FALL 2015

Published by the Alumni Office at North Shore Community College

OVER 200 DISTINGUISHED GUEST S, including Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Speaker of the House of Representatives Robert DeLeo, and Senator Thomas M. McGee gathered for the official groundbreaking ceremony for NSCC’s long-awaited Lynn campus expansion in September. The 37,000-foot addition will add a wing with three floors for 10 classrooms, a centralized Student Success Center, a testing center, Academic Technology space, a Center for Teaching, Learning and Assessment, offices and a community board room.

Senator McGee was surprised by the presentation of the shovel used by his late father former House Speaker Thomas McGee at the 1983 groundbreaking of NSCC’s McGee Building. McGee said that he was very happy to be a part of the expansion and to continue the work his father started years ago. “My father understood students in this community deserved an opportunity for a better life and recognized this community college as a road to a better future,” McGee said.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT 50 YEARSNorth Shore Community College concludes its 50th anniversary with ambitious plans for the future and exciting plans already underway. NSCC’s presence in Lynn is a large part of the future, as 49% of NSCC’s nearly 15,000 credit students attend classes primarily on the Lynn campus.

President Patricia Gentile said “NSCC is the City of Lynn’s only institution of higher education and we embrace our role as a community resource and contributing partner. We look forward to the expanded opportunities this new facility will provide for all.”

As this project progresses, we will keep you advised on updates. To learn more and follow the project visit www.northshore.edu/advancing.

Senator Thomas M. McGee holds the groundbreak-

ing shovel also used by his father, former House Speaker

Thomas W. McGee, at the original groundbreaking for the

Lynn campus.

NSCC CLOSES 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WITH BOSTON POPS CONDUCTOR KEITH LOCKHART North Shore Community College concluded its 50th anniversary celebration with An Evening to Remember featuring Conductor Keith Lockhart and select musicians. The unique event was a joint commemoration of NSCC’s 50th anniversary celebration and Conductor Lockhart’s 20 years with the Boston Pops. The October event, held at the Lynn Auditorium, featured the conductor’s reflections on his two decades with the Boston Pops and the history of that beloved institution. An audience of nearly 600 enjoyed hearing his personal recollections and reflections on his distinguished conducting career.

Maestro Lockhart has conducted nearly 1,700 Boston Pops concerts, most of them at Boston’s historic Symphony Hall. He has also led annual Boston Pops appearances at Tanglewood, the celebrated annual July 4 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, and national and international tours. He has recorded eight albums with the Pops and serves as Artistic Director of the Brevard Music Center and Principal Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra. As the second longest-tenured conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra since its founding in 1885, he had many stories to share with the audience, interspersed with music and demonstrations of some of his favorite works.

The college is grateful to the following sponsors who made this unique and memorable event possible: Old Neighborhood Foods and the Demakes family; Eastern Bank, Comcast, Verizon, North Shore Bank, People’s United Bank and the Law Offices of Smith, Costello & Crawford.

NSCC Breaks Ground on Lynn Campus Expansion

You have the power — every gift matters.T H E F U N D F O R

NORT H S HOR E C OM M U N I T Y C OL L EG E

NORTHSHORE.EDU/GIVING

NSCC ALUMNI FROM THE NURSE Educa-tion program Class of ’95 got together for an October lunch to celebrate and reconnect for a 20-year reunion. The group pictured at left shared laughs, memories and updates and plan to reconnect again soon.

Do you know a nurse who graduated in ’95? Please pass the word along — the biggest challenge in planning reunions is contacting people so spread the word and help us keep contact information current.

The Alumni Office is planning a spring reunion for all NSCC nursing graduates. Are you interested in participating on a planning committee? Willing to help us locate fellow nurses that we’ve lost contact with? Your help is welcome and invaluable! To get involved please contact Alumni Coordinator Sandra Rochon at srochon@northshore.edu or 978 762 4000 ext 5481. Nurses from NSCC’s Class of ’95 got together for a Sunday

lunch at Sylvan Street Grille in Peabody.

NSCC RT, PTA GRADS EARN 100% ON LICENSING EXAMS!TWO OF NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY College’s Health Professions programs recently received outstanding news concerning their grad-uates’ passing percentages on national licensing examinations.

2015 graduates of both the Radiologic Tech-nology (RT) and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) programs have achieved a 100% pass rate on their national licensure exams!

According to Professor Christine Wiley, who retired on September 1 after 27 years of leading the Radiologic Technology Program, this marks the fourth consecutive year that RT program graduates have achieved a 100% pass rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technology Certification examination. “This is great news to end my career as Rad Tech Program Director here at NSCC.”

It is also the second year in a row that PTA stu-dents earned a 100% pass rate on the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. “Our graduates work very hard towards achieving success on this challenging exam and we wish them all the best as licensed Physical Therapist Assistants,” said Mary Meng-Lee, PTA Program Director/Depart-ment Chair.

