Call for Submissions: Writers’ Club 26th Annual Fiction and Poetry Contest

by Alana J. Mauger

The Writers’ Club at Montgomery County Community College is accepting submissions for its 26th Annual Fiction and Poetry Contest through 2 p.m. on March 13. Mailed entries must be postmarked by March 8. The contest has MCCC student and community resident categories in both poetry and fiction. Prizes range from $100 for first place to $25 for fourth place in each category.

Entries should be submitted to Associate Professor Patricia Nestler, Parkhouse Hall room 458, Montgomery County Community College, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Emailed entries will not be accepted.

Guidelines for submitting poetry and fiction are as follows.

Submissions should be typed on 8 ½ x11” paper; prose should be a maximum of 3,000 words and should be double-spaced.

Name, address, email address and phone number must be typed on a separate title page, along with the category letter (A1 MCCC student poetry; A2 MCCC student fiction; B1 non-student poetry; B2 non-student fiction). MCCC student ID should also be added for categories A1 and A2. On each subsequent page, the title of the work should be typed in the upper right-hand corner with the last four digits of the phone number from the title page.

The contestant’s name should not appear on any page except for the title page, and all pages should be numbered and clipped together. Contestants may only submit one entry per category.

Winners will be notified by email, and entries will not be returned.

For information, call 215-641-6369.

Immaculata Joins University Center Initiative, Offers Doctor in Education Program in Blue Bell

by Alana J. Mauger

Immaculata University has joined Montgomery County Community College’s University Center initiative and will soon offer its Doctor of Education in Higher Education (Ed.D.) program at the College’s Central Campus in Blue Bell.

First introduced in 2006, the College’s University Center framework offers an entrepreneurial approach to expanding higher education opportunities for residents of Montgomery County and surrounding areas. Through partnerships with four-year institutions, students can choose from eight bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees, one graduate certificate, and now – for the first time – a doctorate.

“These partnerships are so important in higher education, and they show a great deal of entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, President. “The University Center framework builds crucial pathways by which our students and faculty, and the community at large, can conveniently pursue advanced degrees from our outstanding partner colleges and universities.”

While the institutions have enjoyed a long-standing and popular transfer agreement that paves the way for the College’s associate’s degree graduates to seamlessly transfer into bachelor’s degree programs at Immaculata, this is the first time Immaculata will have a physical presence in Blue Bell.

“This agreement with MCCC is really what we were hoping for when we developed the new degree in Higher Education,” said Sr. R. Patricia Fadden, IHM, Ed.D., president of Immaculata University. “MCCC is our first partner in this program, and we’re very excited to bring it to the Montgomery County community.”

Immaculata’s Ed.D. in Higher Education program is designed for higher education administrators and faculty who are seeking to advance their career opportunities by expanding their knowledge of current trends in higher education and developing leadership skills. The program is also ideal for individuals working in related fields who are seeking a career change.

The program features a hybrid course model that blends online with face-to-face interaction; a cohort model that builds a learning community among students; and a practicum experience that enables doctoral students to demonstrate and apply their knowledge while networking in their field.

Immaculata University joins four existing University Center partners — Albright College, which offers courses at the College’s campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown, and Chestnut Hill College, Temple University and Villanova University, which offer courses at the College’s West Campus in Pottstown.

To learn more about the University Center initiative, visit www.mc3.edu/academics/university-center.aspx.

To learn more about Immaculata University’s Doctor of Education program, visit www.immaculata.edu.

Montgomery County Community College President Dr. Karen A. Stout and Immaculata President Sr. R. Patricia Fadden, IHM, Ed.D., sign the University Center partnership agreement on Feb. 1. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

Nominations Sought For Alumni Hall of Fame

by Alana J. Mauger

Montgomery County Community College’s Alumni Association Board of Directors is now accepting nominations for distinguished alumni to be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame.

Each year, several outstanding individuals are nominated and selected for the Hall of Fame from the more than 55,000 College alumni. The Hall of Fame inductees represent the best and the brightest who have made notable, positive differences in their careers and communities.

Nominations for 2013 are being accepted until Feb. 28. Nomination letters must include the name of the candidate, years of attendance, graduation year, reasons for nomination, achievements or awards, volunteer service, as well as any press clippings or third-party recognition. Alumni may nominate themselves.

