Spring 2009
Published by the North Shore Community College Alumni Office
Fire Protection and Safety Technology Program A Family Tradition for Three Generations of NSCC Graduates In 1968, when NSCC started the first full‒time Fire Protection and Safety Program in Massachusetts, George Nash was on campus. Forty‒one years later, both his son and grandson have attended the same program, which is not only still growing strong, but going online. (See Online Fire Safety Program Option, page 2). George retired as the Middleton Fire Chief in 1993 after 47 years of service. He took his first NSCC class in 1968, attended part‒time, then took several years off before returning to complete his AS. He completed his last class for graduation in 1989. Rick Nash, George’s son, is a captain at the North Reading Fire Department where he has worked since 1974. While working at the NRFD, Rick was also attending NSCC full time. Upon graduation he went on to Rivier College in Nashua for a BS in Emergency Management. continued page 2
L-R: Firefighters and NSCC Alumni: George, Rick and Brian Nash.
NSCC Foundation Celebrates 25 Years, Honors Senator Fred Berry
L-R: Foundation board member Joseph Riley and wife Donna Riley, Eileen Fisk ’89, NSCC President Wayne Burton, Senator Fred Berry, Janice Ginsberg with husband Barry Ginsberg ’71, Foundation board member and chair of NSCC Board of Trustees.
The North Shore Community College Foundation has given more than $1.8 million in scholarships to 2,300 students since its inception in 1985. To celebrate its 25‒year anniversary, the Foundation recently held a fund‒raising dinner party at Turner Hill Mansion, Ipswich, an event which netted over $30,000 to establish the Senator Frederick E. Berry Scholarship fund. The anniversary celebration was also an opportunity to honor Senator Fred Berry for his long‒time support and advocacy of the college. The Senator Frederick E. Berry Scholarship will be awarded to NSCC students who exemplify merit and distinguished service to their communities.
NSCC Grad Now Pediatrician
Eileen Fisk, ‘89 (pictured above, third from left) spoke at the Foundation celebration about her NSCC experience and the life and career‒changing impact of receiving scholarship aid. A native of Scotland, Eileen was a flight attendant for over 17 years until the airline workers strike in 1986. Eileen then made the decision to attend NSCC where she earned honors, served as Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and received multiple merit scholarships. Following her NSCC education, Eileen graduated Cum Laude from Tufts University in 1992 with a BS in Bio-Psychology and went on to earn a degree in medicine from Boston University. She is now a practicing pediatrician and heads the Department of Pediatrics at The Lynn Community Health Center.
L-R: Barry and Janice Ginsberg, James and Jackie Rich (standing), Judi Gentleman ’96, President of NSCC’s Alumni Association Board, and Ralph Parisi ‘96 at Turner Hill celebration.
New Alumni Benefits Come Back for NonCredit Courses and Get an Alumni Discount We are very happy to offer discount vouchers to our grads coming back for noncredit courses offered by NSCC’s Division of Corporate and Community Education. New courses are offered each month in Danvers, Lynn and Beverly as well as online. Topics include creative and performing arts, computers and high tech training, finance, languages and literature, mind, body and soul and so much more. See course listings online: www.northshore.edu/community or call 978-236-1200 for a course schedule. Voucher value will be based on the amount of the course and ranges from $10 to $100. Vouchers are non-transferable and cannot be combined with other waivers or discounts. Register now and be entered in our alumni drawing for a free laser printer! Once you’ve selected your course-but before you registercontact NSCC Alumni Coordinator Sandy Rochon for your voucher and welcome back to NSCC! Tel: 978-762-4000, x5481 Email: srochon@northshore.edu
continued from page 1
A Family Tradition for Three Generations of NSCC Graduates
Rick’s son, Brian, graduated this year and Rick’s daughter, Erika, is a first-year Health Sciences student. Rick returned recently with two of his children who were attending NSCC and remarked on the changes on campus, saying, “As a 1980’s graduate of NSCC, I can truly appreciate what North Shore has become. North Shore’s strength has always been in its staff and not its buildings. Now that you have both — excellent staff as well as facilities, it has really come into its own as a first‒rate college.” NSCC is very proud to be an educational resource to those who serve and protect our neighborhoods. And we are proud to count the three generations of Nash family members among our graduates!
