News from our members

Fitchburg Art Museum named 2016 Finalist for National Medal for Museum and Library Service

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The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced that the Fitchburg Art Museum is among 30 finalists for the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to the
community. For 22 years, the award has celebrated institutions that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service and are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities.

“The 2016 National Medal finalists make lasting differences in their communities by serving and inspiring the public,” said Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “We proudly recognize these museums and libraries for their invaluable work to provide citizens with educational resources, 21st century skills, and opportunities for lifelong learning. As key stewards of our nation’s future, we salute the 30 finalists for their excellence in engaging our citizenry and expanding learning of all kinds.”
Finalists are chosen becasue of thir significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. IMLS is encouraging community members who have visited the Fitchburg Art Museum to share their story on the IMLS Facebook page. To Share Your Story and learn more about how the finalist institutions make an impact, please visit www.facebook.com/USIMLS.

“It is a true honor to be recognized at a national level and in the
company of so many other impressive institutions for the work that we have done and are continuing to pursue,” said FAM Director Nick
Capasso. “All decisions, initiatives, projects, and programs at the
Fitchburg Art Museum reflect our commitment to education and the greater community.”
This honor recognizes the contributions of FAM’s community-focused and collaborative programs, including the Main Street Public Art project, our Community Gallery, our continued partnerships with the City of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University, and New Vue Communities, and our many creative initiatives in support of our regional creative economy. We are grateful and are honored to be recognized as a 2016 finalist. To learn more visit our website www.fitchburgartmuseum.org.

The National Medal winners will be named later this spring, and representatives from winning institutions will travel to Washington, D.C., to be honored at the National Medal award ceremony. To see the full list of finalists and learn more about the National Medal, visit www.imls.gov/2016-medals.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Service
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums.Their mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Their grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow them on
Facebook and Twitter.

About FAM
The Fitchburg Art Museum serves the cities of Fitchburg and Leominster and the surrounding communities in North Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. FAM was founded in 1925, and its five-building complex, with over 20,000 square feet of exhibition space, features exhibitions from its art historical collections as well as special exhibitions focused on New England contemporary art. FAM playsa vital role in the cultural life of the region and the Museum maintains active educational partnerships with the local school systems, as well as Fitchburg State University. FAM is an engine for creativity, education, community building and fun!

United Way Youth Venture Community Expo to Showcase Projects of Social Entrepreneurs

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Curious about what millennials are doing to resolve some of society’s toughest issues? Then don’t miss the United Way Youth Venture Community Expo, taking place Wednesday, March 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Great Wolf Lodge, 50 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg.

Teams of young social entrepreneurs will be on hand to showcase how they are leveraging their passion and skills to generate unique solutions to school and community challenges, including homelessness, autism awareness, support for foster children, environmental conservation, animal welfare and many others.

In addition to networking and enjoying one-on-one presentations from the youth Venture teams, the drop-in expo will also feature live and silent auctions, appetizers and cocktails.

United Way Youth Venture of North Central Massachusetts, the largest program of its type in the country, was established in 2002 when the United Way of North Central Massachusetts, Mount Wachusett Community College and Ashoka’s Youth Venture partnered to help schools integrate youth-based social ventures into their curriculum, afterschool activities and special events. UWYV is independently funded and relies on community support to continue.

The program is currently available to students in the following partner schools: Applewild School, Ayer Shirley Middle and High School, Murdock Middle/High School, Frances Drake Elementary School, Leominster High School & CTEi, Sky View Middle School, Samoset Middle School, Fitchburg High School, North Middlesex Regional High School, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School, Sizer School, Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School and MWCC.

“The UWYV Community Expo promises to be an inspirational evening that allows business and community leaders to learn directly from engaged youth how they are making an impact in the region,” said Lauren Mountain, associate director of UWYV program at Mount Wachusett Community College.

“It is inspiring to see young people identify solutions to challenges they see in our region, then build a plan to address these challenges in innovative and creative ways,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “The UWYV program has grown exponentially over the years and serves as a model that demonstrates the power of today’s youth to initiate change that benefits citizens now and in the future.”

“United Way Youth Venture is very much on the cutting edge because it is tapping into the entrepreneurial power of young people who want to address important community issues,” said Phil Grzewinski, President of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts. “We are looking forward to an inspiring evening.”

UWYV Cpmmunity Expo sponsors to date include Pirro Auction Services, Inc., the Greater Gardner, Nashoba Valley and North Central Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce, the Catalano Companies, IC Federal Credit Union, Workers’ Credit Union, HealthAlliance Hospital and Kevin Bliss Self Defense Center.

