President's message

Celebrating our students' achievements

By:

Posted: 4/29/09

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Spring rains have washed away the last of the blackened snow, crocus and daffodils have broken through the surface to dot the campus with vibrant colors, the grass is finally turning green, and we feel like celebrating. So that is exactly what we are doing!

We are spending this spring - like we have throughout most of the history of this college - celebrating the accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff. This is when we stop studying or working for just a few hours. We join our friends and colleagues to participate in awards ceremonies and gatherings that often include the consumption of mouth-watering creations by our culinary students.

We celebrate student tutors, student employees, and the academic achievements of student groups. We recognize and marvel at the community service projects completed by student groups and clubs, and we take the time to thank student advisors and senate leaders. We honor the hard work of students who have achieved excellence in their field of study, and we salute exemplary learners.

Our athletes are honored not only for their hard work in their sport, but for the ability to reach athletic and academic success simultaneously!

We also set aside time during each spring to honor those who make financial contributions to MATC, because these are the people who make it possible for many of our students to attend college. They open their hearts by opening their checkbooks to create scholarships and provide student assistance where needed. They believe in MATC students and they know that our halls are filled with people of all ages who have overcome significant and complicated challenges in their lives.

Through scholarships in their honor, we also celebrate the lives of those who have passed on after leaving their mark in the world and who have touched the lives of students, faculty and staff at MATC - people like Karen Roberts and Mark Coyne.

For the past several months people all over campus have been chronicalling the remarkable endeavors and activities of their friends and colleagues through nomination letters, applications, and letters of recommendation. Through these various documents, some of which have been shared with me, I have learned some absolutely amazing things about our students.

You are a remarkable group and we are lucky to have you as our students. Whether you are graduating and moving on to a new job or a four-year degree, or whether you are taking a much deserved summer break to return in the fall, I congratulate you and wish you luck on your future endeavors. As you move forward, keep in mind the following quote by Henry Ford. "You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do."