Friday, September 12, 2014  marked the first of a series of celebrations which will occur over the next three years as Naugatuck Valley Community College celebrates its beginnings, first as Waterbury State Technical College in 1964, and then as Mattatuck Community College in 1967. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, community members and legislative leaders attended to wish the College well.

U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3^rd District praised the College’s role in preparing students for success and noted the accomplishments of NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. over the past six years which include improved graduation rates, the opening of a new manufacturing center, a new academic building and numerous campus gardens to name a few.

Mayor Neil M. O’Leary, chairperson for NVCC's Regional Advisory Council praised the College’s support of the community and success in a 20% increase in enrollment over the past five years. He presented President De Filippis with the key to the city and commented that College officials have made a special effort to reach out to the community and its students, particularly through the College Connection program. “Quite frankly, what I’m very pleased about is that the College has really reached into the community in the past five years at unprecedented levels,” O’Leary said.

The keynote speaker, Martha J. Kanter, Ed.D., distinguished visiting professor of Higher Education and senior fellow at the Steinhardt Institute of Higher Education Policy of New York University spoke of the evolved role of education in today’s society and the need for change. Kanter noted that in 2009 the U.S. ranked 16^thin the world for the highest number of college graduates. “Now we have moved up to 11^th in the world. That’s not good enough,” Kanter said. “Mentoring, tutoring, faculty and advising make a difference.”  Kanter added that civic participation is essential to have successful graduates and that NVCC’s strategic plan is targeted toward these types of activities. “It is a model for other community colleges around the country.”

President De Filippis thanked the community partners who came to celebrate 50 years of higher education and community services. “As we embark on a year of memorable celebrations in honor of the first 50 years in the history of our beloved institution, we affirm that our work, our commitment to mission and what the college represents for so many is tied to the most beautiful and fundamental democratic principles.  These principles led to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and also to the founding of community colleges in Connecticut in the 1960’s.  We are proud to say that thanks to the generosity and professionalism and care of so many, our work at Naugatuck Valley Community College continues to honor and support that vision of a just and inclusive society."

NVCC will continue with events throughout the next three years to highlight the work of the College in the community. On October 8, 2014, President De Filippis, Mayor Neil O’Leary and other community leaders will engage in an advocacy event to raise awareness and support for sidewalk construction along Chase Parkway.  Later in October, alumni from all three institutions will be invited to attend a homecoming event scheduled for October 23, 2014. For more information contact Elizabeth Catuccio at 203–575-8045 or visit www.nv.edu/alumni . The final anniversary event for 2014 is the annual Waterbury Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas concert which will feature a reading of the holiday classic, “Twas The Night Before Christmas” by President De Filippis. For tickets contact the Waterbury Symphony at (203) 574-4283 or visit http://www.waterburysymphony.org