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Posts tagged as “President”

(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

Asquino

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

President Daniel M. Asquino

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

Daniel M. Asquino
President Asquino

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

(Archive September 1, 2011) Second Decade of Civic Engagement at MWCC Begins

By editorialteam on July 29, 2024

By Daniel M. Asquino | MWCC President

With an estimated 150,000-plus hours of community service benefiting the region over the past 10 years, what, if anything, could possibly top the impact of Mount Wachusett Community College’s past Decade of Civic Engagement initiative? How about the Second Decade of Civic Engagement at MWCC? It begins with the start of this academic year.

A decade ago, following the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks, MWCC announced this initiative to inspire and empower students, faculty and staff to fan out into the community and make a significant difference in the North Central Massachusetts community – and beyond. read more

(Archive May 1, 2011) MWCC Graduates Enter New Era of Personal Sustainability

By editorialteam on July 17, 2024

By Daniel M. Asquino | MWCC President

This past academic year has been one of great achievement, not only for the college as an institution, but for our students, particularly those who will graduate on May 19.

Week by week over the course of several months, we witnessed the extraordinary construction of the college’s two wind turbines. Together, these turbines will meet virtually all of the electricity needs on our Gardner campus, while also returning more energy back to the power grid. Through this and other renewable and conservation measures, in less than a decade the college’s main campus was transformed from one that consumed vast amount of electricity, to one that made necessary changes to become almost entirely self-sustaining in its energy needs. read more

(Archive February 1, 2011) Welcoming a Year of Renewal

By editorialteam on July 10, 2024

A Letter from the President

By Daniel M. Asquino | MWCC President

As we begin this new year, we do so with great enthusiasm and anticipation for the changes that are ahead, beginning this semester. Most obvious, of course, are the two new wind turbines, which will bring the college to an entirely new level as a leader in renewable energy when they go online in March.

Equally – in fact even more impressive – are the changes that will be occurring within the classrooms at our campuses, for this year marks the start of a new season of renewal at Mount Wachusett Community College. read more

(Archive February 3, 2009) Congratulations on Achieving National Recognition

By editorialteam on July 10, 2024

By Daniel M. Asquino | MWCC President

In December, Mount Wachusett Community College received word from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching that we were one of 119 colleges and universities selected for its 2008 Community Engagement Classification.

This is quite a distinction for our college, and one that could not be possible without the participation and commitment of our students. Therefore, congratulations are in order to all of you who have given so freely of your time and talents to serve others in our communities through volunteerism and through read more

(Archive October 2007) Enhanced Services and Campus Improvements Mark Start of Academic Year

By editorialteam on June 27, 2024

By Daniel M. Asquino | MWCC President

President Daniel M. Asquino

Mount Wachusett Community College has always been committed to providing an environment that presents students with every opportunity to succeed. As we begin the new academic year, you have likely noticed some examples of this commitment throughout the Gardner campus, at our satellite campuses and even in cyberspace.

Our priorities this year will continue to emphasize academic success, distance learning, civic engagement and service learning. In addition, we are continuing to actively pursue the possibility of establishing dorms at the Gardner campus and/or in downtown Gardner and remain quite interested in developing a “university college” concept here at MWCC, which would create greater transfer opportunities for students interested in continuing on for a bachelor’s degree. We are also working to create more international education opportunities for students to travel abroad and discover the world.  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