NSCC Alumni News Fall 2014

Summer

2014

Published by the Alumni Office at North Shore Community College

Our New President

Dr. Patricia Gentile North Shore Community College Welcomes our fourth president

Dr. Gentile’s presidency at North Shore Community College began on January 1, 2014. The year has been a whirlwind of activities: meeting with individuals and groups of students, faculty, staff, alumni, community partners, and leaders of area businesses, local nonprofit organiza­tions, colleges and universities. She has met with legislators, officials at all levels of government and has attended and participated in an enormous number of activities and events.

Dr. Gentile comes to New England from her previous position at Atlantic Cape Community College in New Jersey where she was the Dean of Advancement, Enroll­ment Management and the Cape May County Campus. Prior to Atlantic Cape, Dr. Gentile served in executive positions with sev­eral nonprofit organizations – she was the Chief Operating Officer of the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington, DC, Chief Executive Officer of two large midAtlantic Girl Scouts Councils and the Women’s Humane Society in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Gentile is only the fourth president in the history of North Shore Community College which will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary. As we kick off our 50th anniversary celebrations this fall, there will be many events planned, with plenty of activities open to the public. The theme for our yearlong celebration will be “Fifty Years of Student Success: Our Legacy, Your Future.” We welcome you to come meet our new president, connect with NSCC and catch up with what’s been going on at your college. (For more information on NSCC’s 50th anniversary, see page 3.)

President Gentile has met with many of our students, including this group of past and present students from NSCC’s four TRIO programs: Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), Educational Talent Search (ETS), Student Support Services and Upward Bound.

NSCC’s fourth president and first female president is photographed at this year’s Scholarship Breakfast with NSCC Presidents Emeriti George Traicoff, left, and Wayne Burton, right. For more on NSCC’s Foundation Scholarships, see page 3.

President Gentile met with members of NSCC’s Alumni Association Board to discuss the board’s scholarship fundraising efforts. Pictured left to right, back row: Luz Garay ’08, Julianne Howland ’91, Alumni Trustee Lesley Peters ’97, Donna Rosato ’03, Nick Lovasco ’12, Bob Kohn ’79.

Front row, left to right: “Sully” Sullivan ’97, Alumni Coordinator Sandy Rochon and NSCC President Dr. Pat Gentile.

 President Gentile is pictured at the annual Student Service Awards Ceremony with three of our many students who were recognized for giving their time and talents to enhance student life at NSCC.

Commencement 2014!

Congratulations Class of 2014!

Nearly 1,000 students were awarded associate degrees and certificates at this year’s May 22nd graduation, the 48th commencement ceremony for North Shore Community College.

This was the first Commencement for new NSCC President Patricia Gentile The Commencement speaker was author and professor Andre Dubus III, who resides in Newbury, grew up in mill towns along the Merrimack River Valley and had a circuitous path to success that mirrors that of many NSCC students and graduates. Dubus began writing fiction at 22, just a few months after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. To support himself, he worked as a carpenter, bartender, office cleaner, and halfway house counselor.

Today, Andre is the author of six books: Dirty Love, The Cage Keeper and Other Stories, Bluesman, and the New York Times bestsellers, House of Sand and Fog, The Garden of Last Days (soon to be a major motion picture) and his memoir, Townie, a #4 New York Times bestseller and a New York Times “Editors Choice.”

Andre has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, The National Magazine Award for Fiction, Two Pushcart Prizes, and he is a 2012 recipient of an American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature. His books are published in over

twenty-five languages. A member of PEN American Center, Andre has served as a panelist for the National Book Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. He has taught writing at Harvard University, Tufts University, Emerson College, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he is a full-time English Department faculty member.

This year’s student speaker was Juliet Carty Greene of Salem who shared her later-in-life nontraditional path to college success. She has been on the Dean’s list every semester, is a member of Sigma Alpha Pi, NSCC’s Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and is a member of the National Honor and Leadership Society. She has earned these distinctions while working full time and often taking six courses a semester.

