March 4, 2019

Table of Contents


Coming Events

Monday Dinners at Student Restaurant Start Tonight
MCCC's HRIM Program will present fine dining at three student restaurants this spring. Monday night dinners will be served at The Viking Café beginning tonight (March 4) and continuing through April 29. (The restaurant is closed March 18 for Spring Break.) Seating is from 6:15 to 7 p.m. in ES111. See the menu or purchase tickets online here. See the video here. Tickets for faculty and staff are just $10. Other restaurants this semester include The International Café, serving Monday lunches from March 25 to May 13, and the Food Prep II class, serving Wednesday lunches. (Dates and menus to be announced.) Tickets for those two restaurants will be on sale soon.

All Invited to Celebrate Women's History Month with 'Balanced Woman' March 5
In commemoration of Women's History Month, the Student Life and Leadership Office invites all to "The Balanced Woman" on Tuesday, March 5. Tracey Ulshafer, of One Yoga Center, will offer tips about living a balanced life, addressing mind, body, spirit! Ulshafer includes her observations in a new book; the first 40 attendees will receive a free copy. Lunch will be catered by Dolce and Clemente from Robbinsville. For more information, stop by SC111 or call ext. 3435. See the flyer here.

WPU Instant Decision Day March 5
Spread the word to interested students. William Paterson University will be holding an instant decision day on Tuesday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in LA 173. Applications are for both the main campus in Wayne, NJ, and the program at Mercer. To register, click here.

MCCC-NJBIA Conference Is March 6
Register now for the MCCC / New Jersey Business and Industry Association seminar, "Building New Jersey's Future Workforce by Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships." The event will explore the synergies between business and higher education, and how public-private partnerships can help build a skilled workforce ready for 21st-century jobs. It will be held Wednesday, March 6, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Conference Center. There is a $25 charge for MCCC employees. For more information and to register, click here. See the flyer here. MCCC employees can also register by emailing events@njbia.com or calling 800-499-4419 ext. 1.

College Community Invited to 'Study Strategies' Seminar March 6
From the Center for Retention and Completion: The college community is invited to join us for "Successful Student Sessions: Study Strategies." The Study Strategies seminar covers creating routines to balance academic and life obligations; working smarter, not harder; utilizing study groups more effectively; and techniques for overcoming procrastination and test anxiety. The seminar will be held Wednesday, March 6, from noon to 1: 30 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in SC211. RSVP to successcoach@mccc.edu, but drop-ins are welcome. Lunch and snacks will be served.

Reception for 'La Feminista: Soy Yo?' Photo Exhibit at JKC Gallery is March 6
A reception and artist talk for "La Feminista: Soy Yo?," a photography and video installation by Trenton artist Tamara Torres, takes place on Wednesday, March 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the JKC Gallery. The show runs through April 4. In the exhibit, Torres explores the concept of feminism across cultures and generations. Read more here.

Pulitzer Prize Winning Historian to Speak on Civil War, Reconstruction March 7
Columbia University historian Dr. Eric Foner will present a lecture titled “The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution” on Thursday, March 7 at noon in CM107. His talk is part of the Spring 2019 Distinguished Lecture Series and is free and open to the public. Read more here.

Another Chance to Audition for MCCC Dance Concert March 7
The Mercer Dance Ensemble will hold open auditions for “The Edge of Dance,” choreographed by MCCC faculty members Rebecca Brodowski, Jody Gazenbeek-Person, Jennifer Gladney, and Jill Molinaro. Auditions take place Thursday, March 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in PE225 and are open to dancers 16 and up. Wear clothing that shows the lines of the body. (If you do not have dance clothing, wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely.)  Please bring a picture and résumé with you. This contemporary dance concert takes place at Kelsey Theatre Saturday, May 11 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 12 at 2 p.m. Questions? Email gazenbej@mccc.edu.

'Peter and the Starcatcher' Comes to Kelsey Theatre March 8 to 17
Ever wonder how Peter Pan and the Lost Boys ended up in Never-Neverland? The truth shall be revealed in "Peter and the Starcatcher," to be presented by The Pennington Players March 8 to 17. Read more here.

Sierra Club Lecture to Focus on Honey Bees March 13
The Sierra Club of NJ – Central Group will present a lecture "Honey Bees: A Powerful Pollinator" on Wednesday, March 13 in SC104 by Angela Juffey. The event begins with pizza at 6:15 p.m. followed by the program at 6:45 p.m. RSVP to Kipatthesierraclub@gmail.com. Staff and students welcome!

 



Current News

Horticulture Program Display Debuts at Philadelphia Flower Show, Runs Through March 10
The weekend weather was not very spring-like, but the Philadelphia Convention Center was in full bloom with the annual Philadelphia Flower Show! Once again, the MCCC Horticulture Program is participating in the prestigious event, which runs through March 10. The theme of the show is "Flower Power" and the MCCC display is "A Rooftop Garden Oasis." According to Horticutlure Professor Amy Ricco, there are many plants that thrive in containers -- perfect for city dwellers without much outdoor space. Read more here.

Lacrosse Player Brady Moore Earns NJCAA Player of the Week Honors
MCCC lacrosse attacker Brady Moore was recognized as National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Lacrosse Player of the Week on Feb. 27. In the first game of MCCC’s inaugural season, Moore connected on seven goals and scored 11 points to help the Vikings to a win over Finger Lakes Community College. Read more here.

MCCC Baseball Team Prepares for Comeback Season
The Viking baseball team is rich in tradition, with 12 consecutive winning seasons and a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 2 Championship game in 2017. So expectations for the 2019 season were quickly set at the Vikings’ annual First Pitch Dinner, as team members listened to former Viking and professional pitcher James Pugliese, former MCCC baseball Coach Kevin Kerins, and new Vikings skipper Fred Carella, who provided inspiration for the coming season. Read more here.

Reminders

Through March 7: 'Saturated Geometry' at the WWC Gallery.The Gallery at MCCC will showcase works by five artists in its group exhibit "Saturated Geometry" through Thursday, March 7. The works of these artists offer their interpretations of formal geometric abstraction and color. Read more here.

March 24: Dedication of Robert Pugh Fitness Center. The dedication of the Robert L. Pugh Fitness Center has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 24 at 12:30 p.m. in the PE Building. The center is being refurbished and renamed in honor of Bob's 45 years of service and dedication to MCCC. To date, $50,000 has been raised for the project. To RSVP, email Patti Richards at richardp@mccc.edu. 

March 27: Health Professions Info Session. Current and prospective students interested in learning about health profession degree programs, requirements, employment opportunities, career paths, the application process, and more can do so at information sessions on Wednesday, March 27 at noon in MS172 and Thursday, April 11 at 5 p.m. in MS172. Questions? Contact Cindy Matyas at ext. 3596 or matyasc@mccc.edu.

Through March 28 and May 31: Scholarship Portal Now Open. The MCCC Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for new, continuing, and graduating students. NEW scholarships have been added this year. The application deadlines are March 28 for graduating students and JKC scholarship awards, and May 31 for fall scholarship awards. More information about the AwardSpring application process is available here; the application web address is www.mccc.edu/apply4awards. See the brochure for current students here and for high school students here.

April 5: Foundation Hosts 'Spring Into Student Success' Fundraiser
. Break out the straw fedora, white sport coat, or the floral print dress and get ready for “A Night in Old Havana,” the theme for this year’s MCCC Foundation scholarship fundraiser, “Spring Into Student Success.” Now in its 30th year, “Spring Into Student Success” will be held on Friday, April 5, from 6 to 11 p.m. at The Stone Terrace, 2275 Kuser Road in Hamilton. All proceeds will support student scholarships. Mark your calendars! Read more here.

Through April 10: Tax Prep Assistance.
MCCC, in cooperation with United Way of Greater Mercer County and the IRS Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, will offer free tax return preparation on Wednesdays through April 10 in SC104, 2 to 6 p.m. (No session during Spring Break.) To learn more, see the flyer here.

Silent Auction Donations Requested for Spring Scholarship Fundraiser. The MCCC Foundation is requesting silent auction donations for this year’s Spring Into Student Success Fundraising Gala, with all proceeds directly benefiting student scholarships. Please consider contributing a silent auction item, with the most requested items being wine and spirits, gift cards from local merchants, and interesting experiences. For more information and to view silent auction guidelines, visit www.mccc.edu/siss. Questions? Contact Madison Storcella at storcelm@mccc.edu.

Training and Development Calendar on M-Link. From Monise Princilus, Executive Director of Human Resources and Compliance: As part of our Strategic Plan, the college committed to investing in organizational and professional effectiveness, and we are continually looking for ways to maximize our internal resources to bring you opportunities for training and development. A new Training and Development Calendar has been created. To view, click here. If you see any course that interests you, please register. More courses will be added as they become available.

Winter Edition of Viking Magazine Now Available.
The winter isssue of MCCC's Viking magazine is now available in print and online. The cover story features our Radio students, who have been creating commercials for the airwaves as part of Professor Mitch Canter's Audio Production class. Other highlights include special events this fall, student milestones, academic features, sports news and more. Print copies have been distributed in public areas around both campuses and are also available in the Public Relations office (AD114). Or, read the interactive version online here.

Through Summer: Camp Registration Underway. From June 17 through Aug. 16, MCCC will once again open its West Windsor Campus to children and teens ages 6 to 17. Registration is currently under way for a diverse list of camp and workshop offerings designed to pique the interests of just about every child. Read more here.

Exercise Classes for Spring:
Exercise classes for the spring semester have begun. Yoga is held on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in PE225 and on Wednesdays, from noon to 1 p.m. in the gym. Zumba classes are on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. in the gym. Presented by Student Life and Leadership, classes are free and open to both students and staff. No classes will be held during Spring Break.

Continue to Spread the Word about Free Tuition Through New State Program (CCOG).
As active ambassadors for MCCC, all employees are asked to continue to spread the word to family and friends about the state's new Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG). Also consider passing this information along to churches and community organizations for their newsletters, announcements, and information racks. Hard copies of the flyer are available in the AD Executive Suite, at the Information Desk at the JKC Student Commons, and at the Admissions and Financial Aid suites in the Student Center. Or, copies can be printed by clicking here. More information about CCOG is available by calling (609) 570-3795, e-mailing admiss@mccc.edu, or by visiting http://www.mccc.edu/free.

Annual Report Available Online.
The 2017-18 college and Foundation Annual Report is available online. This "turn-page" edition is an easy, clickable read that includes feature stories on eight graduates of the Class of 2018. The theme: "WE ARE MERCER!" Check it out here.


Mercer in the News This Week

Trentonian
Mercer CC baseball off to winning start under new coach Fred Carella

MCCC men's lacrosse faces weekend road test

CentralJersey.com
‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ will have audiences ‘Hooked’
Memory of a shining light brings hope to Princeton
Community News Service
MCCC hosts area’s best-kept dining secret, Viking Café
Mercer County seeks input on new ‘water sports’ park
A music lesson and a lesson in music in Trenton
Town Topics
“La Feminista” at MCCC’s Kerney Gallery
Trenton Daily
MCCC’S JKC GALLERY PRESENTS LA FEMINISTA BY TAMARA TORRES

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