MCC Blog

RIP, John Michael Delehanty

2008-11-04T16:21:00Z

The MCC family extends its condolences to the family of one of our own, John Michael Delehanty, an MCC liberal arts student who died as the result of injuries sustained in a fall from a rooftop in Boston this past weekend.

John, 20, was the beloved son of Carolyn Delehanty, who works in MCC's Enrollment Support and Communications Department. John's grandmother, Donna Delehanty also works at MCC, in the TRIO Student Success Program.

An avid skateboarder, John was also an art enthusiast and was currently taking some art appreciation classes at MCC.

John's wake will be at the O'Donnell Funeral Home on 276 Pawtucket Street in Lowell from 3-8PM on Wednesday, November 5th. The funeral will be at St. Michaels' Church on 543 Bridge Street in Lowell at 10AM on Thursday, November 6th.

MCC Day of Service

2008-10-17T13:25:00Z

This past Friday morning, more than 1,000 members of the MCC community - students, faculty, staff, everyone - set off for the college's first-ever Day of Service.

After raucous pep rallies inside the Double Tree Hotel in Lowell and the Bedford Campus Center, the troops embarked on their assignments. The Day is intended to link MCC to its communities even more closely, by strengthening partnerships with schools, business and service organizations to provide leadership in economic and community development and to help foster a culture of civic engagment. The Day of Service provides a common experience that actualizes the commitment to service, a core value of MCC, while helping to meet the needs of organizations and individuals in MCC's service area. Many of the non-profit organizations who received MCC volunteers depend on any support they can get so while individually, the team assignments may seem like a small contribution, combined, the overall impact was significant.

Over 1,000 volunteers from MCC fanned out to 50 sites in 14 cities and towns to do some volunteer work, equal to about $60,000 worth of services to our communities. Here's a look at some of the scenes from the day, with lots of additional photos and a bunch of comments from participants!

Presidential Puppets? That's Up for Debate

2008-10-02T13:56:00Z

Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama squared off on the steps of MCC this week, complete with boxing gloves and cheering sections. Unlike the one most folks watched on the national news recently, though, the MCC version featured 10 foot tall paper-mache puppets of the two candidates, knockout punches and all.

The brainstorm of Professor Jean Trounstine and her improv theatre group, Matter of Fact, the debate on the college's front steps gave the improv members a chance to show off their talents and rally some support, but more importantly, it was used to help make sure MCC students are registered to vote. While the two candidates traded jabs to the cheers of many, 86 MCC students signed up to vote thanks to the efforts of MassPIRG at a registration table inside MCC lobby!

The debate is a collaboration between MCC Student Activities, the theatre group, and MassPIRG. Matter of Fact consists of more than two dozen members, including current and past students, as well as MCC staffers and community volunteers. Some of its performers have been members for 15 years! The puppets came courtesy of Soklim Hean and MCC alum Greg Naun of Blackbird Design.

"Matter of Fact does performances based on social issues all around the Commonwealth, primarily to help raise awareness about issues that have social significance, it's a different way for us to use theatre," said Trounstine.

The fight/debate was split up into eight rounds, each round focusing on a specific national topic, such as education or health care. Students and participants then used the candidates exact quotes on the topics to make their case, and the crowd in attendance then voted a winner of each round.

For the record, Obama won the 10 round fight, taking eight of the ten rounds.

I Went to a Garden Party

2008-09-26T17:43:00Z

Shakespeare in the Park! Music in the Park! Art in the Park! Saturday in the Park! We've got 'em all at MCC, thanks to the newest addition to our environs as of this week, the MCC Culture Garden on Middle Street!

This week, folks feasted on hot dogs, listened to music supplied by MCC's own students, and celebrated the opening of the garden/park in between our Talbot and Derby health and science properties.

The Culture Garden honors stories about flowers, herbs and vegetables related to family traditions shared by Lowell community members reflecting the rich diversity of the city.

Obviously, there were a number of folks instrumental in pulling everything together, so a quick tip of the hat to our own Culture Club - art professor Margaret Rack, Production and Design Assistant Eastman Garcia, Performing Arts Chair Karen Oster, Humanities Dean David Coleman, along with MCC's International Club, Casey Family Service, the gardeners at the George Flanagan Development, the Greater Lowell Indian Cultural Association, folks at the Merrimack River Valley House, and the Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School. Kudos also to the two dozen or so painters or members of the design team who played a role.

In the future, expect to see performances in the park by the college's theatre club, concerts by MCC students, and lots, lots more artwork!

