The Mount Observer

Issue date: 5/3/10 Section: News

Mount Wachusett Community College Honors Program recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. 20 years ago the program was originally initiated by President Daniel M. Asquino and with the help of Tom Malloy, the program's first coordinator; a committee was established to conclude the criteria for the program. As a result from the committee, MWCC's Honors Program was the first college in MA to be accredited by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education which granted Commonwealth Honors Program Status.

Tom Malloy, who was the coordinator for 13 years, explained in a recent email interview that one of the main reasons the program was formed was, "Faculty was concerned that we were transferring accelerated students to "blue chip" colleges and senior state institutions without the proper preparation, mainly writing skills. Consequently, a program with additional writing and research requirements was adopted, i.e. Honors English, Honors Colloquium and two component courses."

Program requirements for students who are already enrolled at MWCC is a 3.3 GPA must be demonstrated based on a minimum of 12 credits, two recommendations from faculty members and an interview with the coordinator , currently, Sheila Murphy who has held the position since September of 2003. For Incoming students SAT test scores must be above 1650 or combined (critical reading and mathematics) score above 1100. Along with a high school GPA of 3.3 or higher and/or a high school class rank in the top 15 percent.

Some benefits for students that are a part of the Honors Program are enhanced transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities. Also, students receive a tuition waiver for their final semester as long as they graduate with a minimum 3.3 GPA.

Honors students must enroll in a colloquium course after completing ENG201 and one of the two required Honors courses. The colloquium course this semester is called Nutrition Health and Sustainability which is co-taught by Dr. Tom Montagno and RaeAnn LeBlanc. This course will run for two years. Montagno said he likes teaching this course because, "It's a new topic and very timely." Montagno served on the honors committee for six years and this is his first year teaching an Honors Colloquium class. Professor Leblanc has been involved with the Honors Program for two years and was on the committee last year. Leblanc said on her experience of co-teaching that, "Its great co-teaching with Tom. We come from different disciplines and have different perspectives. I think it's the best professional development I could receive."

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