Noticias y Eventos
Todas las últimas noticias
MWCC Ready to Assist Displaced ITT Technical Institute Students
In response to the sudden closing of all 137 campuses of the ITT Technical Institute, including two in Massachusetts, Mount Wachusett Community College is working with the Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office and other state and federal agencies to assist affected students with their academic pursuits.
The community colleges are also ready to partner with the U.S. Department of Education, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to assist these former ITT students, the MCCEO has affirmed.
The abrupt closure of the schools has affected more than 35,000 students nationally, including approximately 500 students in Massachusetts at campuses in Wilmington and Norwood. More than 100 of the Massachusetts students are veterans. The vocational institute closed Sept. 7, following an Aug. 25 decision by the U.S. Department of Education the for-profit college chain could no longer enroll students that receive federal financial aid.
“These students have had their hopes and dreams dashed just as the new academic year begins,” said Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino. “MWCC and our sister colleges throughout the Commonwealth are ready to help these students get back on track with their educational goals.”
MWCC welcomes ITT Technical Institute students to enroll in academic programs and courses at our campuses in Gardner, Leominster and Devens, as well our many online academic programs,” said President Daniel M. Asquino. MWCC is recognized as a state and national model for its wrap-around support services for student veterans, available through its Center for Excellence for Veteran Student Success.
Mount Wachusett Community College is encouraging ITT students to meet with an admissions counselor at the Gardner campus, as credits may be earned for college-level learning through alternative educational experiences such as ITT. MWCC offers more than 70 academic degree and certificate programs as well as advanced manufacturing and workforce training options.
More information about this process can be found in the admissions office, where representatives are committed to assisting ITT students with the enrollment process at Mount Wachusett Community College. For more information, contact Admissions at 978-630-9110 or .
For general inquiries and help with federal student loans, please reach out to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office at 1-888-830-6277. The Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office (MCCEO) works on behalf of the presidents and trustees of the fifteen Community Colleges in Massachusetts – currently representing more than 184,000 students across every region of the Commonwealth. For more information on the 15 community colleges across Massachusetts, visit www.masscc.org/ourcampuses or call 617-542-2911.
North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce to Host Legislative and Candidates Reception
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will host its Legislative and Candidates Reception on September 22, 2016 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Chocksett Inn on 59 Laurelwood Road in Sterling, MA. The event is intended to offer the region with an upscale networking event that connects business and community leaders with the region’s elected officials, as well as those seeking public office.
“This is a great opportunity for our business and community leaders, as well as our public officials to gather for an evening of networking and collegial discussion,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to joining our legislators at a unique venue like the Chocksett Inn.”
The Legislative and Candidates Reception is one of the Chamber’s premier events of the season, with over 125 federal, state, and local elected officials invited. Mount Wachusett Community College joined the event as premier sponsor. “Connecting our community and those in a position to effect change is important to Mount Wachusett Community College,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “We are delighted to support this opportunity for engaged business leaders, legislators, and policy-makers to meet and network in our region.”
“Gaining access to legislators and those who seek public office is just as important for small business owners as it is for CEO’s in the region,” said Ken Gurge, Esq., Chamber Board Member and Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. “This will be a tremendous opportunity for anyone with passion for North Central Massachusetts.”
Tara Williams, the Chamber’s young professionals committee Chairwoman and Assistant Branch Manager at Worker’s Credit Union, takes an active role in the Chamber’s various events. “As a young professional, it’s important for me to get to know my legislators and make changes in my community. I look forward to discussing how we can work together for the future of North Central with them at the Legislative and Candidates Reception.”
Confirmed elected officials and candidates scheduled to attend as of August 22, 2016 are: Attorney General Maura Healey; Worcester County Sherriff Lewis Evangelidis; State Senator James Eldridge; State Senator Jennifer Flanagan; State Representative Jennifer Benson; State Representative Kim Ferguson; State Representative Stephan Hay; State Representative Susannah Whipps Lee; State Representative Jon Zlotnik; Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale; Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke; Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella; Fitchburg City Councilor Jeffrey Bean; Fitchburg City Councilor Angelo Bisol; Leominster City Councilor Sue Chalifoux Zephir; Groton Selectman Peter Cunningham; Leominster City Councilor John Dombrowski; Leominster City Councilor Gail Feckley; Lancaster Selectman Mark Grasson; Fitchburg City Councilor Amy Green; Fitchburg City Council President Michael Kushmerek; Leominster City Councilor James Lanciani; Leominster City Councilor & Candidate for State Representative Rick Marchand; Lancaster Selectman Stanley Starr; Fitchburg City Councilor Dean Tran; and Candidate for State Representative Thomas “Frank” Ardinger.