Alumni Profile
Shawn Lerner ’91 shown here with a CPR mannequin used by his company, “When Seconds Count.”
NSCC First to Offer Online Fire Safety Program
Articulation Agreements with Northern Essex, Salem State College Firefighters and those who want to enter the Fire Science field now have more options for obtaining their Associate Degree through NSCC’s Fire Science program which offers classroom courses, online instruction or a combination of both. The new completely online option is unique to NSCC. This is not the first time NSCC has offered unique programs in Fire Science. In 1968, NSCC was the first in Massachusetts to offer a full-time Fire Protection and Safety Technology Program. NSCC has also established articulation agreements with Northern Essex Community College and Salem State College. Now, students can take their first year at those colleges before transferring seamlessly into North Shore’s Fire Science Associate Degree Program. After they graduate with their Associate Degree, they can then transfer on to Salem State College’s Fire Science Administration program for their Bachelor’s Degree. Frank Ryan has been the Program Coordinator at NSCC since 1971. When asked recently to reflect on the changes in the program he said, “When I first became a New York City firefighter I never expected that I would one day end up teaching fire protection in a college program. I feel a great deal of satisfaction in what the college and I have accomplished over the last 38 years in providing educational opportunities for firefighters and those interested in the fire protection field. Developing the first evening program, the first day program and now the first online degree program has been a great adventure. Whatever comes next, I want to be a part of it.”
NSCC Grad’s Company Offers First Aid, CPR Training Shawn Lerner is a 1991 graduate of NSCC’s Fire Protection & Safety Technology program who went on to Salem State College for a Bachelor’s Degree before becoming an EMT and a dispatcher at Salem Fire Department. In 2000, he used his education and training to start his own company, When Seconds Count, which provides CPR and First Aid training.
Shawn’s fondest memory of NSCC’s fire safety program is the attention that the faculty gave students. He recalls receiving individualized attention and says his professor and advisor, Frank Ryan, was instrumental in helping him with career and educational goals. “He had the knowledge and experience to be a good resource,” Shawn recalled.
Community Events
Last year’s 11th annual Scholarship Open Golf Tournament raised a net profit of $25,000 in scholarship funds for deserving NSCC students. In addition to 18 holes at the Ferncroft Country Club, players enjoyed a terrific meal, the chance to bid on silent auction items and meet Boston Bruins legend Rick Middleton (far right) at the 9th hole. Also pictured (L‒R) are: Bob Bradford, President of North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Stephen Crowder, Vice President of Operations for North Shore Chamber of Commerce, NSCC Information Systems staff members Blair Robinson and Bob Murphy ‘91 and Rick Middleton.
Recognize anyone? Staff, students and members of the Alumni Association Board volunteered for NSCC’s annual children’s Halloween party at the Lynn campus. NSCC has been hosting the annual free event for over a decade as part of National “Make a Difference” Day, offering local children and parents a safe way to celebrate Halloween. Over 130 kids were treated to games, face painting, treats and a reptile show by Animal Adventures. Pictured L‒R: Lesley Peters ’97, John Marren ’08, Tanya Green ’06, Joan Hart ‘96, Kathy Faulkner ‘94, Donna Rosato ’03, “Sully” Sullivan ’97.
NSCC has many free events year-round. Join us! Learn more about upcoming events at www.northshore.edu/news.
Save Trees!
Shawn has maintained his connection with NSCC as an adjunct faculty member and by serving on the Alumni Association Board to raise scholarship funds for NSCC students and alumni. An Alumni Board President for two terms, Shawn views his participation as an opportunity to give back to the college that has helped him meet his academic and career goals.
