00s Class Notes

Andrea Sargent (’00)
Matthew R. Amero (’00)
Nathan Jones (’01)
Wanda Pothier-Hill (’01)
Melissa Garneau (’01)
Michelle Collins (’01)

Matthew R. Amero (’00)

Matt managed a double major while attending the Mount. He was in the Broadcasting and Telecommunications program as well as the Video/Audio Production program. Matt now works in the field in Software Quality Assurance for a computer based non-linear digital video/audio editing company, Avid Technology, Inc. as a Software Test Engineer.

“I'm involved with the design and implementation of software test strategies,” Matt writes. “By working in conjunction with other engineers, I help to ensure that the products that Avid Technology offers are fully tested and approved for final customer shipment.”

“During my career at MWCC, I was involved with producing a series of public service announcements for the Mass. Department of Mental Retardation. This was a very rewarding experience that I will never forget. This is just one small example of how staff at the Mount have provided me with countless opportunities to learn about my chosen major.”

Matt attended Fitchburg State College immediately after graduation at MWCC where he completed his undergraduate study in video production. “This past summer ('02) I spent working as an intern for Avid Technology, Inc.,” he continued. “This internship was a graduation requirement for Fitchburg State College. My efforts paid dividends as Avid Technology decided to hire me full-time based on my performance. Now that my internship is complete I will continue to work full-time at Avid until I formally graduate in May '03.”

“My education at the Mount allowed me to almost seamlessly continue my education at Fitchburg State College. I was more than prepared for classes in my major and equally prepared for all other undergraduate requirements. My mentors included Tony Cherubini (Video Production), Arthur Collins (AV/TV Chief Engineer), and John Koller (Audio Production).

Nathan Jones (’01)

Nathan was a Liberal Arts student at the Mount, and is now about to enter second semester senior year at UMass Amherst. According to Nathan, his success is “thanks to the Joint Admissions program, which made transfer an efficient and easy process and ensured all credits would transfer and complete all UMass general education and diversity requirements.

“My major is Legal Studies, and I hope to graduate with an GPA of about 3.7. During my second semester here, I was selected for a Clinical Placement at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in Springfield, MA, where I managed and closed a caseload independently, with duties including determinations of jurisdiction and probable cause. It was a great opportunity to learn via a hands-on approach the details of practice and procedure of Civil Rights Law in this state, and the experience has led me to a desire to practice public interest law as a career. I am currently embroiled in the strenuous process of applying to law school, my first choice school being Northeastern University Law, due to its excellent public interest program and co-op based style. Thanks to the foundations I learned at MWCC, I will be a practicing attorney by age 25, and my horizons could not possibly have been more broadened.

MWCC Nostalgia: I would would very much like to thank my favorite professors: Mr. Morrill (Art of Being Human, American Literature I and II) and Mr. Marley (Creative Writing I and II) for stimulating my mind, imagination, and ambition.

Wanda Pothier-Hill (’01)

A graduate in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Wanda is currently employed part-time at MWCC in the Academic Support Center as a writing tutor. In addition, she works on-call for the Ashburnham Fire Department as an Emergency Medical Technician, and during the summer freelances as a photographer. Despite her busy schedule, Wanda is enrolled at Mount Holyoke College.

Wanda writes, “At MWCC my job is to assist students with their writing assignments and encourage them to think more independently and critically about their work. For the town of Ashburnham, my work as an E.M.T. is on an on-call basis. I respond to medical emergencies and provide patients with emergency care until they are safely transported to the emergency room.”

“My freelance photography is on a part-time basis. During the summer months I photograph equine events. During the remainder of the year I take on portraiture for Christmas photos, as well as pre-school photos. Most of my time, however, is dedicated first and foremost to my family, and secondly to my curriculum at Mount Holyoke College where I am an English Major.”

“MWCC has given me the education and the confidence to go on and further my education. Many of the professors that I have worked with have been a positive experience. I feel that many of these people truly want to see their students succeed, and they do their best to help them realize their goals. I know they have certainly been an inspiration to me.”

“When I first entered the college, I intended to only take a couple of courses to help me with my writing, but then I decided to try out a couple more classes and go for my General Education Degree. Before I knew it, I was enrolled in the Honors Program and had switched to the Liberal Arts and Sciences program with hopes of transferring to a four-year institution.”

“Now I am enrolled in one of the finest colleges in the nation (ranking in the top twenty colleges in the U.S.), Mount Holyoke College, and I am expecting to graduate in 2004. From there, I will enroll in a graduate program and work towards my Master of Fine Arts degree. If finances allow, I will go on from there and obtain my Doctorate. MWCC has provided me with the educational tools needed to succeed in the world of academia, and inspired me to reach for the stars!”

Melissa Garneau (’01)

Melissa received as Associate Degree in Criminal Justice at the Mount and is now employed as a Security Officer. She works as full-time staff with the MWCC Campus Police Department, and part-time at Apollo Security and Lock-Tite Protection Services. She also attends Fitchburg State College full time where she is working on a BA in Criminal Justice. Melissa writes that her goal in life is to become a police officer.

Michelle Collins (’01)

Michelle graduated with an Associate Degree in Computer Information Systems. She has returned to the Mount and is presently working towards a degree in Medical Assisting.