General admission tickets are $35 and youth supporter tickets, which includes a donation to UWYV, are $75. Tickets may be purchased online at mwcc.edu/uwyv or by calling 978-630-9201. The Greater Gardner Chamber, Nashoba Valley Chamber, and North Central MA Chamber of Commerce are offering discounted tickets to chamber members for $25.

Technology veterans open MSP (Managed Services Provider) in Sterling for small to midsize business.

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Sterling MA. February 1st 2016 Trivium Technology LLC a leading provider of Managed IT Services and CRM Solutions for the small to medium business announced today they have opened an office at 86 Leominster Rd. Sterling to better service the small to midsize business in Northern Worcester Country.

Plans to develop operations in Northern Worcester County where initiated when the principles of the company sold there pervious business and began to look into what they believed is an underserved market segment in Northern Worcester County for Managed IT Services to the small business market.

“The opening of Trivium Technology in Sterling is an important step in realizing our goal of helping the small business attain IT independence and better knowledge of what a solid IT platform can do to improve their bottom line,” said Frank Leonard President/CEO “it is a hugely underserved market most small business owners are focused on what they do best running their business, the programs we designed here at Trivium will manage their IT info structure 24/7 365 and do so at a price point well below the competition. Eliminating costly down time and onsite IT bills”.

The IT industry has gone through massive changes in the last 10 years from the advent of cloud computing and more sophisticated cyber threats that each one of us face every day to more complicated operating systems. Trivium will help you navigate the IT highway by being a true partner in the health of your IT info structure.

About Trivium Technology.

Trivium Technology was founded by leaders in the IT field, the previous owners of Baesis, Inc. one of the largest MSP’s in New England. They have won numerous awards by Microsoft from network design to network security structure. The company’s mission is to bring a sound IT info structure to small business at a fraction of the price. For more information call 978-219-2500 ext: 1001 or visit us at www.triviumtech.net

March – Classes offered at Simonds-Hurd Complementary Care Center

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Tue., 3/1/16

6:00-7:00pm                       Zentangle – Art as Meditation, 5 week series begins tonight $50/$12 drop-in, please call to register*

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

Wed.,3/2/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:00-7:30pm                       Stress Solutions for Life, Class 1 of a 3 class series begins tonight, $75.00. Leominster Campus, Guild Conference Room, Simonds Building, (Entrance F) Advance registration required*

6:00-7:00pm                       Qigong – drop-in $12, please call to register*

 

Thu.,3/3/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga for Stress Relief – 12 drop-in, please call to register*

7:00-8:30pm                       Mind-Body Hypnosis Coaching – $25, – advance registration and payment required. Please call for information and to register*

Fri., 3/4/16                         

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Rest & Restore Yoga – $12 drop-in, appropriate for all levels, call to register*

 

Sat.,3/5/16         

9:00 -10:00am                    Yoga for Fitness, $12 drop-in.

 

Sun.,3/6/16

2:00-4:00pm                       Oneness Blessing Circle, suggested donation $10 to support the Angie’s Spa grant providing free therapeutic services to our cancer patients in treatment

Mon., 3/7/16

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga with Linda – Leominster Campus, Guild Conference Room, $12 – advance payment required. Call to register now*

Tue.,3/8/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Zentangle – Art as Meditation, $12 drop-in, please call to register.*

 

Wed.,3/9/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:00-7:30pm                       Stress Solutions for Life, Class 2 of a 3 class series . Leominster Campus, Guild Conference Room, Simonds Building, (Entrance F) Advance registration required*

6:00-7:00pm                       Qigong – drop-in $12, please call to register*

 

Thu., 3/10/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga for Stress Relief –$12 drop-in.

 

Fri., 3/11/16                      

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

Sat., 3/12/16     

9:00 -10:00am                    Yoga for Fitness, – $12 drop-in

 

Sun.,3/13/16                     

9am-4pm                             Reiki II Class – $125, advance registration required, call for information*

 

Mon., 3/14/16

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga with Linda – Leominster Campus, Guild Conference Room, $12 – advance payment required. Call to register now*

Tue.,3/15/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Zentangle – Art as Meditation, $12 drop-in, please call to register.

 

Wed.,3/16/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Qigong – drop-in $12, new six week series starts 2/24, $60, call to register now*

 

Thu., 3/17/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga for Stress Relief –$12 drop-in.

