MCCC Students Get Back To—Or Start—The Grind

Students and staff greeted new and returning Montgomery County Community College students as they arrived on the Blue Bell campus Wednesday for the start of the 2011-12 year.

New students stopped by tented welcome stations on campus to ask for directions, to get a class schedule printed, and to pick up an academic planner. 

Katrina Lundy had yoga class before she stopped at a welcome station. She was not sore from her workout because she dances.

"It was a good warm up," said the business administration major from Abington.

When MCCC athletic director Bruce Bach heard Lundy dances, he immediately told her about the college's dance troupe.

One reason Lundy said she chose to attend MCCC is, "There’s a lot of stuff to do. You can't be bored."

Second-year nursing student Carla Sirak has connected well with others at MCCC. She played soccer and basketball for the college for two years.

Cirak lives in Green Lane and is the oldest of six children in her family.  She decided on MCCC because “I want to be a good role model [to her siblings] and not go into debt.”

Tamaryce Revell, 20, of Jenkintown, said her “credits weren’t as good in high school” so she is starting fresh at MCCC as a music and early childhood education double major. She hopes to transfer to Temple University.

MCCC “is cheaper, and that is definitely a plus,” too, said Revell, who was going to College Hall’s renovated first floor to check on her financial aid.

College President Karen Stout said this year’s enrollment is about 30 students lower than last year’s. The economy is affecting enrollment. 

“We are seeing increasing financial need,” Stout said.

Stout said students are either holding off taking classes, or registering for fewer credits to balance studies and work.

She expects enrollment to rise a bit soon.

Stout said the college offers some late-start classes. When all is said and done, she thinks enrollment “will be about even” with 2010’s figures.

For those attending classes this fall on the Blue Bell campus, Stout said she hopes students enjoy new amenities in several buildings. A spacious, gray-toned cafeteria on College Hall’s lower level offers healthful choices. Students can also grab lunch in Parkhouse or the Advanced Technology Center, too.

Renovations continue on College Hall, but the front doors reopened to students this fall, making it easier to reach admissions, student success center and library.

Revell checked out Parkhouse Hall’s uber-cool first floor where students congregate.

“I was surprised. It is really nice. It’s probably where I’ll hang out,” she said.

Revell’s cousin, Benita Bailey, of Jenkintown, agreed with her. 

“Parkhouse is unbelievable,” she said.

Bailey is a 20-year-old liberal studies major; she may pursue surgical technology.

Nicole Svetz, 18, of Worcester, started her first day of college at MCCC. 

“I live down the street, and I’m not ready to go somewhere far away,” she said, adding that it was easy finding classes because she walked around campus last week to get acclimated.

John Angelucci, 19, of Worcester, was sitting with Svetz at a table outside the bookstore. He transferred from Shippensburg University. 

The business major said, “I wanted to live at home for a semester.”  He plans to return to Shippensburg.

Bart Jeannoute, a third-year accounting student and peer mentor, was manning the welcome tent. He said he reaches out to “network and help guide students through the first semester.” 

The Plymouth Meeting resident said that when a student is more comfortable, he is better able to learn.