Press Releases, October 2008

Director, performer Faudree to speak at HCC honors convocation
October 2, 2008

HOLYOKE – The press is invited to attend Holyoke Community College’s Annual Honors Convocation, Friday, October 10, at 7 p.m. in the Leslie Phillips Forum.

The event honors twenty new members of HCC’s Green Key Honor Society and approximately 200 students who have achieved academic distinction. Roy Faudree will be the keynote speaker. Faudree is a retired HCC professor, former chair of HCC’s Speech, Theater, and Communication Department, co-founder of Northampton’s No Theatre, performer with the New York based Wooster Group, and director of the Young at Heart Chorus.

Students being inducted into the Green Key Honor Society include:

Jill Adkins, South Hadley
Jared Barklow, Springfield
Charlotte Beaudry, Holyoke
Connor Chamberlain, Easthampton
Sophie Chen, Wilbraham
Timothy Coyle, Northampton
Peter DeBarros, Agawam
Dean Gamache, Feeding Hills
Yvette Graveline, Holyoke
Katie Hamberg, Southwick
Onawa LaBelle, Northampton
Erin LaQuerre, East Longeadow
Diane McCray, Chicopee
Kristen Miller, Chicopee
Melissa Moriarty, Chicopee
Robert Phillips, Amherst
Tatiana Shannon, Florence
Bunthany Thap, Springfield

Holyoke Civic Symphony Orchestra at HCC
Free concert open to public

October 8, 2008
HOLYOKE - The Holyoke Civic Symphony Orchestra will perform Apotheosis of the Dance on Sunday, October 19, 3:00 p.m., at Holyoke Community College’s Leslie Phillips Theater. Works include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92; Bernstein’s Overture to Candide; and Arutiunian’s Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, with Sheldon Ross on trumpet. Conducted by Music Director David Kidwell, the event is free and open to the public. For information call (413) 256-1760 or visit HCS on the web at www.holyokecivicsymphony.org.

HCC Career Open House
Unsure about a college major? Ready to make a career change?

October 7, 2008
HOLYOKE—High school juniors and seniors and adults considering a career change are invited to the HCC Career Center Open House, on Wednesday, October 15, 5-8 p.m., in the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development at Holyoke Community College.

Complete a career assessment and make an informed college and career decision. Get help writing a resume, searching for a job and preparing for interviews. Inspire your future! For information, call (413) 552-2597.

HCC Board of Trustees votes to oppose Question 1
Harm to public higher education cited

HOLYOKE—The Board of Trustees of Holyoke Community College today released the following statement:

October 14, 2008
At its September 23, meeting, the Board of Trustees of Holyoke Community College voted its opposition to Question 1 on the November ballot. It is the opinion of the Board of Trustees of Holyoke Community College that elimination of the state income tax would have a devastating effect on public higher education in the state of Massachusetts, and cause egregious harm to its community colleges.

§ Holyoke Community College has already lost a substantial portion of its state appropriation as a result of Commonwealth budget cuts in August, with additional cuts in funding expected in October and likely going forward.

§ Passage of Question 1 would result in the loss of 60% of the funding HCC receives from the state, or nearly $15 million. Loss of this funding would require an onerous 113% increase in annual tuition and fees, and significant program cuts.

§ Implementation of Question 1 would jeopardize the future of HCC, put college out of reach for already struggling students and families, and negatively impact the financial health of the region by eliminating jobs, educational opportunities, and workforce training and development.

As conservators and advocates of HCC, the Board forcefully rejects Question 1 as harmful to the college and the community it serves. We urge Massachusetts citizens to vote no on Question 1.

Heriberto Flores
Chair
Board of Trustees
Holyoke Community College

contact: JoAnne L. Rome (413) 552-2183

College transfer lets you start near and go far!
Info session for high school students and families

October 14, 2008
HOLYOKE – Want to learn how to save thousands of dollars on education costs and earn two degrees for less than the cost of one? High school seniors and their families are invited to attend Start Near, Go Far!, Thursday, October 23, 6-8 p.m. at Chicopee Comprehensive High School. Holyoke Community College transfer experts will lend an overview of the transfer opportunities available to all college students, both two- and four-year. Sponsored by HCC’s AVANZA 2 College. Food and beverage served; free and open to the public!

For more information on this program, please contact Harold Santiago, HCC Admissions Counselor,
(413) 552-2579 or hsantiago@hcc.edu.

