As president of northern Essex, i know and appreciate that running a successful community college is a group effort, requiring a great deal of support from a variety of sources. i t is because of our generous community partners and the dedicated alumni who give back to northern Essex that we are able to offer our students a wealth of opportunities.
late last summer, i had the opportunity to meet with phil Starks, a northern Essex alum, who went on to Harvard and Cornell and is now a biology professor at Tufts university.
phil runs a biology lab at Tufts and he makes it a priority to choose northern Essex students from the hundreds who apply from all over the country for the paid summer internships available in his lab.
in this issue of alumnecc, you will read about the Tufts university program as well as about our longtime partnership with Haverhill Community Television (HCTV).
for years, HCTV has let the college use its state-of-the-art production facilities to teach classes in our communications program, and they recently announced two $5,000 annual scholarships for nECC communication students. i am happy to report that the HCTV partnership also has an alumni component. darlene Beal, ’89, is the executive director of HCTV.
This issue will also explore the many things that we are doing as a college to welcome the close to 200 veterans who are at northern Essex preparing for new careers as civilians.
Since you are receiving alumnecc, i’m sure you, too, have contributed to the success of this college. Whether you donated to the college, hired an nECC graduate or intern, or contributed to the college in other ways, thank you for your continued support of the college!
lane A. glenn president
Editor: maureen o’leary
Contributing Editors: Ellen Small davis, Ernie greenslade, Wendy Shaffer
Art Director: marty lapham
Writers: Ellen Small davis, Ernie greenslade, lindsey mayo, maureen o’leary
Below is a sampling of some of our grads who have found success in communications fields.
Tom Bergeron, attended ’74-‘75
Emmy Award-winning host of Dancing with the Stars and America’s Funniest Home Videos
Tim Coco, ‘90
President and general manager of WHAV, a local radio station; and president and CEO of COCO+CO., Inc.
Rod Doherty, ‘73
Executive editor, Foster’s Daily Democrat in New Hampshire
Sharon Lynch, ‘75
Director of online media development, Berklee College of Music in Boston, formerly a news reporter and anchor at WMUR-TV (ABC)
Dan Lyons, ‘83
Editor-in-Chief of ReadWrite, one of the top tech blogs in the world, formerly the technology editor at Newsweek
Colin Tierney, ‘97
Senior designer at Conde Nast, previously worked at The Onion
David Willis, ‘04
Sportswriter/videographer for the Eagle Tribune
Helen Ubiñas, ‘92
Currently a freelance writer, formerly columnist at the Hartford Courant, and member of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team for breaking news
When the members of the Board of Haverhill Community Television (HCTV) were thinking of creating scholarships for students who would go on to study communications, it didn’t take them long to decide they wanted to offer the scholarships to northern Essex students. “We’ve had a really wonderful collaboration with northern Essex for many years, and we’re thrilled to announce this scholarship which will help local residents pursue their dreams,” says darlene Beal, executive director of HCTV (shown left).
Two $5,000 HCTV scholarships will be awarded to students who are residents of Haverhill and who are graduating from northern Essex with a degree in liberal Arts: Journalism/Communication option or general Studies: multi-media option and plan to pursue a four-year degree in communications. The first award recipients will be announced this spring.
The scholarships are not the only way HCTV is partnering with northern Essex. for many years, nECC courses, such as Television production and new media, have been taught at HCTV’s Haverhill studios. The collaboration provides hands-on training on state-of-the-art equipment for nECC students as well as a steady stream of volunteers for HCTV.
Courses are taught by two nECC alumni—matt Belfiore, ‘93, chief operations manager at HCTV, (shown lower left) and ray naroian, ‘96, an instructor at nECC who is also the video producer at Haverhill public Schools. “i t’s nice when you can link the different schools,” says Beal, adding that many volunteers start at HCTV as young as 12 years old, then go on to Haverhill High School and northern Essex.