MCC has also established a preservation fund to assist with the upkeep and development of the park. Interested sponsors can send their donations to the MCC Foundation Fund, P.O. Box 716, Bedford, MA, 01730.

RIP, Gena R. Brown

2008-09-18T14:09:00Z

The MCC community extends its condolences to the family of Gena R. Brown, a 2005 graduate of our medical sonography program who died in a tragic house fire in Lexington over the weekend.

Authorities are crediting Brown with saving her two daughters from a dryer fire that touched off a larger fire inside their home.

Brown, 48, yelled for her daughters to get out as the fire tore through the house on Paul Revere Road in the early morning hours. Her two daughters climbed out a second floor window and yelled for neighbors to call 911, but Brown herself was unable to escape. Authorities believe the fire was the result of lint buildup in a clothes dryer.

Brown had worked as a sonographer, or ultrasound technician, at Newton-Wellesley Hospital since January. She had earned her license as a diagnostic medical sonographer at MCC in 2005.

A memorial service in Gena’s honor will be held Friday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m. at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Rd., Lexington, with arrangements by Bedrosian Funeral Home. Donations in Brown’s memory may be made to the Gena R. Brown Children’s Education Fund, c/o Belmont Savings Bank, 2 Leonard St., Belmont, MA 02478. Proceeds will go toward financing the education of her three children.

An Adventure in Leadership

2008-09-12T17:03:00Z

Recently, a group of newly enrolled MCC students fresh out of high school jumped both feet forward into a unique program designed to help prepare them for college, albeit by taking a slightly more adventurous route.

The program, run through MCC's Office of Leadership and Student Activities, was designed to begin identifying potential leaders at the earliest point possible, so that MCC can have more time to help them develop their skills while on our campuses. These 13 new students all committed to participate in some form of leadership development this year, including Student Government, sports, clubs, and more. Eventually, some of them may be considered as fellow for the Paul H. Sullivan Leadership Institute, which targets students further into their education and development.

The pilot allowed for a small group which included 10 men and 3 women plus 3 returning students (Orientation Leaders: Rosie Austin, Danillo Sena and Adam Nichols, all fellows from the pilot of the Paul H. Sullivan Leadership Institute) who assisted with the program. The 13 new students were: David Hem, Chas Hodgdon, Andrew Holden, Stephen Kimball, Kyla Mahoney, Alex Nichols, Kamal Patel, Jeffrey Paulino, Victor Ramos, Steven Roark, Tyler Stewart, Carolyn Toye and Jessica Twohig.

The group stayed at the Beverly Project Adventure site on Moraine Farm. With acres of gorgeous landscaping, views of Wenham Lake and handsome architecture, it would have made for a lovely vacation, but the students were put to work immediately. After a quiet bus ride together with their peers, their program began with a series of "getting to know you" icebreakers including versions of tag. Then it was off to the course in the hills and woods where the students spent 8 hours of hands on experiential education.

Barely knowing each others' names, students had to work together to reach a number of common goals. They participated in low ropes and high ropes challenges (some as high as 40 feet) and needed to trust one another while searching for individual courage. While each challenge offered a chance to be personally introspective, each required the committment of a team to be successful. The students quickly became friends. Tearful moments of transformative learning made their bonds strong. Critical and creative thinking was often required. And, without even knowing it self confidence reached new levels.

Nighttime offered time for further connecting over a dorm-style meal, board games and frisbee at dusk. Roommates, shared bathrooms, and late night pizza offered a brief look at what residential living can offer. Tired, but eager, the students woke up bright and early for 1/2 a day of workshops that invited them to share hopes and fears about starting college. Another session offered insight into their personality types and how different people learn, act and relate to one another. The program closed with information on how to take their leadership to the next level at Middlesex Community College.

The participants reported feeling a stronger sense of self confidence, a sense of community, feeling more prepared for college, greater awareness of others, stronger social network, feeling of school pride, desire to get involved at MCC, and improved communication skills.

Some overheard comments include:

"I've been in team sports all my life, but I have never seen anything like [this]. I have never seen so many hugs and high fives so quickly." - Tyler

"A lot of things started with - 'I can't do this; No way; You're crazy" - but then you learn to trust each other and push yourself." -Kyla

"There's a lot of support here. That's not something I'm used to. I'm used to tough love and this was really different. And it felt genuine." -David

"I'm going to be honest. I debated not coming. I was just going to skip it and go to my friend's house. I'm so glad I came. I'm really glad I did it and I am so proud of everyone." -Steve

Nicely done, and a tip of hat to the Student Affairs team, led by Rebecca Newell, who attended the training, but managed to avoid the 40 foot climb. Let's keep an eye on this group as they move forward at MCC!

