alumnecc Spring 2015 Volume 8

Message from the President

Dear Friends of the College,

There are many things to appreciate about living in the Merrimack Valley and one of them is the natural beauty that surrounds us.

Some of my greatest pleasures include running in the early morning along the river near my home in Amesbury, hiking and skiing in the mountains of New Hampshire, and kayaking on local rivers and in the ocean.

Lawrence native and alumni representative to the NECC Board of Trustees Ron Guilmette has been kayaking since he was a boy. Recently, the retired lieutenant colonel with the Massachusetts State Police and his nephew decided to kayak to all of the islands in Lake Winnipesaukee and document their experience through photographs. In this issue of alumnecc you’ll read how this adventure led them to publish a coffee table book, The Islands of Winnipesaukee, which is selling like hotcakes on Amazon and in local bookstores.

You’ll also read about several of our talented and passionate faculty and staff, all NECC graduates who have chosen to return to Northern Essex to build their careers. Over 94 percent of our graduates live and work in the Merrimack Valley so it’s not surprising that many of them are working at the college, which is one of the larger employers in the area.

This issue also includes a profile on Mike Hearn, our new director of libraries; details on our popular terrorism course; an update on a speakers’ series introduced last fall on our Haverhill Campus, and more.

I hope you enjoy reading the latest issue of alumnecc, and please know how much we appreciate all that you do for the college.

Many thanks,

Lane A. Glenn President

Editor: Maureen O’Leary

Contributing Editors: Sarah Comiskey, Ellen Small Davis, Ernie Greenslade, Wendy Shaffer

Art Director: Marty Lapham

Writers: Sarah Comiskey, Ellen Small Davis, Ernie Greenslade, Lindsey Mayo, Maureen O’Leary

Cover Photo: NECC Grad Ron Guilmette on his kayak in Salisbury, MA.

Photography by Mike Dean

Paddling a dventure l eads to Coffee t able b ook for ne CC a lu M

It started out as an adventure. life-long kayaker and NECC alum Ron Guilmette thought it would be fun to kayak to all of the islands on lake Winnipesaukee. He enlisted his nephew Jay leccese as the navigator and the journey began. After eight trips — including one that was over seven hours long and covered 22 miles and 60 islands — they documented all 260 islands on lake Winnipesaukee with photos and comments on the trips and the islands themselves. It could have ended there, a fun story to share with family and friends and fellow kayakers, but a friend they met on one of the islands observed that their “paddling adventure” would make a great coffee table book.

“I thought about the book idea the whole way home,” says Guilmette. He searched for a publisher, and in January of 2014, he signed a contract with Acclaim Press. by July, 1,000 copies of The Islands of Winnipesaukee had been printed, and before the month ended, the book was sold out. A second printing of 1,000 books followed in September and was sold out by thanksgiving.

“ this whole thing started as an adventure, and from kayaking to every island we got a lot of great stories from the people. People around lake Winnipesaukee love their lake,” says Guilmette. “We are still having a lot of fun doing book signings,” he adds.

Jay Leccese and Ron Guilmette on Lake Winnipesaukie

Ron Guilmette in front of Indian Island in Meredith Harbor

kayaking isn’t Guilmette’s only passion. the lawrence native had a 31-year career in the massachusetts State Police that included seven promotions and led him through the ranks to lieutenant Commander, second in command in the system.

“I loved the job from day one,” says Guilmette.

the first in his family of nine children to graduate from college, Guilmette credits NECC for his success. He earned his Associate degree in Criminal Justice with high honors in 1974.

“A lot of my foundation came from NECC. It has absolutely contributed to my success,” he says. Guilmette serves on NECC’s board of trustees and Alumni Advisory board.

Guilmette’s career also included stints as interim chief of police in lawrence and police chief at merrimack College. He still teaches in the criminology departments at merrimack College and umass lowell, and is a consultant for the law enforcement community.

the adventure continues for Guilmette, who, in addition to kayaking, teaching, consulting, and volunteering at NECC and other local organizations, loves spending time with his wife, four kids, and five grandchildren.

A second edition of The Islands of Winnipesaukee is currently in the works and should be available in mid-february. Autographed copies can be purchased at www.kayakingwinnipesaukee.com after march 1.

alumni return to the neCC fold

With 94 percent of Northern Essex Community College alumni living and working in the merrimack Valley, it should be no surprise that some of those graduates find their way back to work as faculty and staff members.

from teaching and advising students to supporting college operations, alumni are sharing their skills so that Northern Essex continues to offer a quality education.

