More than 125 people turned out last evening to Celebrate a Legend, Roast and Reminisce, Dr. Robert E. Miller, QVCC Founding President and QVCC Foundation Member Emeritus.  In a heartfelt program, individuals who represented Bob’s ideals had the opportunity to share their stories about his dedication in helping to establish a college in Northeast Connecticut and his passion for the community where he still resides.

Karen Osbrey, the longest serving QVCC Foundation Member, served as emcee and welcomed stories and anecdotes about Dr. Miller.  Profound accolades were shared by Dr. Carlee Drummer, QVCC President, Dianne E. Williams, QVCC President Emeritus; Dr. Cathryn Addy, Former Tunxis Community College President; family members Anne Miller and Paul Miller; Aili Galasyn, QVCC Foundation member emeritus and Regional Advisory Council member; and Joseph Adiletta, QVCC Foundation Vice President.  Special thanks to QVCC Alumni Linda Colangelo ’03, who sang a beautiful tribute song for Dr. Miller and Elijah Dufour ‘18, who played piano throughout the night.  A tribute video was created in Dr. Miller’s honor and included QVCC’s first employee and former Dean of Administration John Boland, Lynn Pasquerella ’78, President, American Association of Colleges and Universities and many past and current members of the QVCC faculty and staff.  Joseph Adiletta had the honor of announcing the newly established Dr. Robert E. Miller Educational Advancement Fund.  The fund was established to recognize the incredible role Dr. Miller has played in the lives of thousands of Quinebaug Valley Community College students because of his vision, leadership and commitment to providing access to higher education in Northeast Connecticut.  The Foundation will be launching a $1.5 million capital campaign to fund the endowment.

Anne Miller stated, “Last night’s event was a heartwarming tribute to our father from the community he loves.  It was a clear example of why Northeast Connecticut is indeed a special place that values the mark that the college and our father’s work has left on the region and its residents.  We are very grateful to have the opportunity to honor our father alongside the people who have helped to accomplish the goals he has dedicated his life to.”

For additional information regarding the Dr. Robert E. Miller Educational Endowment Fund, please contact QVCC Director of Institutional Advancement, Monique Wolanin, or 860.932.4174.

Released January 10, 2019

More than $10,000 Raised by Students, Staff, Faculty and Community

Northeast Connecticut, once again, showed their outpouring of support for students at Quinebaug Valley Community College on #GIVINGTUESDAY.  As of this morning, the Foundation received $10,053 in donations, which exceeds the 2017 effort by $3,000.

#GivingTuesday is celebrated annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving.  QVCC President Dr. Carlee Drummer and husband Michael matched donations up to $2,500.  Dr. Drummer stated, “My husband Michael and I strongly believe in the power of community college education. So many QVCC students would not be able to attend college without financial support received. Giving Tuesday brings into clear focus the true meaning of this beautiful season. In the words of

Kathy Calvin, President of the United Nations Foundation, ‘Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference.’”

Students in QVCC Acapella took charge in collecting on-campus donations. Monique Wolanin, Director of Institutional Advancement said, “#GIVINGTUESDAY really takes place year round as hundreds of community members always “step up” and show their belief in education as a “hand-up.” Special thanks to Kevin Cole and his team at Zip’s Diner, Gary and Karen Osbrey at WINY, and Carlee and Michael Drummer for their roles in making this year’s our best yet!”

The QVCC Foundation Mission is to raise funds so all residents of northeast Connecticut have the opportunity to attend QVCC regardless of income and to support educational excellence, technological advancement, and professional development at the College. The Foundation also serves as the Regional Advisory Council to the College.

Released: November 28, 2018

Quinebaug Valley Community College has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative (CHCI); funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), with the support of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).  The overall purpose of the grant is to create an opioid education and awareness program.

With this grant, QVCC has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students, their families and the community.  The idea to purse a grant developed from a small group of staff whom came together to discuss how to provide Narcan training to students at the College. From this idea and with research, the CHCI grant surfaced and the task force generated ideas for an entire program.  The award will support  our mission to not only reduce opioid- related overdose deaths, but to also reduce stigma and provide resources through education, campus campaigns, training, and a panel presentation.

The current task force members are Satina Salce, Katie Gregory, Jenn Hyatt and Paul Martland.

