THREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO RECEIVE SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARDS AT MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S 38th COMMENCEMENT

 

May 7, 2003

(GARDNER) - As part of Mount Wachusett Community College’s "Decade of Civic Engagement," the college is honoring three Service Above Self Award recipients who are the very embodiment of civic engagement: Richard A. Cella of Richard A. Cella Law Offices; Kathleen J. McDermott, executive director of Montachusett Opportunity Council, Inc.; and Daniel P. Moen, president/CEO of Heywood Hospital, during the college’s 38th Commencement ceremony, Thurs., May 22 at 6 p.m. in the Fitness & Wellness Center.

" We are proud to honor three members of our community who have so strongly supported the college’s civic engagement initiative and who are so active in their communities," said Daniel M. Asquino, president of MWCC.

The Service Above Self Awards recognize those who have made significant contributions to MWCC and to the North Central Massachusetts region the college serves. “Mount Wachusett Community College promotes civic responsibility in its students and community leaders,” said Asquino. “As our graduating students celebrate commencement, we award Service Above Self Awards to recognize those community leaders who have demonstrated this type of commitment. Despite their demanding schedules, they have all carved out time to serve others and contribute to the social capital of the region. This is something we should all strive to do."

Attorney Richard A. Cella has supported MWCC through his participation on the Board of Directors of the MWCC Foundation, Inc., which provides scholarships to deserving students and supports needed community programs and activities. He was recently appointed Secretary, serves on the Investment Committee, and is Chair of the Golf Tournament Committee, which annually raises funds for the Arthur F. Haley Scholarship Fund.

He has also served as: member of the Board of Trustees of UMASS Memorial Health Alliance; president and member of the Board of Directors, North Central Chamber of Commerce; member of the Board of Directors, Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce; and member of the Board of Directors, Amafar Corporation, NY.

Kathleen J. McDermott has been executive director of the Montachusett Opportunity Council (MOC) Inc., the officially designated anti-poverty Community Action Agency serving North Central Massachusetts, since 1984. During her tenure, the agency has developed several new initiatives. Recently, McDermott was instrumental in initiating the Community Health Connections Family Health Center and Dental Service, a federally designated community health center for the greater Fitchburg/Leominster/Gardner area.

MOC is known for meeting the changing needs of the region by listening to the community, planning strategically, using new approaches and collaborating with other organizations. MOC receives $15 million in federal, state, and local funding and employs 300 people. Programs the agency administers include childcare and Head Start, education and employment, asset development, healthcare, energy conservation, housing, transportation, nutrition, youth and elder services.

She has served as: president of the Board of Directors, Community Health Connections Family Health Center; member of the Board of Trustees, UMASS Memorial Health Alliance; chair of the Longterm Care Board, UMASS Memorial Health Alliance; co-chair of the Joint Coalition on Health; president of the Board of Directors, North Central Massachusetts Community Reinvestment Act Coalition; and member of the Board of Directors for North Central Workforce Investment, Greater Gardner Community Development Corporation, Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation Inc., and the Center for Health and Development.

As President/CEO of Heywood Hospital, Daniel P. Moen has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to the region. He serves in leadership roles with several agencies, addresses healthcare concerns that affect the hospital and the community, and collaboratively provides community health programs through Heywood Hospital to improve overall health of those in North Central Massachusetts. Community health programs include: the GHAP program for the uninsured, support groups and classes, the Community Health Series, Project Safe Kids and the Joint Coalition on Health, working to improve health and well-being to the underserved in North Central Massachusetts. Also, Moen has formed innovative collaborations with MWCC and other organizations to provide educational opportunities that locally address the nursing shortage.

He has served as: a member of the Board of Directors, chair of the Committee on Finance, and member of the Executive Committee, Massachusetts Hospital Association; chair of the Board of Directors, Massachusetts Association Insurance Agency; member of the Board of Directors, LaChance Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing; and former chair of the Board of Directors, Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Gardner Division of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts