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READ MOREThree Rivers College Foundation receives $5,000 grant from Chelsea Groton Foundation
The Three Rivers College Foundation was recently awarded $5,000 from the Chelsea Groton Foundation to support tutoring. The College has migrated to an entirely online learning model due to covid-19 which has created a shift in how students are educated. This learning change has been incredibly difficult for many of our most vulnerable students who lack the necessary technology and have trouble successfully engaging in an online learning environment.
The funds Chelsea Groton has generously provided will support high demand tutoring services so that students can stay on track to reach their educational goals.
The Chelsea Groton Foundation is committed to supporting the long-term growth of our community through supporting education, economic development and various community initiatives. Together, the Three Rivers College and Chelsea Groton Foundations will provide a pathway to success for students in our region.
READ MOREThree Rivers Community College Professor Creates Endowed Scholarship in Honor of his Father
Three Rivers Professor of Accounting Edwin Muenzner recently established the William F. Muenzner Sr. Memorial Scholarship in honor of his father. Professor Muenzner explained that all of the good qualities that he possess today were taught to him through his father’s example of compassion and impeccable work ethic.
An endowed scholarship at Three Rivers Community College has been created to honor William F. Muenzner Sr.
William F. Muenzner Sr. spent nearly his entire life working to provide for his family. At the age of 17, he graduated from high school in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and began his work life in the grocery business, learning every job that he could from butcher to baker. He also worked as a traveling auditor, which brought him to Norwich, Connecticut. Upon relocating to Norwich, Mr. Muenzner began working at the Mohican Market where he met his future wife of 59 years, Diana Poppleston. In 1958, he began his career at Electric Boat where he remained for the next 57 years, retiring at the age of 80. Throughout his almost six decades of service, Mr. Muenzner commissioned over 100 submarines and served as a loyal union representative for 20 years. When he wasn’t at work, William was spending time with his five children, frequently taking them to his childhood home, watching Red Sox and Patriots games, or throwing pennies in the slots at Mohegan Sun Casino.
Professor Muenzner received his associate degree from Three Rivers and understands the positive impact that financial support can have on a student’s life. “My father was a man who valued hard work and compassion, and because Three Rivers is an institution that values hardworking everyday students,” said Professor Muenzner, “establishing an endowed scholarship is the best way to honor him.”
For more information about scholarships and to see the full scope of what Three Rivers and the TRC Foundation has to offer, visit www.threerivers.edu or call 860-215-9043.
READ MOREThree Rivers College Foundation Awards $410,000 in Scholarships
The Three Rivers College Foundation held the twenty-seventh annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 7 at Three Rivers Community College. Generous contributions led to over $410,000 in scholarships awarded to a record-breaking 188 students.
Ahamed.jpeg: Ann Ahamed and Sully Ahamed present the Ann M. Ahamed Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship, to Donald Duca (center), a graduating senior from Norwich Tech.
Proud families and friends packed the room during the hour-long ceremony as close to $7,000 was given away per minute! The total scholarships awarded came to just over $410,000, which includes $50,000 in summer scholarships. The majority of the scholarships support students through the fall and spring semesters, but many students who have exhausted their financial aid and cannot afford summer courses benefit from the summer scholarships which helps expedite their path to graduation. The summer scholarship program was incredibly successful last year.
See the list of fall and spring scholarship recipients ordered by town here.
READ MOREThree Rivers Alum Creates Endowed Scholarship in Honor of her Grandmother
Three Rivers Community College Director of Student Activities Alycia Ziegler recently established The Blanche Berté Illenberg Memorial Scholarship in honor of her grandmother. Alycia explained that although her grandmother had only a high school diploma, she always advocated for education and continuously supported Alycia along her own educational journey. This new scholarship will be managed by the Three Rivers College Foundation.
Alycia Ziegler shares a happy moment with her grandmother, Blanche Berté Illenberg (right).
Blanche Berté Illenberg spent her entire life giving to others and 20 of years of her career working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Some of Alycia’s earliest memories of her grandmother were of her welcoming people into her home over the holidays. In addition to a career in public service, Blanche was a volunteer EMT & EMT instructor and a member of her local orchid society. She survived lymphoma three times, and Alycia believes that this was a contributing factor to her grandmother’s passion for helping others around her.
Alycia received her associate degree from Three Rivers and understands the positive impact that financial support can have on a student’s life. Three Rivers is an institution that values community and because Blanche shared these same values, Alycia felt that establishing an endowed scholarship was the best way to honor her grandmother. A guiding principle that Blanche repeated to Alycia that helped shape her into the person that she is today is that “helping people in need is not giving a hand out, it is giving a hand up.” Alycia plans to increase this endowment to the point that it will provide a deserving student with a full tuition and fees scholarship.