 

Fri.,3/18/16                       

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

Sat., 3/19/16     

9:00 -10:00am                    Yoga for Fitness, – $12 drop-in

 

Mon.,3/21/16

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga with Linda – Leominster Campus, Guild Conference Room, $12 drop-in, advance payment required, call to register. *

Tue.,3/22/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Zentangle – Art as Meditation, $12 drop-in, please call to register.

 

Wed.,3/23/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:00-7:30pm                       Stress Solutions for Life, Class 3 of a 3 class series . Leominster Campus, Guild Conference Room, Simonds Building, (Entrance F) Advance registration required*

6:00-7:00pm                       Qigong – drop-in $12, please call to register*

 

Thu.,3/24/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga for Stress Relief – $12 drop-in, please call to register*

 

Fri.,3/25/16                       

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

Sat.,3/26/16      

9:00 -10:00am                    Yoga for Fitness -$12 drop-in

 

Mon.,3/28/16

5:30-6:30pm                       Yoga with Linda – Leominster Campus, Guild Conference Room, $12 drop-in, advance payment required, call to register *

 

Tue.,3/29/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Zentangle – Art as Meditation, $12 drop-in, please call to register.

 

Wed.,3/30/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

6:00-7:00pm                       Qigong – drop-in $12, new six week series starts 2/24, $60, call to register now*

 

Thu.,3/31/16

*Acupuncture Clinic – Please call for information/$30

5:30-6:30pm    Yoga for Stress Relief – $12 drop-in

Men of Color Panel Presentation to Explore Modern Barriers

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GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College is launching its new public forum, the Tea Time Speaker Series, with a panel presentation exploring obstacles men of color face in today’s society, workforce and education system.

The first forum of the series, a Men of Color panel presentation and Black History Month luncheon, will take place Monday, Feb. 29 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in the North Café of MWCC’s Gardner campus. Seating is limited and reservations are required.

Panelists include University of Massachusetts Medical School: Brian Lewis, Ph.D., associate dean for student diversity and associate professor in the Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology department at the University of Massachusetts Medical School; Jesse Edwards, director of diversity and equal opportunity at UMass Medical School; Train Wu, senior outreach specialist/career coach with MWCC’s Workforce Diversity Pipeline Program; and Eric Rodriguez, Lead Organizer at United Neighbors of Fitchburg.

The forum is sponsored by MWCC’s Diversity Consortium, Gateway to College program and the National Workforce Diversity Pipeline program, a new initiative between the college and the Fitchburg and Leominster public school districts funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health for students interested in healthcare careers.

To reserve a seat, contact Sharmese Gunn at 978-630-9493 or .

The Tea Time Speakers Series will take place on the last Monday of the month throughout the spring semester.

MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino Receives 2016 Giving Back Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine

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President Asquino photoGARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M.  Asquino is being recognized with the 2016 Giving Back Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

The Giving Back Award honors presidents and chancellors of colleges and universities who go above and beyond their everyday leadership duties and “give back” to their campuses and communities. President Asquino will be featured, along with 26 other recipients, in the April 2016 Leadership Support and Giving Back issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

The Giving Back Award is presented to leaders of institutions of higher education who exemplify what it truly means to ‘give back’ to others, said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of the St. Louis, MO-based magazine. “These presidents and chancellors are role models, and we honor their efforts to give back to everyone on their campuses and in their communities.”

Award recipients were based on their outstanding demonstration of social responsibility, a commitment to charitable services, and involvement with students, faculty, and staff to serve underrepresented populations. Each honoree is recognized for his or her passion, dedication, and philanthropic achievement.

“Throughout the past three decades, Dr. Asquino has remained committed to nurturing an inclusive environment that strives to ensure the college experience is one that challenges, empowers, supports and prepares students to live in, work in, and value our increasingly global and diverse world,” said MWCC Board of Trustees Chair Tina Sbrega, who nominated the president for the award.

“It is an honor to receive this award, which ultimately recognizes the commitment and dedication over many years by many people on our campus and in the community working as a team to ensure equal access to quality higher education for all,” said President Asquino.

Among his groundbreaking work, President Asquino established MWCC’s pioneering and innovative Division of Access & Transition nearly two decades ago, which has expanded to now serve 4,000 middle and high school students annually. Predominantly funded through federal and state grants, the division’s 18 distinct programs help students prepare for, access and transition into postsecondary education and career readiness. The vast majority of the teens and adolescents served are first-generation college students from low income families, and one third of these students are minorities.

Additionally, Dr. Asquino has built strong ties between the college and nonprofit community organizations that serve underrepresented residents in the region, and has served in a leadership capacity for a number of these organizations. On campus, he established a diversity committee that plans, promotes and creates education, social and recreational programs and opportunities to increase the understanding of and appreciation for the value of diversity within the college and the greater community.