Law Day Lecture
Dolores Reyes-Gormley, 2nd from left, pictured with NSCC faculty members Paul Gormley, Kathy Hirbour and Costa Souris (L-R).
Law Day Focuses on Lincoln’s Legacy of Liberty
NSCC was pleased to welcome guest lecturer Dolores Reyes‒Gormley for the annual Law Day lecture on April 30th. Dolores is the Chief Probation Officer at Salem District Court, as well as a former NSCC faculty member. She spoke to students, alumni, staff and faculty on this year’s Law Day theme, “A Legacy of Liberty—Celebrating Lincoln’s Bicentennial.” Dolores also spoke about her role and experiences in the probation department and discussed the importance of maintaining compassion and humanity in the criminal justice system. Please let us know if you would be interested in receiving NSCC’s Alumni News online instead of in the mail. We are planning to offer this option as an earth‒friendly measure that will also help us reduce printing and postage costs. Please email the Alumni Office at alumni@northshore.edu with your current email address if you would like to opt in for this format. Future generations of NSCC alumni will thank you!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of NSCC’s Nurse Education Program!
In 1968, NSCC led the way among community colleges by starting its Nurse Education Associate Degree program at its original campus in downtown Beverly. Since then, over 2,200 alumni have graduated and, this year, the program celebrated its 40th anniversary. An April reunion at the Danvers Campus welcomed all alumni and friends of the program to celebrate the milestone. L-R: NSCC Nursing alumni Valeria Kenny ‘08, Class of 2009 nursing students celebrate with NSCC’s highly respected Nurse Education Program has been and Marion Kenny ‘72, with Barry Ginsberg alumni, faculty and friends. accredited since 1977 by the national League of Nursing Accredi- ‘71, Chair of NSCC’s Board of Trustees. tation Commission. In 2008, NSCC RN license pass rates reached 96%, well above the national pass rate for 2007 of 86%.
2008 Paralegal Program
Graduates of NSCC’s Paralegal Program shared their post‒NSCC educational and career paths with current students during the college’s Annual Paralegal Networking Panel. This year’s panelists discussed working in Boston‒area law departments, serving as a legal advocate in a nonprofit organization, corporate paralegal work, and the specialty area of intellectual property.
Nurse Education Program alumni mark the moment.
Leading by Example
L-R: Kathy Hirbour, NSCC Professor and Paralegal Program Coordinator, Cheryl MacLean ‘08, Samantha Bullard ‘07, Cheryl Leon ‘07, Belkis Serrett ‘08, Nancy Stehfast ’06, and Lynn Marcus, NSCC Placement Coordinator.
Innovative New Health Professions Building Sets Standard for Green Technology NSCC’s Health Professions programs train several hundred graduates each year for careers in nursing, surgical technology, respiratory, physical and occupational therapy, and radiology. As part of NSCC’s commitment to providing accessible and high‒quality academic programs, and to meet the demand of ever‒increasing enrollments and changes in technology, the college has made the commitment to house these programs in a new state‒of‒the‒art facility. This summer, construction is slated to begin on the Danvers Campus for a new 60,000‒square‒foot Health Professions & Student Services Building—one of only two state buildings to receive a Zero Net Energy Building (ZNEB) designation—certifying it will meet the highest energy efficiency and sustainability standards. The building will utilize on‒site renewable energy sources such as geothermal heating and solar power to maximize, and potentially equalize, energy generation and use. Construction funding for NSCC’s Allied Health & Student Services Building —which also will serve as a prototype to encourage more ZNEB‒rated buildings in the state—was designated with legislative approval.
