Nscc alumni news spring10

Spring 2010 Published by the Alumni Office at North Shore Community College

NSCC Veterans

Meet Eulises Tirado, a student in NSCC’s Health

Science Program and an Air Force Reservist based out of Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, MA. Eulises has been in the military for 3 years and intends to re‒enlist.

In addition to his required Reservist weekends and trainings, he is active in the campus community serving in Student Government, as well as being our student representative on the Board of Trustees. Eulises believes that his role as Student Trustee has provided him with a good understanding of NSCC’s governance process as well as an opportunity to meet and work with the leaders of North Shore Community College.

Eulises maintains an impressive 3.9 GPA in his full-time course load and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. He works 24 hours per week as a Nurse Aide at the VA Hospital in Bedford, a job he loves. Eulises is highly motivated and has clearly defined goals: he plans to continue his military service while completing his NSCC degree. He then plans to continue his education to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. He would like to get experience working in an Emergency Room and then become a military flight nurse officer, with a long‒term goal of obtaining a master’s degree in nursing and becoming a Nurse Practitioner specializing in cardiology.

He recently returned from a ten‒day Joint Readiness Training in Louisiana, a demanding and intense training that simulates active duty conditions and demands. Competing responsibilities and priorities of school, work and military

duties are a challenge, but Eulises said that he always makes it a point to speak with his professors at the beginning of the semester. He explains that his military responsibilities may require absences but that he is dedicated to his classes and academic excellence and he finds that professors here are typically very willing to work with him. Like many of our students juggling responsibilities and priorities, Eulises describes it as difficult but rewarding.

Eulises plans to write a blog with information and photos from his military experiences and training to share with the NSCC community.

Eulises Tirado, NSCC Health Sciences student and Air Force reservist.

Fan us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter!

We are always interested in new ways to stay in touch and communicate with our students, grads and friends. In our recent alumni survey we asked whether you would be interested in hearing from us more often and if you’d be interested in staying in touch through social media such as Facebook and Twitter‒the answer was yes!

We have launched our North Shore Community College fan page on Facebook‒fan us at www.facebook.com/myNSCC, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/northshore_cc, and check us out on YouTube at www.youtube.com/nsccmedia! We look forward to using these social media tools for increased interaction with our students and alumni. In addition to the official main North Shore Community College fan page, you will find individual pages specifically for alumni and alumni who are veterans at www.facebook.com/myNSCC.veterans or, www.facebook. com and search for “North Shore Community College Alumni” and share with friends!

As always, you can still find information and activities listings on our NSCC website and details about alumni benefits and events are on our alumni webpage. The alumni web page has information and applications for our Alumni Scholarships- all grads of certificate or degree programs who are continuing their education toward a Bachelor degree are eligible to apply, regardless of grad year. Also available online are nomination forms and details about the Alumni Association’s annual Distinguished Alumni Award. Tell us about NSCC grads you know who are doing great things professionally, personally and for the community!

Website Redesign

Eulises Tirado on the training field at Westover Air Force Base.

Over the next several weeks, we will be redesigning the North Shore Community College web site, adding features to enhance communication and connection with students, graduates and the community. The new site will feature more interaction, student blogs, expanded college and program information and events open to the public.

With the launch of the new site, we’ll have a new online “suggestion box” to request your input. Are there articles or topics you’d like to see covered in the Alumni Newsletter? Submit topics you’d like to see covered or info you’d like to share. We value your feedback!

This year’s annual Lynn Woods Clean-Up will be the 10th Anniversary of this great community event. Volunteers will be treated to music, refreshments and lots of fun including a prize awarded to the person who finds the most unique piece of trash! Join us for this fun, family‒friendly event at Lynn Woods on Earth Day, Saturday, April 24 from 9–2 PM.

Groups of students, faculty and staff of North Shore Community College, along with community members coming together and cleaning up Lynn Woods.

NSCC Thanks Veterans

NSCC Hosts Veterans Appreciation Breakfast North Shore Community College hosted a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast in November to honor and thank veterans. Veterans from all branches of the service enjoyed a breakfast at the Lynn campus and attendees included men and women who have served from WWII to those who have recently returned from deployment to Iraq. Pictured below, Congressman John Tierney expresses thanks to WWII veterans Phyllis Santangelo Galeas, center, and Joseph Callahan, right.