Beal herself is a graduate of nECC (‘89). She attended northern Essex in her mid-20s unsure of what she wanted to study. After some experimenting, she fell in love with English and journalism, and went on to earn a scholarship and transfer to Boston university where she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism. “if it wasn’t for northern Essex, i never would have gone to Bu,” Beal adds.
northern Essex provides lots of opportunities for its students, and the alliance between northern Essex and HCTV is just one example of a successful partnership.
“The partnership with nECC is important because both HCTV and nECC share a belief in the value of education, want to engage our citizenry, and are committed to the community,” says Beal.
What does northern Essex Community College have in common with a highly-competitive undergraduate research program at Tufts university?
A couple of things, as a matter of fact.
first, nECC graduate phil Starks, a biology professor at Tufts, is the director of the 10-week summer program which is administered by the Tufts biology department with the help of a national Science foundation grant (nSf) that funds summer research programs for undergraduates.
Second, in its nine years of existence, seven nECC students have been chosen to participate in the program, which brings in 10 undergraduates from across the country each summer and places them in faculty labs.
“We had over 350 applicants this year and narrowing that list down to 10 participants was a challenge,” says Starks.
nECC student Steve Brown, who graduated in 2012 with high honors and a liberal arts degree, made the cut, and, as a result, he spent his summer with Starks researching the European wool-carder bee and its interaction with local plants. Brown’s team looked specifically at how plants can emit toxic chemicals when attacked by insects, studying how this particular bee responds to those chemical emissions.
After continuing his education in biology at a four-year college, Brown plans to work as an environmental research scientist.
Starks, who graduated from Harvard and Cornell after earning an associate degree from nECC, has championed the hiring of northern Essex students, believing that community college students are ideally suited for the program.
“The goals go beyond introducing students to independent research. We provide career guidance, facilitate a welcoming community, and advance scientific pursuits.”
fifteen percent of students in the research program are currently community college students, and Starks hopes to increase those numbers. He has met with nECC president lane glenn to discuss his goals and glenn has “enthusiastically supported the program,” according to Starks.
“As an nECC graduate, i am happy to see nECC students excel,” says Starks. “This generation of nECC students seems especially motivated, hard-working, and grounded. i t’s been my pleasure to work with them.”
All of the NECC students who have participated in the Tufts University Summer Undergraduate Research Program from 2003-2012 have gone on to further education and/or careers in science.
Steve Brown, ‘12, Liberal Arts (shown in photo)
Transferring to a four-year college to study biology
Galen Flynn, ’10, General Studies
Enrolled in UMass Lowell’s Commonwealth Honors Program majoring in Biology
Kiersten Gurley, attended ’02-’04, Business Transfer
Enrolled in Tufts University School of Medicine, with plans to graduate in 2014
Joyce Richardson, ’11, Lab Science
Working as a histology technician at Toxikon Corporation in Bedford, MA
Jessica Ryan, ’09, Liberal Arts, Biology Option
Graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science, Integrative Neuroscience and Behavior
Shannon Sheltra, ’11, Respiratory Therapy
Studying at Tufts University with plans to attend medical school
Meridith Decelle Timony, ’00, General Studies
Working as an environmental scientist for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
“The single most important thing I do is put student veterans in touch with the resources they need whether it is in the area of academics, counseling, health care, or financial aid…and I like to think my background lends credibility to this position.”
Northern Essex Community College prides itself on being a veteran-friendly institution committed to serving those who have served our country. Jeff Williams, NECC’s new veterans services coordinator, guides u.S. military veterans through the sometimes daunting process of deciphering educational benefits, funding resources, and prior credit and/or transfer opportunities so they can achieve their educational and professional goals. The college also has a Veterans & Service Person’s Club and a veterans writing group.
On the right are profiles of three veterans whose lives have been influenced by Northern Essex.
Jeff Williams, NECC veterans services coordinator
When veterans sit down with Jeff Williams, nECC’s veterans services coordinator, they are talking with someone with all the right experience.
Williams, 43, is a Battalion Command Sergeant major in the u.S. Army reserve with one tour in iraq behind him and more than 20 years of experience working in the areas of education and veterans’ services. He is well versed in most things military.
