A Message from the President
Civic Engagement at the Start of the New Decade Reminiscent of Early 2000s
By: President Daniel M. Asquino
Issue date: 2/2/10 Section: News
2010. The start of a new year, a new decade, and a new semester at Mount Wachusett Community College. It hardly seems possible that a decade already has passed since the Y2K frenzy. So much has changed since then, yet I can't help but notice a striking similarity.
In the early OO's, our country, indeed the world, was rocked by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. It was in the wake of that tragedy that we launched the Decade of Civic Engagement at Mount Wachusett Community College to infuse the college and the community with a new spirit of volunteerism, correlating with a surge of involvement nationally.
MWCC students are now collectively engaging in more than 12,000 hours of community service each year, including building and renovating houses with Habitat for Humanity, North Central Massachusetts; administering flu shots to senior citizens with the Gardner Health Department; providing dental screenings and treatment for underprivileged youth; collecting food and clothing for local assistance organizations; participating in walks to support the cure for Cancer, Alzheimer's and other diseases; and countless other acts of service each semester.
Shortly after the start of this new decade, the devastating 7.0 earthquake rocked Haiti on Jan. 12, leaving an estimated two million homeless and an expected death toll of more than 200,000. Again people throughout the nation, the world and our MWCC community are reaching out to do whatever they can to help.
Over the past few weeks, as the world witnessed Haiti's destruction, desperation and the miracles of children and adults being pulled from the ruins, MWCC students have been busy pooling their time and talents to raise money for the American Red Cross International Response Fund, as well as the Gardner-based medical outreach nonprofit Forward in Health and other aid organizations.
The Student Government Association, the International Club and the new Theatre Club had initially planned a fundraiser in January in conjunction with the Green Street Café to raise money to buy new volleyball nets for the college. Their focus immediate shifted to Haiti following the earthquake. In addition, proceeds from door prize ticket sales during the college's annual Mardi Gras celebration on Feb. 11 will go toward the relief fund and a collection that began on Jan. 14 during the orientation for new students will continue through Feb. 12. Collection jars have been placed in the Green Street Café and at the LaChance Library.
In the early OO's, our country, indeed the world, was rocked by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. It was in the wake of that tragedy that we launched the Decade of Civic Engagement at Mount Wachusett Community College to infuse the college and the community with a new spirit of volunteerism, correlating with a surge of involvement nationally.
MWCC students are now collectively engaging in more than 12,000 hours of community service each year, including building and renovating houses with Habitat for Humanity, North Central Massachusetts; administering flu shots to senior citizens with the Gardner Health Department; providing dental screenings and treatment for underprivileged youth; collecting food and clothing for local assistance organizations; participating in walks to support the cure for Cancer, Alzheimer's and other diseases; and countless other acts of service each semester.
Shortly after the start of this new decade, the devastating 7.0 earthquake rocked Haiti on Jan. 12, leaving an estimated two million homeless and an expected death toll of more than 200,000. Again people throughout the nation, the world and our MWCC community are reaching out to do whatever they can to help.
Over the past few weeks, as the world witnessed Haiti's destruction, desperation and the miracles of children and adults being pulled from the ruins, MWCC students have been busy pooling their time and talents to raise money for the American Red Cross International Response Fund, as well as the Gardner-based medical outreach nonprofit Forward in Health and other aid organizations.
The Student Government Association, the International Club and the new Theatre Club had initially planned a fundraiser in January in conjunction with the Green Street Café to raise money to buy new volleyball nets for the college. Their focus immediate shifted to Haiti following the earthquake. In addition, proceeds from door prize ticket sales during the college's annual Mardi Gras celebration on Feb. 11 will go toward the relief fund and a collection that began on Jan. 14 during the orientation for new students will continue through Feb. 12. Collection jars have been placed in the Green Street Café and at the LaChance Library.
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