MCC Celebrates Aspire Donors with Breakfast & Student Performance

In continuing to invest in the arts, Middlesex Community College celebrated the Aspire Campaign on Wednesday, December 4 at the Richard & Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center with a breakfast to thank donors for their support. As the college enters into the public phase of the campaign, potential donors are now invited to contribute.

President James C. Mabry announced that the campaign had reached 60 percent of its $1.5 million goal. “The Academic Arts Center is above all, a safe learning environment for our students,” President Mabry said.

The donors who made the Academic Arts Center possible include Richard and Nancy Donahue whose family name graces the building; Enterprise Bank; Linda and John Chemaly; Lisa and Mark Saab; Align Credit Union; Jack and Terry O’Connor; George and Carol Duncan; Jim and Eileen Henderson; Jim and Judy Mabry; Ron Ansin and family; Judy and Marc Burke; Dr. Carole A. Cowan; and Atty. Annie O’Connor and Atty. Terry Downes.

“The arts program is vital for students to have a creative outlet,” said Sherri McCormack, MCC’s Dean of Advancement. “Thanks to our generous donors, we now have a wonderful facility in the Donahue Family Academic Arts Center to accommodate these academic needs.”

In the middle of President Mabry’s introduction, students Jade Gordon, Lizzie Cormier, Cam Merullo and Tommy Carnes performed a scene from Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” under the direction of Karen Oster, MCC’s Chair of Performing Arts.

Among the donors to speak was Nancy Donahue, Linda Chemaly and Alison Burns, Enterprise Bank Senior VP, Community Relations & Customer Experience Officer.

MCC student cellist Nathaniel Abreu performed three medleys for the crowd. A dual enrollment student, Abreu was named a National YoungArts Foundation Winner in Classical Music and was invited to participate in an arts immersion week in New York City in the spring.

In fall 2018, the college opened the Richard & Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center with a performance of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Since the inaugural performance — and thanks to the new space — the performing arts program has been able to go from two shows a year to four. MCC most recently put on Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off” to rave reviews.

“The Aspire Campaign directly supports students in the college’s performing arts program,” said Judy Burke, MCC’s Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. “There are still several naming opportunities available for donors to leave a lasting impression on the Academic Arts Center and on the arts in Lowell.”

To donate to Middlesex Community College’s Aspire Campaign, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/donations or make a check out to the MCC Foundation and send it to MCC Foundation, P.O. 8681, Lowell, MA 01853.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!