On Thursday, January 6, 2022, a group of local dignitaries gathered at the Henry Breault Bridge, Kennedy Drive, Putnam, CT to commemorate the addition of a permanent bronze plaque for the final stretch of The Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation signature fundraiser and race, Tackle the Trail™.

Celebrating this milestone were: QVCC Foundation President Joseph Adiletta, Town of Putnam Mayor Barney Seney, QVCC Director of Institutional Advancement and Tackle the Trail™ Race Director Monique Wolanin, President of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce, Putnam Business Association Business Coordinator and owner of The Courthouse Bar and Grille Sheila Frost, Putnam Business Association President and owner of WINY Radio Gary Osbrey, and WINY Radio Sports Director (the 2021 race announcer) Mike Brunetti.

QVCC Director of Institutional Advancement and Tackle the Trail Race Director, Monique Wolanin stated, “Thank you all and the Town of Putnam for your continued support of Tackle the Trail™, which proceeds from the race will help hundreds of students each year pursue their educational goals.”

Make Tackle Your Destination brings even more energy to the already vibrant Town of Putnam on the third Saturday of October and coincides with The Great Pumpkin Festival and the Roseland Cottage Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. Runners, fans, volunteers, business owners, and community members will enjoy a warm NE CT welcome and all that our region offers.

The Henry Breault Bridge recognizes Henry Breault, Putnam, CT, Peacetime Medal of Honor Recipient, for action at Limon Bay, Canal Zone, Panama on October 28, 1923.  Citation: For heroism and devotion to duty while serving onboard the U.S. submarine 0-5 at the time of the sinking of that vessel. On the morning of 28 October 1923, the 0-5 collided with the steamship Abangarez and sank in less than a minute. When the collision occurred, Breault was in the torpedo room. Upon reaching the hatch, he saw that the boat was rapidly sinking. Instead of jumping overboard to save his own life, he returned to the torpedo room to the rescue of a shipmate whom he knew was trapped in the boat, closing the torpedo room hatch on himself. Breault and Brown remained trapped in this compartment until rescued by the salvage party 31 hours later.

Tackle the Trail™ is a trail race through Northeast Connecticut for marathoners, half-marathoners, and relay teams.  Runners enjoy the quiet solitude of nature with bursts of energetic and supportive fans throughout this point-to-point race. Just 45 minutes from Providence and 1 hour from Boston, Tackle the Trail, a unique race in an amazing place! your gateway to trail racing in New England.

Tackle is always the third Saturday in October and benefits students attending Quinebaug Valley Community College. Learn more about Tackle the Trail™ https://tacklethetrail.org/  .

Released January 10, 2022

The Quinebaug Valley Community College Workforce Development and Continuing Education Department has expanded in staff, programs, and funding.  With the recent growth of tuition assistance funds, more community members will have the opportunity for low or no-cost training to advance or start a career.

Patricia Meyer, the new Director of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, comes to QVCC from Fredrick Community College, MD with extensive experience in leading Workforce Development programs. Jennifer Armstrong, Continuing Education Aide and QVCC alumna, previously worked as a student worker at QVCC and is supporting enrollment of Workforce Development students.

The community is invited to attend one of the upcoming open house events to learn more about short-term workforce training options for this spring. Virtual Open House dates are January 13 or 20, from 5 – 6 p.m., and an in-person event is scheduled for the QVCC Willimantic location, 729 Main Street, on January 18 from 3p-4p. QVCC is offering courses in Certified Nursing Assistant, Introduction to Medical Cannabis, Computer Skills, Pharmacy Technician, Real Estate, Business Leadership Series, Business Office Professional, Project Management, Dementia Care, MLT National Exam Preparation, and Veterinary Assistant. More courses will be added in the spring including the popular Motorcycle Basic Riders Course.

