Community Support
Fundamental to the mission of Merrimack College is a commitment to reach out to internal and external constituencies that form the Merrimack College community. To that end, a number of centers, offices, services, and programs are essential and include the following: The Office of Mission and Ministry, The McQuade Library, Information Technology Center and Services, Media Instructional Services and Merrimack College Cable Television MCTV 10, the O’Brien Center for Student Success, the Telecommunications Office, The Rogers Center for the Arts, and the Merrimack College Office for Community Partnerships. Merrimack has a commitment to community engagement, defined as collaborations between institutions of higher education and their large communities (local, regional, state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.
The Office of Mission and Ministry
Rev. Raymond F. Dlugos, O.S.A., Ph.D., Vice President of Mission and Student Affairs
The Office of Mission and Mission takes a leadership role in calling forth the spiritual development of our students. Although securely grounded in the Catholic and Augustinian Tradition, we seek to provide valuable resources for all students, faculty, and staff regardless of faith tradition or religious affiliation. The Office of Mission and Ministry assumes responsibility for sustaining traditions that give practical and concrete expression to the Catholic and Augustinian Values of the College. Efforts in service of this include the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit to Open the Academic Year, an all-community day of service. Mack Gives Back Day, to commemorate Veterans Day and the birthday of St. Augustine, and the Baccalaureate Mass during Commencement Weekend. The Office of Mission and Ministry also sponsors an annual study-travel pilgrimage to Augustinian Italy, symposia that allow the College Community to converse with one another about our mission and Augustinian heritage, and lectures from prominent scholars.
The following departments make up the Office of Mission and Ministry.
Rev. Raymond F. Dlugos, OSA, Ph.D., Director of Campus Ministry
Hugh Hinton, D.M.A., Director of Campus Music Activities, Coordinator of Liturgical Music
Campus Ministry at Merrimack College is committed to meeting students at all points in their relationship with God and faith. Our faith/spiritual life enrichment includes retreats, liturgy, preparation for reception of sacraments, interfaith prayer, service opportunities, and forums for discussing Catholic theology and practice. We invite all members of the Merrimack community to explore the bridges we build between faith and the realities of our society and the world community. People of all faiths are welcome to celebrate with us, and are invited to all programs and events of Campus Ministry.
Campus Ministry facilitates the worship and sacramental life of the campus. Mass is celebrated on Sundays, Weekdays, and Special Occasions. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to serve as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Cantors, and Ministers of Music. Programs to help those interested in becoming Catholics or completing the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) are offered. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered seasonally and always upon request.
Students and Alumni are welcome to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage in the Collegiate Church for Christ the Teacher.
A series of retreats and service opportunities to deepen one’s relationship with God and others are offered to facilitate the spiritual development of Merrimack students. These retreats include M.O.R.E (Merrimack Out Reach Experience), the Freshman Retreat for first year students, and the Boston Urban Retreat that combines service to the poor with prayerful reflection in faith.
Our service programs encourage students to experience the reality of poverty first-hand, and make a positive impact in the lives of people. Students, Faculty, and Staff are able to join in a variety of weekly, monthly, and one time service opportunities through MerrimAction. Service trips to both domestic and international sites are organized during Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks. All of these programs encourage students to explore, question and grow in spirituality so as to integrate faith and daily life.
In keeping with our Catholic Augustinian tradition, we pursue issues of social justice and peace exploring the causes of poverty and oppression and trying to make the world a better place because of a God who loves us all.
Whatever spiritual path you are following, we welcome you to the warmth of our faith community. We offer guidance and support to help you as your journey continues.
Mary McHugh, M.A., Executive Director of Stevens Service Learning Center
Katie Donell, M.Ed, M.P.P. Assistant Director of Stevens Service Learning Center
Service Learning is a form of experiential learning that brings issues and problems involving the community into classes in an intentional and pedagogical way. The Stevens Service Learning Center was established in 1998 with the assistance of a grant from the Stevens Foundation. Since its inception, thousands of students have participated in some form of Service Learning in sites throughout the Merrimack Valley. The Stevens Service Learning Center challenges students to become active participants in their own learning by engaging in service as part of their College classroom experience. The Center brings together members of the College and agencies in the Merrimack Valley and beyond to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities which give students the ability to connect their real world experience to academic learning and meet unmet community needs. Service assignments differ from class to class and from professor to professor. On average, individual students perform 15-20 hours of service during a semester and receive some form of class credit.