A member of the Vermont national guard while in high school, he subsequently transferred to the Army reserve after graduation from Husson College. He earned a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in public administration from the university of maine, orono. in the years since, he has garnered significant experience in veterans’ services and benefits.
“The single most important thing i do is put student veterans in touch with the resources they need whether it is in the area of academics, counseling, health care or financial aid…and i like to think my background lends credibility to this position,” he says.
”Northern Essex was there for me before and after my deployment,” he says. “Because of NECC I have a career as a respiratory therapist.”
“I knew the military would help me with my plan to go to college to become a journalist,” she says. “I want to earn my master’s in journalism.”
Gerry Vasquez, NECC alumnus
neither gerry Vasquez nor northern Essex allowed a tour in iraq with the Army national guard to interfere with his college education or career in health care.
This lawrence High School graduate had completed his prerequisite courses and was enrolled in nECC’s respiratory care associate degree program when his unit was activated in August of 2004. He spent the fall of 2004 and all of 2005 training and working as a military policeman in iraq.
When he returned, Vasquez reenrolled in the program and graduated in may 2008.
Today, the new father is 31 years old and works full time at lawrence general Hospital and part time for Home Care Specialists.
”northern Essex was there for me before and after my deployment,” he says. “Because of nECC i have a career as a respiratory therapist.”
Liseth Velez, NECC student liseth Velez hopes that with the help of northern Essex and the military she will be able to fulfill her dream of becoming an on-air entertainment news reporter.
Born in Colombia, educated in lowell, and currently living in Haverhill, the 21-year-old has thought about the military since she joined the JroTC her freshman year at lowell High School. Currently active with the u.S. Army national guard, she is in the process of transferring to the Air force national guard.
“i knew the military would help me with my plan to go to college to become a journalist,” she says. “i want to earn my master’s in journalism.”
The g.i. Bill will help with that.
most recently, Velez and her unit were activated in preparation for the onslaught of tropical storm Sandy.
- gerry Vasquez-
liseth Velez
Home: Methuen, Mass.
Age: Still young enough to get away with it, but old enough to know better! (46)
Profession: NECC History Instructor
Hobbies: Playing acoustic instruments including guitar, banjo, and harmonica; camping; vegetable gardening; and kite flying
Last book read: The Price of Politics by Bob Woodward
Latest accomplishment: Transformed half my driveway into a vegetable garden
Quote: “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.”
John LennonProfile: Born in Lowell, I was raised in a two-family house by working class parents. After attending public schools in Lowell and Tewksbury, I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science and history at Westfield State College and a master’s in American Civilization from UMass Boston.
In 2005 I received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to study jazz with an expert on the evolution of jazz in America. I have incorporated music into my classes since I began teaching in 1997. I use music to create a relaxed class atmosphere, to lighten the mood before a test, to make a point about a certain time in history or a certain controversial issue in America’s past, and to spark debate and discussion.
In my free time, I write science fiction short stories, music history essays, political blogs, and songs.
Why I do what I do: I love to teach because there is no better satisfaction than seeing people learn new things and connect events in the past with their lives in the present.
noelle births babies several times a year while Stan is prone to cardiac arrest.
meet two members of the expanded Sim family, the high-fidelity simulators or mannequins used by northern Essex health care students to hone their clinical skills.
The Sim clan of nine includes infant and adolescent mannequins too, according to nancy Harnois, nECC’s technical lab coordinator. The mannequins are controlled wirelessly by the instructor.
Beginning in fall of 2013, iHealth@nECC is adding a new program to its list of offerings: ophthalmic Assistant Certificate. ophthalmic assistants provide support to eye doctors by performing and/or assisting with procedures, tests, and clerical duties.
iHealth@nECC programs allow students to complete most of their coursework online and only go to the lawrence Campus once or twice a week. “The iHealth programs are great for working adults who are trying to fit training for a new career into their busy lives,” says nancy garcia, director of iHealth@nECC.
The mannequins, which come with a variety of preprogrammed simulations, can also be programmed to cry, sweat, breathe, talk, have pulses, and feel pain.
