If you graduated from Northern Essex within the last 45 years, it’s likely you spent a great deal of time in the Spurk Building. Since it opened in 1971, Spurk has been the heartbeat of the Haverhill Campus — the place where most of our learning and teaching takes place.
For the past year, Spurk has been “off-line” while extensive renovations were being made, improvements that will greatly enhance the experience for our students, faculty, and staff.
It’s been challenging taking such a well-used building out of service for such a long period of time, but I think everyone will agree it was worth it. This newly renovated space is now safer, more pleasant, and more accessible.
In this issue of alumnecc, you’ll read about the Spurk renovation project and also two of our very successful alumni, a health care grad turned entrepreneur who has developed a product to improve the lives of patients, and a liberal arts graduate who has written for local and national publications. We are grateful for the support they both continue to provide the college.
Oh, and that photo of me wearing an NECC shirt on top of a mountain? It was taken in June when my brother Mitch and I spent a weekend in the Canadian Rockies climbing three 10,000-foot peaks. I loved wearing my NECC t-shirt in such a majestic spot and I like to think we’re taking the college to new heights!
Thanks once again for all you do for NECC!
Lane A. Glenn President
Editor: Maureen O’Leary
Contributing Editors: Sarah Comiskey, Ellen Small Davis, Ernie Greenslade, Wendy Shaffer
Graphic Designer: Susan Stehfest
Writers: Sarah Comiskey, Ellen Small Davis, Ernie Greenslade, Maureen O’Leary
When students return to the Haverhill Campus this fall, they will be attending classes in a newly renovated Spurk Building. From new windows, flooring, and audiovisual equipment in the classrooms to a new HVAC system, new restrooms, and accessibility upgrades for the entire building, Spurk is now an optimal spot to take – and teach – classes.
“The renovations have modernized the building and will greatly benefit our students and faculty who will be able to learn and teach in a first-class space,” says NECC President Lane Glenn.
The Spurk Building was constructed in 1971 as part of the college’s first permanent campus, which also included the Bentley Library, the Science Building, the General Services Building, the Student Center, and the Sport and Fitness Center. It was named in memory of the late Dr. John Spurk, formerly of Haverhill, a professor of history and government at Northern Essex for 24 years until his retirement in 1991.
The Commonwealth provided funding for this project through its Division of Capital Asset and Management and Maintenance (DCAMM).
Photos,opposite page, top to bottom: modernized Lecture Hall A, newly renovated hallway and enclosed staircase
Above, top to bottom: front of Spurk Building after renovations, the updated Chester W. Hawrylciw Theater
• A new Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system was installed.
• Restrooms were made code-compliant and fully accessible, and have new plumbing, fixtures, accessories, finishings, and lighting.
• All exterior and interior windows have been replaced.
• Accessibility changes were made to bring Spurk into full compliance with the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including new and renovated entrance ramps, proper door clearance, extension of the accessible parking lot toward the building, and new chairs, wheelchair spots, and companion seats for Lecture Hall A and the Chester W. Hawrylciw Theater.
• Life safety changes were made for additional fire protection, including a sprinkler room and stairwell improvements like the enclosure of the central stairwell.
• New flooring was installed in the classrooms and faculty/staff offices. There is new audiovisual equipment in the classrooms, new furniture in faculty/staff offices, some new furniture throughout the building, and a new faculty lounge.
• Lecture Hall A and the Chester W. Hawrylciw Theater have new seating, carpet, and ADA accessible entrances. Lecture Hall A has a new ceiling, lighting, and audiovisual equipment, and the Hawrylciw Theater has an added greenroom space.
• Although not part of the original project, renovations will be made to Jitters Café.
• New data network hardware has been installed to support data, wireless, voice and CCTV video infrastructure.
• All building entryways have been updated.
Alexandra Pecci is in the business of words. A 2002 graduate of NECC’s Liberal Arts: Writing Program, she has since gone on to launch a successful career as a freelance journalist, regularly composing articles for such publications as the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Bust Magazine, North Shore Magazine, and the Eagle Tribune. But her key to getting here extends far beyond the written page.