Government affairs and public policy advocacy is a key component to the Chamber’s efforts to promoting a healthy and active business climate throughout the region. Recognizing that the business community and legislators are partners in economic vitality and growth, events like these align well with the Chamber’s mission.
Sponsored by Mount Wachusett Community College, the event will feature an open bar and gourmet appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. Cost for members is $20 and non-members is $30. Registration is available online at www.northcentralmass.com. Please contact Maria McCaffrey at 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or
for more details.
Leominster Credit Union realizará su evento anual de trituración de documentos de otoño
Leominster Credit Union realizará un Shred-A-Thon en su sucursal de 910 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA, el sábado 1 de octubre de 2016, de 9:00 a. m. a 12:00 p. m.
Los miembros y no miembros pueden deshacerse de documentos viejos y confidenciales triturándolos y reciclándolos en el Shred-A-Thon. Todos los artículos serán triturados en el lugar por un servicio de trituración seguro, New England Security Shredders.
Los miembros de la comunidad pueden traer hasta tres cajas de archivo tamaño legal o tres bolsas de basura de cocina de 13 galones para ser trituradas de forma gratuita. Sin embargo, aceptaremos donaciones para Hábitat para la Humanidad durante el evento. El Shred-A-Thon ayuda a crear conciencia sobre el reciclaje y, por supuesto, sobre la importancia de triturar documentos personales para protegerse contra el robo de identidad.
Los documentos importantes para llevar al Shred-A-Thon incluyen estados de cuenta bancarios, declaraciones de impuestos, facturas médicas, estados de cuenta de tarjetas de crédito y otros documentos personales.
For more information contact Joanne Lattanzi, Marketing Manager 978-466-7240 or
Fundada en 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) es una cooperativa financiera sin fines de lucro, propiedad de sus socios, que ofrece una gama completa de servicios de depósito, crédito y otros servicios financieros. Con sede en Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU se enorgullece de contar con casi 50 000 socios y más de $600 millones en activos. LCU cuenta con siete sucursales en Leominster, Worcester (2), Clinton, Holden, Sterling y North Leominster, con servicios de cajero automático en todas ellas. LCU también ofrece servicios bancarios las 24 horas a través de sus aplicaciones móviles y en línea. Visite leominstercu.com o llame al 800-649-4646.
The 5th Annual Appleseed Country Fair Ushers in Fall Season in Big Way!
It was a jovial atmosphere this Labor Day weekend in Phillipson, MA at the 5ta Annual Appleseed Country Fair. People from all over New England gathered at the Red Apple Farm for a taste of real New England culture. With over 13,500 people in attendance, this year marks our largest fair to date!
Those who attended were enthralled with a great variety of entertainment including live music, the 3rd Annual Fiddlefest, and the debut of the John Deere Tractor Pull Challenge. The fair also featured some of the best crafted ales from local breweries and delicious local foods that only the Appleseed Country Fair can bring. The family friendly event also included hay rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, farm animals and much more.
“The Appleseed Country Fair was a great way to kick off the fall season and promote some of the great things that North Central Massachusetts has to offer,” said Diane Burnette, Manager of the Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center and spokesperson for the event. “It was great to see a record number of families out this Labor Day weekend enjoying some of the local flavor that North Central Massachusetts offers.
There were over 50 vendors selling a wide array of products from local produce, to candles and other various arts and crafts. This year’s fair also included an amazing display of WWII memorabilia and military vehicles, and a collection of antique cars and trucks. A special thank you goes out to the following businesses for their fantastic support: Red Apple Farm, Gardner Ale House, CrossFit696, The Padula Brothers, Senior Whole Health, and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
The 5ta Annual Appleseed Country Fair exceeded expectations and was the start of a great fall season!
For more information on the Appleseed Country Fair, or how to get involved for next year, please contact Diane Burnette at 978.534.2928.
Member Spotlight: American Dream Granite
American Dream Granite opened in June at 22 (Rear) Main Street in Leominster. Owners Nina and Jason Gonzalez source material for and install kitchen & bathroom countertops in granite, slate, marble, and soapstone, as well as engineered stones which are made from granite using resins and other materials to improve durability or achieve a unique appearance.
Nina came to the U.S. from Brazil in 2004 and ran her own house-cleaning business for a time, but was drawn to interior design and learned a great deal about the industry from her father, who owns a similar kitchen business in Marshfield. She and Jason, who married last year, have operated American Dream Granite since 2006 on a part-time basis, and are thrilled to finally be able to open their own storefront downtown. Jason has experience in masonry and general contracting.