Veterans Education Task Force Formed

In the past several years, North Shore Community College has seen significant growth in all areas of enrollment, including military veterans and active duty military personnel. The increasing numbers of military students have prompted the formation of a Veterans Education Task Force (VET) comprised of North Shore Community College staff, students and community members. VET has been formed to ensure that NSCC is providing military veterans and active duty personnel comprehensive, fully integrated and seamless

support services to achieve their education goals. The task force will review and make recommendations in a variety of areas including networking for employment and social support as well as facilitating the transition to and from active duty.

NSCC alumni–if you are a veteran interested in participating and working with the taskforce, please contact Donna Richemond, Vice President of Student and Enrollment Services for further information drichemo@northshore.edu, 978‒762‒4000, x2143.

Congressman John Tierney recently announced $400,000 in funding for the Veteran and Family Bridge Program. This partnership program between NSCC, the North Shore Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and Salem State College will expand educational and career services for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans and their families, bridging the challenges that veterans, active duty personnel and their families face when the veterans leave for active duty or pursue higher education, career development and job placement.

NSCC is also very grateful that Danversbank has generously provided a $10,000 grant to help support NSCC’s veterans program, repeating their initial support of the same amount last year. These funds help fund staff professional development programs on veterans issues, special orientations and advising for veteran students, and provide interim loans for vets needing to purchase books. We are working to build a stronger community for our veteran students and alumni that will include oncampus and online resources and networking opportunities.

North Shore Community College Veterans Club NSCC’s Veterans Club provides support and promotes unity among present and former members of the United States Military and National Guard and their dependents. Alumni and students can get information regarding their military benefits and the programs that support veterans. The club is an important vehicle for advocacy related to veterans rights and encourages educational and career pursuits among its members.

Alumni are welcome to participate. We look forward to holding social events, career networking and connecting our student veterans with

“...I can’t help but give back to assist others through my time and commitment to the College.”

-Richard Yagjian

Congressman Tierney also thanked Nick Moulton, a current student in NSCC’s Business Program (pictured right).

Nick is a veteran who served two 1-year tours of duty in Iraq with Army Reserves Civil Affairs. Nick participated in a panel discussion at the Veterans Breakfast event addressing some of the challenges that face student veterans as they return to school and civilian life. He will graduate from NSCC this spring and intends to continue on to UMass Amherst where he will pursue a bachelor’s degree in management.

Nick said he’s made some great friends here and also noted the excellent professors he’s had at NSCC. When asked about his military service, Nick said the most valuable lessons he learned in Iraq were “not to take life for granted” and that despite whatever challenges we may face, thinking about others with bigger obstacles to overcome helps to put things in perspective.

Funding for Veterans Programs Announced

Alumni Profile

alumni veterans. For more information, contact Ray Parker, Coordinator of Veteran Services at 978‒762‒4000, x6683 or rparker@northshore.edu.

Ray is a Vietnam Era Veteran who served four years in the military. He has been at NSCC for 16 years and is a terrific resource for veterans interested in accessing educational benefits. Tuition waivers may be available for veterans taking credit classes, even if they have exhausted their military education benefits–contact Ray for details and please refer veterans that you know who may benefit from this information as well.

Rich Yagjian enrolled at NSCC undecided about his career plans, but recognizing the importance of a college education. He had an interest and aptitude for art but concerns about the practicality of that field led him to enroll in the general studies program, taking art classes as electives. From NSCC, Rich attended Northeastern University, majoring in psychology. As a student working his way through school and motivated by the need to make a living, Rich took a position with a textile company. It was the beginning of a direction that would ultimately define his career. He recalls being fascinated by the color specialists who matched and selected colors for the products and began to see that art and creativity could be applied outside of the traditional boundaries people think of as art.

Rich’s next job was in retail, working for Lechmere Department Store in the photography department. In this position Rich saw the creativity and artistic elements of photography and began to appreciate how the psychology courses he’d taken had prepared him for sales and dealing with the public. He developed an appreciation of the foundational skills he had learned in English and grammar‒critical skills that he says have served him well throughout his career.

From Lechmere, Rich’s career progressed in the photo industry. He went into management, worked for larger department stores then distributors, and eventually moved into the wholesale side of the business and then regional sales. Richard is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of W.B. Hunt Company, Inc, New England’s largest photo and video distributor with locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island.

Looking back, the path he followed to success was not always linear. There were positions that he took, decisions he made and things he learned without realizing how useful this knowledge would be and the impact these experiences would ultimately have on his career. Rich recalls his early lack

of interest in high school and NSCC’s then-Dean of Students, Robert Francis, challenging him to succeed. He remembers feeling inspired and motivated by particular professors and people he worked with in his early years who were influential as his career developed. Rich notes that progression and learning are gradual and often go unnoticed until you reflect back.

