MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Fri., Apr. 23, 2004

MWCC AND SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE HONOR 11 UNSUNG HEROES

By Lea Ann Erickson

2004 Unsung Heroes with MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino and Sentinel & Enterprise Publisher Asa Cole

Eleven “Unsung Heroes” were celebrated at an event at Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC), Thurs., April 22. (download PDF to read profiles of all eleven heroes) Over 160 attended the event, which was co-sponsored by the Sentinel & Enterprise. “We are proud to be honoring these eleven individuals who epitomize the quiet and generous gifts of many of our citizens,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. Sentinel & Enterprise Publisher Asa Cole proclaimed the event, “a very good news story,” adding, “we recognize these folks who go about their daily lives and make our communities better.”

The event also featured remarks from Roger Cram, founder of SSSSH (the Secret Society of Serendipitous Service to Hal). The organization, based at Hiram College, is in memory of Hal “Hooper” Reichle who was killed in 1991 in the Gulf War while piloting a helicopter.
Reichle, a close friend of Cram’s was known for performing anonymous acts of kindness like shoveling snow for the elderly, painting houses of those who needed it or leaving money and gift certificates anonymously.

	Roger Cram

Cram called these deeds, “pulling a Reichle.” He urged the audience to begin “pulling Reichles,” and distributed calling cards to be left behind. The cards read: “You are the recipient of an anonymous good deed. This act of kindness was done in the name of Hal Reichle, a very kind and giving individual who performed anonymous acts of kindness for total strangers.”
Cram stressed that although Reichle was kind, what Cram loved about him was that he was a “rascal” and a “cross between John Wayne and leprechaun.”

To learn more about SSSSH (and print your own copies of their unique “calling cards,” visit their website: http://home.hiram.edu/hal/index.htm)

ALPHA BETA GAMMA INDUCTS 24 NEW MEMBERS

By Alpha Beta Gamma Secretary Kelly Clark

Caption: l to r: ABG Adviser Linda Bolduc, ABG Secretary Kelly Clark, ABG President Fran Misilo, ABG Treasurer paula Murphy and ABG Vice President Debra DeSando

Twenty-four Mount Wachusett Community College students were inducted into the Chi Gamma Chapter of Alpha Beta Gamma at its 14th Annual Induction Ceremony, Fri., April 16. In his keynote address to inductees, Adjunct Professor Robert McKean encouraged the future business leaders to be proactive and prepared for change during their careers. “The world in which we live is changing and we must take control and be able to alter our life course in order to be proactive and prepared rather than reactive to sometimes uncontrollable situations,” said McKean. To illustrate his point, McKean explained how he had found himself complacent during his 18-year banking career and how he thought he didn’t need more formal education in order to perform professionally. “Reality came crashing down” when the FDIC took over and closed the financial institution. “Armed with my limited education after a career in the military, I found myself a guppy in a sea of sharks,” McKean continued. “I decided…to make sure that I would never again be put into the situation of not planning ahead…I entered an accelerated Bachelors degree program and followed this by obtaining a Master in Business.”

McKean urged the inductees to become empowered by the knowledge they gained at the Mount. “I strongly feel that no matter where your life paths may lead, the lessons learned here at this wonderful college will empower you to be able to take control of your lives on a level that you may not have thought possible,” said McKean.

Alpha Beta Gamma was organized in 1970 as a national Business Honor Society for Community, Technical and Junior College students. The three-fold goal of Alpha Beta Gamma is to recognize and encourage scholarship; provide for leadership training and development; and to foster cooperation among men and women who are advancing their professional business careers. Dedicating themselves to those goals, the group organized and participated in the following successful events on campus:

• Civic Engagement Dinner with Sheila O’Brien from NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services),
• 2 bake sales
• A raffle
• Donated hats, mittens and several holiday gifts to local needy children, donated to the student government holiday food drive,
• Launched a website for our chapter: http://abg.mwcc.edu
• Provided a $200 scholarship to an active member who is continuing their education.
• Six members took part in the student government association’s Leadership Training Workshop in October and two members participated in the Tools For Change Conference held in March at UMASS Amherst.This year’s inductees:

Jacqueline Aubuchon
John Bell
Dennis Carney
Kelly Clark
Jennifer Comeau
Michele Croce
Ellen Ciavola
Debra DeSando
Tara Forest
Sheri Greeno
Donald Gilberti, Jr
Dawn Grigarauskas
Nalda Herrara
Claret Klontz
Konny Ly
Robert Marcoux
Donna Martin
Paula Murphy
Laurie Pearson
Cheryl Pluta
Shelly St Cyr
Katherine Sweatt
Suzanne Thomas
Dane Wilson

Campus Events:

• Project Greater Opportunities (GO) is hosting a series of early college planning sessions. The federal TRIO program, funded by a Department of Education grant administered by the college is hosting the events to give students and families a better understanding of college preparations, course selection and the financial aid process. Project GO representatives will be at BF Brown Middle School, Mon., April 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium to meet with BF Brown and Academy Middle School students and their families. Students and families of Gardner and Murdock Middle Schools can participate in a session at the college, Mon., April 27 at 6:30 p.m. in room 127. Clinton Middle School will host a session with Project GO, Mon., May 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Refreshments will be served at all of the events. For more information, call 978.630.9248

• The college is hosting a free financial aid workshop at its Leominster campus Tues., April 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The hands-on workshop will feature everything students and parents need to know to fill out the FAFSA.