Greene received her associate degree in medical administrative assisting and has been accepted into Northeastern University’s 18-month online Health Care Management program. She intends to follow this up with a master’s degree in psychology to pursue a career in her lifelong dream field. Juliet’s message to her fellow graduates was to follow their dreams, never give up and to find joy in all they do.

Alumni Corner

2014 Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner Peggy Andreas ’85 The recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumnus Award was Peggy Andreas, ’85. Peggy is a graduate of NSCC’s Nurse Education Program which she attended while working full time and as a young, single parent with two children. She continued her education at the University of Massachusetts at Boston where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and earned her Nurse Practitioner credentials from the University of Pennsylvania.

Peggy’s nursing career has included a decade working in hospital settings, as well as in an urban Family Planning Clinic where she worked with economically disadvantaged women and saw firsthand the difficulties posed by language and cultural barriers. It was here that she discovered her passion for helping women in underserved populations. Peggy is currently a Family Team nurse with the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program where she conducts motel outreach.

In addition to her work with Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, Peggy volunteers with Found In Translation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping lowincome bilingual women use their language skills to attain employment and fight racial, ethnic and linguistic disparities in health care. Peggy teaches the women anatomy and physiology while they are training to work as medical interpreters, volunteering her time and often staying well after classes are over to help individual students and to forge a personal connection.

She also volunteers her time at a children’s summer camp program in rural New York. Each August for the past 20 years she has served as the volunteer director of medical services at the Rural Migrant Ministry of Poughkeepsie’s overnight camp.

Several years ago she established a scholarship there to assist campers wishing to pursue a career in nursing or other health related fields.

Peggy’s compassion and kindness, her commitment to helping others, and her dedication to the field of nursing are some of the ways that she has distinguished herself. She exemplifies the power of education to change lives and works tirelessly to enable and empower others to access opportunity. The North Shore Community College Alumni Association Board is very pleased to honor Peggy Andreas with this award. NSCC Alumni Association Vice-President Gerard “Sully” Sullivan, right, presents Peggy Andreas, left, with the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus Award at commencement.

NSCC President Patricia Gentile, center, is pictured with commencement speaker Andre Dubus III, left, and student speaker Juliet Carty Greene, right.

Each year at Commencement, NSCC’s Alumni Association presents the Distinguished Alumnus Award, recognizing a graduate whose professional and personal achievements bring honor to themselves and the College. Candidates are chosen on the basis of integrity, character, professional accomplishments, and college or community service.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2014 was presented to Peggy Andreas, a 1985 graduate of NSCC’s Nurse Education Program. She is a Family Team nurse with the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program where she conducts motel outreach, and she is also a dedicated and tireless community volunteer. Read more about Peggy Andreas in Alumni Corner below.

2014 Scholarship Breakfast The North Shore Community College Foundation awarded 187 scholarships totaling $154,300 in financial assistance at the May Scholarship Breakfast event held at Danversport Yacht Club. The scholarship recipients were recognized for their academic achievement and excellence in the classroom and in the community. This annual event is an opportunity to bring together our students and our donors and provide the chance for them to meet, connect and appreciate one another. We are very grateful for our generous donors who not only make scholarships possible through their generous support, but who also make the time to attend this event to spend time with our students, get to know them, acknowledge their hard work and encourage them to continue pursuing their dreams.

The student speaker at the breakfast was Richard Stewart, a biotechnology student, veteran and father of two who came to NSCC for retraining. Richard proudly served in the Army during Operation Desert Shield/Storm, where he became disabled and unable to continue his career as a police officer.

