MxCC Veterinary Technology Students Get A Hands-On Role at Pieper-Olson Veterinary Hospital

Starting this fall, students in the veterinary technology program at Middlesex Community College will take on a more active role at Pieper-Olson Veterinary Hospital and Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center. For the first time, MxCC students will work with clients and patients at the Pieper hospitals under the supervision of MxCC faculty and the certified and licensed staff of the hospitals.

This recent change shows the continuing evolution of the veterinary technology associate degree program. Before this change, MxCC students participated in workshops and attended lectures and clinical experiences at the Pieper hospitals. In these clinical rotations, students mostly learned didactically and had some hands-on learning with non-patient animals.

“By observing and working with the highly qualified staff at the Pieper hospitals, students will see the practice of veterinary medicine and the role of certified veterinary technicians at both a busy general practice and a state-of-the art veterinary specialty, referral, emergency, and critical care center,” said Dr. Steve Levy, VMD, veterinary technology program coordinator at MxCC. “As the students learn new skills, they will be able to use them in patient care and client service under the careful supervision of highly trained and experienced veterinary professionals. This experience will aid the students in their goal of becoming certified veterinary technicians.”

By revamping the hands-on experience for students, Pieper-Olson staff will take on an active teaching role in training up-and-coming veterinary technicians. Because of this change, students graduating from MxCC’s veterinary technology program will have direct, practical experience with animals, and will enter the workforce with the certification needed to be employed in the field of animal healthcare.

“The veterinarians of today realize the urgent need for a team of a trained technical support staff to deal with the growing complexities of veterinary care,” said Dr. Virginia Nunez, DVM, co-owner of Pieper-Olson Veterinary Hospital. “Pieper Memorial has always strived to offer the highest quality service and patient care for owners and their pets and is now honored to be involved in leading the clinical training of the next generation of veterinary technicians."

The veterinary technology associate degree program is offered in collaboration between Middlesex Community College and Pieper-Olson Veterinary Hospital, both located in Middletown. General education courses are held at the College, while those courses requiring specialized laboratories, equipment, and hands-on practical experience are held at Pieper-Olson. To learn more about the veterinary technology program, or the collaboration between Middlesex Community College and Pieper-Olson Veterinary Hospital, contact Dr. Steven Levy at slevy1@mxcc.edu.

Founded in 1966, Middlesex Community College (mxcc.edu) is part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. In all it does, Middlesex Community College strives to be the college of its community. By providing high quality, affordable, and accessible education to a diverse population, the college enhances the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate, and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. MxCC, recently named a "Great College to Work For" by “The Chronicle of Higher Education,” offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs at the main 38-acre campus in Middletown, the downtown Meriden Center, the shoreline, and online.

Seeking Actors Grade 6-8 Jr. Rep Production: BUCCANEERS!

For Junior-High Students: Grades 6-9

BUCCANEERS

By Liz Duffy Adams
Directed by: Lorra Webb
Young Enid Arabella longs for adventure and escape from her family’s poverty. She runs away and is captured by a pirate king and his crew of kidnapped children. She summons her courage and wits to lead a mutiny and over-throw their oppressor – only to find herself in charge of a crew with different ideas about what they should do now that they are free – continue a life on the sea or return home to their families?

This new musical, premiered in 2012, is an exciting performance opportunity for young actors to sing, dance, act and be a part of an ensemble that values their voices and talents at any stage of development. Led by long-time Jr. Rep director Lorra Webb this will be a great musical performance experience in a creative, supportive environment.

Performances: April 3,4,5

Instructor: Lorra Webb

Rehearsals being: January 14th, Tuesday & Thursday. 4:30-6:30pm

For more information please call 860.347.6143 or email Kristen@oddfellows.org

oddfellows.org

“Nightmares & Streetscapes: An Evening of One Act Plays”

Oddfellows Playhouse’s Teen Repertory Company
presents Nightmares & Streetscapes: An Evening of One Act Plays

Middletown, Conn. –  Oddfellows Playhouse’s Teen Repertory Company will present Nightmares & Streetscapes: An Evening of One Act Plays.   The evening features comedies and dramas by Edward Albee, Christopher Durang, Eric Lane and Peter Tolan and runs May 3-4, 9-11 at 7:30pm.