ReconnectingNSCC Nurses from the class

This is great news to end my career as Rad Tech Program Director here at NSCC. — Christine Wiley

of ’95

T H E F U N D F O RNORT H S HOR E C OM M U N I T Y C OL L EG E

NORTHSHORE.EDU/GIVING

FOR OVER 50 YEARS, North Shore Commu-nity College has opened doors to education and career pathways for thousands of students from throughout the North Shore region. Graduates live and work in our hometowns and help drive the economic engines of our own communities.

You have the power to help North Shore Com-munity College provide affordable higher educa-tion and career training opportunities for the students of today and tomorrow. Your annual gift will support three essential priorities that will help define the College’s next 50 years.

YOU HAVE THE POWER — EVERY GIFT MATTERS

SCHOLARSHIPS AND LEARNINGYour gift will fund scholar-ships that make learning possible — the first stop on the pathway to success.

AREAS OF GREATEST NEEDYour gift is transforma-tional for NSCC — each dollar given has mea-surable impact for real people.

LYNN CAMPUS EXPANSION — EQUIPMENT AND FURNITUREYour gift supports NSCC’s mission to expand its urban campus and resources in the City of Lynn.

More than 50% of NSCC students require financial assistance to persist in school. NSCC students who receive scholarships graduate at a higher rate. NSCC scholarship recipients are less likely to drop out. Less debt is incurred by NSCC scholar-ship recipients compared to the national average.

DECEMBER 1

SAV E T H E DAT E

NSCC ALUMNI GIVE BACKEarlier this year we surveyed our alumni, invit-ing feedback, input, and participation in student mentoring initiatives. Many of you generously stepped forward to connect with students and share your time, experience and knowledge.

We are grateful to have graduates willing to help in this way and we are very excited to offer these opportunities to students. Hearing from an NSCC alum who has successfully navigated some of the challenges that our students may be faced with provides encouragement, inspiration and can have a tremendous impact on retention. When facing challenges such as financial obstacles, jug-gling competing responsibilities and a lack of role models or family support in attending college, offering students encouragement and positive examples to follow becomes an important compo-nent to ensure student achievement and success. NSCC alums Jeff Reynolds ’91, Sherri Raftery ’09 and Jose Palma ’11 helped us do just that by vol-unteering to participate in the Fall Alumni Panel.

FALL ALUMNI PANEL In September, the first of the new alumni mentoring initiatives was a panel discussion fea-turing three NSCC grads. The panelists had dif-

YOU SPOKE — WE LISTENED!ALUMNI PANEL AND SURVEY

Alumni News — Fall 2015

MA SECRETARY ofVETERANS AFFAIRS to Visit NSCCIN DECEMBER, Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Affairs Francisco Urena will visit NSCC’s Veterans Center at the Danvers campus to speak with student veterans and see the work being done through the VA VITAL, Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program. VA VITAL, funded by the Veterans Administration, is an initia-tive that gives student veterans access to a VA representative on campus. North Shore Community College is fortunate to be a VITAL program partner and is one of just a few schools that participate in this program providing direct, personal and more efficient information to our student veterans.

NSCC Veterans Services Coordinator HONORED VETERANS SERVICESCoordinator KristineBabcock ’85was selected for this year’s We Honor Veterans Award by Care Dimensions of Danvers, an award which “honors individuals commit-ted to improving the lives of veterans.”

This is just one of several awards that the veteran and NSCC alum has been honored with since beginning her work in Veterans Services at North Shore Community College in 2011. Her tireless efforts on behalf of veterans have been recognized through multiple awards and recognitions including the prestigious Seven Seals Award by the Massachusetts Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the Department of Defense, and the Red Cross Military Hero Award for extraordinary efforts on behalf of others. Kristine has also recently been invited to serve on Congressman Seth Moulton’s Veterans Advisory Committee, which she describes as “a tremendous honor.”

Kristine is a veteran of the US Navy where she served for ten years in aviation elec-tronics. She earned her NSCC general studies degree in 1985 and knows firsthand the challenges our student veterans face. Kristine has been a devoted advocate for student veterans and her efforts have resulted in expanded services, supportive connections for students and a busy and very well-utilized Veterans Center on campus.

Like the NSCC Veterans Facebook page and keep up to date on activities and events:

www.facebook.com/myNSCC.veterans

NSCC Hosts Seminar Addressing PUBLIC OPIOID EPIDEMICNORTH SHORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT addressed the public health crisis of opioid addiction and overdose recently at a free public seminar.

The growing problem of opioid overdoses has increased significantly over the past ten years throughout the region and the country. Opioids include heroin and prescription drugs such as oxycodone (oxycontin), codeine, methadone and others. As part of the effort to address the crisis and provide support resources, NSCC hosted The Opioid Epidemic: Criminal Justice Innovations and Challenges, a free public health seminar. The panel discussion was moderated by Lynn Police Chief Kevin Cop-pinger and featured Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; former Salem Police Chief and NSCC adjunct instructor, State Representative Paul Tucker, Erin Zapata-Elliott from the Lynn Police Department’s Behavioral Health Unit and Professor Steve Chisolm, Coordinator of NSCC’s Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program.

ferent backgrounds, degrees and professions but relayed the shared message that education is an essential element of success and that their NSCC experience gave them a solid academic founda-tion to grow on. They encouraged students to persist when they encounter obstacles, advised them to welcome and embrace each learning opportunity, and shared valuable advice about school, career and life lessons.