The 411 on MCC's 911 hero

2008-09-05T18:18:00Z

Jared St. Pierre, an MCC business student, was on the phone in his apartment on Wednesday, talking with a representative from the cable company, when he heard the screams outside his window. St. Pierre looked out and saw an older man in the Pawtucket Canal, clinging to a wall, about to go under. About 100 yards down the canal lie the dangerous turbines of the Boot Hydroelectric plant.

St. Pierre immediately ended the call with the cable rep, dialed 911, and within minutes, had the emergency services of the Lowell Police, Fire, and University of Massachusetts Lowell on the scene. The man in the water was successfully rescued and taken to a hospital for treatment, where he was later released.

On Friday, MCC college leaders, along with elected officials and the emergency responders, gathered at President Carole Cowan's office to congratulate the student for getting involved and helping to make a difference.

St. Pierre tried to downplay his role, claiming he only dialed three numbers on a telephone. But Lowell Police Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan Jr. said St. Pierre did exactly what he wished more people would do - he took responsibility and helped make his community safer. Ryan credited St. Pierre for not going outside and jumping into the canal to effect a rescue, because then, essentially, the first responders would have had two rescues on their hands. Lowell 911 Dispatcher Katie Ferraro was on hand to thank St. Pierre for providing the information to her so quickly and calmly. St. Pierre immediately turned the tables and credited the dispatchers for keeping things under control.

"You made a difference," said MCC Business Dean Judith Hogan. "You represent all that is good about our students at MCC, and we're proud to be here to say thank you for stepping up like you did."

Said Cowan: "We talk so much about our core commitments here on campus, and you exemplifed them by contributing back to your society. You played a critical role in saving a man's life and that's something you can never forget. A man is alive thanks to your fast thinking and willingness to do the right thing."

St. Pierre, for his part, was slightly overcome by all the adulation, but then apologized because he had to get to his next class.

From left to right, 911 Dispatcher Katie Ferraro, MCC Business Dean Judith Hogan, MCC Trustees Chair William Chemelli, MCC President Carole Cowan, Student Jared St. Pierre, MCC Dean of Students Pam Flaherty, Lowell State Representative Kevin Murphy, Stacie Hargis from Congresswoman Niki Tsongas' office, and Lowell Police Deputy Superintendent Arthur Ryan Jr.

Take MCC out to the Ballgame

2008-08-22T19:02:00Z

A great baseball-filled day was had by all on at Lowell's Lelacheur Park recently, with a special summer event related to MCC’s Common Book, When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka.

The event, called "American Pastime: On Film & In Person," was jointly sponsored by MCC's Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Program, MCC's Office of Student Life, and the New England Chapter of the Japanese-American Citizens League (NE-JACL). In attendance were MCC students, staff, faculty, alums, and a diverse group of NE-JACL members of all ages - including a few members who were former internees during World War II and another who served in the famous 442nd Infantry Division in World War II, an all-Japanese-American unit that fought valiantly and are the most highly decorated unit in the history of the U.S. military.

The day began at 10 a.m. in MCC's Federal Building Assembly Room for a showing of the 2007 Hollywood movie, American Pastime, a film about the role baseball played in Utah’s Topaz Internment Camp, which housed thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II. (Topaz happens to be the same camp where the fictional family was held in Julie Otsuka’s novel, When the Emperor Was Divine - MCC’s Common Book). While this Hollywood film is fiction, American Pastime depicts life inside the internment camps, where baseball was one of the major diversions from the reality of the internees’ lives. The film was incredibly moving, realistic, thought-provoking, and uplifting, and the audience couldn’t stop talking about it afterwards.

Following the movie, participants mingled, discussed their reactions to the film, and shared stories of their own personal experiences as they enjoyed a delicious, buffet lunch of Japanese-American food.

And after the lunch, participants headed to LeLacheur Park for an afternoon Lowell Spinners baseball game! Although the red-hot Spinners lost, the group had a wonderful time at the game and Student Senator Rosie Austin even won a trivia contest between innings! And it was so nice to see our groups’ names (Middlesex CC & NE-JACL) put up together on the big board at LeLacheur Park!

Baseball - the pastime of America, MCC, and beyond!

When Campuses Clash

2008-08-20T20:18:00Z

Call it North vs. South Redux. Or City Slickers vs. Suburbanites.

Anyway you cut it, this year's MCC Campus Softball Brawl was one for the books. Unable to make the trip to compete in Beijing, MCC's finest softballers instead took not just their A Games, but their B, C, D, F and Incomplete games to Southwell Field in Chelmsford to square off in this year's Bedford vs. Lowell showdown.

The results were interesting, to say the least.

Let's face it. EVERYBODY tried. Some tried more than others. Some looked really, really good in the field. Some were just really well-dressed. Some had a hard time mastering the act of getting the glove on the right hand. Others came up with new ways to run to first base. The unselfish play of some softballers, who happily stood aside to let their teammates roar in from other positions on the field to catch routine pop-ups was noble. The umpire, last seen running from the field, either from embarrassment or from fear of retribution from relatives on one of the two teams, held his own.

And with Frank Morande and Alice Rouse staffing the grills and refreshment tables, the weary warriors had plenty of food and nutritious offerings awaiting them after the grueling match.

Kudos to fitness freak Jonathan Crockett who pulled the event together. Rumor has it the Rocket is working on another face-off betwixt the campuses, one that would likely tax the grey matter a little more aggressively over the physical prowess. (Not that there was a ton of that to be found on Southwell during this face-off.)

For those blog readers wondering, yes, there was a score. It's just not one we care to post on a family blog. Congrats to all involved!

Governor Patrick Signs Historic Bond Bill for Higher Education Expansion

2008-08-07T20:51:00Z

Governor Deval Patrick on Thursday signed into law a bill to invest $2.2 billion over 10 years for new buildings or renovations at all of the state's 29 community and state colleges and at each of the five campuses of the University of Massachusetts.

For Middlesex Community College, it means a $45 million dollar investment in the college's development - $24 for the college's Bedford campus and $21 million for its city campus in Lowell. The Lowell figure includes money for a new performing arts center, which will allow the college to expand its music and dance academic programs.

"This is thrilling news for the future growth of Middlesex Community College and will dramatically impact the college's growth for decades to come," said MCC President Carole Cowan. "The investment by the Governor and our state lesiglature has provided an exciting opportunity that will help chart the course for the development of this college at both our campuses."

Cowan especially praised the work of the legislative delegation from Lowell - Senator Steven Panagiotakos, and State Representatives Thomas Golden, David Nangle, and Kevin Murphy, who worked for months with the college to ensure that the needs of both of MCC's campuses were met.

"Our delegation recognized this as the historic opportunity that it is, one that will be able to play a significant role in the economic growth not just of our college, but of the communities in which we are located and the student population that we serve," Cowan said.

“This legislation represents an important investment in the future of our Commonwealth, and in the future of our students,” Governor Patrick said in a press release.

The bill sets aside up to $1 billion for the five University of Massachusetts campuses, and $1.2 billion for the state and community colleges. Funds will pay for much needed projects at each of the Commonwealth's public higher education campuses, ranging from minor renovation to new construction. Cowan said MCC is already looking at potential growth opportunities on both its campuses, and is planning to meet with state legislators soon to outline a vision.

“This bill is historic not only in terms of the sheer dollar investment it makes in higher education, which is significant, but in aligning the educational and economic needs of the Commonwealth,” said Frederick W. Clark, Chair of the Board of Higher Education.

"The Commonwealth's public institutions of higher education have been vastly underfunded over the past decade, making it difficult for the schools to remain affordable,” said Senator Robert A. O’Leary, Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “This bond bill is a momentous commitment to helping the public campuses stay innovative and modern, and most importantly accessible to all of the Commonwealth's citizens."

“There is a tremendous and long standing need for investment in the infrastructure that supports our state and community colleges and the University of Massachusetts. These institutions are attempting to educate a 21^st century workforce in facilities that are often decades out of date and deteriorating. This bill provides funds for every public higher education institution in this state to help address these pressing capital needs,” said Lowell Rep. Kevin J. Murphy, House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “I believe that investing in our public higher education system pays dividends not only for our students and their individual well-being, but for the economic health and success of the Commonwealth as a whole: that it is essential to maintaining the long term viability of our economy and our standard of living.”

The bill is based on the Commonwealth’s first ever debt affordability analysis and five-year capital plan. It authorizes the Governor to implement a significant shift in capital spending priorities reflected in the five-year capital plan, taking higher education capital investments from just 3% of all state bond-funded spending to 10% of all bond-funded capital spending in just five years. The bill is also based on a master capital plan developed in consultation with the Board of Higher Education (BHE), college and university presidents and chancellors, the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM), and three nationally recognized architectural and planning firms. The plan addresses the unique mission and needs at each campus.

MCC Lands DOE Grant for Campus Safety

2008-08-01T17:20:00Z

Middlesex Community College is one of only 13 colleges nationwide to this week receive a U.S. Department of Education grant offered for the first-time ever as part of a program to address campus safety issues for higher education institutions.

MCC was awarded nearly $190,000 as part of the program announced on Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. In all, the DOE awarded $5.2 million for the 13 grants nationwide.

"Keeping students safe starts with planning ahead," Spellings said in a release. "These new grants will help college administrators coordinate with law enforcement, health officials, and state and local governments to prevent violence and prepare institutions to respond quickly and efficiently if emergencies occur."

Funded for the first time in 2008, Emergency Management for Higher Education (EMHE) grants fund activities within the four phases of emergency management—prevention-mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery—to prepare for the whole range of threats that can impact a campus, including, but not limited to: natural disasters, terrorist attacks, campus violence, suicides, and infectious disease outbreaks. The grants are for 18 months.

Funding for the EMHE grants is made available through the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools and the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

MCC President Cowan said she was honored and excited that MCC was able to secure funding in this first-time program, as it will allow the college to quickly enact some critical training plans for its two campuses, in Lowell and Bedford.

"Across the nation, we're seeing more and more trends within higher education to focus on internal systems and more effective ways of dealing with a crisis on our campuses," said Cowan. "This funding will allow Middlesex to implement critical training for a significant number of our management and administration personnel to help ensure a safer campus community for our students, faculty and staff."

Cowan said the training relies on the critical law enforcement partnerships that the college currently experiences, such as collaborations with the Lowell and Bedford Police Departments, the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), the Massachusetts State Police and the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.

Middlesex currently has a two-tiered Emergency Management Team, consisting of 68 members of the college community, all of whom will be undergoing a series of trainings in incident command, active shooter on campus response systems, and emergency preparedness. Additionally, MCC will use the grant opportunity to refine its existing emergency management plans.

Strengthening Institutions, Strengthening MCC

2008-07-09T17:21:00Z

Just in time for the dead of summer, MCC landed some hot news this week, receiving word that the college will receive nearly $400,000 through a critical U.S. Department of Education grant program, Strengthening Institutions.

The Title III project, "Strategies for Success: Increasing Achievement, Persistence, Retention and Engagement," focuses on comprehensive enhanced advising and curricula initiatives, both of which are linked together throughout the five-year implementation. The advising initiative includes the purchase of advising software, addition of advising staff, the design of new advising services by programs of study, implementation of an early warning system, and the integration of career, education and financial planning into the advising process. The curriculum component includes the integration of core student success skills into gateway courses, the development of learning communities with gateway courses, and the intentional connection of academic programs and student development with the assistance of an engagement specialist. A curriculum designer will support faculty in the new academic initiatives and also will work with advising to design programs for faculty and students.

On Tuesday, Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, along with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas joined forces to announce the first year of funding under the grant program.

The funding will allow MCC to address key academic issues by designing a Reformed Curriculum and Comprehensive Advising program. Critical thinking, communication, organization and self assessment programs will be offered under the Reformed Curriculum and identification of career goals and the creation of realistic education plans and programs will be included in the integrated advising services.

"The new curriculum program at Middlesex Community College will help make sure our students are prepared to compete in today's global economy," said Senator Kerry. "I am pleased that the Department of Education has provided the funding necessary to allow us to invest in the future of young people throughout Massachusetts."

"Senator Kennedy congratulates Middlesex Community College for its leadership and dedication in reaching beyond traditional academic programs," said Melissa Wagoner, spokeswoman for Senator Kennedy. "The College is preparing its students well for the future in our constantly changing economy. Senator Kennedy is proud that this significant investment by the Department of Education will reap major benefits in the years to come for the people of the Commonwealth."

Said Tsongas: "As a former Dean at Middlesex Community College, I know much the career development and education resources at MCC benefit students in our area. Through Dr. Cowan's outstanding leadership, MCC continually creates additional opportunities for students. I am so pleased that this measure of federal funding will enable MCC to add to its outstanding curriculum and help students take further advantage of the distinctive advising program available at the school."

President Cowan was obviously overjoyed by the award: "We are thrilled that MCC will receive funding within the U.S. Department of Education's Strengthening Institutions program. These critical resources will allow the College to offer an even more effective curriculum and bring academic and career advising services to at-risk students in our communities who can immediately put them to good use. It's especially promising to be able to use new and emerging technologies to assist our students in their advancement. This is exciting and invigorating news for our students!"