NECC currently has over 80 alumni working on its campuses. Here’s a look at what some of them are doing:

Pam Donahue ’69, Office Technology Professor, Accounting

for nearly 40 years Pam donahue has been teaching and advising her accounting students.

When she enrolled in 1967, NECC did not have a permanent campus. Classes were taught from the Greenleaf School in bradford. today with its Haverhill and lawrence Campuses, tutoring center, student success center, and leadership and ambassador programs, NECC makes her proud as both an alum and a faculty member.

“It was always my goal to teach at the very college that gave me the opportunity to continue my education,” she says.

Her education didn’t stop at NECC. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees, she taught in the lawrence Public School System. She also worked as a tax examiner for the IRS.

As an alumna, she says, “I feel I can better relate to my students and share with them the many advantages and opportunities that I had experienced from attending NECC and how this led me to become a college professor.”

Jody Carson ‘02, Early Childhood Education Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education

Rich Padova ’80, Liberal Arts Adjunct Faculty, History/Geography/Government

Almost from the time she enrolled at Northern Essex as an early childhood education major, Jody Carson knew she wanted to return and teach.

“I loved NECC and felt a connection to the college and the faculty,” she says. “I looked forward to the day when I could inspire others in the classroom the way so many here had inspired me.”

While earning bachelor and master’s degrees, her education led her to work for a number of private and public child care agencies.

Carson’s plan came full circle in 2007 when she began teaching as an adjunct instructor. two years later she became a half-time assistant professor in the early childhood program.

“I have walked in the shoes of the students I work with. I can relate to their experiences,” she says. “It is great for students to see alum who have become successful in their career fields.”

In addition to teaching, Carson co-chairs NECC’s textbook task force, which has already saved our students $52,000 in textbook costs and projects to save them a total of $132,000 by the end of this academic year.

Some of the best information Rich Padova shares with his students was gleaned from his own time spent in the NECC classrooms as an undergraduate.

“I’ve sat where my students are sitting – literally,” says the Andover resident. “I can speak of my own experiences as a student at Northern Essex and hopefully inspire and motivate students. I am happy to provide advice or guidance.”

Padova appreciates the foundation he received from NECC. though he was accepted at four-year schools, he attended NECC to explore majors and build confidence. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree. this was followed by a master’s degree and this year he will earn another master’s.

“I was always intrigued with working at NECC which was responsible for putting me on track for my career in education,” he says. “I always wanted to give back to the college community in appreciation of this.”

Padova serves as a seasonal historical interpreter at lawrence Heritage State Park which is dedicated to preserving the city’s industrial heritage. He brings this knowledge of lawrence mill history into his u. S. History and History of the

Ricardo “Danny” Rivera ’05, Electronic Technology: Computer Networking Engineering Option

Assistant Director of Client Services & Media Services

for danny Rivera the decision to attend Northern Essex was all about affordability and accessibility. His decision to join the NECC staff was all about opportunity.

the Hooksett, NH resident enrolled in the fall of 2002. A few months later, he secured a work-study position in the college’s Information technology department. Just as he was about to graduate in 2005, a permanent full-time position opened.

While working in It he attended umass lowell and earned a bachelor’s degree.

the 30-year-old views himself as a role model. It was in the not too distant past that he carried a full academic schedule while juggling work-study as well as a part-time job.

“I have talked to students … some are wondering what to do with their degree. I think it is beneficial to students to have examples of what others before them have done,” he says. “I myself find it impressive the number of alumni who return to NECC as faculty or staff.”

Dr. Ken Thomas ’85, Liberal Arts Professor, Natural Sciences

ken thomas enrolled as a student at Northern Essex to build his academic confidence. He returned and now helps his students do the same.

When thomas earned his associate degree at Northern Essex in 1985, he never imagined he would return years later to teach. but after earning a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.d, that is just what he did.

“At Northern Essex I found the professors were very helpful and understood my situation. they helped me along,” he says.

Now he helps his students along. An expert canoer, sailor, and swimmer, who calls the water his playground and his office, he loves to share his curiosity for marine biology. While he also teaches introduction to biology and human biology, marine biology has had his heart since he was a boy on family trips to the beach.