• The Wachusett Folk Café is back! Tickets are now on sale for the much anticipated reopening of the folk music venue. Carol Noonan will appear on stage, Friday, May 14, at 7:30p.m. Carol Noonan seems to exist beyond time... Noonan has forged a distinctive, dreamy, style that is as breathtaking as her rich alto voice... Noonan's voice has an alluring Dronal feel. Her mostly somber originals become transporting, even elegant. Her sustained notes open gorgeously like a young Joan Baez. Tickets: $14 in advance and $16 at the door. Tickets may be purchased on line at http://wfc.mwcc.edu/ or at the box office at 978.632.2403. Box Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00a.m. to 12:30p.m. and 1:15p.m. to 2:00p.m. Online tickets may be purchased via credit card (MC, VISA or Discover). For more information, call Diane Hamilton at 978.630.9387.

• The Mount Wachusett Community College Campus Police in conjunction with the Governor’s Auto Theft Strike Force will offer Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching, Wed., April 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in parking lot B. By permanently etching your windows with a VIN number, your vehicle is less likely to be stolen and the VIN number can help in recovering the vehicle. In addition, most auto insurers will offer a 15 percent discount on comprehensive insurance of vehicles with VIN etching. Cost for the service is only $10 (cash only). For more info, call 978.630.9150.

• A “Celebrating Our World,” event will be held on campus, Wed., April 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Desserts from around the world, workshops and a performance by INCA Sun will be featured. The Student Government Association, Multicultural Awareness Committee as well as the college’s Civic Engagement and Service Learning initiative are sponsoring the free event. For more information, call 978.630.9252.

• The college will host a free Spring Fling and Freshman Reception, Wed. April 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event is designed for students who have applied to and been accepted to the Mount for fall 2004. The day will give incoming freshmen the opportunity to meet with staff, tour the campus, learn about student clubs and activities, attend a barbecue, listen to music, participate in giveaways and much more. For more information, call Angela in admissions at 978.630.9181.

• Working full-time? Find out how you can earn your Early Childhood Education Associate Degree in three years by attending weekend courses once or twice a month in combination with convenient online courses. Free Information sessions will be held Wed., April 28, Mon., May 17 and Wed., June 9. All sessions will be held in the Murphy Conference room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Gardner campus. Schedules for this option begin in the fall and are planned in advance so students will know exactly what is expected of them for the entire program. No cancelled classes. To pre-register, call Missi Howlett at 978.630.9273 or email her at mhowlett@mwcc.mass.edu. Learn about the program, schedule and financial aid opportunities and see an online learning demonstration. For more information about the program, go to http://earlychildhood.mwcc.edu

• One of the most successful musicals in history opens Fri., April 30 at Theatre at the Mount in Gardner, Massachusetts. Godspell is based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew and was originally conceived by John-Michael Tebelek with music by Stephen Schwartz. The play features Eric Wefald as Jesus and Anthony Kirouac as John the Baptist and Judas. Ensemble members include Angela Pelletier, Liz Coakley, Sheila Bell, Fatima Elmi, Britney Steele, Craig Cormier, Chris Cassello, Tom Hardy and a chorus of twelve singers. Performances are scheduled for Fri., April 30, Sat., May 1, Fri., May 7 and Sat., May 8 at 8:00 p.m. and Sun., May 2 at 2:00 p.m. and a special “Mother’s Day” matinee on Sun., May 9 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for Godspell are $18 for evening performances and $15 for matinees. For tickets, call the box office at 978.632.2403 or purchase tickets online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu

• Boston’s WBZ 4 sportscaster Steve Burton is slated to deliver Mount Wachusett Community College’s 2004 commencement address, Thurs., May 20. “Burton devotes much of his free time in service to others,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “I think our graduates will enjoy hearing what he has to say and we are proud to be welcoming someone who has made a commitment to giving back to community.” Burton is a sports anchor and reporter for CBS4 News on CBS4 and for sister station UPN38 in Boston. A New England native, he joined CBS4 in August 1994. Prior to that Burton worked as a sports anchor and reporter for New England Sports Network (NESN) since 1988. While at NESN, Burton hosted the pre and post game shows for the Boston Red Sox. Raised in Framingham, Massachusetts, Burton grew up in a sports family. His father, Ron Burton, played for the New England Patriots football team. Young Burton graduated from Framingham High School, where he was the quarterback for the school’s football team and went on to play quarterback for Northwestern University.

• Tickets are SOLD OUT for the THE NEW SENIOR DAY (for adults 50 and over), hosted by MWCC’s LIFE program and the Gardner Council on Aging and sponsored in part by Fallon Community Health Plan. Entertainment, vendors, health screenings and speakers will be at the Colonial Hotel, 625 Betty Spring Road, Gardner, MA on Thurs., May 27, 2004. Festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. with luncheon served between 11:30 a.m. and noon. Cost is $5. Eight-year old Mackenzie Melemed, “The Little Piano Man”, has performed over 125 concerts; he plays, composes music, and sings and was recently honored on Channel 4 TV as a Hometown Hero for outstanding accomplishments in New England. Registration for this event will be held at the Gardner Senior Center, 70 Waterford St., Gardner. Office hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact Lorraine Wickman at 978. 630.9176 or by email at lwickman@mwcc.mass.edu.

• The Fitness & Wellness Center at Mount Wachusett Community College is offering two sessions of the Red Cross lifeguard certification course. The next session will run in May on Mon., Wed., & Thurs. from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (no class on May 31st). Course will lead to Red Cross certification(s); Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR for the FPR, AED, and Waterfront module. Cost: $230.00 for non-members and $200.00 for members. Re-certification fee is $100.00. Register at the Fitness & Wellness Center or call 978.630.9212 for further information.

Lea Ann Erickson
Director of Community Relations
Mount Wachusett Community College
Phone: (978) 630-9322
Fax: (978) 630-9561
cell: (508) 517-5202
l_erickson@mwcc.mass.edu

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