Association Honors MCC Alumni, Faculty and Student at Annual Meeting
Manchester, CT – (May 4, 2007) . . . The Manchester Community College Alumni Association hosted their annual General Meeting and Reception on Thursday, May 3, and presented awards for Distinguish Alumni, Excellence in Teaching, Volunteer Service and Outstanding Business Partner of the Year.
The event featured special guest speaker, Dr. Steven Torres, author of the Precinct Puerto Rico series and Instructor of English at MCC.
The Distinguished Alumni award was presented to Richard MacDonald, Esq. ’74. MacDonald, formerly of South Windsor, joined the US Air Force to serve in the Vietnam War in 1968. Upon his return to Connecticut, he took full advantage of the veteran’s admission at MCC, where he excelled and graduated in 1974. MacDonald transferred to Colorado College in Colorado Springs and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1976. He continued his education at the Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon and earned a law degree in 1979. He opened his own criminal defense law practice in 1984 in Pennsylvania.
According to the nomination submitted by his wife, Barbara MacDonald, whom he met at MCC, “Richard credits his MCC education for all his success and is an example to all community college students.” MacDonald has two adult children and is very active in community.
Barbara Fox was the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching award. She is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Drug & Alcohol Recovery Counselor (DARC) Program. She started her career at MCC as an adjunct faculty member for the DARC program in the fall of 1996 and was promoted to the program coordinator in the fall of 2002.
Prior to working at MCC, Fox joined the U.S. Navy and worked as a medic for four years at Bethesda Naval Hospital, in Maryland. She returned to Connecticut and worked as a social worker for the Veterans Administration, and other state and private addiction treatment facilities, while attending Greater Hartford Community College. She earned her associate degree in 1980 and continued her education at Central Connecticut State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Counselor Education.
MCC student David Milner nominated Fox for the Excellence in Teaching award. He stated, “Fox clearly demonstrated the ability to inspire in her direct role with the student
population…she is a wonderful teacher and person who adds dimensions to people’s lives through higher education, leadership and guidance.”
The Volunteer Service award was presented to Tashia Small of Manchester. Small, a marketing major at MCC, anticipates graduating in December 2009. Over the years, Small has volunteered at every event hosted by the Alumni Association including the Annual Car Show and Craft Fair. Small is employed as a customer support specialist for Essential Telecommunications and is president of the Alpha Beta Gamma, business honor society chapter at MCC.
WDRC-FM was presented with the Outstanding Business Partner award. WDRC-FM has served as an important communication vehicle for the College, particularly by supporting the Alumni Association Car Show as a media sponsor.
Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The College offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. MCC is situated on a park-like campus and is easily accessible from I-84.