“I was nervous about opening our own business didn’t know where to begin, this has all come from my wife’s passion and drive”, says Jason. “That is the most important thing, once you get started you will find out along the way what you need to do and where to find the advice and support you need.”
Business has been better than expected. The two are currently working on 4 residential projects, and have just begun a five-month project with a local builder to install stone in 400 apartments along with concierge desks and lobby areas, prompting them to add 2 more work crews to the single crew they started with. Personalized customer service is very important for American Dream Granite – they manage every project themselves without sub-contracting.
Nina takes pride in treating her customers’ homes as she would her own, and says she is often asked for input and even shopping assistance with small finishing touches that aren’t usually her part of the typical installation, such as a back-splash.
We encourage you to visit the American Dream Granite showroom at 22 Main Street (Rear) in Leominster or call (978) 537-3786. You can find a selection of materials to view on www.AmericanDreamGranite.com
9-10: Kellie Weeks at Gallery Sitka in Fitchburg
Kellie Weeks
at Gallery Sitka in Fitchburg
Saturday, September 10
1-4 PM
Join us for welcoming this encaustic artist
to our Show Wall! Music will be on-hand by
John Hanson and snacks for guests.
At the same time will also be hosting a
Flower Photography Show
Photographers include:
Amanda McSweeney, Meredith Ferreira,
Linda Cuccurullo, Rachel Proctor, Lawrence Libby,
Jonathan Route, Daniel Senie, Thomas Reale, and Rennie Shattuck
(5% of Sales will go to Tower Hill Botanic Garden)
Small Business Mentors Available to Local Businesses
Free one-on-one counseling and technical assistance is available to entrepreneurs and existing businesses in North Central Massachusetts through a partnership between the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of SCORE mentors. SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a national nonprofit association supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration that is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. They have a network of 11,000+ volunteer business mentors who provide advice on every aspect of business planning, start-up, management and growth.
SCORE operates a satellite office at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. SCORE mentors Bob Aspell, Ed Meyer and Ken Simms are available by appointment to meet with any prospective or existing small businesses at the Chamber office. Mr. Aspell’s main mentoring skills are Finance and Accounting, Operations, Product Development, and Supply Chain Management. Mr. Meyer’s main mentoring skills are Finance and Accounting, Operations, HR, and Sales & Marketing. Mr. Simms main mentoring skills are Marketing, Banking, Advertising and Sales.
Services available include assistance with developing business plans, marketing plans, securing financing, cash flow, and other areas critical to ensure a successful venture. Clientele includes start-up, early stage, expanding and troubled businesses. All programs of SCORE are offered to the public at no charge, on a non-discriminatory basis, and are handicapped accessible.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a SCORE counselor, please contact the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at (978) 353-7600 ext. 222.
MWCC Humanities Project Enters Third Year with “Imagining Work”
Following an inaugural year with Henry David Thoreau and last year’s examination of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the Mount Wachusett Community College Humanities Project will begin its third year this fall with an artistic focus on “Imagining Work.”
During the upcoming academic year, students, faculty, staff and members of the greater community will delve into the many ways artists, writers and photographers have expressed the changing nature of work over the past 150 years. From farm to factory in the 19ta century to our present-day knowledge economy, the effects of automation, globalization, immigration, war, and race on the identity of the American worker will be explored. A variety of events scheduled at the college and in the community are free and open to the public.
Funded through a multi-year challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the MWCC Humanities Project strengthens the college’s humanities curriculum; supports collaborative and interdisciplinary teaching and research in the humanities; examines the intersection between the humanities and other academic disciplines; and engages the college and the greater community in the discussion of enduring themes from the world’s many cultures and traditions.
The theme will focus on the Great Depression photographs of Dorothea Lange, the Great Migration paintings by African American artist Jacob Lawrence and the poetry of Diane Gilliam Fisher, author of the award-winning book, Kettle Bottom, which depicts the Virginia mining wars.
“Year three of the Humanities Project is focused on something that MWCC students, faculty, staff and community members know a lot about – work,” said English Professor and Project Coordinator Michelle Valois. “Can the mundane be the subject of great works of art? Can we find beauty in something we do day in and day out? Our study will focus on paintings, photographs and poems that have transformed work into more than just a paycheck. These works of art show us the struggles and the joys of the American worker.”
This summer, participating faculty representing multiple disciplines met for a two-day workshop to develop curriculum and activities centered on the theme. Among several presentations, Stephen B. Jareckie, consulting curator of photography for the Fitchburg Art Museum, spoke on early 20ta century photography, and artist and MWCC art history instructor Donalyn Schofield discussed the artwork of Jacob Lawrence.