Twenty-seven years ago, community leaders started Learning in Retirement (now called LiR) at Quinebaug Community College to offer advanced learning and social opportunities for adults in the Quiet Corner. In 2008, as a thank you to the college, LiR started an endowed scholarship fund for those students seeking a college degree and reached a goal of $50,000 in 2012. Bill Brower, former LiR President and QVCC Foundation member stated, “In 2012, LiR decided to endow another fund for students seeking professional certifications which would provide for better jobs/better lives. This year, despite not meeting because of COVID, we reached another $50,000.00 goal.”  QVCC Director of Institutional Advancement, Monique Wolanin stated, “QVCC is made better thanks to our long relationship with LiR as part of our learning community. In addition to their course offerings, LiR Members volunteer at College and Foundation events, serve as QVCC Foundation Members, and thanks to the generosity of many members, provide annual scholarships to both credit and workforce development students. LiR has endowed two funds totaling over $100,000!”.

More information:

To register for an open house event: January 13 OR January 20    January 18 In -person
Learn more about workforce development programs
Application for the application for tuition assistance and payment options

Questions and Contact Information: 860.932.4005 or Email

Released January 7, 2022

On Saturday, January 8, QVCC will host two virtual events: Enrollment Day for students who need to register for the spring semester and Campus Preview Day for prospective students.

Enrollment Day: Any current student or student who will be starting on January 21, 2022 for the spring semester can schedule a virtual appointment for advising and class registration assistance between 9 – 1 p.m. Advisors and financial aid will be available. Advanced registration is required.

Register for an appointment now 

Campus Preview Day: Learn why QVCC is your best & most affordable start for a college education. If you are interested in starting at QVCC in the spring or fall 2022 semester, attend Preview Day, 10-Noon.

·       9 am – 10 am: Drop-in to our virtual office to speak with an Admissions or Financial Aid Representative.

·       10 am – 11 am: Learn about QVCC’s programs, how to enroll, cost savings and more from Admissions & Financial Aid Representatives.

·       11 am – noon: Drop-in to our virtual office to speak with an Admissions or Financial Aid Representative.

Reserve your spot today

Released January 4, 2022

DANIELSON – On Thursday, November 11, Quinebaug Valley Community College was graced with a beautiful November afternoon to host the annual Veterans Day Celebration outdoors in the Veterans Garden, located on the Danielson campus.

Over 400 bricks engraved with the names of local veterans lie in QVCC’s Veterans Garden, which was built in 2010 with the goal of providing a place where local veterans could be honored and remembered for their services to our country.

QVCC’s Veterans Day Celebration began with the National Anthem, performed by QVCC alumna Linda Colangelo, and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Fred Ruhlemann of the Danielson Veteran Coffeehouse. QVCC CEO Dr. Karen Hynick provided a warm welcome, followed by comments from United States Congressman Joe Courtney and Connecticut State Representative Pat Boyd.

The celebration also included an original poem, written and recited by QVCC’s Veterans Services Coordinator Joel Niemann ’15, “A Soldier’s Prayer,” read by Sergeant 1st Class Melissa Collins of the Connecticut National Guard, and musical selections, including a Military Service Song medley and God Bless America, also performed by Linda Colangelo.

Following the outdoor celebration, guests were welcomed into the SPIROL Art Gallery for a viewing of the Veterans Connection photo exhibit. The Veterans Connection photo exhibit began in the fall of 2014 to recognize and celebrate the QVCC faculty, staff, and community members who have served or have loved ones who have served in the United States military.

Also featured in the exhibit is a missing man table, also known as a fallen comrade table. This table is reserved to honor our brave and selfless American military members who have perished on the battlefield, those who have not been returned to us after being taken prisoner on foreign soil, and for those who went missing and have not found their way back home.

The Veterans Connection photo exhibit, which is open to the public, will be running until Friday, November 26. Community members are invited and encouraged to visit.

“We’re so grateful that we could host our Veterans Day celebration in person this year,” said QVCC’s Veterans Services Coordinator Joel Niemann. “We had outstanding weather, excellent speakers, and an incredible photo exhibit. We couldn’t have asked for more to honor our veterans, locally and beyond.”

Five Champions of QVCC Celebrated

Quinebaug Valley Community College celebrated fifty years of serving the communities of Northeast Connecticut on Thursday, October 21, 2021. Following campus COVID-19 protocols, more than 130 faculty, staff, emeritus faculty and staff, and community members were able to gather for this special occasion.