Nominations may submitted via email to alumni@mc3.edu or mailed to Montgomery County Community College Alumni Office, East House, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422.

Selected nominees will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame during a celebratory program on Oct. 11, 2013, and their names will be added to the list of Hall of Fame honorees on display at the Science Center Theater at Central Campus in Blue Bell.

To see a list of past recipients, visit:  www.mc3.edu/foundation/alumni/hall-fame/members.aspx.

Notes & Accolades

Culinary Arts Institute Pastry Arts Instructor Chad Durkin is a contestant on The Learning Channel’s “Next Great Baker” program. You can catch the show on Mondays at 9 p.m.

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Kudos to October Mustang Award recipients Patrick Moravec, Grant Writer, and Ayisha Sereni, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies Interim Director, for their work on writing/securing a $115,000 grant from The Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development, which the College used to convert the “202 House” on its Central Campus in Blue Bell into a dedicated Veterans Resource Center.

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Kudos also to the following November Mustang Award recipients for their campus operations efforts during Hurricane Sandy: Dennis Barron, West Campus Maintenance Mechanic; Michael Billetta, Director of Operations & Capital Projects; Matt Cadwalader, West Campus Maintenance Mechanic Lead; Ryan Foster, Network Engineer; Jay Gaugler, Maintenance Mechanic; Robert Gehring, Assistant Help Desk Coordinator; Gregg  Heimer, Senior Network Engineer; Preston Hess, Coordinator User Support Services; Steve Kephart, Director of Security and Systems Administration; William Landis, West Campus Custodian; Julie Lopez, Instructional Technology Specialist; Joe Mancini, Executive Director Technical Services; Joshua Mitchell, Director of Training & User Support Services; Don Moore, West Campus User Support Engineer; Erick Robinson, Manager of Telephone Services; Bill Rosenbaum, Director of Information Technology Security; Hank Rymarowicz, West Campus Shipping Receiving Agent; Scott Saylor, West Campus Custodian; Jennifer Scales, Coordinator Help Desk; Michele Stasik, Administrative Assistant, West Campus Business Services; Jim Stasik, Director of Network Services; Dmitriy Vasilenko, Programming Clerk; John Vogt, West Campus Custodian; and Michael Zipay, West Campus Custodian.

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Several of the College’s Music faculty were invited to perform during Christmas Tours at Laurel Hill Mansion in Philadelphia over the past several weeks. They include James Angelucci (guitar); Ben Britton (saxophone); Howard Gordon (piano); Elizabeth Guerriero (violin); Hannah Horine (piano); Soh Lee (piano); Emiliano Pardo-Tristan (guitar); and Virginia Whitney (piano).

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The College’s Medical Assisting Club collected a total of 229 winter coats, which were donated to the Cluster Outreach Center in Pottstown.

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Adjunct Music Lecturer Sean Kennedy will play drums on Good Morning America live from Times Square, New York, on Dec. 21 between 7-9 a.m.

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Assistant Professor of Economics Jill Beccaris-Pescatore published three blog posts on Interest.com: Corporate Profits Hit Record Highs, So Where Are the Jobs?; There’s Really No Need For a Balanced Budget Amendment; and If I’d Listened to Wells Fargo, I’d Have Given Up On Refinancing My Home.

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The History Club toured the Titanic Exhibition at the Franklin Institute on Nov. 30, where they learned about the history and last days of the Titanic. They also hosted a presentation on the war experiences of American soldiers in Vietnam. The presenter was Don Yost, Vietnam War Veteran and Adjunct English Lecturer.

History Club at the Titanic Exhibit.

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Email your Notes & Accolades info to amauger@mc3.edu for consideration.

Save the Date: 3rd Annual College-Wide Day of Service

The 3rd annual College-Wide Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be observed on Jan. 21 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Register by Jan. 11, 2013 by emailing getinvolved@mc3.edu.

‘Bridge to Employment’ Program Preps Students to Study STEM, Health Sciences

by Diane VanDyke

Montgomery County Community College is partnering with Wissahickon High School and Janssen Biotech, Inc., Janssen Research & Development, LLC, and Janssen Supply Group, LLC of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson in the Bridge to Employment (BTE) program, based in Ambler, Pa.

