Celebrating the opening of NECC Riverwalk are Dianne Lahaye of workforce development and community education; Dawna Perez, access and community building; Dalia Diaz, former college trustee, and Polly Vitagliano, graduate of the Entrepreneurial Training Program.

Northern Essex officially opened its newest facility, NECC Riverwalk, at a January 13 open house and ribbon cutting.

The event featured classroom demonstrations, an art show, performances by the NECC Student Jazz-Rock Ensemble, and tours of the new space. Information on the programs offered at NECC Riverwalk—including credit courses in business and computer information sciences; noncredit courses in career skills and personal enrichment; and courses in adult literacy and ESL—was also available. NECC Riverwalk is located at 360 Merrimack St. in Lawrence.

In a program kicking off the event, college President David Hartleb called the facility, which opened to students this fall, “a great success.” “We have enrolled three times the number of students we had anticipated,” he said. “It’s clear there was a need for this expanded campus and the program and services it offers.”

The college had anticipated offering 15 credit courses to 330 students in the fall but ended up with 40 credit courses and 800 students.

Sal Lupoli, owner of Riverwalk, shared the remarkable story of how the space was transformed from undeveloped mill space to a professional college environment in just 58 days. “We wanted to give the college a first-class space,” he said. “It took 100 contractors working three shifts to get this done and we finished ahead of schedule.”

The 26,000 square-foot space features 20 classrooms, five computer training rooms, a conference room, and staff offices. Large windows provide bright light and exposed brick walls add charm.

Members of the community attended the event including Senators Steven Baddour and Barry Finegold, Representative David Torrisi, and Patrick Blanchette, chief economic development director, city of Lawrence.

NECC’s laboratory science associate degree, which prepares students for biotechnology jobs, has just received the highest endorsement from representatives from the biotechnology industry. Shown left to right at the awards ceremony are Lane Glenn, NECC’s vice president of academic affairs, Noemi Custodia-Lora, coordinator of the lab science program, and Bill Heineman, dean, business, math, science and technology.

NECC’s laboratory science associate degree, which prepares students for biotechnology jobs, has just received the highest endorsement from representatives from the biotechnology industry.

The college’s program was one of eight community college programs to be endorsed by the Massachusetts Life Science Education Consortium (MLSEC) and one of four colleges to receive a gold level endorsement, the highest given.

“We’ve closely reviewed these programs and we’re confident they graduate students with the skills companies are looking for,” said Sara MacDonald, a spokesperson for the Mass Biotechnology Council (MassBio). “If a student graduates from Northern Essex, we have the confidence they have the skills necessary to perform in the biotech environment.”

Launched in the fall of 2009, NECC’s associate of science in laboratory science was designed in response to a need voiced by area employers for skilled lab technicians. A three year grant totaling more than $311,000 from the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education Program helped fund the development of this associate degree program as well as the equipment and educational materials and supplies.

The college sought the advice of regional employers when designing the program which prepares students for careers in environmental sciences and chemical analysis in addition to biotechnology. A lab science advisory board was created consisting of principles from local employers including Adnexus Therapeutics, Andover Water Plant, Archemix Corp, BAL Laboratory, Charm Sciences, LONZA Biologics, Mass Dept. of Environmental Protection, Mass Dept. of Public Health, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, North Andover Water Treatment Plant, Northeast Laboratory Services, and Pfizer.

“This endorsement is very exciting news for the college,” said Noemi Custodia-Lora, coordinator of the program. “It means that industry recognizes our program as the standard for lab technician education. Best of all, it will result in expanded externship and job opportunities for our students.”

Nancy Sabin shares a moment with Paul Bevilacqua, former NECC Vice President of Academic Affairs, during her retirement party in December.

When Nancy Sabin walked on to the campus of Northern Essex in 1968 as a student little did she know she was beginning an educational and career journey that would span 43 years.

Her journey slowed when she retired from enrollment and veteran services in December, but it didn’t end – she will continue to teach computer and transition to college classes this spring.

Sabin came to NECC as a student in the accounting program. This led to a work study position in the registrar’s office. In 1969 she moved to the “computer room”. In 1970 she earned an associate degree in accounting – the first of three associate degrees she would earn during her time here. She also earned degrees in administration assistant and business management with a data processing option. By 1976 she was back working in the registrar’s office and in 1995 moved to financial aid. She has held the titles of junior clerk typist, junior clerk stenographer, EDP 1, 2, 3, and system analyst, assistant director and later associate director of financial aid, director of financial aid, and assistant dean of enrollment
and veterans’ services.

Along the way, she managed to complete her bachelor’s in computer science from New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University), and an MBA from Plymouth State.

During her years at Northern Essex she became a wife, mother, and widow. Whatever the year and whatever the title, Sabin says her job was always about helping the students. “I loved working with the students and seeing them go on and make something of themselves,” she says. “Many have come back and tell me what they are doing now. Or they will call and ask me to help their friends or their children.”

Dr. Lane Glenn, current vice president of academic affairs

At a special meeting held on Wednesday, December 22, the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to recommend that the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education appoint Dr. Lane Glenn as the new president of the college, replacing David Hartleb, who will retire this coming June.

Dr. Glenn currently serves as vice president of academic affairs at NECC, a position which he has held since 2006. Prior to that, he was dean of academic and student services at Oakland Community College in Michigan. He has also served as director of learning services at Lansing Community College, also in Michigan. Glenn holds a Ph.D. in theater from Michigan State University.

“I’m thrilled with the choice,” said Joseph Edwards, chairperson of the college’s board of trustees. “Dr. Glenn has the ability and the enthusiasm to make an excellent president and he has insight into what’s happening at the college.”

Dr. Glenn was selected after a national search which began last summer, shortly after President Hartleb announced his retirement. A presidential search committee, including 19 voting members and two nonvoting members, was appointed to develop a pool of candidates and recommend finalists to the college’s board of trustees.

In early December, three finalists were announced and each was invited to the college for two days of interviews with faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, and members of the community, who were all asked to provide feedback on said Richard M. Freeland, Massachusetts commissioner of higher education. “I look forward to meeting Vice President Glenn to discuss his nomination. The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education will take its vote on February 1.”

If approved by the board of higher education, Dr. Glenn will become the fourth president of the college, which opened its doors in 1961. Harold Bentley served from 1960 to 1975, John Dimitry from 1975 to 1996, and David Hartleb will have served from 1996 to 2011.