The event panelists included:JEFF REYNOLDS ’91Jeff is a managing director at Darling Consulting Group, an asset liability management consulting firm. Jeff is a frequent speaker and author with expertise in the insurance and banking indus-tries, and a community volunteer.

SHERRI RAFTERY ’09Communications professional, speaker, Toast-master and volunteer, Sherri Raftery was the recipient of NSCC’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2013. She works at the East Boston Chamber of Commerce and is hostess and pro-ducer of the Revere cable TV program “Helping You Take Center Stage — Public Speaking & Lead-ership Tips.”

JOSÉ PALMA ’11El Salvador native José Palma graduated from NSCC’s Paralegal Program in 2011. He is a lead political organizer working to influence state and federal immigration reform and is actively involved in civic engagement and education. José was NSCC’s 2015 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner for his volunteer work and dedication to working for social and economic justice.

VETERANS NEWS

Pictured at the NSCC Fall Alumni Panel, from left to right:

Alumni Coordinator Sandra Rochon, Jeff Reynolds ’91, Sherri

Raftery ’09, José Palma ’11 and NSCC’s Vice President of

Institutional Advancement Mark Reimer.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!Although the survey has closed, your voice is always important to us. Share your thoughts, offer feedback and let us know if you are interested in volunteering. Contact Alumni Coordinator Sandra Rochon:srochon@northshore.edu or 978-762-4000 ext. 5481.

Alumni News is published for NSCC alumni and friends by the Alumni Office, North Shore Community College, 1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA, 01923. News, photos and event listings are welcome subject to editor approval. Please send to: srochon@northshore.edu • Telephone: 978-762-4000, x5481

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARDGERARD “SULLY” SULLIVAN ’97President

DONNA ROSATO ’03Vice President

LESLEY PETERS ’97Alumni Trustee

LUZ GARAY ’08Secretary

NANCY BARKER ’10JULIE HOWLAND ’91

BOB KOHN ’79NICK LOVASCO ’12KIM MARINO ’09BOB MURPHY ’99

STAFFSANDRA ROCHONAlumni Coordinator

EJYO KATAGIRIMarketing & Communications

WRITERS/EDITORSSANDRA ROCHONNANCY BARKER ’10LINDA BRANTLEY

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERSNSCC MEDIA DEPARTMENTNANCY BARKER ’10LINDA BRANTLEYKURT EDDY ’88MICHAEL SPERLINGFAITH HOCTER

One Ferncroft Road • Danvers, MA 01923-0840

978-762-4000 • 781-593-6722

www.northshore.edu/alumni

Alumni News —Fall 2015

COMING UPJANUARY 13 Know someone interested in the Health & Beauty industry? NSCC’s Aesthetics & Skin Care program will provide students with knowledge and hands-on experience with the products, electrical equipment, techniques and popular trends used in salons and spas. Our program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology.

Come to our Aesthetics Open HouseWed., Jan. 13, 2016 at 9:30 AMDanvers Campus, 1 Ferncroft Road Math and Science Building, DS 106B

JANUARY 20 Great Resume Enhancing opportunity! – Free Career Information Training NightA free Career Training Information Night is planned for early 2016. The training will focus on noncredit career training pro-grams in growth industries and noncredit professional development programs. Bring your resume and have it reviewed at no charge!

Career Information Training Nights are free and open to the public.

Save the date: Wed, Jan. 20th, 2016 at 6 PMDanvers Campus, 1 Ferncroft RoadMath & Science Building, DS 106B

DECEMBER 1

SAV E T H E DAT E

NORTH SHORECOMMUNITY COLLEGEHigher learning Higher value

KECIA RIDEOUT ’02 IS USING HER TALENTS to help others in her Lynn community and encouraging others to participate and do the same. As part of a December 5th “yarn bombing” project called Chase the Chill, Kecia and others who knit or crochet will tie knit scarves and hats on telephone poles, meters, trees, fences and more throughout Lynn, offer-ing warmth to those in need. Each item comes with a tag noting “I’m not lost — take me if you are cold.”

Kecia, a 2002 graduate of NSCC’s liberal arts program, works as a Training Center Ambassador at Dish Network in Wilmington. She volunteers her time and talent with Chase the Chill, describing it as the perfect way to share her love of knitting while helping those in need.

Chase the Chill started in 2008 and word spread primarily through social media chan-nels. It is described as a combination of art, community, charity and goodwill — an annual happening with a cause. Kecia and friends heard about it last year and began the Lynn group which now numbers nearly 40. They have enjoyed participating so much that they are already committed to next year as well and hope to spread the movement, welcoming all who may be interested to join them. Group members gather on Sunday afternoons at Circle of Stitches in Salem, MA (66 Wharf St), to work on projects together. Kecia said “All are welcome to join and enjoy this relaxing hobby while helping the community.” To learn more, check out Chase the Chill Lynn MA on Facebook.

NSCC Grad Helps Chase the Chill KECIA RIDEOUT ’02

Alumni Corner

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