Rich is a longtime friend of North Shore Community College. He is the past president and current director for NSCC’s Foundation Board which raises funds for hundreds of NSCC student scholarships. When asked about his generous volunteer work for the college, he said “I see a mirror image of myself in many of the students enrolled at NSCC; knowing what a springboard the College can be for so many, I can’t help but give back to assist others through my time and commitment to the College.”

We are very pleased to announce that in addition to his work with the NSCC Foundation, Governor Patrick has appointed Rich to serve on North Shore Community College’s Board of Trustees.

Annual Fashion Show

BEFORE 

AFTER

ncil and Alumni Association NSCC’s Student Life, Performing Arts Cou

To Wear” fashion show at the Lynn Board held the third annual “What Not ents and the public was free and Gym on March 18th. The event for stud tips. Student models first appeared provided job search and interviewing cosmetology students then worked in casual college student attire. NSCC s to professional. The models then their magic, transforming the casual look e, demonstrating the difference reappeared in business‒appropriate attir makes. Guests enjoyed wonderful that a polished and professional image ents, free raffles from the Alumni desserts made by NSCC’s culinary stud ch information from NSCC grads.

Association Board and valuable job sear e of TJ Maxx of Swampscott and We are grateful for the generous assistanc attire and the support of all who asGiblee’s of Danvers in providing career sisted in making this event a success.

Todd Deinstadt knew from a very young age that he wanted to be a pilot.

Following high school he spent two years in the Air Force, stationed in California.

When he left the Air Force he used the GI Bill to attend North Shore Community College’s Aviation Science program, graduating in 1981. Todd recalls the excitement and accomplishment of flying alone and says his first solo flight while attending NSCC was his most memorable experience in the program.

Todd continued his education at Salem State College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration then began his aviation career working as a Todd Deinstadt, NSCC Class of ’81- Aviation Science development—things that he would not have had Flight Instructor. He went on to captain regional flights on commercial passenger airlines for exposure to if he’d continued working for an airline. several years before he entered the corporate world, Todd has served on several different safety advijoining Raytheon in 1987. He has spent over 20 years sory boards and for many years has served on NSCC’s at Raytheon as a Captain and the Executive Flight internationally accredited Aviation Science program Department Security Officer specializing in training, Advisory Board, which he considers a “jewel.” Todd safety and security. Todd has been recognized by the feels the program is excellent and would encourNational Business Aviation Association for flight safety age anyone to begin at NSCC, pointing out the treand holds a Certificate in Aviation Safety & Security mendous cost savings and transfer agreements with Bachelor degree programs such as Embry‒Riddle from the University of Southern California.

Todd’s flight experience includes domestic, in- Aeronautical University and Bridgewater State Colternational and corporate flight shuttles. One of the lege. Todd has been a guest speaker on the topic of things he enjoys about flying in the corporate world is corporate aviation, has provided tours for students of the opportunity to do different things. He has served the Raytheon Executive Flight Department, has adas an advisor to engineers designing new aircraft and vocated for student internships and provided grant has developed and implemented safety and secu- assistance. Last year, Todd was nominated for NSCC’s rity measures. Corporate flying has also given him the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his career accomchance to be an Acceptance Pilot, performing flight plishments and the contributions he has made to the testing and pilot transition training for new aircraft Aviation Department and NSCC students.

This spring NSCC is launching a $2 million major gifts campaign focused on three important priorities. The goals of the Investing in a Sustainable North Shore campaign are to raise $1 million for state-of-the-art healthcare training equipment, to increase Endowed Scholarships by $500,000 and to raise $500,000 to support programs in the city of Lynn, known as the Lynn Initiative.

New Health Professions and Student Services Building

The first priority of the campaign will be raising funds for state-of-the-art health professions labs and classrooms for the new Health Professions & Student Services Building currently under construction on the Danvers campus. The threestory, 58,700 square-foot, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certified building will house Nurse Education, Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Occupational Therapy, Radiology, Surgical Technology, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Care and Animal Sciences, including Veterinary Technology. Health care providers will have the assurance of knowing that hiring an NSCC graduate will mean less training time and a dedication to high quality care. Names of private and corporate supporters of this campaign will be prominently displayed throughout the high-tech facility through a wide range of naming opportunities.