In 2007, NSCC’s President Wayne Burton was the 100th college president to sign the Presidents’ Climate Commitment formalizing NSCC’s commitment to become a leader in fighting global warming. The innovative design will allow each health discipline to have its own dedicated lab and teaching space. For instance, Nurse Education and Practical Nursing will each have classroom space adjacent to a Sim Lab suite which features two simulation labs, a control room, and a Nursing Reference Lab which offers streaming videos, DVDs and online resources. Similarly, Surgical Technology will have its own classroom and practice labs which recreate an operating room environment and will include imaging equipment, operating tables and scrub rooms. The new building will also free up needed classroom space to accommodate students of NSCC programs now located at Essex Agricultural and Technical High School—including Veterinarian Technology, Food Science and Safety, and Environmental Technology. Student services offices will also be located in the new building.
Harris Directory Project for Alumni Newsletter
The roughly 60,000 square foot “green” building will contain the health professions and animal science programs, classrooms and laboratories, student and enrollment services and network operations center.
Annual Fund: Donate Online Today! Look for your Annual Fund letter in the mail. Or donate on-line today. Your gift makes a difference! Real Opportunities-to open new doors NSCC Annual Fund 2009
www.northshore.edu/giving/donate
Work has begun on our 2009 North Shore Community College Alumni Directory, an invaluable tool to build and maintain a strong personal network. NSCC has partnered with Harris Connect to publish our alumni directory. The company has attempted to reach all 30,000 of our graduates! With the participation of those who chose to be included, this important directory will be a comprehensive graduate reference to maintain connections to the NSCC community. It has been several years since our last alumni directory and we look forward to this update.
Alumni Association Board JUDI GENTLEMAN-’96 President
GERARD “SULLY” SULLIVAN-’97 Vice President
BARRY GINSBERG-’71 Alumni Trustee
Alumni News is published for NSCC alumni and friends by the Alumni Office, North Shore Community College, 1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA, 01923. News, photos and event listings are welcome subject to editor approval. Please send to: srochon@northshore.edu • Telephone: 978-762-4000 x5481
SHAWN LERNER-’92 MARY ANN MURRAY-’90 LESLEY PETERS-’97 DONNA ROSATO-’03
Staff
JULIE HOWLAND-’91
SANDRA ROCHON
JOSEPH W. WALSH, JR.-’73
ERIN FIELD
Secretary/Treasurer President Emeritus
Alumni Coordinator
Marketing & Public Relations
BRENDA CLARK-’68 MARY DENNESEN-’84
Writers/Editors
SANDRA ROCHON SUSAN ANDERSON PEGGY (O’CONNELL) JUSTICE-’68 NANCY BARKER
Staff Photographers
NSCC MEDIA DEPARTMENT SANDRA ROCHON NANCY BARKER TRACY CALLAHAN-’95 MICHAEL SPERLING
NSCC Division of Corporate & Community Education
100 Cummings Center • Suite 121E • Beverly, MA More info/directions: 978.236.1200 • www.northshore.edu/community
NSCC’s Corporate and Community Education Division offers the best in life-long learning opportunities for you, your family , and your business. For you. Retrain for today’s market.
Register for: Business Accounting and Financial Software Clean “Green” Energy Health Care Technicians Microsoft Office 2007
For your children. Don’t miss our latest Kids to College, Summer of Discovery, or North Shore Academy programs including: Ace Camp Dance Like Papelbon Robotics
For your business.
Programs include: ESOL Frontline Supervisory Skills Conflict Management Project Management Executive Coaching Communication Skills Customized training to improve productivity and your bottom line.
Come back to NSCC - we’re here for you! Hundreds more to choose from. Check out our website at www.northshore.edu
For more information about: Customized corporate training, call Elaine or Helene, at 978-236-1206 or 978-236-1207. Youth programs, call Trish at 978-236-1232. Community Education or openenrollment workforce development programs, call 978-236-1200. If you are interested in offering a noncredit course, let us know. Send a course outline and resume to nplante@northshore.edu. We love to have our alumni come back as adjunct faculty members or corporate trainers.