Joshua Abreu (far right), NECC retention specialist, with Rosa Talero, Evelyn Friedman, and Tracey Chalifour of Lawrence Community Action.

On Thursday, June 5, Northern Essex Community College hosted “Lawrence Under the Stars”, a social networking event designed to introduce professionals in the city to the college.

Held in the college’s new El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center on Common St, the event included a welcome by Dr. William Heineman, Northern Essex’s vice president of academic and student affairs, who invited the crowd of over 100 to partner with the college.

“We would love to have more Lawrence professionals teaching in our classrooms,” said Heineman, who also shared opportunities to serve on college boards, attend events at the college, and hire college interns.

Joshua Abreu, retention specialist at the college, spoke on behalf of the college’s Culture and Equity Committee, which organized the event. “Our committee focuses on initiatives that will contribute to the academic success of underserved students of diverse backgrounds,” said Abreu. “We know that expanding the diversity of our faculty and staff contributes to a more inclusive college environment and positively impacts student learning.”

Abreu highlighted two Lawrence professionals under the age of 30 who demonstrate the powerful potential of city residents. Carlos E. Perez graduated from Lawrence High School in 2006, received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Mass College of Pharmacy, and is now the director of clinical pharmacy at Baldpate Hospital. Marquis Victor, who graduated from Central Catholic High School in 2004 and received his master’s in education from Lesley University, is now the dean of students for the Roger Clap Innovation School in Dorchester.

Jill Hrubes, Follet Bookstore; Laurie Dimitrov, NECC; and Marquis Victor, Elevated Thought.

He also introduced Mary DeJesus of Lawrence, who graduated from NECC’s Nursing Program in May, and is now working as a nurse for hospice.

“Education is a powerful tool,” said Abreu. “And many Lawrence residents are using it to achieve great things.”

Northern Essex offered its first credit course in Lawrence in 1971 and 20 years later, thanks to a generous gift from the Prudential Insurance Company, the college opened the Dimitry Building, 45 Franklin St. The college has been growing its presence in Lawrence and there are now five buildings in Lawrence offering a wide range of educational opportunities. There are now 3160 students studying in Lawrence.

Based on the success of this event, the college plans to host more opportunities to connect the college with Lawrence professionals.

Anyone interested in learning more about this event or opportunities at Northern Essex is invited to contact Abreu at jabreu@necc.mass.edu or 978 738-7452. To learn more about job opportunities at the college, contact Mary Chatigny, director of human resources development, mchatigny@necc.mass.edu or 978 556-3925 or visit the college’s employment website, necc.mass.edu/employment, where you can sign up to receive an RSS feed with job postings. To learn more about the college, including programs offered in Lawrence, visit the website at necc.mass.edu.

Salem, NH, resident and recent NECC graduate Daniel Peters is Rivier College bound.

Northern Essex Community College graduate Daniel Peters has two great talents; one is pitching an accurate fastball and the other is inspiring first-graders. For the first talent he was named NECC male Athlete of the Year. For the second talent he received an NECC associate degree in elementary education.

This fall, the 20-year-old Salem, NH, resident will take his ball and his degree and head to Rivier College in Nashua where he will continue to play baseball while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

The 2012 graduate of Salem High School says attending Northern Essex gave him the opportunity to play baseball while finding his academic direction. If he ever wondered if elementary education was the right field for him, it was confirmed when, as part of his course work, he observed the first through fifth-grade classes in the Soule School where he attended school as a young boy.

The brawny, six-footer found himself right at home in the first-grade classroom.

“I find (first-graders) are really eager to learn at that age and participate in activities,” he says.

A fourth-generation vegetable farmer, Peters says teaching will give him the flexibility to work alongside his brother Matt (who is also pursuing teaching), dad, and uncle caring for the crops at Peters Farm during the summers. Farming is a family tradition he is eager to continue.

“I really love working outdoors. I love the physical labor,” he says.

Peters thinks time in the first-grade classroom will complement his farming lifestyle nicely.

NECC graduate Daniel Peters received the male Athlete of the Year Award.

Northern Essex, he said, was instrumental in helping him create his life plan. As a standout pitcher known for his 80-plus mph fastball, Peters helped the team go to the NJCAA Division III World Series not once, but twice. In return, he got to travel to Florida on spring break and Texas for the World Series.

“I may not throw the fastest fastball, but my accuracy makes me successful,” he says.

Peters was as successful in the college classroom as he was on the pitcher’s mound. He graduated with a 3.6 GPA. In addition to earning the Male Athlete of the Year Award, Peters also received the Excellence Award in Elementary Education, which is given to the student with the highest grade-point average in a major.

