PRESS RELEASES June 2006
Holyoke Community College Graduates 887 Students at its 59th Commencement
Indoor ceremony planned for HCC commencement, June 3
Former Speaker of the House to receive award from HCC
Easthampton resident chosen to receive prestigious teaching award at HCC
Hayden tapped to fill Kittredge post at HCC
New Forecast To Raise Questions About Future Skill-Level Of New England Workforce
June 1, 2006
HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRADUATES 887 STUDENTS AT ITS 59th COMMENCEMENT
What: Holyoke Community College 's 59th Commencement
When: Saturday, June 3, 2006
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: O'Connell Memorial Soccer Field, HCC
(Rain location: The David M. Bartley Center for Athletics and Recreation)
Holyoke , MA - This year Holyoke Community College will confer 903 associate degrees and certificates to 887 students at its 59 th commencement ceremony, June 3. President William F. Messner will introduce three speakers: Professor Kathryn Root, the recipient of the Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Excellence; Nicole Darden, a graduating student who has been named Class Orator; and Joan Postell-Porter, another proud member of the class of 2006.
Messner will also introduce the audience to the six individuals who have been honored with a 2006 Distinguished Service Award. Those individuals are: retired HCC President David M. Bartley; retired HCC Nursing Program Director Patricia B. Triggs; retired HCC Director of Institutional Research Laura Clausen Coelen; and retiring HCC Trustees Paul D. Boudreau, Harold F. Brunault, and Martin D. Browne.
Members of the media interested in attending are asked to contact Anne Sroka at (413) 552-2259, or Natalia Munoz at (413) 552-2183. The event will be American Sign Language interpreted.
June 2, 2006
Indoor ceremony planned for HCC commencement, June 3
HOLYOKE - Anticipating heavy rain, officials at Holyoke Community College announced that they will move the June 3 commencement ceremonies inside, to the David M. Bartley Center . The ceremonies will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Graduating students are reminded that they will be limited to two guests, and that those guests must present a ticket to be admitted into the Bartley Center . Graduates should arrive at the large tent in O parking lot adjacent to the Bartley Center at 9:00 a.m.
The college will confer 898 degrees and certificates to 883 students. The college's graduating class is the largest of any community college central and western Massachusetts .
June 2, 2006
FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TO RECEIVE AWARD FROM HCC
What: Holyoke Community College 's 59th Commencement
When: Saturday, June 3, 2006
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: The David M. Bartley Center for Athletics and Recreation
Holyoke , MA - A former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives will receive a Distinguished Service Award during the 59 th annual commencement ceremonies at Holyoke Community College , June 3.
Former HCC President David M. Bartley is one of six people who were tapped to receive the award, which is given annually to people who have enhanced college life through their contributions to HCC. Bartley, an HCC alumnus, served in the Massachusetts State Legislature from 1963 to 1975. He served as HCC president for 28 years.
President
William F. Messner will confer the degrees and introduce all of the graduation
speakers. In addition to Bartley, five other people will receive Distinguished
Service Awards. They are: retired HCC Nursing
Program Director Patricia B. Triggs; retired HCC Director of Institutional Research
Laura Clausen Coelen; and retiring HCC Trustees Paul D. Boudreau, Harold F.
Brunault, and Martin D. Browne.
Members of the media interested in attending are asked to contact Anne Sroka at (413) 552-2259, or Natalia Munoz at (413) 552-2183. The event will be American Sign Language interpreted.
June 6, 2006
Easthampton resident chosen to receive prestigious teaching award at HCC
HOLYOKE - Holyoke Community College has chosen Easthampton resident Kathryn C. Root to receive the 2006 Elaine Marieb Chair for Faculty Excellence. Root has worked for the college for nearly two decades and is currently the chair of HCC's Radiologic Technology program. Root received the award during the college's 59 th annual commencement ceremonies, June 3.
The Marieb Chair recognizes excellence in pedagogy and dedication to student success. Root is the sixteenth faculty member to be recognized with this award, which includes a small stipend that recipients can use to enhance their teaching.
Over the last 15 years, technological changes in radiography have radically transformed the profession, but Root has stayed ahead of the trends, colleagues say. All of the 192 students who received a radiologic technology degree from HCC have passed the highly competitive national certification exams. And their scores have been three to four percent higher than the national average.
