MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Fri., Apr. 2, 2004

UNSUNG HERO RONALDA “RONNIE” MELANSON HELPS CLIENTS FIND INDEPENDENCE

By Lea Ann Erickson

Ronalda “Ronnie” Melanson and Chartwells Food Service Director Paul Beauchemin

Ronalda Melanson has been nominated as an unsung hero by Chartwells Food Service Director Paul Beauchemin. The Unsung Hero initiative is a joint effort by the college and the Sentinel and Enterprise to recognize those who give of their time and talent without seeking recognition. Honorees will be recognized at a, “Celebration of Unsung Heroes,” dinner, Thurs., April 22 at the Gardner campus. Melanson has served GAAMHA (Gardner Athol Area Mental Health Association) for 17 years as an off-site supervisor working with clients who are receiving workplace training in an effort to become more independent. Melanson and her clients have worked at the Gardner Municipal Golf course, beautifying Gardner’s city parks and for Chartwells Food Service at Mount Wachusett Community College. “I try to help them find what they are good at and then help place them in a job,” said Melanson. “We’ve had success.” She estimates that more than half of her GAAMHA clients have found employment. Chartwells Food Service Director Paul Beauchemin, who nominated Melanson, describes her as a, “dream come true.” She is conscientious and stays with her clients every minute helping them work through their tasks.” He said he is often complimented on the quality of work GAAMHA clients perform. “People are always remarking how clean our dining room is,” he said. Beauchemin said that even when inclement weather prevents GAAMHA clients from getting to work, Melanson comes in to help because, “she knows I’m short-handed.” He said she is completely devoted to her client’s success, never leaves their side while they work and, “greets each task with a smile.” In closing his nomination, Beauchemin said, “If I did not have a mom, she would be my second choice by far. She is a beam of light in the darkness. A pure gem to me.”

MWCC RECEIVES $2,500 FROM UPS 'EARN AND LEARN' PROGRAM

By Lea Ann Erickson

	MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino and MWCC Career Services Director Patricia Brewerton receive a contribution from UPS representatives William Walters and Pat Parker.

Representatives from United Parcel Service (UPS) presented the Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, Inc. with a check for $2,500 after the college helped UPS reach its recruiting goal for its “Earn and Learn” program.

UPS representatives William Walters and Pat Parker presented MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino and MWCC Career Services Director Patricia Brewerton with the check this week.
The Earn and Learn Program provides up to $1,500 per semester in tuition reimbursement, with an annual limit of $3,000 per year.

UPS offers additional educational assistance in the form of student loans. Employee/students can borrow up to $2,000 per year over a four-year period.

Campus Events:

• The Wachusett Folk Cafe is back! Tickets are now on sale for the much anticipated re-opening of the folk music venue. Expatriate New Yorker, now living in Argentina, Richard Shindell will appear on stage, Fri., April 2, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Shindell is a meticulous craftsman of song whose four studio albums and recent live recording have been revered by critics and fans alike. 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, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Online tickets may be purchased via credit card (MC, VISA or Discover). There is no charge for using this service, however you cannot choose a specific seat. Our box office personnel will give you the best available seat(s) at the time of purchase and hold your ticket(s) at the door. For more information, call Diane Hamilton at 978.630.9387.

• A free Discover MWCC Expo will be held, Sat., April 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Participants will be able to learn about MWCC’s majors, meet faculty and students, tour the campus and learn how to transfer to four year colleges and universities and save money through Joint Admissions and the Tuition Advantage Program. For more information, call admissions at 978.630.9110.

• As part of MWCC’s Decade of Civic Engagement, Theatre at the Mount, in collaboration with the Molly Bish Foundation, will provide complimentary Child Identification Kits to parents on Sat., April 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the theatre lobby before and after 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. performances of the Children’s Musical, Charlotte’s Web, based on the book by E. B. White. These kits are used to keep a child’s current photograph, fingerprints and identifying data together in a readily accessible location. Since October 2000, the Foundation has provided kits to approximately 60,000 children and adults throughout the region. The show begins as young Fern Arable adopts a baby pig on her family farm. When it looks as if her favorite pig will end up under the butcher’s knife, the wise spider Charlotte and her animal friends come to the rescue – making Wilbur famous in the process. Tickets are $6.00 and may be purchased at the Theatre at the Mount box office at 978.632.2403 or online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu. For additional information concerning the Child Identification Program, contact Emily Ball at 978.630.9564. The Free Child ID Kits are available to all parents, with or without the purchase of theatre tickets. Also, Lindsay Sinclair, niece of E.B. White will be a guest of honor at the 2:00 p.m. performance.

• The college is hosting a free series of financial aid workshops at its Gardner and Leominster campuses. The hands-on workshops will feature everything students and parents need to know to fill out the FAFSA. The free sessions will be held Mon., April 5, Mon., April 12 and Wed., April 21 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in room 072 in the lower level of the library at the Gardner Campus. A session at the Leominster campus will be held, Tues., April 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Alpha Beta Gamma will host its Induction Ceremony, Fri., April 16 in the college’s Dinning Room. 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. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. The dinner follows.

• The college will host its 22nd High School Art Exhibition, from Tues., April 6 through Fri., April 16. The work of high school students from 18 area high schools will be on display in the East Wing Gallery. Student awards will be presented at a reception, Thurs., April 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, call 978.630.9184.

• As part of the college’s Decade of Civic Engagement initiative and Campus Compact’s Raise Your Voice campaign, MWCC Student Trustee Susan Sayball has organized a forum for students to discuss Board of Higher Education (BHE) student success accountability measures, Mon., April 12 from 12:30-1:30 pm in the North Cafeteria. The forum will feature a panel discussion with Edward R. Tercerio Jr., Executive Vice President of Mount Wachusett Community College; Janice Motta, Executive Director of Mass Community Colleges; Melissa Delaney, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Elaine K. Smith Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, Planning and Assessment from the Board of Higher Education as well as students and faculty. Each panelist will share his/her definition of student success. Elaine K. Smith will record the panel discussion and take it back to the Board of Higher Education to discuss any further actions. For more information, call 978.630.9219.

• 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.

• 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

• Tickets are now on sale for 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 first session will run during April on Mon., Wed., & Thurs. from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. (no class on 19th). The second 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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