The evening featured remarks from Governor Ned Lamont, Terrence Cheng – President CT State Colleges and Universities, Robert Steinmetz – Regional President, CT Community Colleges, Diane Williams – QVCC President Emeritus, and Karen Hynick QVCC CEO.  State Senator Mae Flexer and State Representative Pat Boyd presented a Connecticut State Legislature Proclamation to QVCC commemorating 50 years of service to Northeast CT.

The highlight of the event included the recognition of “Five Champions of QVCC”. The Five Champions were selected from more than 30 nominations. Whether in a classroom setting, in a student support role, in a peer role or as a community member, champions advocate for our students, and the college’s mission. They tirelessly work for the betterment of our institution and have helped us to be a model for the state of Connecticut and beyond. Whether their presence was felt fifty years ago or today, they made impact on the history of the college.

The Five Champions:

• Joy Chartier ‘78 – Joy is not only a graduate but former QVCC employee. She was known as the backbone of QVCC and many said that if no one in administration was around Joy could run the College. Joy worked at QVCC in Student Services and served on the QVCC Foundation, where she is a Foundation Member Emeritus.
• Gary and Karen Osbrey – Gary and Karen are the owners of WINY Radio in Putnam, CT. They work tirelessly as advocates for the communities in Northeast Connecticut. There is rarely an event in the region that the Osbrey’s are not in attendance or participating in some fashion. As a friend of the College, they provide a free monthly spot on the GaryO morning show for the Foundation, provide live broadcasts during campus events, and always promote the College, students, and faculty and staff. Karen is the longest serving member of the QVCC Foundation and former QVCC Foundation President.
• Lynn Pasquerella ’78 – Lynn was a first-generation college student at QVCC.  Encouragement by faculty members pushed her to further her education and she attended Mount Holyoke College.  She received a full fellowship at Brown University where she earned her Ph.D. in Philosophy in 1985. Lynn has spent her career in higher education serving in roles at the University of Rhode Island, University of Hartford, president of Mount Holyoke, and currently is the President of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Lynn has never forgotten QVCC and the foundation the college provided for her. With her husband, they endowed a scholarship with the QVCC Foundation benefiting students pursuing Liberal Arts & Sciences.
• Denise Walsh ’90 – Denise is a Professor of Mathematics at QVCC. She served as the Faculty Representative to the QVCC Foundation for many years, volunteers at Foundation events, and is the department chair of Mathematics. Denise works tirelessly with students and is seen year-round on the campus. Former student Sean Gilmartin nominated Denise. He noted the impact she had on him with demystifying math and after accepting a high school teaching position, she was the first person he called for advice.
• Monique Wolanin – Monique has served at the Director of Institutional Advancement for thirteen years and is known as the face of the College in the community. Since she has taken the reigns of the Foundation, the Foundation has grown to be one of the largest Foundations of the Twelve Community Colleges in the state. She has introduced new learning opportunities and fundraising events for the community including Perspectives and Visions in Leadership speaker series, The QVCC Spelling Bee, and Tackle the Trail™. Monique has served on numerous boards in Northeast Connecticut including the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center, Day Kimball Women’s Board, and the Performing Arts of Northeast Connecticut.

50TH ANNIVERSARY IMAGES

The QVCC Foundation, The Hale Foundation, The Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center, and NOW announce TackleJR

The QVCC Foundation is pleased to announce TackleJR, a race for youth, aged 2 -12 years old. The race will be held the same day as Tackle the Trail™ on Saturday, October 16, starting at 9 a.m. at the Putnam Lions Memorial Dog Park, 16 Kennedy Dr in Putnam, CT.

Thanks to TackleJR sponsor Betty Hale and The Newell D. Hale Foundation the race will take place on a short portion along the river trail and on the Tackle the Trail™ course including finishing at the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center (Hale YMCA) in Putnam.  Runners will receive official race medals, and enjoy cider and donuts thanks to Lapsley Orchard and the Bakers Dozen.

TackleJR sponsor, Betty Hale, said, “Tackle the Trail™ assists students in reaching their goal at QVCC by graduating from College with little to no debt, and is a healthy event for the community. TackleJR will now provide the opportunity for all ages to participate in this day.”