“I was the one poking around the rocks, digging in the sand, and sieving the water just to see what was living in there,” he says.

His students benefit from his passion, whether he is leading a class excursion from the Newburyport docks or leading NECC students on a climb up Cotopaxi, a stratovolcano in the Andes mountains as part of the short-term study abroad program.

“I love to see them learning when they don’t even know

PROUD NECC GRADS WORKING TO HELP STUDENTS SUCCEED

Front Row (L-R)

Charlene Woodard ‘09 Marketing Communications

Sue Chory ‘98 College to Career Program/ Academic Affairs

Heather Wilson ‘01 IT Client Services

Sandra Guy ‘10 Health Information Technology

Pam Donahue ‘69 Business Administration

Gloria Swanbon ‘79 Health Professions

Donna Bertolino ‘83 Academic Support Services

Donna Felisberto ‘83, ‘92, ‘96

Academic Placement & Testing Center

Ellen Small Davis ‘79 Marketing Communications

Jason DeCosta ‘13

Computer Science

Second Row (L-R)

Joyce Brody ‘07 Technology, Arts, and Social Professions

Michele Simon ‘03, ‘13 Marketing Communications

Vanessa Pepin ‘98, ‘00 Marketing Communications

Linda Comeau ‘76, ‘83 Health Division/iHealth

Dianne Lahaye ‘05 Corporate and Community Relations

Kathryn Ronaldson ‘83 Corporate and Community Relations

Richard Padova ‘80 Global Studies

Janet David ‘90 Enrollment Services

Julie Carey ‘78

Foundational Studies and Liberal Arts & Sciences

Third Row (L-R)

Susan Stehfest ‘00 Marketing Communications

Jody Carson ‘02 Early Childhood Education/CIT

Jane Thiefels ‘08

Academic Preparation, Retired

Sue Alestock ‘97

Academic Placement & Testing Center

Maureen Lundergan ‘87 Foundational Studies and Liberal Arts & Sciences

Christopher Corcoran ‘81 English

Cheryl Goodwin ‘82 President’s Office

Deborah Naudzunas ‘84 Enrollment Services

Jane Bailey ‘02

Academic and Student Affairs

Fourth Row (L-R)

Lori Smerdon ‘00 Institutional Advancement

Margaret Lambert ‘11

Academic Placement & Testing Center

Cathy Lavery ‘92 Development Office

Mark Palermo ‘70

Academic Preparation

Lawrence Rickabaugh ‘05, ‘07 IT Client Services

Kathleen Borruso ‘81

Management Information Services

Sherrie Carroll ‘02 Gallaudet University Regional Center

Louise Michaud ‘99

Academic Placement & Testing Center

NECC PROFILE

Mike Hearn

Home: Nashua, NH

Age: 48

Director of NECC Libraries

Biking, hiking, photography, outdoor activities

Last book read: The Good Lord Bird, by James McBride

Latest accomplishment: Authored a book with the Lawrence History Center about the Essex Company, the organization that founded the city of Lawrence; led the establishment of the NECC library’s new Information Literacy Lab on the Lawrence Campus.

Favorite Quote: “Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information.” — Edward

R. Tufte

Profile: I was born and raised in Delaware, educated and married in Maryland, and became a parent and a librarian in South Carolina. Now I’m happily settled in New England with my family. Before becoming director of libraries in July, I was Coordinator of NECC’s Lawrence Campus Library for nine years. With a background in American Studies, I developed a particular interest in the history of Lawrence and the entire Merrimack Valley area. I am proud to be at Northern Essex, helping to educate the residents of the community.

Why I do what I do: Higher education is changing very quickly, and libraries need to be able to lead the way forward in an evolving information landscape. More than ever, students need the ability to locate and use information sources successfully, and to be able to transfer those skills into an advanced degree or workplace environment. Whether in print or electronic format, student access to information sources is imperative, and the college library will continue to play a pivotal role in higher education.

new neCC Class — response to terrorism — attracts large numbers

We hear the word “terrorism” every day, but how well do we understand it? This is precisely the question that NECC’s popular new criminal justice course – Response to Terrorism – attempts to answer. The course was offered for the first time this past fall due to student demand and ultimately drew in so much interest that the college added a second section of it to accommodate high enrollment. The roughly 40 students who registered received a broad historical overview of terrorism, including a glimpse of its global and post-9/11 implications.