The BTE program encourages high school students to pursue post-secondary education and explore career options in health care and the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

BTE partners hosted a kick-off event earlier this month at the College’s Central Campus in Blue Bell, providing an orientation for the 50 Wissahickon High School students who are participating in the program, and their families. The diverse group of students has demonstrated academic promise and an interest in exploring post-secondary education options.

Students in the three-year program will continue their academic studies at Wissahickon High School and participate in quarterly visits to Janssen campuses. During their visits, students will spend time with their Janssen mentors learning about such careers in pharmaceutical research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, finance, technical operations, marketing, and engineering.

For its role in the partnership, the College is providing access to dual enrollment courses, parent/student college planning workshops and financial literacy workshops. Through the dual enrollment program, students will have the opportunity to earn college credits, meet professors and learn about the expectations for successful course completion. This portion of the program will enable students to successfully transition to college, as they learn and master time management techniques, organization skills and studying strategies, among other skills.

In addition to assisting students with identifying careers and higher education opportunities, the BTE program helps students develop the soft skills — stress management, self-regulation, organization, verbal and non-verbal communication, business etiquette, diplomacy and persistence — necessary to succeed.

In 1992, Johnson & Johnson established the Bridge to Employment program to help young people around the world build solid futures by introducing them to a broad array of careers in health care.  For more information the program, visit bridge2employment.org/.

: Back row, from left: Patrick McCrummen, Director, Convergence & Communication, World Wide Corporate Citizenship, Johnson & Johnson; Karen Gebhardt, Assistant Principal, Wissahickon High School; Michael Bzdak, Director of Corporate Contributions, Johnson & Johnson; Paul Mongillo, Manager, Forecasting and Analytics, Janssen; and Cheryl Mearhoff, Director of Dual Enrollment, MCCC. Front row, from left: Mark Cunningham, Director, Immunology, Strategy & Planning Janssen; Lyn Fields, Principal, Wissahickon High School; Gwen Miley, Manager, Corporate Relations, Janssen; Susan Incorvia, Director, Secondary Teaching and Learning, Wissahickon School District; and Niamh Hunt, Senior Manager, Janssen; Leslie Bluestone, Director of Major Gifts and Alumni Relations, MCCC Foundation. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

Cadets Graduate From Municipal Police Academy

by Diane VanDyke

Thirty police cadets graduated from Montgomery County Community College’s Municipal Police Academy on Nov. 14 during a ceremony held at the College’s Science Center Auditorium, 340 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell.

The graduates of Class 1202 included Stephen Andrews (Richboro), Gregory Borgmann (Warminster), Raymond Brook (Maple Glen), Michael Choiniere (Gilbertsville), David Clouser (Quakertown), Richard Dean (Yardley), Shalako Drabinksy (Chalfont), Kevin Furman (Newtown Square), Eric Honick (Conshohocken), Jason Howell (Limerick), Erik Iochum (Abington), Joseph Jennings (Churchville), Salvatore LaMantia (Yardley), Michael Lanzafame (Philadelphia), Bryan Lukens (Whitemarsh), Scott Lukens (Plymouth Meeting), David Malischewski (Perkasie), Joseph O’Mara (Lower Gwynedd), Stephen Pimm (Ambler), Michael Pinciotti (Newtown), Benjamin Romanowicz (Bensalem), Benjamin Scott (Pennsburg), Brian Seibert (Worcester), Jennifer Smith (Abington), Kevin South (Morrisville), Rafael Stoppazzollo (Philadelphia), Michael Theiss (Tuckerton, N.J.), Michael Verrillo (Warrington), Anthony Vogel (Horsham) and Zachary Wise (Phoenixville).

Valedictorian Sgt. Stephen Pimm earned the Sgt. James R. Miller Marksmanship award, and Lt. Bryan Lukens earned the Leadership Award. Sgt. Richard Dean was awarded the Spirit of Distinction Award for his teamwork, discipline, dedication and leadership.

The ceremony started with a moment of silence in respect for fallen Plymouth Township Police Officer Bradley Fox, an alumnus of the Police Academy. A chaired draped with his jacket bearing his name was placed next to the podium during the ceremony in his memory

Guest speakers for the evening included Sgt. Ken Hawthorn of the Warrington Township Police Department and Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman also attended.

In his remarks, Hawthorn told the cadets to “be firm but be fair,” and not to dwell on mistakes.

“Remember, your patrol car has a big windshield and a small rearview mirror,” he said. “What’s in front of you is more important than what’s behind you.”