Monique Wolanin shared, “A heartfelt thanks to the Hale Family for their commitment to providing healthy, fun experiences to children and adults in Northeast Connecticut. NOW, The Hale YMCA, and The QVCC Foundation are excited to be able to offer this amazing free opportunity to kids. As a passionate advocate for getting people of all ages to get put down their screens, get outside, and get moving, I hope that families will make TackleJR their destination on October 16th, and that many of these children will one day run the entire course!

NOW Executive Director, Tayler Shea, commented, “NOW is thrilled to participate in Tackle the Trail by hosting TackleJR for the first time. Our organization’s mission is youth wellness, and the past two years have presented unique challenges to keep children engaged in healthy activities. With the cooler weather setting in, it is important to teach children not to fall into unhealthy habits, Tackle Junior is the perfect opportunity to do so.” NOW’s mission is to promote whole body wellness by providing the accessibility of health through youth sports scholarships, free wellness clinics, and nutrition education.

REGISTER NOW  for TackleJR

Tackle the Trail™ is a trail race through Northeast Connecticut for marathoners, half-marathoners, and relay teams.  Runners enjoy the quiet solitude of nature with bursts of energetic and supportive fans throughout this point-to-point race. Just 45 minutes from Providence and 1 hour from Boston, Tackle the Trail, a unique race in an amazing place! your gateway to trail racing in New England. (take out) Tackle is always the third Saturday in October and benefits students attending Quinebaug Valley Community College. Learn more about Tackle the Trail™ 

$62,000 Raised to Support Low-Cost Education

The QVCC Foundation hosted its 29th annual Golf Tournament on September 15, 2021 at Connecticut National Country Club in Putnam, CT. The Foundation puts on this yearly event to help local students pursue their dreams of higher education attainment at QVCC. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and players, the Foundation raised $62,000 at this year’s outing.

Tournament Results

• First Place Team, score of 56 – Kevin Cole, Brendan Meehan, Aaron Vargas, Greg Kosma
•  Second Place, score of 58 – Trevor Cardinal, Mark Lowell, Jeremy Hendrickson, Andre Lavoie
•  Third Place, score of 59 – Vinnie Carminati, Jake Merritt, Bob Willis, Dave Fundin
• Middle of the Pack – MJ Burke, Jack Burke, Dave Mulford, Kathy Mulford

Closest to the Pin

• Hole 7– Chad Gemmill
• Hole 9– Rich Zajkowski
• Longest Drive Female – Kristen Willis
•  Longest Drive Male – Trevor Cardinal
• Skins – Eagle #6 Roger Noll, Sean Vigue, Pat Kozelka, Jon Cote

Special thanks to our sponsors for allowing us to continue support of QVCC students!  For additional information about the QVCC Foundation or donating to the Foundation, contact Monique Wolanin, mwolanin@qvcc.edu or 860.932.4174

PLATINUM SPONSORS:

• bankHOMETOWN
• Foster Corporation
• Putnam Plastics
• Westview Sports Medicine & Aquatic Center

GOLD SPONSORS:

• Archambault Insurance
• Baker’s Dozen
• Berkshire Bank
• Byrnes Insurance Agency
• Cargill Chevrolet
• Cerreto & Associates
• Gerardi Insurance Associates
• Jewett City Savings Bank
• Joseph & Dawn Adiletta, Foundation President
• Joe Markley, Foundation Member
• Levine Distributors
• Luminant – Lake Road Generating
• Northeast CT Dental Associates
• NorthStar Home Loans
• Sandhill Investment
• Sarantopoulos & Sarantopoulos
• Spirol International
• Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors
• Zip’s Diner

SILVER SPONSORS:

• Brunet & Company
• Jack & Mary Jane Burke
• Centreville Bank
• Day Kimball Healthcare
• P3 Technologies
• Rawson Materials
• Sarantopoulos & Sarantopoulos
• WIN Waste Innovations

HOLE SPONSORS:

• A.C. Glass
• Stephen Adams
• Bachand, Longo & Higgins
• Bill’s Bedding & Furniture
• Brunet & Company
• Borner, Smith, Aleman, Herzog & Cerrone
• Bob Brex
• Bob & Karen Hynick, QVCC CEO
• Chase Graphics
• Christopher Heights
• Copeland Builders
• Creamery Brook Village
• David & Joy `78 Chartier
• Danielson Surplus
• Demers Enterprises
• Desmarais & Sons
• Dianne & Charley Williams
• Drock Trucking
• ERW
• George & Pam Brown, Foundation Member
• Fire Alarm Specialists
• Fluid Coating Technologies
• Fort Hill Farms
• Giant Pizza
• Inn at Woodstock Hill
• Jay Sinha
• Jim’s Upholstery
• John & Darlene Miller
• Johnny’s Pizza
• Killingly Fences
• King & Larkin
• LaFramboise Well Drilling
• Mike Smith Transmissions
• NECT Healthcare Credit Union
• Northeast Flooring & Kitchens
• P3 Technologies
• Page’s Tree Service
• Paquette Electric
• Parent Sanitation
• Peter Deary, Foundation Member & Kim Lane
• Pizza 101
• Pomfret Wine & Spirits
• Putnam Vision Center
• Precision Collision
• QVCC Alumni Association
• QVCC Maintenance
• Rene & Lynne Comtois, Foundation Member
• Diana Rose, Foundation Member
• Rocky & Jodie Wagner, Foundation Member
• Sierra Nevada,
• Signature Limousine
• Steve Bousquet’s Appliance & TV
• Steve LaPointe
• Stifel/Graffam Family
• Stomping Ground
• Susan Harrod & Dan Donahue
• Temporaries of New England
• Tri-State Rehab & Sports Center
• Truly Hard Seltzer
• Andrea Truppa, Attorney
• Vanilla Bean Cafe
• Wealthcare Investments
• Weiss, Stamper & Gadbois
• Westminster Tool
• White Claw Hard Seltzer
• Wile Hyundai
• WINY
• Bruce & Monique Wolanin
• Woodstock Building Associates

In Kind Donors:

• Steve Bousquet’s Appliance & TV
• Charlie Pious – UNICORR Nutmeg Container
• Danielson Surplus Sales
• Don Musial – WIN Waste Innovation
• Friendly Spirits
• Putnam Ford

Released: September 27, 2021

On September 27th, 1971, Quinebaug Valley Community College began offering classes at Harvard H. Ellis Technical School and Killingly High School prior to the construction of a campus at the 742 Upper Maple Street location in 1983. QVCC invites the community to celebrate 50 years of serving the communities of Northeast Connecticut on Thursday, October 21, 2021 beginning at 4:30 p.m. at our Danielson location.

In recognition of this monumental event, the College is seeking nominations for “Five Champions of QVCC”. Whether in a classroom setting, in a student support role, in a peer role or as a community member, champions advocate for our students and the college’s mission. Whether their presence was felt fifty years ago or today, they made impact on the history of the college. Nominations must be submitted online by Wednesday, September 29th for consideration.

NOMINATION APPLICATION

Program

• 4:30 – 5:30 Cocktail Hour
• 5:30 – 6: 30 Celebratory Ceremony including comments from QVCC President Emeritus Dianne E. Williams, Regional President Robert Steinmetz, QVCC CEO Karen Hynick, and the President of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Terence Cheng
  • Recognition of the Five Champions of QVCC
• 6:30 – 7:30 Memories & Mingle

The College’s COVID-19 policies on masking and social distancing will be in effect. In the event we are unable to host the celebration on October 21, we will postpone until Thursday, April 14, 2022

RSVP is required. Please respond by October 7th, 2021, to Jennifer Green,  or 860.932.4140

QVCC is offering a vaccine clinic in September and October for faculty, staff, and students at the Danielson campus.

Griffin Health is providing all three vaccines, free of charge. No appointment is needed:

DAYS & TIME

September: SPIROL Art Gallery, located off the main entrance to the campus.

Tuesdays: 9 -1 p.m.
Wednesdays: 3-7 p.m.

October: The Fireside Lounge, enter through the main entrance or Fireside Lounge entrance

Tuesdays: 9 -1 p.m.
Wednesdays: 3-7 p.m.

Released: August 31, 2021