It was NECC’s generosity, she says, coupled with the generosity of various editors and writers who have offered guidance along the way, which ultimately propelled her toward finding fulfillment in her profession. And it was precisely this type of altruism that inspired her to give back.
“I’ve experienced that [generosity] so much – I wanted to do that for others,” she said in a recent interview with the NECC Observer.
In 2014, Pecci joined the NECC Alumni Board, through which she participated in a variety of campus fundraising initiatives. Her new-found involvement also led to her serving, the following year as a guest speaker at a special campus panel – one of several held throughout each academic year, in an effort to expand students’ understanding of a given professional field. There she shared advice with students interested in launching writing careers, encouraging them to take advantage of all the opportunities that Northern Essex had to offer.
Her impact on campus has only increased since that time. Most recently, Pecci worked with Journalism/ Communication Professor Amy Callahan to organize a special series of talks aimed at providing students with opportunities to interact with local communication professionals. She organized three events for Callahan’s Principles of Public Relations class over the course of the spring 2017 semester, featuring such guest speakers as North Shore Magazine Editor Nancy Berry, who discussed what constitutes a good story and how to advocate for pitches, and Eagle Tribune Managing Editor Tracey Rauh, who spoke about journalist career opportunities and provided information on her own journey to her current position.
Students walked away from the experience with a better sense of the myriad career paths they could follow.
“It motivated me. I learned a lot, and it opened some doors that I hadn’t even been aware of,” says student Cassie Ellson.
Pecci hopes to continue organizing similar talks in future semesters.
We’d love to hear from you! If you’d like to have a positive impact on NECC students and are interested in exploring campus volunteer activities, please contact the alumni office at alumni@necc.mass.edu.
To the U.S. Patent Office it’s patent #8,486,035.
To Northern Essex alumnus Brian Mohika it’s a life-altering medical product.
And to NECC graphic design major Caitlin Miracle of Merrimac, it’s her first professional assignment.
Mohika selected Miracle’s logo design from dozens submitted by NECC graphic design students to represent his new company CathWear, which manufactures specially designed medical undergarments for patients wearing leg bags that are attached to a drainage catheter.
“It was important to me to get Northern Essex involved,” Mohika said. “It’s a creative way to give back to the school that catapulted my professional career.”
Mohika, an Air Force Veteran and 2006 graduate of NECC’s Radiologic Technology program, holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and works as a visiting nurse. He is the inventor of CathWear, the custom, unisex medical undergarment that resembles boxer briefs with pockets on each thigh to hold catheter bags, and a catheter channel tract to hold the accompanying medical tubes. The briefs are machine washable and available in many sizes.
“CathWear restores dignity and privacy during treatment and recovery while improving the quality of life for patients, who because of various medical conditions and surgical procedures, have to wear leg bags to work or school,” says the Lawrence native. “It removes the unsanitary straps that slide down the leg, become loose, or cut-off circulation if tied too tight. It helps avoid embarrassing moments as well as skin irritations and infections.”
CathWear, which is in the product sampling phase, was showcased at the 2017 American Urology Association Convention.
“The response from doctors motivated us to continue our efforts to bring Cathwear into the market,” said Mohika.
The seed for CathWear germinated when Mohika worked in interventional radiology. He saw how cumbersome drains and catheter bags were for patients.
He and a friend, also an NECC alumnus and fellow nurse, Hector Arce, designed and then patented the design. Another Lawrence native and childhood friend, Edwin Alvarez, wrote the business plan to launch CathWear.
The nascent entrepreneurs knew they had a solid design when it won first place and fan favorite awards in a Deshpande Foundation competition, which encourages the use of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Today, CathWear calls Lawrence home.
“We want to create work opportunities locally,” Mohika said. “It was always our goal, as a company, to give back to Lawrence.”
For 22 years Jay White was an FBI special agent. During that time, the Penn State grad gained valuable hands-on experience that, for the last 10 years, he has shared with students in the criminal justice classes he teaches at Northern Essex. Since crime and security are hot issues, he says, that translates into job security in an ever evolving field. “You need to keep abreast of the constant changes in methods and technologies used, not only by law enforcement, but by criminals and terrorists too.”