The Center sponsors an after school program: the Lawrence Math and Science Partnership Program (LMSP) which is a hands on math and science enrichment program for middle school students. The Center also supports programs such as JumpStart, Lawrence to College, and Hands to Help. Students are invited to visit the office to learn more about these programs and other volunteer opportunities.
Joseph T. Kelley, Ph.D., D. Min., Director
Aldebran Longabaugh-Burg, B.A., Assistant Director
Cultivating the practice of Abrahamic hospitality, the Center for the Study of Jewish-Christian- Muslim Relations at Merrimack College educates for religious, ethical, and cultural literacy. We seek to counter destructive prejudice and increase mutual understanding among peoples of diverse beliefs.
Since 1995 the Center has offered lectures, co-curricular programs and other interfaith learning opportunities for students and members of religious congregations and communities in New England. Scholars and activists in interfaith relations enrich the work of the Center which recognizes and supports their efforts. Together with the College’s Department of Religious and Theological Studies, the Center sponsors the country’s first undergraduate program in Jewish- Christian-Muslim Relations.
Alisha Reppucci, MPA, Director
Rosana Urbaez, M.Ed., Assistant Director
The Department of Community Outreach operates the Hands to Help Community Outreach Center at St. Mary’s Parish in Lawrence, MA where Merrimack students volunteer to provide after school tutoring to children needing a good environment for homework, connecting people in need with agencies able to supply those needs, networking with other social service agencies in Lawrence, and engaging in outreach to the homeless population of Lawrence. The Office of Community Outreach also organizes Mack Gives Back Day, by arranging service opportunities at over 40 different sites and transporting over 1200 volunteers to those sites.
978-837-5215
McQuade Library is an evolving center for learning, study and research. Rich in traditional print materials, media, and digital resources, it provides work spaces for groups as well as quiet corners for solitary study. Special collections in Education Resources and Augustinian Studies provide research support in those areas, and Merrimack ScholarWorks offers access to the college’s digital archive at http://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/.
In the Research Center on the second floor, skilled and dedicated staff members are ready to assist students with anything from a simple article request to a full-scale research project. Librarians collaborate with faculty to provide Information Literacy workshops and customized web guides to support coursework. Library information and access to materials is available via the library’s homepage at www.merrimack.edu/library.
In addition to a traditional print collection, a wide variety of online resources including ebooks, journal literature, images, and datasets are available. These resources are available from off- campus with a valid MACKcard college ID.
McQuade also offers a bestsellers collection, popular magazines, and DVD’s for recreational interests. A café, pleasant study areas, and a variety of options for study furniture enhance the library as a center of activity and learning.
For further information about library services and policies please refer to the library web site or speak with a library staff person
McQuade Library is also the site of Information Technology Services, the Academic Success Center, Compass, Promise, the Writing Center, and the Tutoring and Mathematics Center.
978-837-5377
Cushing 201
The primary mission of the Media Center is to support and assist the learning process by providing the highest quality technology and instruction, technical support, and collaboration opportunities as well as access to technology for production and presentation, including a photography studio, video studio, and digital editing lab. The Media Center provides a creative learning environment and instructional support through which faculty and students can become visually literate independent developers and/or users of new media to support teaching, scholarship and community. Information about hours and services can be found at the center’s website: (http://www.merrimack.edu/library/media_center.php).
Sakowich Campus Center, 2nd Floor 978.837.5480
www.merrimack.edu/obrien-center/
careerservices@merrimack.edu
The O’Brien Center for Student Success is a career development center that provides comprehensive personal, professional and career support to students and young alumni in preparation for the 21st century workplace.
Cooperative Education is an integrated work experience in a field related to a student’s academic and career goals. Co-op is designed to provide students with progressive learning experiences integrating theory and practice.