Criminal justice professors Paul Cavan and Scott Joubert, who designed and conducted the course, say that one of their goals in teaching about the history of terrorism is to help future law enforcement officials understand why people commit acts of terror and how officials might best prepare for, respond to, and prevent these acts. The course moreover provides students of all disciplines an insightful look at the effects terrorism has on all facets of culture. “We should never forget that many fields are impacted by terrorist incidents and the planning for potential threats that terrorist organizations pose to society,” Joubert explains.

NECC plans to offer the Response to Terrorism course for a second time next fall.

Haverhill Campus bares its s ole

You wear shoes all the time, but have you ever sat in one? Thanks to Team Haverhill’s new Soles of Haverhill 2014 Fashion Forward shoe/bench initiative, you can. This fall NECC acquired a large fiberglass shoe – one of a half dozen around the Haverhill area being transformed from a plain replica of a woman’s shoe into a colorful bench and impressive work of art. Professor Marc Mannheimer and several art students chose the shoe’s unique design, which is intended to convey, both literally and figuratively, the strengths of each academic area represented at the college.

Northern Essex is one of several organizations partnering with Team Haverhill’s initiative to bring Haverhill’s Renaissance to public attention. The shoe was funded by the NECC Office of Institutional Advancement and is now on display outside the Hartleb Technology Center.

420 Common street s erves Campus and Community

Last November, business and community leaders gathered at 420 Common Street to celebrate a new commercial venture in the city of Lawrence that will cater to Northern Essex Community College students as well as the community.

420 Common Street, a recently renovated three-story building which is primarily occupied by Northern Essex Community College, features a first floor with a high tech “micro” branch of Eastern Bank, the Naples-inspired Napolitana Flatbread Pizzeria Bar, and a full-service bookstore operated by Follett. The second and third floors of the building house classrooms, including two computer classrooms equipped with sophisticated equipment, the college’s Center for Instructional Technology, and administrative offices.

Northern Essex hopes to announce a four-year college or university partner soon, which could start offering bachelor degree completion programs by the fall of 2015.

Sal Lupoli, president, Lupoli Co.; Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera; Wendy Estrella, NECC Board of Trustees, and State Representative Marcos Devers.

neCC Welcomes incoming Presidential s cholars

twelve incoming NECC freshmen were honored this fall at a special inaugural dinner and recognition ceremony hosted on the Haverhill Campus. All had recently been accepted to the college’s Presidential Scholars Program that rewards motivated high school seniors in the region.

Presidential Scholars are selected through a nomination process and chosen based on their high school academic records, extracurricular activities, and work or volunteer activities. upon enrolling, they each receive a $1,000 scholarship renewable for a second year as well as a faculty or staff mentor who will work with them to help ensure academic success. Congratulations to our newest Presidential Scholars!

Why I Give

“I give to Northern Essex because Northern Essex gave me the training I needed to fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a nurse. The nursing program offered a flexible course track that fit well with my busy schedule (at the time, as the mother of four young children) and allowed me to eventually obtain bachelor and master degrees. Without NECC, none of this would have been possible.”

VNA

Linda J. Hotchkiss ’80

Retired CEO, Rochester District

Ways to give

> Gifts of Cash

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 o ffice. masterCard and Visa are accepted by phone or mail.

> Securities

Gifts of appreciated securities offer significant tax advantages to the donor. Please call Institutional Advancement for further information and instructions for their transfer.

> Matching Gifts

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.

> Life Income Gifts

You may make a charitable contribution to NECC and also receive income for life while obtaining significant tax advantages.

> Bequests

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.

> Gifts of Real Estate

You may make gifts of real estate and gifts of future interests in real estate and obtain tax savings.

NECC’s Institutional Advancement o ffice 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.

global studies Program

introduces new speaker series

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean shared words of wisdom and optimism with NECC students, employees, and community members last September, when he visited the Haverhill Campus to speak about U.S. political trends in the digital age. The lecture was the first in a new Global Studies Department series titled Movers, Shakers, and Opinion Makers, which is intended to enrich cultural and political dialogue in the Merrimack Valley through scheduled talks by academics, politicians, and journalists. The series was developed by Rich Padova of the Global Studies Department and made possible thanks to grant support from the NECC Annual Fund and Academic & Student Affairs.

