NECC Engineering alumnus Tom Faulkner helps to create knees. He thinks current NECC engineering students could too.   

Faulkner, a hiring engineer with ConforMIS, Inc., a biomedical company in Bedford, MA, that designs and manufactures customized knee implants, recently gave a lively Power Point presentation to the students in Engineering Science Professor Richard Muka’s class in the Hartleb Technology Center on the Haverhill campus.

The presentation was designed to be equal parts informational and inspirational, as well as a recruitment visit. Faulkner graduated in 1998 with associate degree in engineering science. He transferred to UMass Lowell, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

He worked for a number of companies before joining ConforMIS six years ago. It is the only company in the world to design and manufacture patient specific implants and instrumentation. Using iFit image-to-implant technology the patient’s CT scan is used to create a 3D model of the knee implant as well as the biodegradable instruments used in the surgery.

It takes orthopedic surgeons less than an hour to complete a new replacement using a ConforMIS knee says Faulkner. It takes the 3D printer just 24 hours to manufacture the surgical tools. ConforMIS, using 16, 3D printers, creates several custom implants a day, he says.

Since knees are the highest selling joint replacement, ConforMIS is positioned to continue to grow, he says. The company already employs 71 designers. He said the industry, if not the company, needs engineers with associate degrees in engineering science who have experience with the Solidworks software. The company is looking for individuals who can “work and function in a team environment while exhibiting leadership skills”.

One NECC Engineering Science student Michael Loehr, is already a paid intern with ConforMIS.

“This is a great opportunity for engineering students to get their foot in the door of a biomedical company,” he told the 30 something students attending class. “We want to hire folks with entry level skills and teach them the ropes.”

Northern Essex offers an associate degree in Engineering Science, which prepares students for transfer to a four-year college or university.

     

New Certificate Program

 

Beginning in the fall of 2016, Northern Essex, in cooperation with Greater Lawrence Technical High School (GLTHS), will begin offering a one-year, two-semester Automotive Technology Program Certificate.

The NECC Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday, April 2, to accept this new academic certificate. Chuck Phair, the dean of technology, arts, and professional studies, explained that NECC worked with faculty of GLTHS to design a certificate program that would prepare students to sit for certification exams, enter the workforce, or transfer into an automotive technology associate degree program like those offered at Nashua Community College and Massachusetts Bay Community College.

The technical courses like Introduction to Automotive Technology, Brakes and Steering, and Suspension and Alignment will be taught at Greater Lawrence both day and night at a much higher level than high school academics, Phair said. The remaining courses including Introduction to Entrepreneurship, English Composition, Applied Technical Math and Cooperative Education will be offered at NECC.

NECC President Lane Glenn later noted that this partnership with Greater Lawrence Follows former Governor Deval’s Patrick push for greater partnerships between the state’s vocational schools and community colleges. He added that while nothing is definitive, NECC is working with Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School to possibly create a culinary program that would be tied to Haverhill’s downtown redevelopment.

This type of partnership is a common practice at community colleges across the country, Glenn said.

Information Literacy Lab

 Last November Northern Essex opened an Information Literacy Lab on the Lawrence campus. Mike Hearn, NECC’s director of library services, and Jenny Fielding, coordinator of library services on the Lawrence campus made a Power Point presentation to the Board outlining the evolution of the lab.

The lab was born of creative thinking as NECC wrestled with the “two campus challenge”  – while Haverhill has 15,000 square feet dedicated to library services, Lawrence had just 3,200.

Hearn said they looked at how they could offer the same level of service on the Lawrence campus in one-fifth of the space. An architect’s initial design called for connecting the existing basement library location with the upstairs. This was cost prohibitive so instead the library took over the former day care center space and created the Information Literacy Lab. This is a dedicated space for librarians and faculty to teach students about finding and evaluating information, and support student research with expert guidance and technology help. Located in Room L151 it includes expert assistance from librarians and technology assistants, 24 computers with the full Microsoft Office Suite, printing at 10₵ a page, Dual-screen projection for teaching, Media Viewing Room with laptop hookup and DVD/VCR player, Group Study Room (can accommodate groups from 2-8 in size), Skype capabilities (with laptop), and access to NECC library digital collections.

Fielding said that information literacy is so important in today’s job market that one recent study determined it was the fourth ranked skill employers are looking for in new employees.

“Information literacy applies across the curriculum,” Fielding said. “We help them find information and we help them use it.”

Budget Update

New Governor Charlie Baker has submitted a budget that includes a 3* increase for community colleges, said President Glenn. “The good news is that it’s an increase and not a cut. The bad news is that more than half of that would be offset by the 9C cuts already made.” He said he hopes to have more information next month. He expects NECC’s budget to be set without significant fee increases.

New Name for ArtSpace  

The Board unanimously voted to rename the ArtSpace in the Harold Bentley Library on the Haverhill campus, the Linda Hummel-Shea ArtSpace. Hummel-Shea was assistant dean of library services when she retired last summer.  

Hummel-Shea had worked at Northern Essex for 35 years. Early in her career she envisioned a space for faculty, staff, and students to showcase their artwork. Through her work with the college’s Gallery Committee, the ArtSpace was created when a small area of the library was transformed into a gallery.

