CCRI to celebrate All College Week in April

A message from President Di Pasquale, Jan. 29, 2010

“All College Week 2010” will bring a variety of venues to the college community during the week of April 10 – 18. Several committees are hard at work planning events that range from the highly-successful Education Expo held last summer to an economic summit attended by local and national leaders. In addition, eight other events will focus on academics, technology, community service, cultural awareness and athletics. The programs are intended to highlight the strengths of the largest community college in New England and to showcase the talents of students, faculty and staff. The week’s program includes:

Friday, April 9
Technology Fair, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Warwick campus
This is an event sponsored by the Advancing Engineering and Technology Grant Project. Through this grant, CCRI’s Engineering and Technology Department will host a Technology Open House for high school students to showcase the college’s technology programs. During this event, area high school students will be introduced to CCRI’s engineering and technology classes through hands-on workshops run by CCRI faculty.

Saturday, April 10
CCRI Education Expo, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Warwick campus
Building on the success of last year’s Education Expo that was targeted specifically at adult learners, CCRI will host its second Expo geared toward all potential students. The event will include information sessions on admissions and financial aid, campus tours and a visit to some of CCRI’s labs. Deans, academic department faculty, current and former students and student services representatives will be on hand to answer any questions visitors may have. It is an opportunity for area residents to learn the scope of what CCRI has to offer and how the college can potentially help them.

Monday, April 12
Rhode Island Summit on the Economy, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Warwick campus
This event will bring local and national leaders to CCRI to discuss issues affecting our economy and to offer strategic solutions.

Tuesday, April 13
Community Service Day, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., six statewide locations
Community service will be the focus of attention as students, faculty and staff spend a day volunteering at six nonprofit organizations located throughout the state. All volunteers will receive a special commemorative T-shirt in honor of their day of service and lunch. Watch for upcoming registration information.

Wednesday, April 14
Wellness Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Warwick campus
CCRI welcomes students, faculty, staff and the public to learn more about the issues impacting their own health at the fifth annual Wellness Fair where approximately 50 vendors will offer information and demonstrations on issues ranging from diabetes and cancer prevention to tai chi and meditation.

CCRI Game Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Warwick campus
Teams of students, faculty and staff will participate in a variety of games and sports in the field house at the Knight Campus in Warwick.

Expert on Cognitive Behavioral Modification to give two lectures, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Warwick campus
CCRI’s Human Services Club has raised enough funds to invite one of the most highly regarded psychotherapists of our time and founder of Cognitive Behavioral Modification to speak to community members. Dr. Donald Meichenbaum, of the Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention in Miami and professor emeritus at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, will make two presentations – an educational presentation to which representatives from Rhode Island’s public school districts will be invited and a social services presentation during which he will discuss cognitive behavioral interventions with social services students and employees of local social services agencies.

Thursday, April 15
Cultural Awareness Celebration, (time and location TBD)
Salute to the Arts, (time and location TBD)
Committees are now at work planning two events to celebrate diversity at the college as well as the talents of our music and theater students. More details about these events to follow.

Friday, April 16
Professional Development Day, 8 a.m., Warwick campus
Highlights of the 8th Annual All College Professional Development Day are the president’s address, sessions of personal, professional and academic importance and a keynote speaker (to be determined). All employees who register in advance for event sessions will be automatically entered in a raffle for prizes.

Sunday, April 18, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Crowne Plaza, Warwick
Hall of Fame celebration honoring John S. “Jack” Renza, CCRI faculty member and managing director of Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Ltd. and Laurie White, executive director of the 2,700 member Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

As you can see, this is a very ambitious program that we are planning and I invite everyone to participate in as many events as they can. This is your time to celebrate our wonderful college community, to marvel at our talented and committed students, faculty and staff, and to have some fun. It has been a difficult few months for our state and I look forward to enjoying “All College Week” with you and members of the community.