Thanks to these high-tech mannequins, nECC is graduating confident students well prepared to sit for their national boards, Harnois says. “The difference between the health care students of yesterday and health care students of today is that today they now are working on simulators that can act like humans,” she says.
The Sim family will move to the new dr. ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health and Technology Center in lawrence when the building opens next fall.
nECC’s popular paralegal certificate program, which has been offered on the lawrence Campus for more than 15 years, is now also offered in the evenings on the Haverhill Campus. “We are excited to be able to expand our evening paralegal certificate program to the Haverhill Campus. With a full-time schedule, the paralegal certificate program can be completed in one year,” says Judith pollock Ciampi, coordinator of the nECC paralegal program.
The paralegal program, which includes both the certificate and an associate degree, recently received reapproval for another seven years from the American Bar Association (ABA). i t is one of just six ABA approved paralegal programs in massachusetts.
According to the u.S. Bureau of labor Statistics, employment of ophthalmic assistants is expected to grow by 31 percent through 2020, and employment of paralegals is expected to grow by 18 percent.
NECC dance and psychology student krissy Hallett of atkinson, NH was the featured performer at the association of Community College Trustees (aCCT) annual awards Gala, held in October at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Hallett performed an aerial dance for an audience of over 1200.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see Keith Lockhart and friends on Satur Day, September 28. the evening will feature a talk by Lockhart on Stravinsky’s the Soldier’stale , illustrated by periodic interludes of music performed by a group of seven musicians. the event is presented by the NeCC Foundation, Inc., the Women of NeCC and the NeCC alumni association. proceeds benefit NeCC’s endowment Fund. advanced reservations get preferred seating – call the NeCC events Line at 978-556-3870 today!
Gifts of cash enable funds to be made available for immediate use by NECC and are fully tax deductible. Please make your check payable to the NECC Foundation, Inc. and forward it to the Institutional advancement Office. MasterCard and Visa are accepted by phone or mail.
Gifts of appreciated securities offer significant tax advantages to the donor. Please call Institutional advancement for further information and instructions for their transfer.
Many companies match contributions made by a current or retired employee or spouse. Contact your Human Resources Department if your employer has such a program and, if so, obtain the proper forms and forward them to Institutional advancement.
You may make a charitable contribution to NECC and also receive income for life while obtaining significant tax advantages.
any asset may be transferred to NECC by bequest. The gift may be made under your will, through a trust, or by designating NECC as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan.
You may make gifts of real estate and gifts of future interests in real estate and obtain tax savings.
NECC’s Institutional advancement Office can provide you with additional information about the many ways of giving to NECC. Call or email Jean Poth, vice president of institutional advancement, at 978-556-3624 or jpoth@necc.mass.edu.
introduction to psychology and Human Biology, English Composition ii and introduction to Astronomy, public Speaking and introduction to Sociology … what do these classes have in common? They are all part of learning communities at nECC. in a learning community, students take two different courses focused on a common theme, learn and study with the same group of students, and work with two faculty members who plan and teach the courses together. The result is students who are more engaged, experience deeper learning, and create a sense of community.
Thanks to a nECC Annual fund program grant, professor patricia Schade of Academic preparation created a video to promote the benefits of learning communities. Shown in classes and on YouTube, the video features nECC students and faculty who have participated in and benefited from learning communities. Check out the video on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/northernessexcc.
In addition to funding much-needed scholarships, the NECC Annual Fund provides program grants for faculty and staff which enrich classroom learning and provide students with hands-on learning tools and experiential learning opportunities.
This past October, William Moynihan was appointed chair of the Board of Trustees of Northern Essex by Governor Deval Patrick. Moynihan had been serving as the board chair, and the appointment was an affirmation of his role under the Governor’s new authority to appoint the board chairs at each of the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges. Moynihan is a ‘73 graduate of Northern Essex. He retired in 2011 as the chief probation officer at Haverhill District Court.