For more information about scholarships and the TRC Foundation has to offer, visit www.threerivers.edu/scholarships or call 860-215-9043.
READ MOREThree Rivers College Foundation receives $2,500 grant from Chelsea Groton Foundation to assist former Ridley-Lowell Students
The Three Rivers College Foundation was recently awarded $2,500 from the Chelsea Groton Foundation to fund a unique workforce training completion program for former Ridley-Lowell students. After the unfortunate closing of Ridley-Lowell this past spring, Three Rivers Community College opened its doors to students to help them complete their training programs.
(L-R) Miria Toth of Chelsea Groton Bank stands with Mary Ellen Jukoski, TRCC President; Jen Delucia, Chelsea Groton Bank and Three Rivers Foundation Board Member; Betty Baillargeon, TRCC Director of Institutional Advancement; and William Stanley, Three Rivers College Foundation President.
The Three Rivers College Foundation applied for grant monies through the Chelsea Groton Foundation to support these displaced students on their path to training completion. The Chelsea Groton Foundation is committed to supporting the long-term growth of our community through supporting education, economic development and various community initiatives. Together, the Three Rivers College and Chelsea Groton Foundations will provide a pathway to success for students in our region.
There are several non-credit Workforce programs that would be a natural fit for Ridley-Lowell students, including the Medical Administrative Assistant Program, Medical Billing & Coding Program and Dental Assisting Program. Students can start as soon as this summer with Medical Math. To discuss Workforce courses and enrollment, call 860-215-9028 or visit www.threerivers.edu/workforce.
Former Ridley-Lowell students would also benefit from Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, A.S., the newest associate degree program at Three Rivers that begins this fall. Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the exam as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). For more information on credit courses and degree programs, contact the Welcome Desk at 860-215-9016 or visit www.threerivers.edu.
READ MOREThree Rivers College Foundation Awards $410,000 in Scholarships
Proud families of Three Rivers Community College students packed the room on Wednesday, May 2, when the Three Rivers College Foundation (TRCF) held the twenty-sixth annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony.
Generous contributions led to a record-breaking number of scholarships awarded to 212 students. The total sponsorships awarded came to just over $410,000 which includes $50,000 of summer scholarships. Many students who have exhausted their financial aid and cannot afford summer courses benefit from the summer scholarships which helps expedite their path to graduation. The summer scholarship program was incredibly successful last year.
See the full list of scholarship recipients ordered by town here.
READ MOREThree Rivers Community College Nursing Lab Dedicated to Judith Cook Albright
On Wednesday, May 3, colleagues, friends and family gathered to witness the dedication and plaque unveiling of the Judith Cook Albright Nursing Lab by the Three Rivers College Foundation. The dedication recognized the recent establishment of the endowed scholarship fund, the Judith Cook Albright Nursing Scholarship.
(left to right) Standing in the Judith Cook Albright Nursing Lab are Vice President of the Three Rivers Foundation Board, Chris Jewell; sister-in-law, Karen Cook; brother, Ed Cook; Director of Nursing & Allied Health Edith Ouellet; President Mary Ellen Jukoski; husband, Charles Albright; sister, Princess Cook.
The newly dedicated nursing lab honors the life, memory and career of Judith Albright. She was a beloved Three Rivers Community College nursing faculty member from 2005 to 2016. She received the 2014 Nightingale Award for serving a critical role in educating Three Rivers nursing students and for demonstrating exceptional compassion through her mentorship and support of each student. Judith pioneered the implementation of the Sim Chart in the nursing curriculum. It simulated electronic medical records and was essential for educating the nurse of the future. Her clinical expertise in wound care management was invaluable in the classroom as well as the clinical setting. Judith lost her battle with cancer in 2016.
Chris Jewell, Vice President of the Three Rivers Foundation Board, said at the dedication, “Judith made a positive impact on many people and, as a result, is leaving behind a legacy that is true to her beliefs and values. Her family and friends recognized these beliefs and values and in turn have done their part to ensure her legacy will live on. We hope that naming this lab in her honor will also help to ensure that this legacy will span future generations.”
The Office of Institutional Advancement at Three Rivers worked with Charles Albright, Judith’s husband, to establish the endowed Judith Albright Nursing Scholarship. He generously donated $50,000 to ensure its success. Colleagues, friends and family across the country also contributed to the fund, which now exceeds $55,000. The first recipient of the scholarship, Sierra Kniskern, was announced on May 4. Donations to the endowment are welcome and can be made by contacting Betty Baillargeon, Director of Institutional Advancement at Three Rivers, at 860-215-9207.
Read more at the Norwich Bulletin.
