Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009
Lt. Governor, Dept. of Higher Education, Convene Conference on New GI Bill
By Janice O'Connor
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Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray |
Nationally, college enrollment among veterans is expected to increase by 30 percent as a result of the expanded educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which went into effect on Aug. 1.
To help campus officials develop strategies to best serve the influx of student veterans, Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray, the Department of Higher Education, the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services and Mount Wachusett Community College sponsored the conference “Promoting Veteran-Friendly Campuses Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill” on Friday, Oct. 16. More than 150 representatives from colleges across the Commonwealth attended.
“We are doing everything we can to stay true to the legacy of Massachusetts being the best state in the country in providing services and programs to its veterans,” Lt. Governor Murray said. Since 1944, GI Bills have transformed the country by providing access to education and the new bill continues to represent “a tremendous opportunity for the Commonwealth, our country and your campuses,” he said. The expanded benefits “will help transform lives and will let the men and women who serve know we appreciate their service.”
The conference focused on a topic “that is very, very important for our country and all of us,” MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino said. “We need to support our veterans and those individuals who have given so much to our country.” On a personal level, Asquino recalled that it was a GI Bill that enabled him to attend college as a young father “and in essence, be where I am today.”
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Commissioner Richard M. Freeland and Thomas G. Kelley, Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services also addressed the attendees.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is offering generous support for educational expenses to the two million veterans who have served in the years following the 2001 terrorist attacks. To be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, veterans must have received an honorable discharge and served at least 90 aggregate days on or after Sept. 10, 2001, or have been discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 continuous days.
Based upon the length of service, veterans are entitled to receive a percentage, up to 100 percent, of the following: The cost of tuition and fees up to the highest in-state undergraduate rate (to be paid directly to the college or university); a monthly housing allowance; and a textbook stipend up to $1,000 per academic year.
The new bill includes several other provisions that make it more flexible than the previous bill in meeting the needs of today’s service men and women. Additional items include an eligibility timeframe extended from 10 years to 15; no $1,200 contribution required to participate in the benefit; and a provision to transfer benefits to a spouse or dependents.
Elizabeth O’Herrin, assistant director for outreach and communication for the American Council on Education delivered the keynote address, outlining a variety of approaches and strategies that campuses can utilize to integrate services for veterans and also assist students transitioning to college from active-duty service. Among her recommendations: build a strong web presence geared toward veterans; establish a specific contact person on campus for veterans; expand housing options, if applicable; implement a tuition deferment plan to accommodate the veterans while the VA processes a backlog of applications; and provide clear information regarding military transfer credits.
Conference participants also had the opportunity to ask questions of a panel of experts. Panelists include M. Seamus Harreys, associate vice president and dean of enrollment and career services at Northeastern University; Victor Nunez Ortiz, outreach coordinator for the Statewide Advocacy for Veterans Empowerment; Elizabeth O’Herrin; and John Powers, founder and CEO of Operation Vets.
Rehabilitation Center for Wounded Combat Veterans Dedicated
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Members of the Montachusett Regional Vocational School Marine Corps Junior ROTC exit the rehabilitation center to make the presentation of colors. |
Military officials and veterans, Massachusetts state legislators and business, community and education leaders gathered to dedicate the Northeast Veteran Training & Rehabilitation Center, an all-inclusive program for wounded combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The $8 million center is being constructed by the Fitchburg-based nonprofit organization Veteran Homestead, Inc. on the campus of Mount Wachusett Community College.
“Our veterans don’t ask for or need pitying. They’re strong and proud,” Leslie Lightfoot, chief executive officer of Veteran Homestead, Inc., told a gathering of nearly 300 attending the Oct. 16 dedication and tours of the center. Yet the realities of combat trauma have left many struggling with physical and psychological wounds. “Here, they will find hope for the future and a pathway to get there,” she said.
Community colleges came of age following World War II, and continued to grow in numbers over the decades to serve veterans returning from the wars in Korea and Vietnam, making the construction of the NVTRC on a community college campus a most fitting location, President Asquino remarked. “And once again, for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, we are welcoming them. We are merely giving back and thanking them for the privilege of serving them.”
Massachusetts Secretary of Veteran Services Thomas G. Kelley, who attended the center’s groundbreaking ceremony in September, 2008, noted that the incoming residents of the rehabilitation center are “going to be part of the Mount Wachusett family.” He thanked Lightfoot and the Veteran Homestead team for having the vision to create the center. “Once again, they’ve risen above and beyond.”
Veterans who have suffered loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries, post traumatic stress and/or disfiguring burns while serving the country in Iraq and Afghanistan and their spouses will have access to housing, rehabilitation services, academic programs and campus amenities. In lieu of payment for the lease, Veteran Homestead is providing the college with internship opportunities for students enrolled in nursing and allied health programs.
In August, 2008, the Massachusetts Legislature approved a bill allowing the college to lease 10 acres on its 269-acre campus in Gardner to Veteran Homestead, Inc. to build the center, funded through numerous grants and donations. Construction of the rehabilitation complex and condominium community of 10 two-bedroom apartments began last fall and is expected to open in January 2010. Construction of 10 additional housing units is slated for 2010.