The evening consists of four student directed one-act plays, including the dark comedies “The Actor’s Nightmare” by Christopher Durang, “Dancing on Checker’s Grave” by Eric Lane and the light hearted “Pillow Talk” by Peter Tolan.  The evening is appropriate for high school students and older, with some of the plays touching on mature themes and humor.  The project is the first time in several years that members of the Teen Repertory Company have had the opportunity to direct.  The process has been guided by director Ken O’Brien.

The Teen Repertory Company is comprised of students in grades 9-12, from 10 different towns throughout central Connecticut.  The Teen Repertory Company brings to life challenging and fun theatrical productions appropriate for audiences of all ages.  

The production runs Friday and Saturday May 3 and 4, 2013 and Thursday through Saturday May 9-11.  All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $15 for Adults and $8 for Students/Seniors.  Anyone brining a canned food item for Amazing Grace Food Pantry will receive a $2 discount on their ticket.  Tickets are available online at www.oddfellows.org or by calling 860-347-6143.  

The production is made possible by major support from CT State Department of Education, Middlesex United Way, The Stare Fund, Pratt & Whitney, the Middletown Commission on the Arts and Daphne Sebolt Culpeper Foundation.   Media support is provided by WESU 88.1FM.

MxCC STUDENT RECEIVES NASA TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP

MxCC Biotechnology/Forensic Science student Nicole Mendes of Cromwell was awarded a $500 NASA merit scholarship from the Epsilon Pi Tau (EPT) Honor Society. The award was given at the EPT induction ceremony of new members which was held at Manchester Community College on April 15.

The scholarship is given to technology students who have demonstrated academic excellence and dedication to pursing a technology career. Mendes plans to use the award to help pay for tuition at the University of New Haven’s Forensics Science program, where she will transfer next fall to earn her bachelor of science degree. She is the first MxCC student to take part in the college’s new Forensic Science transfer program with UNH, and will focus her studies on DNA analysis and forensic anthropology.

“Our Forensic Science track is one of the most comprehensive introductions into this tremendously popular career, and Nicole certainly has excelled while meeting its challenges,” said Dr. Jonathan M. Daube, MxCC president. “We are really celebrating three achievements here – Nicole’s scholarship, her acceptance in the EPT Honor Society, and her honor at being the first transfer student into our new agreement with UNH. All three are testaments to Nicole’s hard work and MxCC’s exceptional efforts to fully prepare students for their next academic or professional step.”

Technology students are nominated for membership in Epsilon Pi Tau after they have completed 30 semester hours in prescribed courses and maintained a grade point average of 3.25 or higher. As an academic and professional honor society, Epsilon Pi Tau encourages academic excellence of technology students, faculty and administrative leaders in higher education, and promotes the values and contributions of professionals in technology.

Founded in 1966 as a branch campus of Manchester Community College, Middlesex Community College (www.mxcc.commnet.edu) is an independent member of the Connecticut Community College System. The school offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs on its three locations: the main, 38-acre campus in Middletown, the downtown Meriden Center, and the shoreline in Old Saybrook. The college promotes understanding, learning, ethics, and self-discipline by encouraging critical thinking. Current enrollment exceeds 2,950 full and part-time students, and 1,600 continuing education students.

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Wesleyan Students Assaulted on High Street

This from Wesleyan Public Safety:

Public Safety would like to inform the community that on Friday 2/20/09 at approximately 9:45pm two students were walking in the area of High and Court St when they were approached by four individuals who assaulted one of the students. The suspects then fled the area. The injured student was transported to Middlesex Hospital for treatment

The suspects are described as African-American males in their late teens. Three possible suspects have been detained by Public Safety and Middletown Police.

This incident is under investigation by Wesleyan Public Safety and the Middletown Police. Anyone with any information is asked to call Public Safety at 685-2345 or the Middletown Police at 344-3200.