For over 20 years, Richard worked as a welder to support his family despite pain from his injuries and until his deteriorating condition forced him to retrain. Richard returned to school to succeed as a non-traditional student, realize his dream of completing college and model hard work and persistence for his children. Richard graduated this May and has been accepted into the Biology Program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

UPCOMING EVENTS SAVE THE DATE! NSCC’s Alumni Association Board will hold a

50th Anniversary Celebration & Alumni Welcome for President Patricia Gentile Thursday, October 2nd Alfalfa Farm in Topsfield

It is hard to believe that almost fifty years have passed since NSCC opened its doors in September of 1965 with one building, 474 students and nine programs of study. Since then, North Shore Community College has grown to one of the largest of the 15 community colleges in Massachusetts.

With three campus locations in Beverly, Danvers and Lynn, NSCC offers approximately 90 associate degree, certificate and clock-hour programs and graduates approximately 1,000 students per year.

We offer corporate and community education, workforce development and customized training, and classes for kids, teens and retired adults looking to pursue personal enrichment classes. Join us as we honor the past and look toward the future. The upcoming year will be filled with events and activities celebrating this milestone and we hope that you will join us!

Join NSCC this January in the

Beautiful Azores Islands!

Law Day at NSCC Each May, NSCC’s Paralegal and Criminal Justice Programs celebrate Law Day with a guest lecturer and morning presentation open Dr. Keith Bentele to all students, faculty, staff and the general public. This year’s theme, as set by the American Bar Association, was “Why Every Vote Matters – American Democracy and the Rule of Law.” The featured guest lecturer was

Dr. Keith Bentele, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Dr. Bentele presented research and an article he co-wrote with Dr. Erin O’Brien, UMass Boston Associate Professor of Political Science, entitled “Jim Crow 2.0? Why States Consider and Adopt Restrictive Voter Access Policies.” Voter registration was available at the event, provided by NSCC’s Public Policy Institute.

NSCC Holds Forum on Tolerance and Honors Professor Dr. Sheldon Brown “Sharing the Earth Responsibly” was the theme of the 32nd Forum on Tolerance held at North Shore Community College in April. The event was co-sponsored by NSCC’s Green Team

Dr. Sheldon Brown, second from right, was honored in April for 18 years serving as Chair of the Forum on Tolerance Committee. Pictured with Dr. Brown, left to right, former NSCC President Wayne Burton, President Dr. Patricia Gentile and recently retired VicePresident of Academic Affairs Paul Frydrych.

and featured guest speakers addressing sustainability issues such as human impact on the environment, determining ecological footprint, and what individuals can do to help, among others.

At the event, NSCC professor Dr. Sheldon Brown was honored for his service and commitment to this event. Dr. Brown is retiring this year after 48 years teaching behavioral sciences at NSCC. He has served as the Chair of the Forum on Tolerance Committee since 1996 and was recognized for his 18 years of dedication coordinating and producing 32 thought-provoking Forums. The Forums have explored social injustice and its effects on the modern world and our own communities.

Forum topics have included bullying, aging and age discrimination, immigration rights, human rights, differences of all kinds from religion to sexual orientation, poverty and others.

January 13-20, 2015 Enjoy 8 days/6 nights touring Sao Miguel in the breathtaking Portuguese Islands of the Azores!

Highlights include guided tours of Ponta Delgada, Furnas, a trip to the magnificent “Fire Lake” (pictured) and an off-road volcano jeep tour. There will be a tour of Sete Citades (The Seven Cities), one of the most beautiful settings in the Azores, composed of two lakes in the center of an extinct volcanic crater.

Sao Miguel offers many spectacular sights but plenty of time will be dedicated to individual sightseeing, exploring and relaxing as well.

Departs from Boston and includes flights, transfers, sightseeing tours, some meals, and accommodations in a four-star hotel, based on twin occupancy. $2,039 (credit card)  $1,999 (cash or check) Deposit of $350 is due 08/20/14 For more information contact Betty Kelly, Coordinator of NSCC’s Hospitality & Tourism Program at bkelly@northshore.edu, 978-762-4000 x6660.