October is Manufacturing Month and QVCC has reason to celebrate.

The Quinebaug Valley Community College Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center is now one of the selected few educational training facilities in Connecticut to receive accreditation from The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS).

As stated by NIMS, “Your program has officially set the bar for excellence in metalworking training in your region and is now among the ranks of the best training providers in the United States.”  As staunch advocates of the importance of certifying skills of QVCC manufacturing students, and further supporting the strength of the program, QVCC Director of Advanced Manufacturing Stephen LaPointe stated, “The importance of stackable credentials that business recognizes when reviewing for possible hires makes this an important accreditation. QVCC has awarded 456 NIMS credentials to students over 4 years which validates the curriculum we teach meets industry standards.”

Scholarship Support from the Haas Foundation

Once again, QVCC has received monetary support from the Gene Haas Foundation.  The award this fall in the amount $15,000 brings the total support from Haas to $45,000 awarded over 3 years. Ninety-seven students have benefitted from their generosity.

Fifth Year of Manufacturing Your Future

On Friday, October 26, QVCC will welcome more than 200 students from 12 area high schools for an interactive morning.  The day will include presentations on the latest trends in advanced manufacturing.  Students’ participate in workshops featuring robotics, 3D scanning, lean continuous improvement and programmable logic controllers.  More than 25 businesses from Eastern Connecticut will be on hand to talk with students about the career opportunities in the industry.

For more information, please contact Steve LaPointe, QVCC director of the advanced manufacturing,  860-932-4111

DANIELSON, CT —  The Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation, once again, has raised the bar in their fundraising efforts to ensure that the residents of Northeast Connecticut have access to an affordable higher education.  Events this fall will raise $120,000 to support a debt-free education.

The 26th Annual Golf Tournament was held on Wednesday, September 19, at Connecticut National Country Club, Putnam, CT.  Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and players, the Foundation raised $70,000 at this year’s outing.  First Place Team, with a score of 56, included Brendan, Jared and Michael Meehan, and Ryan Salvas.

The fifth Annual Tackle the Trail,^TM 20 mile chipped time race will take place on Saturday, October 20 from Pomfret, CT to Willimantic, CT. The race is open to individuals and teams with a registration cut-off date of October 10th.  Runners have registered from across all New England states.  The 2017 race winners included first place male John Xeller, 2:11:16 and first place female Amanda Rossolimo, 2:21:39, which was a course record. More than 300 runners are expected and the event will raise $50,000.

Proceeds from both events enable a debt-free education at QVCC. A special thanks to all the gracious sponsors for both events. Registration and race details can be found at www.qvcc.edu/tacklethetrail . Questions regarding the race should be directed to Race Director, Monique Wolanin,  860.932.4174.

The QVCC Foundation Mission is to raise funds so all residents of northeast Connecticut have the opportunity to attend QVCC regardless of income and to support educational excellence, technological advancement, and professional development at the College. The Foundation also serves as the Regional Advisory Council to the College.

Released October 4, 2018

The College will be hosting a full day of training and events on World Mental Health Day, Wednesday, October 10.

The World Federation for Mental Health is focusing the 2018 WMHDAY campaign on Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World.  They are bringing attention to the issues our youth and young adults are facing in our world today and begin the conversation around what they need in order to grow up healthy, happy and resilient.

QVCC events include:

• Mental health tips stations and screenings from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
• QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) Training. This training provides steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Two trainings for students will be available from Noon – 1 p.m. and 6 – 7 p.m. RSVP is required to Satina Salce, 860.932.4299.
•  Pizza with the President, beginning at 5 p.m.  Satina Salce, QVCC Counselor and QVCC President Dr. Carlee Drummer will have a discussion in the Fireside Lounge.  There will be a short mental health video, discussion on Stomping out the Stigma of Mental Health, handouts and giveaways.

For additional information, contact Satina Salce, 860.932.4299

Released October 3, 2018

The Quinebaug Valley Community College acapella group will have their first performance of the academic year singing the National Anthem at the QVCC Foundation Annual Golf Tournament, Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

The group is in its second year at the College and has added more than ten new faces to add to the core group from last year.   The group is under the direction of Elle-Jordyn Goslin, QVCC Director of Alumni Affairs.  Goslin, who is actively involved the local performing arts community in Northeast Connecticut, will be in the upcoming performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, at The Little Theater on Broad Street beginning October 11.  Goslin stated, “The group is filled with talented and dedicated musicians who are willing and eager to perform. Our students at QV are extremely talented and it’s important they have an outlet to share their music. I know everyone will be just as impressed as I am when they hear them sing!”