Workforce Training Fund Workshop for Employers
Free workshop helps employers tap funds for employee training

October 15, 2008
HOLYOKE – Employers seeking funds to pay for employee training are invited to attend a free workshop at Holyoke Community College. Workforce Training Fund Employer Orientation will be held at HCC on Friday, October 31, from 8-10:30am. Presenters will help employer representatives learn about the many workforce development funding opportunities available to Massachusetts employers who pay unemployment taxes to the state. An unemployment tax surcharge generates approximately $21 million annually, available to employers of private and some non-profit and healthcare organizations through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund. The Fund enables employers to pay for training in a variety of areas, from ESL and Spanish to technology and management skills.

“Many employers are not aware of the funding and how accessible it is to them” commented Keith M. Hensley, executive director of workforce and economic development at HCC’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development.

The workshop is presented by The Center for Business & Professional Development at HCC, in cooperation with Commonwealth Corporation, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Hampden County Regional Employment Board, and co-sponsored by The Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, and the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc.Breakfast is provided.

Space is limited and reservations are required. To register, call Maria at HCC at (413)552-2211.

contact: JoAnne L. Rome

(413) 552-2183

HCC Jazz Faculty Showcase
Free concert open to public

October 15, 2008
HOLYOKE—Pioneer Valley music lovers can satisfy their jazz cravings on Sunday, November 2, at 2:00 p.m., when Holyoke Community College jazz faculty musicians perform on the HCC campus. Ellen Cogan’s smooth vocals team with pros Billy Arnold, drums; Bob Ferrier and Joe LaCreta, guitar; Pete Grimaldi, trumpet; Ted Levine, sax; Dave Shapiro, bass; and Ralph Whittle on piano. HCC Building C, room 137. Free and open to the public.

Support programs ease transition to college
Info session for high school students and families

October 27, 2008
HOLYOKE – High school seniors and their families are invited to attend Where do I turn and who can help? at Holyoke High School, November 13, 6-8 p.m. Experts recommend every first-year college student participate in some type of transition or support program. Holyoke Community College support/transition professionals will give you the tools to identify what programs are available on your campus of choice, and how to find the one that fits your needs-personally and academically. Sponsored by HCC’s AVANZA 2 College. Food and beverage served; free and open to the public!

For more information on this program, please contact Harold Santiago, HCC Admission Counselor (413) 552-2579 or hsantiago@hcc.edu

HCC Community Open House
Planning for college? Ready for a career change?

October 29, 2008
HOLYOKE—The public is invited to an open house at Holyoke Community College, Kittredge Center, Thursday, November 6, 4:30-6:30 p.m., room 301.

Learn about:

§ 100+ degree and certificate options
§ Day, evening, Saturday & online classes
§ Financial aid and payment plans
§ Transfer to public & private 4-year colleges and universities
§ Tuition advantage and joint admissions
§ Support services: GED to college transition, disability services, academic support & more
§ Sports teams and student clubs

Special sessions at 5 & 5:30 p.m.:

§ Transfer Here, Transfer There
§ Choosing a Major...Choosing a Career
§ Returning to College 101
§ Workshop for Parents of the College Bound
§ Deaf Studies
§ Financial Aid
§ English as a Second Language (ESL)
§ Tours, and more!
§ Apply to HCC on the spot!
§ Free & open to the public.

Info: Office of Admissions and Transfer Affairs, (413) 552-2321, email: admissions@hcc.edu.
303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 • (413) 538-7000 www.hcc.edu

Fulltime, full tilt: Student Leader Recognized

October 30, 2008
HOLYOKE—Working fourteen-hour days doesn’t prevent HCC student Robert Phillips from leading an active volunteer and political life—and it’s been noticed. Phillips received the Dean Sullivan Award for outstanding leadership at the annual Massachusetts Community College Student Life Association meeting held October 25-26.

Phillips works full time at Target (and readily takes extra shifts to help his co-workers) while carrying a full load at HCC. An academic honors student in HCC’s Green Key Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa, he is a Student Senate Parliamentarian, "Vote No on 1" campaign chair, and founder of HCC's Students for Obama. He has served on the College Affairs committee and College Emergency Response Team, coordinated HCC’s student Toys for Tots and Giving Tree holiday drives, and founded the Student Senate Emergency Loan Fund. Amazingly, he is also a Town of Amherst Town Meeting member, and is actively involved with political campaigns in his hometown.