Upcoming fall events include a gallery talk with Tracie Pouliot, founder of the Chair City Community Art Center and Oral History Bookmaking Project; the third annual hike for the humanities fundraiser at Wachusett Mountain; a pizza party and poetry readings from Kettle Bottom; an interactive art project creating replicas of Lawrence’s paintings; and a student poetry and prose slam.
Spring events will include a poetry reading with author Diane Gilliam Fisher; a presentation by University of Massachusetts, Lowell Professor Robert Forrant on female mill workers in Lowell from 1825 to 1860; and film screenings with Fitchburg State University Professor Joe Moser, including “Grab a Hunk of Lightning,” about the life of Dorothea Lange, Charlie Chaplin’s “Modern Times,” “The Devil and Miss Jones,” and “The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter.”
For more information, visit mwcc.edu/humanitiesproject.
Former Chamber President David L. McKeehan Receives Life Achievement Award from National Chamber Group
“It was a humbling experience to have my work recognized by my peers from across America,” said McKeehan. “It’s a real honor to be acknowledged by an organization rooted in community and economic opportunity.”
Recipients of the Life Member Award are nominated by their peers and selected by the association’s board of directors. McKeehan is one of only four Life Member Award honorees in 2016. The Life Member award is earned by those who retire after notable careers in chamber leadership, and are awarded to those who exhibit a tireless commitment to the profession and their peers, while driving positive change in their organizations and communities.
“Not only did David have a profound impact on North Central Massachusetts, but he is a leading voice nationally,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “This honor really underscores his decades of devotion to the business community.”
McKeehan served as president & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce from 1984 until he retired in January 2015. During his tenure, he led the merger of the Fitchburg and Leominster Chambers of Commerce, along with several smaller business groups, to form the North Central Massachusetts Chamber in 1984. Previously, he was vice president of the Detroit Regional Chamber.
McKeehan served as a trustee and chairman (2011-2012) of ACCE Benefits Trust; chairman of ACCE’s Fringe Benefits, Inc.; and vice chair of ACCE’s board of directors. He is past president of both the New England Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (1998-99) and the Massachusetts Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (1998). In 2001 and 2007, he was recognized by ACCE with the Chairman’s Professional Leadership Award.
McKeehan remains active as a trustee of the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts and serves as chairman of their grant making committee. In 2007, he was presented with the “Service Above Self Award” by Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) for making significant contributions to MWCC and the area’s 29 north central Massachusetts cities and towns. David was also recognized by Fitchburg State University as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the Last 100 Years” at their Centennial Celebration in 1994.
He is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management in Washington, D.C., and the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, N.C. In 2008, he was chosen as a Ford Foundation Fellow for Sustainable Regional Development.
Today, after 45 years’ experience in chamber of commerce management, David now appreciates the challenges and opportunities of owning and operating a small manufacturing and distribution company, GB Products.
MWCC Preparing for New Academic Year with Unveiling of Campus Expansion & Renovations
New and returning Mount Wachusett Community College students will begin the academic year amid a sea of change at the Gardner campus, following more than a year of construction and extensive renovations.
Approximately 950 new students got an early look at the campus’ transformation during day, evening and program-specific orientations held over the past week in advance of the new academic year, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Students will notice substantial changes to the Haley academic building and theater, as well as a new 44,000-square-foot science and technology building. The college will transition into the new building this month.
A majority of the new day students attended orientation on Thursday, Sept. 1, which included a half-day of seminars and other activities. MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino and college administrators greeted the incoming students and encouraged them to become involved with campus activities and to tap into college resources and services.
President Asquino emphasized that during their time at MWCC, students will be working in partnership with faculty and staff to reach their academic and career goals.
“Together, we want to make certain that you achieve that dream, that goal and that aspiration.”
The president also announced that plans are underway for construction of a new student center and repaving of the college’s driveways and parking lots. Both projects are in the planning stages with construction anticipated next spring summer.
“This is an incredibly exciting time to be at MWCC,” said Dean of Students Jason Zelesky. “These changes represent our commitment to excellence in education and meeting the needs of the students and communities that we work so hard to serve.”
Coordinated by the office of Student Life, the orientation sessions provide students with an opportunity to learn about college life and MWCC programs and activities. Students met with faculty, deans and advisors, toured the campus, received information about academic resources, and attended a student club expo.
Alberto Olivas, founding executive director of the Congressman Pastor Center for Politics and Public Service at Arizona State University, was the keynote speaker. Olivas, who also addressed faculty and staff, spoke on the importance of embedding civic engagement within classroom instruction in a way that allows students to make “connections between what they’re learning in the classroom and what is going on in the world and in their lives.”