"HCC honors Root, not only for her vast scientific expertise, but for the quiet determination that she brings to her work in the classroom," says HCC President William F. Messner.
A published author and noted lecturer for the Educators Forum of the Massachusetts Society of Radiologic Technologists, Root has also established two scholarships to aid struggling radiologic students complete their studies at HCC.
"When I see a puzzled expression, I have the student explain what he or she is thinking or have her or him ask questions until the topic seems clear," Root said of her teaching method. "Listening to students explain how they are thinking about a topic and how they relate the topic to prior knowledge provides insight for improved teaching strategies."
June 12, 2006
Hayden tapped to fill Kittredge post at HCC
HOLYOKE - Holyoke Community College President William F. Messner announced today that he will recommend the appointment of Jeffrey P. Hayden to the position of vice president for business and community services and executive director of the Kittredge Center .
Hayden's nomination must be formally approved by the HCC Board of Trustees, which next meets on June 27. If approved, Hayden will begin in early July.
"We are thrilled to have someone of Jeff's caliber and experience," said Messner. "His commitment to workforce and economic development in the region will serve the college and the community well."
Hayden comes to HCC from the city of Holyoke , where he has worked in the Office of Economic and Industrial Development for the last 12 years, most recently as its director. A city resident, he was one of 38 candidates for the HCC position, which was left vacant last summer when longtime HCC administrator Paul Raverta assumed the interim presidency of Berkshire Community College .
"Jeff Hayden has been an incredible asset for city of Holyoke ," said Mayor Michael Sullivan. "We look forward to partnering with Jeff and HCC on projects of mutual interest. Althouh he will be greatly missed, we will aggressively move forward with the economic development plan for the city of Holyoke with the system that Jeff has put in place. We thank him for that legacy."
Named after Yankee Candle founder and HCC alum Michael Kittredge, the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development houses the college's academic and community-focused business services. The $18 million complex is home to the WISER Center (World Institute for Economic Research) as well as the Center for Business and Professional Development.
June 12, 2006
Summer camps still open at HCC
HOLYOKE - It's not too late to plan a great summer camp experience for your child. Holyoke Community College still has openings in its baseball, soccer, softball, basketball, and equestrian training programs.
Courses begin as early as July 5 and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. To find out more, call (413) 552-2320. All courses will be conducted in the athletic facilities of Holyoke Community College , 303 Homestead Avenue , unless otherwise noted.
• The Cougars baseball clinic runs June 26-30 for boys and girls ages 8-17. Fee is $139.
• The Cougars elite soccer clinic runs July 10 -14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to boys and girls ages 6 to 17. The registration fee is $109.
• The Cougars girls softball clinic will run July 10 -14, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and is open to girls ages 9 to 15. Registration fee is $119.
• The Cougars basketball clinic will be held July 17-21, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is open to girls and boys ages 8 to 15. The fee is $145.
• The basic equestrian training, horse care, and dressage program will be held 9 a.m. to noon on July 5 -7 and again on Aug. 14-18. Both sessions will be held at the King Oak Farm in Southampton , and are open to beginners as well as experienced riders, ages 8 to 17. The three-day session fee is $190, and the five-day session is $280.
June 26, 2006
New Forecast To Raise Questions About Future Skill-Level Of New England Workforce
Predictions Challenge Conventional Thinking About Region's Competitive Advantages
WHAT: The release of a major new research study, New England 2020: A Forecast of Educational Attainment and its Implications for the Workforce of New England States . The study, several years in the making, takes a comprehensive, state-by-state look at the demographic, education, and workforce trends that will transform New England states in years ahead. The report's co-author will offer a compelling case that the states can no longer take for granted the numbers of young educated workers that sustain their economies.
WHEN: Thursday, June 29, 2006 9:30 -10:30 a.m. (Continental Breakfast begins 9:00 a.m.)
WHERE: Omni Parker House , 60 School St. , Boston (Kennedy Room)
WHO: Dr. Blenda J. Wilson , President & CEO, Nellie Mae Education Foundation
Stephen Coelen , Co-Author of New England 2020 and Professor in Residence , University of Connecticut , and Managing Partner , World Institute for Strategic Economic Research, Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA
Richard C. Lord , President & Chief Executive Officer , Associated Industries of Massachusetts (A.I.M.)
Dr. Jack Warner, Commissioner, Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education