Posts published in “Profiles”

(Archive October 1, 2011) An Atypical Experience

By editorialteam on August 5, 2024

By Peter Ferrarone | Observer Contributor

This summer I spent three months volunteering in Uganda. Mbarara is in Western Uganda, about four hours from where Lake Victoria flows into the Nile, and three hours from Mount Rwenzori, one of the highest peaks on the continent. If life is a series of chance events then going to Uganda is one such event.

About a year ago I met a Catholic priest on an airplane. His name was Father John Baptist Bashobora, a Ugandan. He told me about his organization, the Father Bash Foundation, which gives financial and educational support to countless young orphans. He runs three schools and a Catholic hospital. When he asked me to come and work with him, I booked my ticket. read more

(Archive October 1, 2011) Rx Program Helps Nursing Majors Achieve Their Goals

By editorialteam on August 5, 2024

By Elizabeth Shipman | Observer Contributor

Sandy Tavares, Retention Specialist/ Academic Counselor for the Rx Program
Photo by Cheyne Ordonio

MWCC obtained a grant for the Rx Program from the United States Department of Education. Dr. Andrea Wallen, chairperson and professor in the Department of Nursing at Worcester State University, said via email, “MWCC is fortunate to have this grant; it is a wonderful opportunity for MWCC to provide additional support for science majors.”

The Rx Program falls under the name of TRiO programs, wrote Sandy Tavares, an Rx Program counselor at MWCC. TRiO is government funded with a purpose of providing help for disadvantaged students, according to their website. A few types of TRiO programs are Educational Talent Search, Gear-Up, and Student Support Services. The Rx Program is specifically for Health Science majors, including Nursing. It provides financial aid to these students and assists students in preparing for the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) and TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) tests. Currently, there are 110 students enrolled in this program at MWCC. read more

(Archive September 1, 2011) Local Attraction: North Brookfield Apple Orchards

By editorialteam on July 30, 2024

By Casey DiMauro | Observer Reporter

Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Whether or not you want to go apple picking, go on the hay rides, or stop in at the snack bar North Brookfield Apple Orchards offers it all. The Orchard is open Year ‘Round – 9:00 AM to 5 PM – and only closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Fourth of July. It is located on 12 Lincoln Road, North Brookfield.

Recently I stopped in at this orchard. I found a family owed business that is all about the quality of service. Coming in, they made me feel right at home. “The orchards are owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Lincoln family,” said the family. read more

(Archive September 1, 2011) Theatre at the Mount Brings Opportunity and Entertainment

By editorialteam on July 30, 2024

By Angela Rossi | Observer Reporter

www.mwcc.edu stock image

The “Theater at the Mount” Program at MWCC not only provides a platform for local people with all sorts of talents, but it also brings the community together to celebrate the art of theater. In many ways, the community theater has brought opportunity and entertainment to anyone who takes part in it, whether it be an actor or a person who just wants to see a show without paying for an expensive trip into the city.

“It truly is a gift to the community,” said theater director Gail Steele. She explained that, when putting on productions, they choose from a pool of loyal directors, sound technicians, choreographers, and so on, based on their specialties. read more

(Archive September 1, 2011) Faculty Profile: Deb Bibeau

By editorialteam on July 29, 2024

By Sabrina Chartrand | Observer Reporter

www.mwcc.edu stock image

As the director of the Gateway to College Program and the ABE Transition Program, Deb Bibeau is motivated and willing to help those who need an alternative to high school. Bibeau, who has worked for MWCC since 2004, enjoys being involved in both programs. The Gateway to College Program and the ABE Transition Program are both College Access and Preparation Programs (CAPP), which are part of the Division of Access and Transition.

When asked about her favorite part of being involved in the programs, Bibeau said, “I think it’s seeing how the programs have evolved from when we opened our doors in the Fall of 2006 to now. We always add new things and have new initiatives to benefit the students here.” read more

(Archive September 1, 2011) Student Profile: Amanda White

By editorialteam on July 29, 2024

By Shilo Meehan | Observer Reporter

worradmu / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Amanda White is a 21 year old student at Mount Wachsett Community College from Wendell Depot, Massachusetts. She is studying in Business Administration. Amanda White was a 2008 graduate from Ralph C. Mahar and started at the Mount in the fall of 2008. Amanda wanted to go to a college that she could afford and the thought of going away for school was not really her cup of tea. She wanted to get a feel for college and start out in the adult working world.

Amanda was not quite sure what she wanted to do when she left school. She saw business administration as a field that you can use anywhere. While she was in high school, Amanda had strengths in the math and English departments and excelled. Studying business administration, she can use her strengths and achieve what she really wants to do while living only 30 minutes away. read more

(Archive September 1, 2011) Professor Gelbwasser Remembered

By editorialteam on July 29, 2024

By Tiffanie LeBlanc | Observer Reporter

Photo by Jeffery Langlois

On August 11, 2011, Retiree, Professor Herman Gelbwasser passed away unexpectedly. Professor Gelbwasser was born on March 3, 1940 in Manhattan NY and had earned his Master’s in Chemical Engineering before he began his 45 year long career right here at Mount Wachusett Community College.

Professor Gelbwasser retired from the Mount in 2010 as a Professor in mathematics and chemistry. He lived in Rutland with his wife and was an avid Red Sox and Celtics fan. Many of his students found his class’s fun, hands on and easy to understand because of his patience with making sure each and every student could understand and learn from everything that was going on in his class. Some students are even part of a group on Facebook called “Herman Gelbwasser’s Chem Kid’s.” read more

(Archive September 1, 2011) Adult Basic Education Program Helps Students Realize Goals

By editorialteam on July 29, 2024

By Sabrina Chartrand | Observer Reporter

Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Adult Basic Education (ABE) Transition to Community College Program at MWCC has become a pathway for many adults who were unable to graduate from high school and enter into post-secondary education successfully.

At MWCC, adults who did not receive a high school diploma can prepare to take the GED exam with the help of the ABE staff which is critical for a student’s further education. According to Pamela Dempsey-O’Connell, an ABE site coordinator and counselor, “It’s becoming harder and harder to get a really good job without a high school diploma or GED.” read more

(Archive May 1, 2011) MAS/MOC/MCC: A Little-Known Club

By editorialteam on July 29, 2024

By Jenny Cooper | Observer Reporter

Mount Wachusett has a variety of clubs. There seems to be one for everything from the Anatomy and Physiology and Human Biology Club to the Green Society Club. One of these clubs is The Medical Assisting and Medical Office Certificate and Medical Billing and Coding Club(MAS/MOC/MCC).

The purpose of MAS/MOC/MCC is to create professional networks for its members within the medical field for employment or clinical internship purposes; offer its members opportunity for volunteer and community service activity; develop professional confidence and leadership skill for its members; and provide its members a support system for academic study. read more

(Archive May 1, 2011) The MWCC Nursing Program: A Brief Overview

By editorialteam on July 29, 2024

By Sam Ingemie | Observer Reporter

One of the more popular majors at Mount Wachusett Community College is the Nursing Program. Preparing its students for work in the medical field and beyond, the MWCC Nursing Program has an array of rigorous courses involved including one 14-credit course. “It’s a lot, a lot, of work,” Judy Giacoppe, a nursing professor at MWCC said,” but at the end of the day, it’s a very rewarding field.”

As with every other major, students interested in the Nursing Program must first start out with the respective general education courses such as English, math, sociology, psychology, etc. One difference between the Nursing Program and a Liberal Arts program is the electives. The Nursing program electives are more limited in terms of what the students can take and still be relevant to their course of study. read more