Skip to main content

MCC Daily Tribune Archive

President's Wednesday Message


As the holidays approach, I’ve been thinking about the power of gifts. When you read “gifts,” especially in this season, you immediately imagine a brightly wrapped package topped with a glittery bow. But, I’m thinking of other gifts: necessities rather than niceties.

All across the college, amazing MCC faculty, staff and students are collecting necessity gifts for others in need. Human Resources has a mitten tree in their office.  The Human Services Club collects books for Compeer mentors. AAWCC held a food drive. The “3rd Floor” gathered gift cards for Baden Street Settlement. Toys for Tots boxes can be found throughout the campus. The list could go on: each gift makes a difference for a child, an adult, a family that would otherwise go without. Each gift is an inspiring act of generosity.

This year, our students have also been the recipients of inspiring generosity. A few weeks back, we celebrated the historic gift of alumni Tim and Robin Wentworth. Today, I shared lunch with MCC Nursing students who have received Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation Faces of the Future scholarships. This $375,000 scholarship fund provides 20 students with the opportunity to study Nursing, giving them the gift of education and a brighter future. The power of these scholarships cannot be overstated. The students I met with today have stories that are all too familiar: they came to MCC after losing family members or being laid off or going through divorce or living in poverty. None of these students could have succeeded without assistance, and all expressed their gratitude to the Wolk Foundation. But, significantly, each saw the Nursing program -- their fellow students, their outstanding faculty -- as an equally valuable gift in itself, holding out the promise of something better and something brighter.

When we say that MCC is inspiring every day, we must never lose sight of how powerful a gift inspiration is. This is the gift you give to our students so readily. Your inspiration educates them, warms them, empowers them, transforms them. Your inspiration is a necessity gift for our students. Thank you for sharing it.

How do our students inspire you? Share your stories on the
blog.

Anne M. Kress
President's Office
12/04/2013