Home: Haverhill, Massachusetts
Profession: Attorney, Retired FBI Agent, Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice, NECC
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, landscaping
Last book read: Lincoln’sLieutenants:TheHighCommandofthe ArmyofthePotomac by Stephen
W. SearsLatest accomplishment: Just finished seeing both our children through college, debt free, with jobs and living on their own
Quote: “Perception is reality.” Attributed to Lee Atwater
Profile: I’m a student, passing on what I have learned, am learning and will learn. That’s what I did as an FBI Agent. That’s what I do as a teacher.
Why I do what I do: I teach because I truly enjoy the interaction with students. I am fascinated by their views on our criminal justice system, a topic of great importance at this time, and relish the opportunity to introduce them to the world of the criminal justice professional. The greatest satisfaction I’ve had comes from students who have discovered an interest in pursuing a criminal justice career path based on one of my classes.
The NECC Libraries will be curating an exhibit this fall at the Buttonwoods Museum in Haverhill. The exhibit, Northern Essex Community College: The Early Years in Haverhill, will document the founding of the college, its placement in Haverhill, and how it became a fixture in the Merrimack Valley during its first 25 years. The show is running concurrent to the publication of A History of Northern Essex Community College, 1960-1985 by the late Dr. John Spurk, a former faculty member, and edited by Dr. Robert Eddy, an NECC alumnus and former student of Dr. Spurk.
The multimedia exhibit will be open from September 2-29.
In June, Governor Charlie Baker announced that Rosalin Acosta, a member of the college’s board of trustees since 2016, would be the state’s new secretary of labor and workforce development.
For over 30 years, she has worked in wealth management, government banking, cash management and commercial lending. She also serves as a board member of the Boston Foundation; a board overseer at Boston Children’s Hospital; and a member of the Boston
Chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA).
The mother of five and Amesbury resident is now heading up unemployment, career services, labor standards, labor relations, and more in the state.
“We’ll miss Rosalin at NECC,” said NECC President Lane A. Glenn. “But it’s exciting that we will now benefit from her talents at the state level.”
Also serving on Governor Baker’s cabinet is Francisco Urena, a 2009 Northern Essex graduate, who was named secretary of veterans’ services in 2015.
Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito have appointed NECC President Lane Glenn to the STEM Advisory Council, a statewide group that is expanding access to education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for students across the Commonwealth.
The 29-member council includes leaders from business and industry, education, and government, and is co-chaired by U.S. Representative Joseph Kennedy III and Lt. Governor Polito. Glenn is the only community college representative on the council.
During the next decade, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology estimates that U.S. industries will need one million more STEM graduates than the system is expected to produce. Despite the need, the U.S. Department of Education estimates that just one in six high school seniors is proficient in math and interested in pursuing STEM higher education or careers.
“The council will focus on preparing Massachusetts students for STEM fields such as engineering and computer science,” said Glenn. “It’s exciting because STEM programs at Northern Essex are growing at the same time as the demand for graduates with these skills.”
“NECC helped turn my passion for computers into a career. The faculty is invested in the success of the students, and the campus is inviting. I hope that by giving to NECC, I can help others create memories and springboard their careers.”
Gifts of cash enable funds to be made available for immediate use by NECC and are fully tax deductible. To make your gift, simply complete and return the enclosed envelope with your check made payable to NECC Foundation, Inc. or give online at www.necc.mass.edu/giving.
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; executive director, NECC Foundation, Inc. at 978-556-3624 or jpoth@necc.mass.edu.
- Justin Hatem ‘97, director of information technology, NuView Systems
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 | 7:30 P.M. Collins Center, 100 Shawsheen Road, Andover, MA
TO PURCHASE TICKETS ($50), call the Northern Essex Community College Institutional Advancement events line at 978-556-3870 or visit www.mktix.com.
For more information or to request communication access, visit www.necc.mass.edu/signature-event. Discounts available for students and groups.
Two Northern Essex health program graduates — Terry Stubbs and Jason Moury — were recently recognized with prestigious honors at NECC’s 55th annual commencement exercise on May 20, 2017.