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed scholarships are the second campaign priority. Endowments support the great work of the NSCC Foundation and benefit students directly. Since 1985, the NSCC Foundation has worked to enhance and further develop educational excellence at North Shore Community College by raising funds for technical assistance, facilities, cultural programs and to aid NSCC students through scholarships. Since its inception, the NSCC Foundation has distributed nearly $2 million in scholarship awards to students based on their exceptional circumstances, geographic location, academic merit and financial need. In 2009 the Foundation awarded 250 scholarships worth $230,000 to our very deserving students. Private and corporate supporters of this campaign priority will have the opportunity to name their endowed scholarships and personally meet all the students they help support.

The Lynn Initiative

The third priority of the major gifts campaign encompasses youth college readiness programs, workforce development projects and economic prosperity initiatives currently underway in Lynn. Since 1986, when the NSCC campus opened to the public, the college has worked closely with Lynn’s K–12 public school system and helped residents through the transformational effects of higher education and civic engagement. The initiative also includes plans for future expansion of NSCC’s Lynn campus. This campaign priority shows NSCC’s commitment to all of Lynn’s residents for generations to come.

New Health Professions & Student Services Building, Danvers Campus NSCC grad, Richard Yagjian, Class of ‘70

Law Day

What NOT to Wear! Class of ’81- Aviation Science Fun, Fashion and Career Advice at 3rd

Investing in a Sustainable North Shore

NSCC Named to President’s Honor Roll Graduates from NSCC’s Paralegal Program returned to campus as panelists for the annual Paralegal Program in November. As paralegals working in a variety of settings, they discussed their positions, educational and career paths and answered questions from students and alumni. Pictured left to right: Paralegal Program Coordinator, Kathleen Hirbour, Donna Essery ‘09, Raymond Grinnell IV ‘09, George Harrington ‘08, Karen Doran ‘09, Cheryl MacLean’07, NSCC Placement Coordinator, Lynn Marcus, Caterina Sanfilippo ‘10, and Professor Jane Levesque.

Our current students enjoy hearing career and industry info from grads who are working in the field and we love to have our alumni back on campus! If you would be interested in participating as a panelist for your program of study, please contact Alumni Coordinator Sandy Rochon at srochon@northshore.edu or 978‒762‒4000, x5481.

15th Annual Law Day Lecture scheduled for May In 1958 President Dwight Eisenhower established Law Day as “a day of national dedication to the principle of government under law.” Annual Law Day programs are conducted throughout the country by bar associations, courts, schools and civic groups.

NSCC commemorates Law Day each May with local guest lecturers speaking on topics of interest to

students, alumni and the general public interested in the field of law. This year’s topic is “Law In The 21st Century: Enduring Traditions, Emerging Challenges.”

This event will be held on May 6, 2010 from 7:30 to 9:00 AM at the Danvers campus. It is free and open to the public but reservations are required. Please contact the Alumni Office to reserve your seat.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Corporation for National and Community Service has honored North Shore Community College with a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to America’s communities.

Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Honorees for the award are chosen based on scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses. Notable projects our students participated in that contributed to NSCC’s award include: • a marketing plan for Building Bridges Through Music, a multi-cultural community organization working with at-risk youth; • a cardiac disease prevention program for adults and children in a local emergency shelter and soup kitchen; • a food canning and preservation workshop for youth volunteers participating in the Food Project, a sustainable agriculture organization; • our fourth faculty and student trip to New Orleans to help relief organizations renovate homes devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

“Congratulations to North Shore Community College and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities,” said Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“Our nation’s students are a critical part of the equation and vital to our efforts to tackle the most persistent challenges we face. They have achieved impactful results and demonstrated the value of putting knowledge into practice to help renew America through service.”

Alumni Association Board JUDI GENTLEMAN-’96 President

GERARD “SULLY” SULLIVAN-’97 Vice President

BARRY GINSBERG-’71 Alumni Trustee

JULIE HOWLAND-’91 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

Secretary/Treasurer

MARY DENNESEN-’84 SHAWN LERNER-’92 MARY ANN MURRAY-’90 LESLEY PETERS-’97 DONNA ROSATO-’03 JP STORY-’00

Staff

JOSEPH W. WALSH, JR.-’73

SANDRA ROCHON

BRENDA CLARK-’68

ERIN FORD

President Emeritus

Alumni Coordinator

Marketing & Communications

Writers/Editors

SANDRA ROCHON SUSAN ANDERSON NANCY BARKER

Staff Photographers

NSCC MEDIA DEPARTMENT NANCY BARKER KURT EDDY SANDRA ROCHON MICHAEL SPERLING