Peters was one of more than 40 Salem, NH, residents to receive their associate degree or certificates during Northern Essex 52^nd Commencement under sunny skies on Saturday, May 17. More than 1,000 students graduated. 

Lawrence, MA, Mayor Daniel Rivera was the commencement speaker. He encouraged the graduates to embrace their success, celebrate, and then “get back to work” creating new goals and accomplishments.

Retired NECC Dean of Professional Development Judith Kamber and retired NECC Professor Thomas White, photographed here with Bill Heineman, NECC vice president of academic and student affairs, received emeritus awards along with retired NECC Professor Cynthia “Cj” Crivaro (not in photo).

Three retired Northern Essex Community College faculty and staff, Cynthia “Cj” Crivaro of Bradford, Judith Kamber of Byfield, and Thomas White of Boston recently received emeritus status during the college’s 52^nd commencement exercises.

At Northern Essex, the rank of emeritus is an honor that recognizes sustained excellence in performance, character, and meritorious service to the college. Emeritus status is given to a retired college employee based on recommendations by the college’s emeritus committee and approved by President Glenn.

Kamber, who came to NECC as a part-time director of professional development in 1986, retired in 2013 as dean of professional development.

“In her more than 30 years at Northern Essex she mentored, counseled, and championed our employees at all levels,” said NECC President Lane Glenn. “She created programs that encouraged individuals to grow professionally and personally, and helped foster a campus community that valued respect, diversity, and most importantly, excellence in teaching and learning.”

Her selection was supported by Melba Acevedo, director of instructional technology and distance learning who wrote, “With her fine-tuned listening skills, and diplomatic assessment of people and situations, she always knew what to say, how to say it, and when to say it.”

Kamber earned a Master’s of Education in Community Counseling from Salem State College and a bachelor of arts from the University of Miami.

She was named Dean Emerita of Professional Development.

Professor White joined the biology faculty in 1969 after earning his master’s degree in cell biology from Boston College. For 44 years he taught a wide range of biology courses including microbiology – a course he developed early on for nursing students.

In supporting White’ nomination for emeritus status, Bill Heineman, vice president of academic and student affairs, wrote “ “Tom was well known for his high expectations of students and his difficult exams, but also for a great sense of humor that helped make his courses fun. With Tom it was always about his students and their future success. He set high standards to be sure they were prepared for more advanced coursework of for transfer to four-year colleges.”

He holds a bachelor of arts from Merrimack College and a master’s in Science from Boston College.

He was named Professor Emeritus of Natural Sciences.

Professor Crivaro taught in the Behavioral Sciences department for nearly 35 years. President Glenn acknowledged that her contributions to the college were many, but she was best known for her commitment to community service.

“C.J. believed in introducing her students to the rewards of volunteering and most of her classes were required to participate in community service,” said President Glenn.

Crivaro, holds an associate degree from Bradford College, a bachelor’s from the University of New Hampshire, and a master’s degree from Northeastern University.

She was named Professor Emerita of the Behavioral Sciences.

NECC alumna and chairperson of the NECC Alumni Association Susan Bonefant, presents 2012 alumnus Manny Cabral with the Outstanding Alumni Award.

Somewhere, there is a woman recovering from life threatening aplastic anemia thanks to the bone marrow of Northern Essex Community College alumnus and baseball standout Manny Cabral of Tewksbury. His selfless act was acknowledged recently when he received the NECC Outstanding Alumni Award during the 52^nd commencement ceremony.

The award is given annually to recognize a Northern Essex graduate who has achieved success in his or her career, is active in the community, and has given back to the college.

Cabral, was captain of the NECC Knights baseball team which he helped lead to state and regional championships as well as a trip to National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division World Series in Texas. While at NECC he was a Rawlings Gold Glove winner and was named the Division III Defensive Player of the Year.

A 2012 graduate, he was offered a Division I scholarship to Texas Southern University. The summer before he transferred to TSU he was notified that he was a possible bone marrow donor. It was later confirmed and over his 2012 holiday break he underwent a surgical procedure to remove bone marrow. The bone marrow transplant was a success.

During the summer of 2013 he played Futures Collegiate League Baseball (FCLB) for the Nashua Silver Knights Coach BJ Neverett. He had such a positive experience he decided to transfer to Daniel Webster College where Neverett is coach.

In presenting the award to Cabral, NECC Alumna and chairperson of the NECC Alumni Association Susan Bonefant said, “Beyond his strong athletic drive, this year’s recipient demonstrates a remarkable spirit of selfless compassion… He is the kind of person who serves as a constant inspiration and makes us all strive to lead by example.”

For additional information contact Lindsey Mayo, director of NECC Alumni Relations at 978-556-3621 or lmayo@necc.mass.edu