NEW OFFICERS ELECTED TO LEAD MxCC FOUNDATION

Members of the newly elected board of directors for the Middlesex Community College Foundation are: (back row, l-r) Jay Keiser, Mark Benigni, vice chairperson, George Eames, chairperson, Garrett Birdsey, treasurer, Richard Muniz (front row, l-r) Marci Swede, Sheila Iglesias, Ellen Long, Julé A. Crawford, Judith Felton, and Anne Cassady, secretary.

The Middlesex Community College Foundation board of directors elected three new officers: George M. Eames IV (president of Lee Manufacturing in Wallingford) as chairperson, Dr. Mark D. Benigni (superintendent of schools in Meriden) as vice chairperson, and Anne Cassady of Durham (professor emerita from MxCC) as secretary. Additionally two long-time, active Middletown residents, attorney Julé A. Crawford and retired realtor Jay Keiser, were elected to the board of directors.

As chairperson, Eames will oversee the ongoing activities of the foundation, which includes fundraising and resource development to support scholarships, campus projects and academic programs at MxCC.  

“Middlesex Community College contributes a great deal to the 18 towns in our service area by preparing individuals for immediate employment in high-demand fields including manufacturing,” said Eames.  “It makes sense for the business community to support this college so it can continue to fulfill this vital role.”

Garrett Birdsey, assistant manager of Liberty Bank’s Higganum branch, and Sheila Iglesias, assistant vice president and manager of TD Bank in Middletown, joined the foundation board earlier this year.  Birdsey serves as the foundation’s treasurer. 

The MxCC Foundation bid farewell to three outgoing board members who have been longstanding supporters of the foundation and the college: David R. Hampton (MxCC class of 1972) of Meriden, Roger Brewer of Rockfall, and Michael Waller of Middlefield.

Dr. Anna Wasescha, the new president of MxCC, expressed her enthusiasm for the new board and appreciation for the exiting volunteers.  “We are fortunate to have such exceptional support in our community,” she said.  “The work of the foundation is far-reaching and has a direct and indirect affect on countless lives, on and off campus.  Even in the short time I have been here I have seen the impact of this organization – from opening our new interactive classroom in the Jean Burr Smith Library to hosting a wildly popular 5K road race – and know they are capable of great things for our school.  I look forward to working closely with the foundation’s new board of directors as we tackle some great challenges together.”