A special blog shout-out goes to Mary Anne Dean, grant writer extraordinaire, and the rest of the MCC team that helped pull off a win in this extremely competitive and challenging area.

MCC Goes Fourth!

2008-07-03T16:05:00Z

As you listen to the dulcet sounds of the Boston Pops and its stirring rendition of the 1812 Overture at the Boston Fourth of July concert on Friday, behind the scenes in a carefully protected command post, Middlesex Community College personnel will be on hand to help provide high tech security measures for the entire shindig!

MCC has entered into a novel partnership with Boston 4 Celebrations Inc., the non-profit foundation responsible for Boston's Fourth of July concert and fireworks celebration. MCC, in conjunction with RFID Global Solution Inc., and the Mitre Corporation, has designed and is implementing an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology system aimed at increasing the security of the event's Unified Command Center (UCC).

"Maintaining UCC security is important to the safety, security, and success of the overall July 4th weekend celebration. Devising and deploying RFID technology in this context is new territory for everyone involved," said Terrence Downes, MCC's Director of Homeland Security.

The UCC coordinates all public safety aspects of the event. It's located away from the Hatch Shell for safety and access purposes and will be staffed throughout the event. The MCC team will supply electronic identifying badges for the nearly 350 people authorized to have UCC access during the event as well as use of a portable RFID unit and necessary computers. Other specialized equipment is being lent to Boston 4 by RFID Global Solution, Inc.

"This is an experiment both in adapting novel technology for practical purposes and in building interagency teamwork," said Downes. "The introduction of this level of electronic security will constitute a distinct upgrade in UCC security. The seriousness of current day security challenges and the emergency of both new technology and new levels of interagency cooperation make this an exciting experiment."

Middlesex launched the first comprehensive college-based RFID Technician Training Program in New England in 2006 and offers both certificate and associate degree programs. RFID is capable of automatically identifying and tracking items, inventories and people. This emerging wireless technology uses radio waves to activate, recognize, and respond to an RFID tag, which has a unique code and is attached to the item or person. Hands-on training at MCC is provided in a new RFID laboratory, located on the Bedford campus.

Serving Up Softballs

2008-05-30T18:28:00Z

To quote Rockford Peaches coach Jimmy Dugan, "there's no crying in baseball," and apparently there isn't any in softball either, as a hearty team of MCC folks, fresh off the diamond where they challenged a team of counterparts from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell to a brawlgame, are ready for more, despite their defeat.

Under the tutelage of Jonathan "the Rocket" Crockett, a team of MCC Middle-Agers took the field on Thursday on UML's South Campus. With a bevy of MCC supporters in tow, the MCC team did their best against the UML juggernaut, but came up short in the final tally.

Said the Rocket in post-game interviews: "I've identified key areas where I feel we need to spend some extra time developing - hitting, running, fielding, some of the fundamentals. But dang it, we did look good out there."

Official box scores are not yet available. The attached photo, obviously, was taken pre-game, as no one appears to be sucking wind. Top row, left to right, Manny Silveria, the Rocket himself, Pramod Bhardwaj, Jason Wedge, Bill Howshan, bottom row: David Martinez, Lindsay Vick, Pamela Flaherty, and Kevin Belfiore.

Next up: the annual Lowell vs. Bedford campuses softball clash of the titans in August! Congrats to all!

Entrepreneurship to the Extreme

2008-04-30T20:17:00Z

Owning a small business is the dream of many of our students at MCC, and this week, some of them took things to the extreme. On Tuesday, the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour brought together three of America's top young entrepreneurs to spread the entrepreneurial mindset. The keynote speakers, Sheena Lindahl, Michael Simmons and Josh Kowitt, are young entrepreneurs who've made, earned, and sold their companies and made a huge impact before the age of 25. They encouraged students to begin to leverage the entrepreneurial mindset in this increasingly global and automated world.

In addition to students in the MCC Business Administration program, several local high schools attended the event. Students from Bedford High School, Greater Lowell Technical High School, Lowell High School and Minuteman Regional High School participated in an action workshop, speed networking and listened to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs. The panel included Sheena Lindahl, Josh Kowitt, owner of Bedford Farms Ice Cream Joe Venuti and sales consultant and MCC instructor Jim Grenier. The event was funded in great part by an earmark for entrepreneurship development provided by Lowell Senator Steven Panagiotakos.