sponsoring Registration Week April 7 through April 11 to encourage continuing students to register early for the summer and fall semesters. An advising booth will be set up to provide students with information on the advising process.

• MWCC's Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety and Heywood Hospital are co-sponsoring "Teen Space- What You Don't Learn in Text Books" on Wednesday, April 16 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at MWCC's Gardner campus. The free event for teens and parents will feature a healthy choices resource fair, presentations, door prizes and more.

• Alumni from MWCC's Early Childhood Educatino program will return to campus on Wednesday, April 16 to participate in an Early Childhood Education Career Panel. The program, sponsored by the Advising and Counseling Center, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in room 127. Alumni will discuss their career path, current positions and experience. For more information, contact the center at (978) 630-9568.

• Members of Theatre at the Mount’s youth theatre will present 10 performances of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr in April. The 39 performers, ages 8 to 18, will take the stage for the general public on Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m. and 2p.m. Special matinees for school groups will be presented on April 15, 16, 17, and 18 at 9:30 a.m. and at 12 noon. Join Alice’s madcap adventures in Wonderland as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game! Classic Disney songs like “I’m Late,” “The Un-birthday Song” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” will have the whole family singing along! All tickets are $6 and may be purchase by calling the TAM box office at 978 632-2403 or online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu

• Registrations are now being accepted for the spring Saturday Morning Classes for Kids, offered through the Division of Lifelong Learning & Workforce Development. Course topics include cooking, scrapbooking, health and safety, board games, bookmaking, babysitting, calligraphy, Lego engineering, online video game making and more. Classes run on three consecutive Saturdays beginning May 3, from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information or to register, contact Enrollment Services at (978) 630-9123.

• Free 2007 income tax preparation services will be offered to eligible area residents at MWCC's Gardner and Leominster campuses. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is being offered on Thursdays through April 10 at the Gardner campus and on Fridays through April 11 at the Leominster campus. Appointments can be made by contacting Denise Whitney at (978) 630-9124 or dwhitney@mwcc.mass.edu. The VITA program, an initiative of the IRS, is a service-learning project for MWCC business students coordinated by the Division of Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development and the Business Department.

• The enrollment center is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: Clinical Laboratory Science: April 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Heywood Hospital, Dining Room B; Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing: April 15 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Gardner campus, room 341; A.S. Nursing: April 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Practical Nursing Certificate program: April 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Complementary Health Care: April 28 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Dental Hygiene: April 2 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Burbank Hospital, Fitchburg. Prospective students interested in attending an information session are asked to call the enrollment center at (978) 630-9110 (TTY (978) 632-4916), or send an email to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu