Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 3 : Winter 2010 | Page 62

Northern Maine Community College, Looking back at a year of... Growth Culture larg- The to several factors: NMCC welcomed the est incoming class in the institution’s 48-year history this fall, with nearly 600 students in the incoming class of 2009. NMCC’s overall enrollment for the academic year is 1,129, up more than 17.5 percent over last year. This growth is attributed New program offerings. The College’s new Wind Power Technology program began this fall, and it was in such high demand that capacity was doubled to 36 students. Enrollment also more than doubled this fall in the still relatively new Medical Assisting and Medical Coding programs. l Expansion of the College’s nursing program into the St. John Valley. This fall, a full cohort of eight students began taking NMCC’s nursing program in the Valley. l Accomodation of Community Needs. The College launched an unprecedented new semester in March 2009 to accommodate laid off workers. More than 40 unemployed workers took advantage of the special session. l Service The campus community continued to be involved in numerous activites to benefit the local community, such as: l Holding a Community Health Fair (nursing and medical assisting students). l Taking part in a local disaster drill (EMS students and others from the campus community). l Hosting Kinderfest, a fun family event to raise money for the Wintergreen Arts Center. Distributing children’s books during the Holiday Light Parade. l l Building an affordable, quality home for a local family (building trades students through Sinawik). l Hosting events such as the Red Cross Heroes Breakfast. 60 Higher Education SUMMER & FALL 09 Several campus activities were also shared with members of the local community, such as: l A celebration and viewing of President Obama’s Inauguaration. Fun and educational events honoring Black History and Native American Heritage Months, as well as Constitution Day. l l Seasonal presentations, such as Aroostook County’s most famous ghost stories and Victorian Christmas Customs. l Historial presentations, such as one on the Bloodless Aroostook War. l Book signings with local authors in the NMCC libarary. New Endeavors It has been several years since NMCC has had an active group of alumni come together as an organization to promote and celebrate what it means to be a graduate of the institution, but after months spent laying the groundwork, the new NMCC Alumni Association is off and running. More than 30 alumni have volunteered to serve and get the association going. They met for the first time in November.