READ MOREIn the News | Three Rivers Foundation names Lecture Hall for Dr. Grace Sawyer Jones, former TRCC President
Lecture hall named in honor of former Three Rivers president
NORWICH (Norwich Bulletin 3/10/2017)— Surrounded by friends, colleagues and community leaders, former Three Rivers Community College president Grace Jones was recognized Friday for her longtime association with school when its foundation named a lecture hall in her honor.
Former TRCC President Grace Sawyer Jones, center, stands with Three Rivers counselor Gloria Dover, left, and staff member Carole Lee at the naming of the Dr. Grace Sawyer Jones Lecture Hall [Ryan Blessing/ NorwichBulletin.com]
“In recognition of the generous support of Dr. Grace Sawyer Jones,” Stanley read off the plaque.
Jones marveled at “A Dream Realized,”an evening of dinner, a silent auction of Three Rivers student art, and recognition from state and local officials.
“When I thought about having a naming, I thought we’d come in here one afternoon and that would be there,” Jones said, gesturing to the plaque. “But it’s all come to this wonderful event, and I thank all of you.”
Jones said she chose the lecture hall specifically because it is at the entrance to the college.
“But mostly I chose the hall because we hold our classes in there, we have community gatherings in there,” she said. “This is the community’s college, and this room symbolizes that.”
Stanley also announced the establishment of a newly endowed fund called the Adventures in Lifelong Learning Scholarship Fund for $25,000. The fund will provide two annual scholarships to students in the name of the Grace S. Jones Scholarship for Excellence and the Eugene Frank Memorial Scholarship.
Jones, who is a president emeritus, headed Three Rivers for 10 years and was succeeded in 2014 by current president Mary Ellen Jukoski. As president, Jones introduced the school’s first major gift campaign, which resulted in more than $4 million in contributions from the college and the community, according to the foundation.
Stanley said Jones “serves the college in a way that empowers students to achieve and surpass their educational goals.”
Jukoski said the college continues to build on the work Jones did.
“Through our new transfer programs and guided pathways, we can now guarantee that our students can transfer to a CSCU university for their bachelor’s without missing a beat; all of their credits transferring,” she said. The state also recently approved funding for expansion of its tutoring center and library renovations, which will start in April.
Proceeds from the silent auction will go toward the Grace Sawyer Jones Fund for the Arts, which supports the purchasing of art for the college.
By Ryan Blessing
The original Norwich Bulletin article can be found here: Lecture hall named in honor of former Three Rivers president
Three Rivers names lecture hall, scholarship fund after president emerita
NORWICH (The Day, 3/10/ 2017) — Many at Three Rivers Community College credit President Emerita Grace Sawyer Jones with the shining facility it now occupies on New London Turnpike. After 13 years leaving her professional and personal marks on the campus, she now has a physical one.
Jones was honored Friday night at Three Rivers for her continued commitment to the school. Lecture hall B127 was renamed the Dr. Grace Sawyer Jones Lecture Hall, and a newly endowed scholarship fund will support the Grace S. Jones Scholarship for Excellence.
Bill Stanley, president of the Three Rivers College Foundation, said Jones was instrumental in the college’s transition.
“Throughout the process, she never wavered, never faltered, never lost her nerve and never lost her will to see the college to this great facility,” he said.
Betty Baillargeon, director of institutional advancement for the school, said the event was the final step in the major gift campaign, which Jones pioneered during her tenure. Jones, who served as president of Three Rivers from 2001 to 2013, was the final person to be recognized for contributions to the campaign.
At the event, Jones said she had chosen B127 partly because of its location, at the front entrance of the school under a vibrant Sol LeWitt mural, and partly because of what goes on inside.
“Most of all, I chose the lecture hall because we hold our classes in there and we have community gatherings in there,” she said. “And if there’s anything you know about me, I’ve always said this is the community’s college, and this room symbolizes that.”
Baillargeon said B127 also was chosen because the members of Adventures in Lifelong Learning use that room, and Jones was very close to the program, which provides enrichment classes for area residents age 50 and over.
“Of all the naming opportunities we have, that was probably the most significant one,” she said. In her 20 years at the school, she said it was exciting to see someone like Jones be honored for her personal and professional impact on so many people.
Mary Pineault, president of Adventures in Lifelong Learning, said the program used to be based at the University of Connecticut. When participants asked for it to be moved due to the strains of commuting, Jones was supportive in bringing it to Three Rivers. Nearly 1,700 community members took classes through the program last semester.
The newly endowed Adventures in Lifelong Learning Scholarship Fund will provide the scholarship in Jones’ name, as well as the Eugene Frank Memorial Scholarship.
By Amanda Hutchinson
The original Day article can be found here: Three Rivers names lecture hall, scholarship fund after president emerita
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