The Cooperative Education Program at Merrimack College, open to all majors, lets students explore careers of interest while also gaining hands-on experience making them career ready at graduation and more desirable to future employers. In addition, co-op students find that their work experience enhances their education, enabling them to integrate classroom theory with real-world practicalities. Working with a career advisor, students will also learn job preparation skills-including resume writing and interview techniques-as part of the program. The O’Brien Center maintains relationships with companies and organizations in a wide range of fields, and also support students who seek out and develop their own co-op opportunities. Working a co-op job also provides financial assistance to all students regardless of family income or other financial criteria.
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths. Independent Internships are offered through the O’Brien Center and are not credit-bearing (but would display on transcripts).
Patricia Druid, Director of Telecommunications McQuade
Library, 2nd Floor
Telephone jacks are provided in most resident halls for 911 access, on-campus calls and local area calling. Courtesy phones are located in various areas of the Townhouses, North and South Residential Villages. We do not provide long distance services. In the event of an emergency, dial 5911 to reach Campus Police or 911 from your cell phone. The Telecommunications Office is also your point of contact for the RAVE ALERT emergency notification system (www.getrave.com). For more information about telephone services, please call 978-837-5200 or email druidp@merrimack.edu.
Box Office 978-837-5355
Fr. Richard J. Piatt, O.S.A., Director, 978-837-5990
The Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College, a 600 seat performing and visual arts venue, encourages artistic excellence and expression and integrates an appreciation for the performing arts into the lives of our students and neighbors. Working closely with the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, the Center offers series of concerts, theatrical productions, art exhibitions, films, and lectures that complements student and faculty work in the arts. Programs presented represent a wide variety of performing arts disciplines and cultural experiences. The Main Stage Season is a combination of professional work by national and international performing artists and companies. The Atrium Concert Series features the talent of local professionals and members of the campus community.
The McCoy Art Gallery, located in the Rogers Center, offers regular showings of professional exhibitions during the academic year. These shows represent a variety of styles and media, both in solo works and sometimes group exhibitions. There are opportunities to meet the artists at gallery opening receptions and at lectures/conversations with the artists about their work. In addition, the newly opened Thagaste Gallery, located in the lobby, features local professional artists and student work on a rotating basis throughout the year. Students interested in the visual arts are welcome to participate in the Arts Warriors, a student led arts club, the Film Club, and a variety of other opportunities including scenic design, graphic design, photography and videography.
The Merrimack College Concert Choir gives students the opportunity to perform choral music of all styles and periods. Mackapella is the student led a cappella ensemble. They perform at a variety of functions on campus and most recently began hosting an annual Intercollegiate A Cappella Invitational. The Schola, the college’s sacred vocal and instrumental ensemble, sings during masses and worship services, as well as public concert performances.
The On-Stagers Dramatic Society, one of the oldest organizations on campus, is a student organization that produces two theatrical productions each year in the fall and the spring. Recent productions on the Rogers Center’s stage include: Avenue Q, Next to Normal, RENT, Black Comedy, Tartuffee, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The 2016-17 season will see them produce I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and the classic My Fair Lady. In addition to the On-Stagers, the Department of Visual and Performing Arts produces two major productions per year, including recent productions of Doubt, How I Learned to Drive, and Cabaret. Both the On-Stagers and VPA participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
The Merrimack College Jazz Band, comprised of students, faculty and staff perform in the Rogers Center each Winter and Spring, as well as other events throughout the year both on and off campus. The Pep Band provides music for all home hockey games and forms the base for the Concert Band, who perform classical and contemporary concert music twice a year.
The Film Club works with Faculty to choose and present a season’s worth of films in The Tambakos Film Series. All films are free to attend. Dancers can choose between the Merrimack College Dance Team, who competes with other collegiate dance teams on regional and national stages, and the Merrimack College Dance Club, whose focus is on presenting on the local level.
The Stevens Auditorium, a 100 seat auditorium in Cushing Hall, serves as a classroom, a rehearsal space and a performance space.
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