Posts tagged as “President”

(Archive September 2019) Welcome Back MWCC Students

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

A Message from President Vander Hooven

Greetings and welcome to the Fall 2019 Semester!

I want to welcome all students, both new and returning, to the Mount for a new year. As I age, I might say this every year but this was a fast-moving summer! It seems like the 4th of July was a few days ago. I am so excited to have all of the students and faculty back on campus. You create such a great energy on campus. It’s also a lot more fun to have a full campus.

I also want to thank you for choosing MWCC in your steps toward reaching your academic and personal goals. The faculty and staff are ready to assist you as you pursue your journey. I also know, from personal experience, that there will be obstacles along the way. Reaching your goals will not always be easy and you will need support to be successful. I can easily recall the many mentors, teachers, and friends I had along the way who enabled my success. But just having them available here at MWCC is not enough. You will need to ask! Asking for help to reach your goals is not a sign of weakness. Quite the opposite, it is the greatest sign of strength. read more

(Archive November 2018) Like Father, Like Son

By editorialteam on April 1, 2025

By Zach Pavlosky | Editor in Chief

As the #MeToo movement swept away Hollywood heavyweights such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, men in positions of power soon began to question the future of their respective careers. Actors, writers, producers, directors, CEOs, the guy running the craft services table (you never know) were all struck with the same panic inducing thought – “Am I next?” Whether it was a simple hand on the shoulder or a compliment that came off as just a bit too flirtatious, the movement had a seemingly endless supply of ammunition to use against those who abused their power. As the reshaping of the Hollywood power structure forged on, the movement set its’ sights on a new male-dominated medium – news and politics. read more

(Archive November 2018) President Trump: 2 Years Later

By editorialteam on April 1, 2025

By Mark Revesai | Observer Contributor

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence
Image by Shealah Craighead

Students from the Gardner and Leominster campuses offered their opinions on how they feel about President Trump two years after his election.

A total of 69 students were asked a series of questions related to the current administration. Students were first asked if they were registered to vote. Nearly half of those who were polled, 34, were not registered to vote. Being uninterested in politics, thinking their opinion doesn’t matter, and not being a U.S. citizen were some reasons for them not being registered. read more

President Trump Addresses Congress and the Nation

By editorialteam on March 14, 2025

By Desiree Leader | Staff Writer

President Trump’s official 2025 portrait
Image from whitehouse.gov

On March 4, 2025, President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of congress in the Capitol Building. The speech started at 9:14. P.M. and the gathering resembled a pep rally with chants of “USA” coming from the Republican section of the room as the president appeared, exclaiming, “America is Back!”

The Democrats also showed camaraderie amongst themselves, with most of the women wearing shades of pink to express concern over the new administration’s policies concerning women. Many of the Democrats also held paddles bearing phrases like “Musk Steals,” “Save Medicaid,” and “Protect Veterans” in silent protest of the Trump Administration and its policies. read more

(Archive September 2018) A New President, A New Precedent

By editorialteam on March 5, 2025

By Ayana Brodeur-Edmonds | Observer Contributor

Photo courtesy of MWCC
President James L. Vander Hooven

It has been an eventful year for the community since President James L. Vander Hooven took office at MWCC. After a year of changes, President Vander Hooven and the community share their thoughts on where MWCC is now.

When Vander Hooven first looked into MWCC, he says that he was very impressed by the students and faculty. He “loved” the programs offered at MWCC, and said, “It [Working at MWCC] just seemed like a really great opportunity for me.” So far, his time at the college has been enjoyable. Vander Hooven has gotten to explore the community, and get a “deeper understanding” of what goes on here at the Mount. read more

(Archive February 2018) A Welcome Back Message From President James Vander Hooven

By editorialteam on February 4, 2025

Welcome to spring semester! For those of you who are returning for another semester toward your graduation goal, welcome back! For those of you who are just starting out at the Mount, welcome! While a little down time or quiet around the campuses is nice over the break, it is much better to see the students and faculty return to the campuses to begin again.

There are lots of big things happening at MWCC this year. I am excited to announce that the College received a significant gift that will help us, over a couple of years to design and implement a new career/advising approach that will build upon the regional business and industry partnerships we have established and hope to establish soon. This will mean more opportunities for students to receive state-of-the-art career advising from day-one. I’m also excited to announce that the College will be hosting my inauguration as president of MWCC on Wednesday, March 28th at 2pm. I hope that you will all consider attending this event to hear about the future directions of the College. Finally, immediately following the Commencement exercises in the spring, we will begin a massive reconstruction of our parking lots and roadway around the College. This desperately needed work will undoubtedly cause some disruptions during the summer but we will do our best to minimize the obstacles for the greater good (as I think you’ll agree). read more

(Archive September 2017) A Letter of Welcome from MWCC President James Vander Hooven

By editorialteam on January 8, 2025

Welcome back students!

I am very excited to welcome all you to the fall semester. Whether you are a new student just getting started at MWCC or a returning student nearing the end of your finish line, I wish you the very best this semester and year. You are a part of a very special class of students for me. I became the president of the Mount in March so you are the first class I can officially welcome into the community.

I’d like to say a bit about that last word: community. You are joining a college community focused on providing a comfortable and, yes, challenging opportunity for personal growth. The entire faculty and staff are committed to enabling your success. We succeed together only as a community. We look after each other in the MWCC community. I’m not sure if this has ever been statistically proven but I know in my heart and after 25 years of experience that not one person has ever completed college without having to ask for help in some way, shape, or form. So please use the services available here be it tutoring, academic advising, counseling, library research, and the list goes on and on. read more

(Archive May 2016) Asquino Moving Forward, As Always

By editorialteam on August 30, 2024

President Asquino Prepares for Retirement, Reflects on Time at MWCC

By Jason D. Greenough | Arts & Entertainment Editor

After 29 years at the helm, MWCC President Daniel Asquino is hanging it up.

President Asquino is rarely seen sitting still. Whether he is en route to a meeting, or casually strolling the halls with a can of Diet Coke in hand, he is constantly moving, so it’s hard to think of him in retirement on a beach somewhere. It was even a surprise to see him lounging in a rocking chair as we spoke for this interview. Granted, he was almost flipping the chair over with how fast he was rocking, almost as if he wanted to jump up and run laps around his office, with the same anxious demeanor as a young kid being told he has to wait to open his gifts on Christmas morning. It’s that child-like enthusiasm that has kept him going during his tenure here at MWCC. The word “leisure” doesn’t seem to apply to him, and he admits he just isn’t that type of person. read more

(Archive May 2016) Starting a New Chapter

By editorialteam on August 30, 2024

By Daniel M. Asquino | MWCC President

Congratulations to the Class of 2016! Through your hard work and determination, you have reached a major milestone. Whether you plan to continue your academic studies toward a bachelor’s degree or go directly into the workforce – or both – the days and months ahead open a new chapter in your lives. Make it a page-turner!

Over the past three decades as president of this college, I have seen thousands of students not only reach their goals, but far exceed them by being willing – in the words of 13th century German philosopher Meister Eckhart – “to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” read more

(Archive February 2016) Ring in the New

By editorialteam on August 22, 2024

By Daniel M. Asquino | MWCC President

We ring in the new year at Mount Wachusett Community College not with the customary noisemakers of bells and horns, but with drills, hammers and saws as construction continues on our Gardner campus.

Your patience as you make your way to classrooms and offices during the modernization of our 45-year-old facility is greatly appreciated. In the coming months, renovations to our Advising Center, Commons Area, Theatre at the Mount, and main entrance will be unveiled, followed later this year by the opening of our new science and technology building. read more