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(Archive February 2018) The Sweet Side of Campus Life

(Archive February 2018) The Sweet Side of Campus Life

By editorialteam on February 22, 2018

By Michele Walsky | Assistant Editor
Complimentary confections enticed students and staff at the annual Valentine’s Chocolate Sampler on February 13th.  The line grew fast as students satisfied their sweet tooth with an array of treats. Cupcakes, cookies, angel food cake with strawberries and even a chocolate fountain awaited hungry undergrads. The event was sponsored by Student Life and the Campus Activities Team (CATS) during free period in the south cafeteria.

“This year we were sure to include some sugar-free and gluten-free options as well,” said Kathy Matson, Student Life programming assistant. read more

(Archive January 2018) Ice on Wind Turbines Breaks News and Skylights Outside the Theater

(Archive January 2018) Ice on Wind Turbines Breaks News and Skylights Outside the Theater

By editorialteam on January 24, 2018

On Tuesday, January 23 at about 9:30 am, ice that had frozen onto the wind turbines overnight dislodged themselves and flew over the parking lot to land over the Theater and Art Wing. The ice reportedly smashed one skylight, which was luckily just out of the way of precious artwork.

Repairs are underway. No students or faculty were hurt, but many were shaken by this event.

(Archive November 2017) Wind Turbines Not Speaking After Turbulent Disagreement.

(Archive November 2017) Wind Turbines Not Speaking After Turbulent Disagreement.

By editorialteam on November 28, 2017

Disagreement is in the air today, as the two wind turbines that provide green energy to MWCC have turned their backs to each other.

For those that pass these wind current carousels on their way in to school, it may have come as a shock today to find that the turbines, normally facing triumphantly in the same direction, charging forward into renewable power generation, were in fact facing opposite directions.

“I don’t know what my partner is thinking,” the west-facing turbine said, “the wind is blowing from the west!” read more

(Archive October 2017) Spooky World: Reviewing New England’s “Nightmare”

(Archive October 2017) Spooky World: Reviewing New England’s “Nightmare”

By editorialteam on October 18, 2017

By Sonia Aviles | Observer Contributor

Think of being placed right in the middle of a ghoulish nightmare mixed with elements of your favorite horror movie on a cold, dark night surrounded by many unfamiliar faces. Then enhance that nightmare with heavy rock and roll music in the back ground mixed with the sounds of chainsaws, cheerful laughter, screams of glee and fear, and cracks of a nearby fire pit. Welcome to Spooky World!!

Spooky World is in Litchfield, New Hampshire, this haunted theme park is worth a visit on any opening night. Upon arrival, there is plenty of space to park, with at least three to four lots of parking space for a fee of $5. The parking staff is also helpful and direct cars to appropriate spaces to park so there is no hassle to find parking spaces. Generally, the ticket prices are not wallet friendly. General admission is usually $40 per ticket for a typical weekend. The food and drinks are decent there, but not worth the price. Something as simple as hotdogs or burgers would cost $5 and more where you could get the same thing at a local fast food restaurant. They do serve beer there; however, they cost just as much as buying it from a bar. A helpful suggestion would be to eat out if money is an issue. read more

(Archive October 2017) MWCC to Host a Financial Literacy Fair on October 24th

(Archive October 2017) MWCC to Host a Financial Literacy Fair on October 24th

By editorialteam on October 16, 2017

By Meghan Doyle | Observer Contributor

Mount Wachusett Community College will host a financial literacy fair on October 24 in the Gardner campus commons area. The fair is free for all students and will cover a variety of topics, such as tips on building budgeting habits and establishing good credit

The program stresses the importance of financial literacy in both school and life. The workshops on federal student loans and the financial aid process can help individuals understand the ins and outs of comprehending college finances while other workshops, such as dealing with credit cards and budgeting are ubiquitous in everyday life, affirms the financial aid office. Students are encouraged to pre-register online to reserve their seats at mwcc.edu/financialaid. read more

(Archive May 2017) A Tribute to the Late Professor Edward Stevens

By editorialteam on May 11, 2017

By Nick Cherico | Assistant Editor

Professor Stevens and his daughter.
Photo courtesy of Stevens’ family

    On April 26, every member of the Mount Wachusett community was saddened to learn of the death of Professor Edward Stevens. Stevens was a MWCC faculty member for 51 years of his life, teaching various courses in science, electronics, and mathematics.

    According to the faculty page on the Science Department’s website, Professor Stevens wrote this about himself: he enjoyed gardening, skiing, swimming, hiking, reading, and playing tennis. Stevens believed that emphasizing to students how science is involved in everyday life was very important, which is why he taught science courses, according to the faculty page. read more

(Archive March 2017) Meet the New President of MWCC

By editorialteam on March 23, 2017

By Courtney Wentz | Co-Managing Editor

Dr. James Vander Hooven, the incoming President of Mount Wachusett Community College. 
Photo courtesy of Courtney Wentz 

Dr. James Vander Hooven, MWCC’s incoming President is officially taking over on March 18th.

Vander Hooven previously worked at Landmark College, a four year school in Vermont, but he has worked at two community colleges in the past. He was President for four years at Tohono O’odham Community College in Arizona and Lakes Region Community College in New Hampshire as Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. He said, “Community colleges is where my passion is.” read more

(Archive February 2017) College: The Next Step

By editorialteam on February 28, 2017

By Nicholas Cherico | Observer Contributor

Julie Henderson

After students graduate from high school, they are never sure what to expect going into their first semester of college. “Am I going to make friends?” or “How hard are the classes going to be?”. These questions, along with many more, are what went through the head of Julie Henderson of Shirley as she started her college career.

Henderson started taking college courses early, as she participated in the dual enrollment program during high school. She did this for two years at Mount Wachusett Community College, then transferred to Fitchburg State University. After just one year at Fitchburg, she decided to come back to the Mount and is currently in the Dental Assisting program. She is hoping to be in the Dental Hygiene program next fall. read more

(Archive February 2017) Women’s March on Washington

By editorialteam on February 28, 2017

By Courtney Wentz | News Editor

Women's March Photo
Protestors gather outside the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. at the January 21st Women’s March

Former student and current computer lab assistant at MWCC, Susan Shute attended the Women’s March on Washington on Saturday, January 21st.

Originally, Shute had not planned on going to the march because of potential violence and the cost of the trip, but due to a ticket becoming available, she was able to go with a friend and a bus full of people. Shute said, “I was so excited I couldn’t stand it.”

The buses left Keene, New Hampshire at 11:30PM and arrived in Washington, D.C. at 8AM the next morning. Shute described it taking an hour to get to the starting point of the march to listen to the speakers, and then began the march at around 3PM in the afternoon. read more