For more information about the 2016 Giving Back Award and INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, visit insightintodiversity.com.

Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino Announces Retirement Board of Trustees Chair Hails his Innovative and Transformative Leadership

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MWCC President Daniel M AsquinoGARDNER –Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino today announced his intention to retire in January, 2017.

Dr. Daniel M. Asquino has served as President of Mount Wachusett Community College since August 1987 and is currently the longest-serving public higher education president in Massachusetts. Under his leadership, Mount Wachusett has grown exponentially in size, stature and academic services.

Enrollment has grown to over 12,000 credit and non-credit students, satellite campuses have been established in Leominster, Fitchburg, and Devens, and the number of academic programs has expanded to over 75 associate degree and certificate options. During his tenure at MWCC, President Asquino has established the college as a state and national leader in the areas of workforce development and economic development; dual enrollment and K-12 partnerships; civic engagement and service learning; veteran services; and renewable energy and sustainability.

“It has been an honor and a privilege,” President Asquino said in an announcement to the college and greater community earlier today.  “I can say without reservation that it has been a joy to come to work each and every day. For that, I thank the hard-working students, faculty, staff and alumni of Mount Wachusett Community College and our many community partners for their inspiration and support.”

“President Asquino has transformed Mount Wachusett Community College during his time at the helm of this great institution,” said Mount Wachusett Community College Board of Trustees Chair Tina Sbrega. “What was a one-campus college with fewer than 1500 students when he arrived thirty years ago, is today a thriving four-campus college deeply connected to the communities we serve.” Sbrega praised Asquino for his deep commitment to community partners.

“President Asquino really listens to the needs of business leaders, non-profits, K-12 educators and all of the North Central Massachusetts regional partners. Sbrega expressed the deep appreciation for President Asquino’ s leadership on behalf of the Board of Trustees. “We have been so very fortunate to have such an innovative leader as President Asquino,” said Sbrega.

“President Asquino not only cared deeply about his students and the college, but he worked closely with countless community partners to ensure that the college and its offerings were relevant. This entire community is better for his leadership and he will leave a pair of very big shoes to fill.”

Dr. Asquino began his career in public higher education in 1971 as Assistant to the President of the Massachusetts Board of Regional Community Colleges. He went on to serve as Assistant Dean of Administration at Bristol Community College, and Dean of Administration and Development at Cape Cod Community College before being appointed MWCC’s second president.

He is a charter member of the Massachusetts College Success Campaign, The Democracy Commitment, as well as the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).

President Asquino currently chairs the Massachusetts Community College Council’s Labor Relations Committee. In addition, he is a past member of the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Communications and Marketing, Commission on Diversity, and Commission on Workforce Development. He has twice chaired the Massachusetts Committee of Community College Presidents and is a past chair of the College Board’s National Community College Advisory Panel. He is a member and past two-term chair of the New England College Council, and a member of the Massachusetts Campus Compact Executive Board of Directors.

Locally, Dr. Asquino serves as an officer and past chair of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts Board of Directors, officer and past chair of the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster and past chair of Greater Gardner and North Central Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce. He is a member and past chair of the Board of Trustees for Heywood Hospital, and the GFA Supervisory Board.

He is the recipient of many community and national awards, including the Community Leader Award from the UMass Memorial-HealthAlliance Hospital Foundation; the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Nashua Valley Council Boy Scouts of America; the Dr. Robert H. Goldman Community Service Award; the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and Community Service Awards; the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Award; the Governor’s Pride in Performance Award; Enterprise Bank’s Celebration of Excellence Community Service Award; and the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations Pacesetter Award.

Dr. Asquino holds a Ph.D. and M.P.A. in Public Administration and Political Science and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Southeastern Massachusetts University, now UMass Dartmouth. He has taught public administration and business administration courses at all college levels, including at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels.

A nationwide search for a new leader for Mount Wachusett Community College will be conducted under the leadership and authority of the Mount Wachusett Community College Board of Trustees and the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. During that time, President Asquino will continue to lead the institution to ensure a seamless transition.

“I can promise you that I will continue to give 100 percent every day and partner with all of you so that there is no loss in the momentum that has been our hallmark.”

2/16/16 – Wine Tasting with Leominster Small Business Association

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Tuesday 16 February 2016 06:00pm – 08:00pm
Join us at Wyman’s in Leominster for a wine tasting and networking. Please RSVP to .
Location : Wyman’s Liquors – Leominster