The center is considered a model that can be replicated on other college campuses. In keeping with Mount Wachusett’s existing renewable energy sources, the buildings are being constructed to meet LEED certification and are being equipped with geothermal heating and cooling and photovoltaic panels for electricity.
The ceremony also included remarks from State Senator Stephen M. Brewer, who introduced the land lease bill; State Representative Harold P. Naughton, Jr., an Iraq veteran and chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs; Richard S. Earley of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services; Brigadier General Loree K. Sutton, M.D., director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) and Major General Joseph C. Carter, Adjutant General for the Massachusetts National Guard.
Veteran Homestead is now accepting applications for residency at the center. For information, contact Program Director Michelle Wilmott at (978) 353-0234.
- Theatre at the Mount will present the children’s musical Busytown on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. This hilarious and heartwarming musical, based on the classic books by Richard Scarry, will delight the entire family. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased by calling the box office at 978 632-2403 or online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu
The Student Government Association’s executive board and advisor Greg Clement, assistant dean of student services, attended the annual Community College Leadership Conference on Cape Cod Oct. 15 and 16. The students participated in workshops, team building activities and system-wide competitions. MWCC placed second out of the 15 Massachusetts Community Colleges, raising $1,051 for the Heifer Project International. SGA President Bryan Klink was recognized for his outstanding contributions to student leadership at MWCC. Pictured, from left, Bryan Klink, SGA president; Greg Clement, SGA advisor; Edwin Martinez, student trustee; Kristopher Ambrozewicz, SGA vice president; Betsy Cox, SGA secretary; and Taryn Holly, SGA member.
- Theatre at the Mount is offering a Theatre Dance Workshop for teens called “The 10 Steps Every Theatre Kid Should Know,” on Saturday, Oct. 24. This program will teach the basics of musical theatre dance and choreography by introducing the fundamentals such as turns, kicks and jazz squares and is appropriate for dancers of all levels. Theatre at the Mount choreographer and TAMY judge Chris Casello will lead the workshop. Students may register for either the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. session, or the 1 to 3 p.m. session. The cost is $20. Space is limited and online registrations are currently being accepted at www.theatre.mwcc.edu. For additional information, contact Professor Gail Steele at 978-630-9162.
- Discover MWCC and College Majors Expo will take place Thursday, Oct. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Commons. The event will provide the opportunity to meet with professors about program requirements, ask alumni about their experiences and learn about the college's career counseling services. For more information, call the Enrollment Center (978) 630-9284 or email: admissions@mwcc.mass.edu.
- MWCC’s Campus Activities Team for Students (CATS) and Student Life office will sponsor the annual Scary Karaoke night Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the North Cafe. Faculty, staff and alumni are challenged to come in costume and ready to sing. There will $100, $70,$30 cash prizes for best costumes. There will also be $100 door prize every hour. The free event is open to MWCC students, faculty and staff.
- MWCC Foundation will honor long-serving community volunteers J. Paul Gauvin and the Huhtala Oil Company as the 2009 Harold E. Drake, Jr. Citizen and Corporate Citizen of the Year during the Annual Foundation Dinner on Nov. 4 at the Colonial Hotel in Gardner. Outstanding MWCC students who receive foundation scholarship funds also will be honored. The Harold E. Drake, Jr. Citizen of the Year Award is presented in memory of Harold E. Drake, treasurer and former president of Royal Steam Heater Co. and Lynde Hardware & Supply, Inc. The award recognizes community members who exemplify Mr. Drake’s extraordinary commitment to the North Central Massachusetts region. Tickets to the Annual Foundation Dinner are $100 per person. A social hour will begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Reservations are required and may be made by contacting Jessica Connors at (978) 630-9387 or jconnors@mwcc.mass.edu
- The enrollment center is offering Information Sessions on a number of academic programs. Upcoming sessions will take place on the following dates: Associate Degree Nursing Program: Nov. 17 from 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Practical Nursing Certificate: Dec. 8 from 2 to 3 p.m., Gardner campus, Wetmore Wing, room 12; Dental Hygiene: Nov. 4 from 2 to 3 p.m., Burbank campus; Complementary Health Care: Nov. 16 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Enrollment Center; Clinical Laboratory Science: Oct. 21 and Nov. 18 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Heywood Hospital, Laboratory Education Area; Biotechnology/Biomanufacturing: Nov. 2 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Devens campus. In addition, general information sessions and tours take place on Mondays (except holidays) at 3 p.m. at the Enrollment Center. Prospective students interested in attending a biotechnology information session should contact Tami Morin at (978) 630-9578, (TTY (978) 632-4916) or tmorin@mwcc.mass.edu. Prospective students interested in all other information sessions are asked to call the Enrollment Center at (978) 630-9110 (TTY (978) 632-4916), or send an email to admissions@mwcc.mass.edu