In his recommendation to the board, President Glenn wrote, “Her appreciation and dedication to the college’s students, faculty, and staff was unwavering, and her outstanding contributions to the library and its staff were a testament to her personal and professional belief of developing a welcoming atmosphere for study, research, and reflective thought.”

New Appointments

The Board voted unanimously to approve two new full-time personnel; Derek Mitchell was appointed executive director of the Lawrence Partnership and Faust Kery was appointed EDP Entry Operator II.

Emeritus Recommended

President Glenn recommended three NECC retirees be awarded the status of emeritus during NECC’s 53^rd graduation on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 11 a.m. The Board voted unanimously to present the following with emeritus status: Michael Broughton, professor emeritus of computer information science; Francine Pappalardo, professor Emerita of Nursing; and Linda Hummel Shea, assistant dean emerita, college libraries.

The awarding of the rank of emeritus is an honor given by the college to those individuals who are particularly deserving.  It may be conferred upon recommendation of the President with the advice of an appropriate committee and by vote of the Board of Trustees.

Food Concerns

Student Trustee Kelsey Terry, who had reported on students’ dissatisfaction with the current food service last month, reported that a survey has been distributed to 1500 students. A total of 1300 have been completed. She explained that once she has all the surveys completed the information will be compiled and presented to the Board of Trustees.

 

 

Northern Essex Community College will present a morning long event, “NECC Remembers President Lincoln 150 Years Later” to commemorate the anniversary of his assassination on Tuesday, April 14, beginning at 9:15 a.m. in the Hartleb Technology Center on the Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St.

This event is free and open to the public.

The morning will begin with a welcome by NECC President Lane Glenn followed by a reading of the Gettysburg Address by Northern Essex theater professor Jim Murphy.

From 9:45 until 10:30 a.m., Dr Heather Cox Richardson, a professor of history at Boston College, will present the keynote address titled “Abraham Lincoln and the Meaning of America.”  Dr. Richardson is an expert in 19th century American and Civil War History and she is the author of 5 books on American politics. 

Beginning at 10:45 a.m. until noon there will be a panel of NECC faculty discussing selected topics including Andrew Morse – “Lincoln and the Legislature”; Stephen Russell – “The Merrimack Valley in the Civil War”; and Thomas Greene – “Stake of the Union: Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter”. Katie Formosi, vice president of NECC’s Contemporary Affairs Club will moderate the event.

At noon there will a staged reading of Act 3, Scene 2 of “Our American Cousin,” by NECC theater students followed by a moment of silence

Throughout the morning, Lincoln ephemera from NECC Professor Rich Padova’s private collection will be on display in the Tech Center.

This presentation is part of Movers, Shakers and Opinion Makers, a series sponsored by the Northern Essex Community College Global Studies Department.  The series launched in September with a presentation by Dr. Howard Dean, former Governor of Vermont, presidential candidate, and chair of the Democratic National Committee. 

 Northern Essex offers an associate degree in liberal arts with a political science option that is designed for transfer to a four-year bachelor degree program.  Graduates will be able to pursue many career paths, and may find work in public administration, business, politics, law, education, and more.

For additional information visit the Movers, Shakers, and Opinion Makers website or contact Rich Padova, Global Studies Department, rpadova@necc.mass.edu or 978 556-3297.

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Find out what happens to starry eyed children when they become adults in “Avenue Q” presented by Northern Essex Community College’s Top Notch Players on Friday, April 10, Saturday, April 11, Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 16, at 4 p.m. in the Top Notch Theatre on the third floor of the Spurk Building on the Haverhill campus, 100 Elliott St.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the door and through Eventbrite.com.

“Avenue Q” is an American play. It is an “autobiographical and biographical” coming-of-age parable, addressing and satirizing the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood. Its characters lament that as children, they were assured by their parents, and by children’s television programs such as PBS‘s Sesame Street, that they were “special” and “could do anything”; but as adults, they have discovered to their surprise and dismay that in the real world their options are limited, and they are no more “special” than anyone else.

The musical is notable for the use of 11 puppets, animated by unconcealed puppeteers, alongside three human actors.

The music and lyrics were written by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.

Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx Book By Jeff Whitty. It is based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx

It was originally produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller Vineyard Theater and The New Group.

The cast includes:

Salem, NH

            Hannah Heckman – McKenna — Kate Monster

            Arianna Crawford – Mrs.Thistletwat

            Kelly Schwing –Lucy

 

Manchester, NH

            Kristopher Schooner – Nicky

 

Amesbury    

            Kevin Marshall – Rod

 

Tewksbury

            Sarah Bird – Gary Coleman

Salisbury

            Hunter Gouldthorpe – Brian

Methuen  

            Caitlin Kennedy – Bad Idea Bear

Haverhill

            Geehae Moon – Christmas Eve

            Jay Lancaster — Ricky

Lawrence

            Michael Jw Ross – Trekkie Monster

Newburyport

            Christian Doyle — Princeton

            Conor Miller — Bad Idea Bear

 

TECH CREW

 

Newmarket, NH

            Robert Peter Mantegani — Stage Manager

Derry, NH     

            Amanda Kehoe – Assistant Stage Manager

Amesbury

            Nick Siess

            Nick Stuart

Haverhill

            Susan Padrone

Merrimac

            Hillari Denny

 Northern Essex offers associate degrees in dance, music, or theater. These degree programs prepare student for transfer into a four-year degree program.