Subscribe to MWCC News While I never had the chance to meet President Haley, I feel as though I did each and every day. His passion for education, our community and building our college is clearly seen even today.
The main academic building of the Gardner campus is named in his honor in recognition for his exemplary service of 23 years.
He was appointed as Director of the “new” community college that was to be established in North Central Massachusetts in 1963. With that charter, Haley had the daunting task to select a temporary location for the college, hire faculty and staff, design a curriculum, and begin classes in September 1964.
Haley selected the former Gardner High School for the temporary campus and later expanded the College’s operation to two other buildings in the city. As the college opened, Haley began the process to select a location for a permanent campus. After many proposals and much deliberation, ground was broken at the site of the former Heywood Farms location on Green Street in Gardner. In September 1974, the permanent campus was opened, and upon his retirement, the main building was named for President Arthur F. Haley.
His impact on our college and our community cannot be measured. His efforts and legacy will long be remembered by our college community.