Castor reminded the cadets to “do the right thing” when the moment calls for it. “Being a police officer,” he said, “is not a profession but a calling, a calling to do the right thing for the people of the community.”

During the ceremony, the McGowan family presented the Chief John J. McGowan III Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 to Orwigsburg Borough Police Officer Matthew Fogarty of Royersford.  Fogarty graduated from the Police Academy in July 2012 and also serves as an emergency medical technician.

When receiving the scholarship, Fogarty thanked the McGowan family, telling them, “Chief McGowan was the leader I dream of becoming.”

Chief McGowan started his law enforcement career in 1974 with the Lower Moreland Police Department. While working there, he graduated from the FBI National Academy and earned his master’s degree in Criminal Justice from St. Joseph’s University. After his retirement in 1992, he became the police chief and public safety director for East Norriton Township, a position he held until June 18, 2010, when he was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident.

In addition to his law enforcement career, McGowan was an academic instructor in the Criminal Justice program at Montgomery County Community College. He also served as past president of the Montgomery County Police Chiefs’ Association and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association and was instrumental in establishing the Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Academy Director Frank A. Williar praised Class 1202, stating that the members of this class are definitely people he would recommend to safeguard his family and the community.

Montgomery County Community College, in conjunction with the state training commission, operates the Municipal Police Academy at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus, 1175 Conshohocken Road, Conshohocken, PA 19428.

The Academy has been the training ground for approximately 3,200 cadets with a consistent graduation rate of more than 96 percent. The 800-hour curriculum allows successful students to articulate up to 15 credit hours toward an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Williar, a 1974 Police Academy graduate, was hired as the Academy Director in 2005. The Academy is certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission.

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Photos by John Welsh

Veterans Day Commemorated With Opening of New Resource Center

by Alana J. Mauger

On Nov. 8, military veterans and their supporters joined Montgomery County Community College President Dr. Karen A. Stout and members of the College’s Veterans Task Force to officially open the College’s new Veterans Resource Center.

Through a $115,000 grant from The Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development, the College was able to convert the “202 House” on its Central Campus in Blue Bell into a dedicated Veterans Resource Center. The facility includes rooms for meetings, classes and a community area, where students can study, relax or participate in small group programs.

Representatives from the Montgomery County Veterans Center and from Pennsylvania Career Link will also hold regular office hours for both the College’s students and the community veteran population at large.

Supporting student veterans is not new for Montgomery County Community College. The College’s veteran support services were extremely active during 1960s and 1970s as veterans were returning from the Vietnam War.

In 2006, as veterans began to return from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the College, once again, re-invigorated its veterans services and established a Veterans Support Team as part of the institution’s Student Success Initiative. Since then, the College’s student veteran enrollment has grown by close to 55 percent over the past five years, with a record number of 398 veterans enrolled this fall.

During the dedication ceremony, Dr. Stout presented members of the Veterans Support Team with the plaque designating the College as a “Military Friendly School” for the fourth consecutive year by G.I. Jobs magazine.

Numerous federal, state and local officials joined the College for the dedication ceremony, including U.S. Representatives Patrick Meehan and Chaka Fattah; Pa. Senator John Rafferty; Pa. Representatives Matthew Bradford, Tim Briggs, Larry Curry, Madeleine Dean, Thomas Murt, Marcy Toepel, and Todd Stephens; and Montgomery County Commissioners Vice Chair Leslie Richards.

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photos by Sandi Yanisko

Volleyball Alumni Help Unveil Championship Banners

by Amanda Rogers, Sports Information Director

The Montgomery County Community College Mustangs hosted their first annual Volleyball Alumnae Game on Thursday, Oct. 11.

The volleyball team is now in its third year of competition. In 2010 the team competed in the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (EPCC) and earned the EPCC Championship title. The following year the team transferred to Region XIX of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). In an impressive debut season, the volleyball team won the NJCAA Region XIX Championship, marking their dominance for a second year in a row.

Championship banners

Alumnae from both former championship teams attended the event to compete against the current players on the 2012 Mustangs team and to witness the unveiling of the program’s championship banners.

Mustangs Head Coach Misti Volpe kicked off the Alumnae Game with the banner unveiling ceremony. As Volpe spoke of the past seasons, Assistant Coach Megan Eiser revealed the banners, which now hang over the volleyball courts at Montgomery County Community College’s Central Campus in Blue Bell, Pa.

