MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Fri., July 23, 2004

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF FIRE SAFETY COMMENDS MWCC FOR TRAINING MATERIALS

By Lea Ann Erickson

	Vin Ialenti

MWCC Director of Distance Learning Vin Ialenti, Professor Joel Anderson and Chief Engineer Arthur Collins were able to produce needed training materials for the State Department of Fire Service in record time to prepare for the upcoming Democratic National Convention. State Fire Marshall Stephen D. Coan commended the three in a July 13 letter to MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “This project went from concept to completion in just two weeks...the result of this effort will truly be a higher state of readiness to protect the people of Massachusetts.” He was referring to production and delivery of a PowerPoint training presentation for the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division.

The project was part of Massachusetts Colleges On-Line, which harnesses the distance education offerings of Massachusetts community and state colleges according to Ialenti. “We knew the obvious advantages of exchanging distance courses between the colleges,” explained Ialenti, “But we also wanted to provide workforce development and training for other state agencies.” Ialenti said a similar project for radiation training on-line was completed by Framingham State College.

The training vehicle they helped develop was a 22-minute PowerPoint presentation that was completely self-running. “It’s just like watching a video,” said Ialenti. The project was coordinated with—and narrated by—Director of Hazardous Material Emergency Response Division of the Department of Fire Services David Ladd.

According to a department spokesperson, the PowerPoint Presentation will be distributed to every fire department in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In the past, training programs created scheduling and personnel challenges for the Department of Fire Services, but this self-running training vehicle allowed for quick dissemination of crucial information.

“I’m proud of the quick, creative response Vin, Joel and Art delivered,” said Asquino. “They truly exemplify what is best in higher education.”

Grace Anyamah was one of over 150 who attended the recent Health Care Expo at MWCC. She is shown here with her seven year old son. She hopes to enter the college's practical nursing program. Participants learned about a variety of healthcare options at the Mount: Certified Nurses Assistant, Complementary Health Care Certificate, Complementary Health Care Degree, Dental Hygiene Degree, Emergency Medical Technician, Fitness, Leadership & Exercise Science Certificate, HealthCare Pathway Program, Massage Therapy Degree, Medical Assisting Degree, Medical Office Certificate, Phlebotomy, Physical Therapist Assistant Degree, Practical Nursing Certificate, Nursing Degree.

Campus Events:

• The Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation Inc., will host its 9th Annual Golf Tournament to benefit scholarships, Mon., July 26 at Sterling Country Club. The tournament will feature many other prizes and a raffle. Registration fee is $165 per person and includes a breakfast buffet, greens fees, driving range and cart. The price for dinner only is $40. For more information, call MWCC Foundation Inc. Executive Director Darlene Morrilly at 978.630.9276.

• Theatre at the Mount’s summer season concludes with the show Time Magazine called “the best musical of the 20th century,” Carousel. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s own favorite musical, Carousel, has some of their best music: You’ll Never Walk Alone, If I Loved You, June is Bustin’ Out All Over, and many, many more. Performance dates are August 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at 8:00 p.m. and August 22 at 2:00 p.m. Carousel is sponsored by The Gardner News. The show is directed by Jeff Williams and choreographed by Nicole Couture. Tickets for evening performances are $18 and for matinees $15 with group discounts available. For information and reservations, call the Theatre at the Mount box office at 978.632.2403. Tickets may also be purchase online at http://theatre.mwcc.edu

• Theatre at the Mount will hold auditions for the musical Radio Gals by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick (creators of “Pump Boys and Dinettes.”) Sun., Aug 8 at 5:00 p.m. and Tues., Aug. 10 at 7:00 p.m. Director Craig Cormier, Choreographer Sandie Couture and Music Director David Twiss are looking for an ensemble cast of 4 adult women and 3 adult men. When the enterprising Hazel Hunt of Cedar Ridge, Arkansas, retires as her small town’s music teacher, she receives a Western Electric 500-watt Radio transmitter and begins broadcasting as radio station WGAL from the parlor of her home. What follows is a small town diary and good, old-fashioned fun, including a visit from one of Herbert Hoover’s Federal Radio Inspectors. Does he have a good voice? For more information contact Gail Steele at 978.632.9162 or visit the Theatre at the Mount web site at http://theatre.mwcc.edu

• Learn basic self defense for women at a RAD (Rape Aggression Defense Systems) course sponsored by the MWCC Campus Police. Classes will be held from Mon., Aug. 2, Tues., Aug 3, Thurs., Aug. 5 and Fri., Aug. 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The course costs only $25. Instructors are certified through RAD, which offers the courses at over 450 colleges, universities as well as municipal, state and federal agencies. For more information, contact Melissa Garneau at 978.630.9150.

• The college will offer a new Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene in September 2005. If you would like to learn more, attend a free dental hygiene information session, Wed., Aug. 18 at 1:00 p.m. in the Murphy Conference Room. To learn more about this exciting program, including the mandatory prerequisite requirements for all applicants. To RSVP, please call Admissions at 978.630.9110.

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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