Released: September 18, 2018

On-site Compensation Benefit Review

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will be providing a Mobile Service Office outreach van to assist students at Quinebaug Valley Community College on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 from 9:00am – 3:00pm.

The DAV will provide information on compensation benefits available for Veterans with disabilities incurred during service, provide statuses on existing DAV claims and appeals, provide representation to begin new claims, and advise on education benefits available.

For additional information on QVCC Veterans Services, contact Annie Hill  860.932.4114

Professor Cindi Brassington’s Fictional Story with Real-World Issues

QVCC Professor of Allied Health, Cindi Brassington, has taught for 20 years and during the spring of 2018 Brassington ventured into a sabbatical penning her first novel, My Perfect Family. Brassington stated, “It is my hope that it will be my first of many writing projects as I enjoyed the creative process and trying something completely new to me. It is my sincere hope that it can be used in higher education.”

As a professor of Allied health, many of the complex issues addressed in her book are topics related not only to health care and human anatomy, but also to also complex issues of bioethics, scarcity of resources, patient autonomy and social justice.  Brassington shared, “In my career I have found students connect to stories, both fiction and real-world, to spark their interest in science, humanities and the complexities of the world around them. My Perfect Family connects many of these themes, opening the door to inquiry and conversation.”

The setting for the novel is Lindenville Lake, which is fictional, but based on Brassington’s experiences living at her summer cottage on Staffordville Lake, in Stafford Springs, CT.  Weaving in summer events of pontoon boat rides, bon fires and of course water skiing. Brassington has been an avid water skier since her teens and along with her husband, they have taught their own daughters and many others the sport.

Brassington self-published My Perfect Family and it is available through Amazon Kindle and paperback.

Released: September 6, 2018

Stories of hope and redemption are very powerful. The Second Chance Pell Program is giving incarcerated individuals at the Brooklyn Correctional Institution the opportunity to create their own stories through access to higher education.

Quinebaug Valley Community College is one of 65 colleges nationwide selected in 2016 to participate in the Second Chance Pell Program initiative, which examines whether expanding access to financial aid increases incarcerated adults’ participation in educational opportunities.

QVCC has partnered with the Brooklyn facility to offer courses in manufacturing and business administration to individuals likely to be released within five years. Manufacturing students are able to take the required non-lab courses and finish the program at one of the community college manufacturing centers. Business students are able to complete a certificate in management while incarcerated.

This spring 12 individuals were awarded certificates at a graduation ceremony held June 5. At the same time 18 inmates were honored for being named to the dean’s list.

“Some of my students from this program are among the best students I have had in my 30-year career at QVCC,” said instructor Buz Sherman. “These men are optimistic, capable, determined, hardworking, and respectful, and many have exceeded the high expectations the staff had of them.” Sherman is confident that if given a second chance upon release, these individuals will be productive and successful. “Others will be as impressed as we have been,” he added.

A former participant credits his experience with the Second Chance Pell Program for the success he now enjoys. “QVCC staff and teachers are passionate about the Second Chance Pell program and go above and beyond for the students. As a former inmate who excelled in classes while incarcerated, I am now enjoying success in my career…because of the seed that was planted through the program.

“Many former felons cannot find jobs, but for those who have some education, employers are far more willing to take a chance and doors will be opened. The program has afforded me so many opportunities for personal expansion, and my quality of life has improved dramatically.” He is currently enrolled at QVCC and planning to complete his associate’s degree. “

Ruth Delaney, program manager at Vera Institute of Justice, which provides technical assistance to participating colleges and corrections departments, said Connecticut is in the top five states in terms of the number of students served by the Second Chance Pell Program. “We applaud the partnership between the Connecticut Department of Corrections and QVCC,” she said. “Due to their work together, these students have the opportunity to succeed in their chosen careers when they return home to their families and communities.”

For more information and an update on the Second Chance Pell initiative, visit https://www.vera.org/publications/second-chance-pell-experimental-sites-initiative-update

Released June 28, 2018