Terry Stubbs, a 1984 graduate of NECC’s medical transcription program, received an honorary associate degree in business management for her contributions to the medical science field. The founder, president, and CEO of ActivMed Practices and Research, Inc., Stubbs has devoted much of her life to pioneering and managing clinical research initiatives. She has also played an instrumental role in the training of area health professionals, most recently working with NECC to develop a clinical research coordinator advanced certificate program.
The annual Outstanding Alumni Award, which recognizes an NECC graduate who has made significant contributions to his/her career field or community, was presented to Jason Moury ’06. Moury is the current vice president of both the COPD Foundation and the Massachusetts Society for Respiratory Care and has spent a large portion of the past decade increasing funding and support for pulmonary disease research. A former adjunct professor at NECC, he has also played an important role in preparing prospective respiratory professionals for careers in the field.
MISS THIS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SHOW FEATURING HIT SONGS FROM THE BEATLES CATALOG AND PAUL MCCARTNEY SOLO WORKS!
Lynda J. Murphy ‘69
Sharon L. Cronk ‘79
Natalie E. Christie ‘79
Marie I. Sirois ‘85
David R. Whittemore ‘87
Linda A. Taylor ‘93
Dawn M. Somers ‘98
Tammie L. Sargent ‘99
Pauline H. Smith ‘01
CRISTINA DIOR ‘10 has published her debut book The Healing Wound, which chronicles the author’s journey toward self-acceptance.
JOHN MICHAEL SEFEL ’12, a Ph.D. candidate at Ohio State University, recently received a grant award through OSU’s Lawrence and Lee Theatre Research Institute. The award will enable him to conduct research at various locations throughout Lithuania and Romania later this year.
BRUCE AUGUSTONOVICH ‘14 was featured in the Newburyport Daily News for his advocacy work with the Amesbury Council on Aging. .
MARGARET KOSTIEW ‘17, a graduate of NECC’s computer science program, received the Outstanding Student Award in May for her accomplishments on campus and in the community.
ANDREW MILTON ‘17 was featured in the Newburyport Daily News for his achievements in the respiratory care field.
It is not unusual for the NECC baseball team, the Knights, and its players to receive awards and accolades, and this year is no exception. On June 30, right-handed pitcher Ryan McAuliffe signed with the New York Mets. Ryan played at NECC from 2013-2015, and during that time he was captain of the team, two-time All-Region Player, All American, NECC Male Student Athlete of the Year, and in March of 2014 NJCAA Division III Pitcher of the Week. He pitched for the NECC Knights in the 2014 and 2015 in the NJCAA Division III World Series. Ryan graduated from NECC in 2015 with an associate degree in general studies and transferred to St. John’s University, where he continued his baseball career before graduating in May prior to signing with the Mets in June. Congratulations to Ryan!
In addition to baseball, NECC has seven other varsity sports, including men’s basketball, women’s softball and volleyball, and men’s and women’s cross country and track and field. Come and cheer on the NECC Knights! Check out our teams and schedules at www.necc.mass.edu/athletics.
On Saturday, June 3, Northern Essex welcomed back dozens of deaf studies and interpreting program alumni for a special campus reunion hosted by the NECC Alumni Office and the Deaf Studies Department. The reunion, which featured several guest speakers and a luncheon for its guests, served as an opportunity for alumni to reconnect and network with their peers.
Opening remarks were delivered by Bill Heineman, vice president of academic and student affairs, and Larry Stephen, adjunct professor of deaf studies/American Sign Language. Participants were then treated to a panel discussion, during which graduates spoke of their passion for the deaf studies program and the positive impact it has had on their lives.
The NECC Deaf Studies Program provides students with a broad introduction to American Sign Language and linguistics, Deaf culture, Deaf history, and Deaf literature in order to prepare them for careers and transfer.
For the second year in a row, Fenway Park will host a special Community College Day during one of the Red Sox’s last home games of the season. For more information, contact Lindsay Graham at lgraham@necc.mass.edu.
NOVEMBER 28, 2017
Please join us as we participate in the global day of giving held annually the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Your gift to NECC on this day will benefit student scholarships and academic programs. Learn more at www.necc.mass.edu/giving-tuesday.