CCSNH Berlin Campus Hosts a Breakfast for North Country Legislators and Business Leaders
On April 18, 2003, a large group of North Country legislators and business leaders gathered at the Berlin Campus of CCSNH-Berlin/Laconia for a breakfast meeting with President Karen Sue Grosz and a number of the college administrators. The purpose of the meeting was to inform those in attendance about the current situation at the Berlin campus, including its amazing enrollment growth. Since Fall 2001 the Berlin campus has almost doubled enrollment from 589 to 1,041 students taking classes in Berlin, Woodsville, and Littleton. More than 90% of the students come from New Hampshire and most stay in the state for higher education or for work.
The Berlin campus will add programs in Criminal Justice and Teacher Preparation starting Fall 2003. One other positive development involves a partnership with the College for Life Long Learning and Plymouth State College to offer junior and senior level college courses at the Berlin Campus. An accreditation team from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges recently gave the college an extremely favorable report.
The college plans to continue to grow, in recognition that the Berlin campus is a gateway for North Country residents seeking higher education. Dr. Grosz and her team are working on a number of projects to enhance the accessibility of the Berlin campus. A residence hall tops that list, along with a new child care facility, and a Mobile Equipment Training Center. Caterpillar, CCSNH-Berlin's corporate partner in the Mobile Equipment and Diesel Technology program, has provided the school with plans for the center, creating a savings of over $100,000 in design and engineering costs.
However, as the college looks to the future, it faces the possibility of serious cutbacks in state funding. Governor Benson has asked for a 10% general fund cut. While the budget that has come out of the House softened the blow, it still calls for a 6% general fund cut for the NHCTC System.
Pam McDonald, executive director of the NHCTC System Foundation, a separate non-profit agency that solicits and distributes financial assistance from individuals and companies with an interest in our Community College System, spoke to the group about the role they can play in supporting the Berlin Campus and described many of the success stories the Foundation has already experienced. Her message of business partnering with the college to meet their mutual goals was well received by many in the audience.
In the short term, the state's budget woes may create some challenges for the Berlin campus. However, the long term outlook for the college is positive.
Attendees:
Executive Councilor Raymond Burton
Representative Frederick King
Representative Edgar Mears
Representative Robert Theberge
Representative Edmond Gionet
Representative Lawrence Guay
Mark, Barry, Katie Kelly, White Mountain Lumber, Berlin
Sylvia Poulin, Hall of Greetings Jewelers, Berlin
Jim Wagner, Nexfor Fraser Corp., Berlin
Greg Cyr, Nexfor Fraser Corp., Berlin
Jim Brennan, Berlin City Bank, Berlin
David Cronin, Berlin City Bank, Berlin
Bruce MacKay, Superintendent of Schools SAU #3, Berlin
Arnold Hanson, Isaacson Structural Steel, Berlin
Steve Barba, Balsams Grand Resort, Dixville Notch
William Jackson, Town Manager, Gorham
Kathy McDowell, Family Resource Center, Gorham; AVER
William Hagenbucher, Wausau Carriers, Groveton
Greg Nolin, Wausau Papers, Groveton
Mike Alberts, New England Wire Corp., Lisbon
Allen Smith, Littleton High School, Littleton
Paul McGoldrick, McGoldrick Insurance, Littleton
Gary Cassady, Hitchiner Manufacturing, Littleton
Maryellen Cavan, White Mountains Regional High School, Whitefield
NHCTC
Karen Sue Grosz, President Grosz
Pam McDonald, Foundations Executive Director
Janet Phelps, Dir. Of Marketing & Corporate Relations
Dan McCrum, VP Academic & Community Affairs
Martha Laflamme, VP Student & Corporate Affairs
Bob Corrigan, CTBD Coordinator
Craig Doherty, Marketing Director
Photos:
Dr. Karen Sue Grosz, president CCSNH-Berlin Laconia, addresses a breakfast meeting of North Country business leaders and legislators held at the college's Berlin Campus to discuss the state of the college and the role that business leaders in legislators can play in helping the college meet its goals.
Pam McDonald, executive director of the NHCTC Foundation, discusses the ways in which the non-profit foundation is and can assist the college.
North Country business leaders and legislators during a breakfast meeting sat down with Dr. Karen Sue Grosz and other representatives of the college to discuss the state of the college
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