Dr. Brown will surely be missed but he leaves a legacy with the Forum on Tolerance Committee of teaching tolerance, embracing diversity and supporting a learning environment.

The next Forum on Tolerance will be held on Friday, October 24, 2014 from 9 am to 12 noon at the Lynn campus. the theme will be homelessness.

One Ferncroft Road • Danvers, MA 01923-0840 978-762-4000 • 781-593-6722

www.northshore.edu

Alumni Association Board GERARD “SULLY” SULLIVAN-’97 President

DONNA ROSATO-’03 Vice-President

LESLEY PETERS-’97 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

LUZ GARAY-’08

BOB KOHN-’79 NICK LOVASCO-’12 KIM MARINO-’09 BOB MURPHY-’99 MARY ANN MURRAY-’90 MEL POTOCZAK-’00

Secretary

Staff

NANCY BARKER-’10 MARY DENNESEN-’84 Judi GentlemAn-’96 JULIE HOWLAND-’91

SANDRA ROCHON Alumni Coordinator

See the current and previous editions at: issuu.com/nscc/docs/spark_2014

Introducing Corporate Training Solutions Corporate Training Solutions (CTS) is the new name of NSCC’s Institute for Corporate Training and Technology, the college’s workforce training and development branch. The new name was formally launched in March at the North Shore Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo. Corporate Training Solutions serves North Shore communities with highly acclaimed corporate training tailored to a company’s specific learning objectives, goals, and budget – and delivers it whenever and wherever needed. CTS provides a network of expert trainers and high quality programs bringing specialized curriculum to

SANDRA ROCHON NANCY BARKER-’10 Linda Brantley

Staff Photographers NSCC MEDIA DEPARTMENT NANCY BARKER-’10 KURT EDDY-’88 MICHAEL SPERLING

EJYO KATAGIRI Marketing & Communications

It’s not too late to make Fall plans for the kids!

Spark Is Online Spark, NSCC’s Student Creative Art & Literary Magazine, is now available to view on the North Shore Community College website. The current edition is Volume 6, published in April of 2014.

Spark was launched in 2009 and has featured some of NSCC’s very talented students in literary and artistic categories. Literary categories include essay, literary criticism, journalism interviews, poetry and short story (fiction or nonfiction). Artistic categories include fine art, photography, graphic design, and multimedia video. Each year this publication is an opportunity for our skilled and talented writers and artists to come forward to share and showcase their work. We are very happy to be able to share it with the larger NSCC community through the college website.

Writers/Editors

develop the skill of large or small business teams.

CTS can also work with businesses to help them access grant funding for training.

For more information contact Elaine Champagne at 978-236-1206 and echampag@northshore.edu or Helene VanDernoot at 978-236-1206 and hvandern@ northshore.edu.

Free Financial Literacy Program North Shore Community College is happy to announce a partnership with American Student Assistance to offer NSCC students and alumni “SALT” – a FREE, online product featuring financial literacy tools, information and education.

The free website is self-directed and offers a variety of channels and content, as well as oneon-one counseling from student loan experts if needed. SALT provides information on budgeting, understanding credit, help with tracking and managing student loans and how to avoid identity theft.

Additional educational information offered through the site includes assistance searching for scholarships, jobs and internships.

Members can also take advantage of exclusive deals and discounts. To access this product, visit www.saltmoney.org and set up an account indicating North Shore Community College as your school affiliation. Any difficulties in accessing the site can be addressed through American Student Assistance at 855-469-2724.

NSCC Offers Kids to College Programs NSCC offers programs for kids in grades K-8 that combine fun and learning in unique programs taught by excellent instructors! Classes are held in Danvers and Beverly campus locations with morning and afternoon classes offered. Class topics include cooking, Minecraft and video gaming, animal care, American Red Cross babysitting certification course, LEGO robotics and more!

For full course listings and registration info see: community.northshore.edu/youth_programs.html