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On April 4, 2023, Mount Wachusett Community College’s Leominster campus welcomed legislators and community leaders to celebrate the completion of an extensive eight-month renovation, which welcomed students and staff for the spring semester in February 2023. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Congressman Jim McGovern were among the attendees and shared their enthusiasm and support for MWCC and the work done to enhance the educational opportunities available to the North Central community. The event included a ribbon cutting and presentation of the MWCC Service Above Self award to Neddy Latimer.
“Our mission, and the forefront of our strategic plan, is to better serve our students of color. As you walk our halls today, tomorrow, and in the future, this campus will draw a diverse student body of people who are trying to improve their lives, and that is our mission,” stated MWCC President James Vander Hooven in his opening remarks. “It is so fitting that we are honoring Neddy Latimer for her tireless dedication to marginalized and struggling members of our community with the Service Above Self award as part of this ceremony.”
Neddy Latimer has led the Spanish American Center as its Executive Director since 1971 and is known throughout the North Central community for the warmth and compassion she gives to everyone she meets. The Service Above Self award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions within the 29 cities and towns that make up the MWCC service area.
“Mount Wachusett Community College has provided an affordable and accessible education to those living in North Central Massachusetts for decades,” said Congressman James P. McGovern. “I was thrilled to join their students, educators, and local leaders to celebrate the reopening of their Leominster campus and honor my good friend, Neddy Latimer, for her continued service as Executive Director of the Spanish American Center. She’s a remarkable leader for our community and our Commonwealth. Through this new campus, MWCC will continue to pair their rigorous coursework with needed social supports, like their campus food pantry, which ensures no student will have to choose between the cost of groceries or school supplies. I’m inspired by their relentless dedication to setting students up for a lifetime of professional and personal success.”
“Our community colleges offer incredible opportunities for Massachusetts residents, particularly for those who all too often face barriers to accessing higher education. They drive our economic competitiveness, strengthen our communities, and contribute to our bright future. Governor Healey and I are excited about the reopening of the Mount Wachusett Community College’s Leominster campus and can’t wait to see the impact that the students and faculty will make on our communities,” stated Lieutenant Governor Kimberly Driscoll.
The campus has an additional 1,500 square feet and now includes new student lounges and study areas, enhanced classroom audio and visual equipment, fourteen upgraded classrooms and science laboratories. Additionally, the Food for Thought Campus Food Pantry has been upgraded to include refrigerated lockers students can access after-hours. The expanded space also includes a new ambulance simulator for emergency services training.
In addition to the Lieutenant Governor and Congressman McGovern, Senator John Cronin, Representative Michael Kushmerek, and Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson were in attendance and shared their congratulations with the assembled guests.
Renovation work was handled by AP Services, a North Central Massachusetts real estate investment and property management corporation. Refreshments for the ribbon cutting were provided by Leominster Center for Technical Education Innovation Culinary Arts program.