“We decided to unveil the banners during our alumnae event so we could honor the players who contributed to the championship wins,” said Volpe. “We thought it would be especially significant for them.”

Seven alumnae were present for the ceremony. As the banners were revealed, cheers filled the gymnasium and hugs were exchanged.

“The banners looked amazing and it was great to see all our names on them,” commented 2010 alumna Steph Angelucci. “I looked over at my former teammates and felt real pride in what we were able to achieve.”

Angelucci was named the EPCC’s Most Valuable Player in 2010, setting the standard high for Mustangs following in her footsteps. Her sister Mel Angelucci also played on the team in 2010 and 2011. She was named NJCAA Region XIX Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2011. Both Angelucci sisters are in the process of completing the Medical Assisting Certificate at the College. They stay involved with the volleyball program as volunteer assistants, along with Marina Weckner of the 2011 championship team. Weckner was also in attendance and is a current student at the College, completing coursework in Secondary Education.

Alumnae team

Well-known alumna Brianna Musselman was present at the event as well. Musselman played on both the 2010 and 2011 squads. She was named an All-American nominee, NJCAA Region XIX Player of the Year and Mustangs Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2011. She will be completing her Hospitality Management degree at the College this year.

Sharnae Johnson, Danielle Timbario and Corey Trego rounded out the 2010 championship team representatives. Johnson is in the Paramedic Training program at Star Academy in Philadelphia. Both Timbario and Trego completed their coursework at MCCC and transferred to West Chester University to complete a four-year degree. Timbario is earning a Bachelor’s in Math Education, while Trego is completing a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education.

After the banner ceremony the teams got down to business. Coach Volpe led her 2012 Mustangs squad while Assistant Coach Stephen Volpe led the alumnae team. The alumnae proved to be formidable opponents for the current Mustangs team, battling it out in a grueling five set match.

The teams matched each other point-for-point in nearly every play of the evening but the 2012 players prevailed as the overall champions of the night.

In game one the alumnae came out energized and ready to play, capturing a resounding 25-17 victory over the 2012 team. But the current players answered back with a 25-21 win in game two and a 25-14 win in game three. The alumnae, determined to push through, earned a 25-23 victory in game four, sending the teams to the 15-point final set.

Each team brought everything in its arsenal to the floor, driven to win the first annual Alumnae Championship title. The 2012 players were down 9-14 when the tides drastically turned off an alumna’s missed serve. Freshman Alex Griffin stepped up to the line to serve seven straight points, including four aces, stealing the 16-14 victory for the current team.

Mustangs team

Talent and effort were spread across the board for both teams. Nikki Reichert of the 2012 team and Steph Angelucci of the alumnae team both managed close to 30 assists. Middles Kendall Gazzo and Chelsea Knowles of the 2012 team squared off against alumnae middles Musselman and Johnson, earning kills and blocking each other closely. Weckner and Trego played as alumnae outsides, keeping tempo with Griffin and Liz Herezi from the 2012 team.

Jen Casatelli played opposite for the current team, nailing hard cross-court kills throughout the evening. Alumna opposite Timbario answered back with blazing kills of her own. Both teams showcased immaculate serve-receive patterns, which were anchored by Mel Angelucci of the alumnae team and Kelsey Kowalick and Niki Gass of the 2012 team.

“I was so proud to see so many of my girls come back for this event,” said Volpe. “I try to stay in touch as much as possible because I want to know how they are doing in life, where their paths are taking them.”

Volpe has been cognizant of the importance of her role as a leader and mentor for the volleyball players. The teams’ successes are partially due to her knack for gelling the cohesive units and developing a family feel within the program.

“It gave me a special sense of pride to see my kids, both past and present, interacting and mingling with each other this evening,” Volpe commented with a sentimental smile. “I couldn’t have asked for better groups over the years and I’m looking forward to more events like this.”

Volpe’s team has only a few more regular season competitions left this year. With a standing record of 15-5 overall and 12-3 in the conference, the team has already clinched a spot in the NJCAA Region XIX post-season tournament.

Hopes are high to continue the championship streak. Check back often at the Mustangs website (MustangsAthletics.com) for updates about upcoming tournament information.

Current and alumnae players

VIDEO: Meet the 2012 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees

Videos by Matt Porter and Alana J. Mauger