“Northern Essex was a stepping stone for me, leading to further education and a challenging career, and it’s an honor and a privilege to be chosen as chair of the college’s talented board of trustees,” says Moynihan.
Ms. Jolen ne L. S hort-Porter ‘73
Ms. Rita K. Bixby, R.N. ‘77
Ms. Pauline I. Northern ‘64
Ms. Catherine L. Mangan ‘66
Ms. Jeanette E. McCusker ‘71
Mr. John J. McLaughlin, Jr. ‘72
Ms. Louis C. Zuppardi ‘72
Mr. Michael F. Twomey, Jr. ‘75
Ms. Eileen M. Orlando ‘79
Ms. Jane L. Shane ‘79
Mr. Gerard R. Boucher ‘80
Ms. Lucille Alice Blake ‘81
Mr. Allen C. McKenney ‘83
Mr. Theodore A. Paul ‘83
Ms. Barbara L. Harris ‘86
Mr. Thomas Metheny ‘86
Ms. Lynne P. Thompson ‘86
Ms. Genevieve M. Corley ‘87
Ms. Joan A. Hagerty ‘87
SAVE THE DATE! Friday, June 21, 2013
Mr. James T. Long ‘87
Ms. Mary A. Dunham ‘88
Mr. Richard J. Calhoun ‘89
Mr. Francesco A. Brancato ‘90
Ms. Mary J. Roberts ‘92
Ms. Jennifer L. Marcelais ‘93
Ms. Patricia A. Rowe ‘93
Ms. Michelle Gaetano ‘96
Mr. James E. Stewart, Jr. ‘96
Ms. Karen M. Calhoun ‘97
Ms. Janice Morris ‘97
Ms. Annmarie Gillis ‘99
Mr. Curtis W. Haley ‘02
Mr. Derek D. Bedard ‘04
Ms. Nadine T. Drown ‘07
Mr. Nicholas R. Carroll ‘08
Ms. Kimberly K. Cresta ‘08
Mr. Robert E. Grande ‘09
Mr. Zack A. Zalewski ‘11
NECC alumni who graduated between 1963 and 1973, save the date to rejoice, remember, and reunite with your classmates! 2013 marks special and significant milestones for the classes of 1963 and 1973—their 50th and 40th graduation anniversaries! Join your classmates on Friday, June 21, at 4 p.m. at DiBurro’s function hall in Bradford, Mass. to reminisce about the old days and catch up on what everyone has been doing since graduation.
Special thanks to our enthusiastic volunteers who have helped organize the reunion—Maurice Viscuso, Rosemarie (Webb) D’agata, Bill klueber (all members of the class of 1963) and former NECC faculty member and administrator, Norman Landry. We’re looking for additional volunteers, if you would like to help with reunion preparations, please contact Lindsey Mayo, director of alumni relations, at 978-556-3621 or lmayo@necc.mass.edu.
See you in June!
i give to nECC in memory of my mother who was a nurse at Hale Hospital (merrimack Valley Hospital).
i am pleased to support the college in providing opportunities for the next generation of nurses.
START AND FINISH
Join us for the First NECC Campus Classic 5K on May 4
Lace up your running shoes and join us for the first NECC Campus Classic 5k road race. The event will be held on Saturday, May 4, on and around the Haverhill Campus. The race begins at 10 a.m., with registration starting at 8 a.m. and a “fun run” for children at 9 a.m. Don’t miss out on this fun event! Proceeds benefit the NECC Fund, the college’s annual fund. For more information, contact Lindsey Mayo, director of alumni relations, at 978-556-3621 or lmayo@necc.mass.edu,
Each year, northern Essex Community College makes a difference in thousands of students’ lives by providing opportunities through education. Your gift to the nECC Annual fund supports these opportunities by offering much-needed scholarships to students and by providing program grants for faculty that enhance classroom learning.
please help us continue to make a difference in students’ lives by donating to the nECC fund.
for more information about the n ECC Annual fund contact Jean C. poth, vice president, institutional advancement at 978-556-3624, jpoth@necc.mass.edu, or visit our website at www.necc.mass.edu/giving.