The spring line-up of guest speakers includes historical experts, who will speak at an event commemorating the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln’s assassination, as well as political campaign strategists.

in Memoriam

Mr. r ichard e . n oble ‘64

Mr. Charles e . r owe ‘79

Ms. v iolet f. g audet ‘81

Ms. k athleen a . Murphy ‘84

Ms. a nna t. l avallee ‘88

Ms. e lin J. Callahan ‘91

Ms. d oris l . Mc n eil ‘93

Ms. Pamela a . Cox ‘96

Mr. b rian M. a ndrews ‘99

Ms. Jasmine s . g illingham ‘11

Sip & Paint

neCC alumni take a taste of the arts

on october 29, a group of Northern Essex alumni gathered at the Paint and Wine lounge of Haverhill for the college’s first Sip and Paint fundraising night, which consisted of a guided two-hour painting tutorial and an assortment of drinks and appetizers to enjoy throughout. Attendees were encouraged to put their own flair on each masterpiece they created and to take the pieces home with them.

Alumni board chair Susan bonenfant, who assisted in planning the event, was pleased with its overall outcome. “I can’t stress enough how much fun everyone had,” she says. “I got a ton of wonderful feedback.”

A portion of the event proceeds benefited the NECC Annual fund for student scholarships and academic programs.

knights reunite at alumni baseball reunion

this past october the NECC Athletics department hosted its second Alumni baseball day on campus for former members of the knights baseball team. the day offered a fun afternoon of food and conversation, including a home-run derby, alumni game, and barbeque. Proceeds supported funding for the knights baseball team’s 2015 season as they look toward future championships. In the past eight years, the team has made four trips to the NJCAA World Series.

Among special attendees was the 2014 outstanding Alumni Award winner manny Cabral, a former NECC baseball captain and selfless bone marrow donor who had the honor of meeting his bone marrow recipient for the first time that day.

alumni news

s usan b onenfant , chair of NECC’s Alumni Advisory Board, was honored with the 2014 AMVETS of Massachusetts Pilgrim Award for Public Service.

e duardo Cres P o ‘70 has been named Spanish Program Mentoring Consultant by Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), a local non-profit that strives to improve economic and social conditions through entrepreneurship in Lowell, Lawrence, and the Merrimack Valley region.

Jane Higgins ‘71 has published her first book Auntie Jane Della’s, featuring a compilation of her award-winning dessert recipes. Higgins visited the NECC campus on December 19 for a book signing.

g lenn Pier C e ‘83 recently published his first book, Naming Rites: A Biographical History of North American Team Names. The book is available for order and review through Amazon.com.

Mary b et H t raynor ‘85 served as co-chair of this year’s regional Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk in Lowell, sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

b randon Ho W es ‘05 was recognized by The Boston Globe for his success in running Comfort Home Care of Methuen, a local home health care agency. Comfort Home Care was named a top company on The Boston Globe’s annual Top Places to Work list.

Crissy o lson ‘06 graduated cum laude from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in Health Management. She is now enrolled as a master’s candidate in Northeastern’s MBA program.

a ndres g uz M an ‘11 earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UMass Lowell in May of 2014 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Homeland Defense.

SAVE THE DATE

Third Annual Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run

Saturday, May 2, 2015 Haverhill Campus

don’t miss the third annual Campus Classic 5k and fun Run! this great athletic event features something for everyone. Run in the 5k race, which winds through the campus and its surrounding neighborhoods, watch your children take part in the fun Run, or simply come to support your friends and peers. Post-race festivities will include music, raffles, refreshments, giveaways, awards, and more!

Second Annual NECC Golf Tournament

Monday, June 15,

2015 Renaissance Golf Club

Join Northern Essex Community College for its second annual golf tournament! the event will be held at the Renaissance Golf Club in Haverhill, recently named New England’s “Course of the Year” by the New England Chapter of the National Golf Course owners of America (NEGCoA), and will include 18 holes of golf (with a cart), an awards dinner, lunch, and giveaways. Special foursome registration rates are available.

Proceeds from both events benefit the NECC Annual fund. to learn more please visit www.necc.mass.edu/alumni or contact lindsey mayo, director of alumni and donor relations, at lmayo@necc.mass.edu 978-556-3621.

your gift to the neCC annual fund Makes a d ifference

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 NECC 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.

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