Consortium to celebrate 40th Anniversary

Alden Awards to be presented
Release Date:
March 26, 2008
Worcester, MA - The Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc. will host its 40th Anniversary Celebration at Mechanics Hall on Monday, April 7.

The event will feature the annual presentation of the George I. Alden Awards for excellence in higher education and education access. A campus-based Excellence in Higher Education Award will be presented in addition to a community-based Higher Education Access Award.

The Excellence in Higher Education award seeks to recognize a campus-based program that reflects the shared values, goals and visions of the Consortium and the Alden Trust, emphasizing creativity and promotion of educational excellence in higher education, collaboration, and the utilization of shared resources. The Higher Education Access Award is designated for an individual or organization based in Central Massachusetts that has championed access to higher education for non-traditional students and adults.

The event will also recognize the 30th anniversary of the Consortium Gerontology Studies Program, founded in 1978.

A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The award presentation will begin approximately at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the awards presentation, U.S. Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) will provide the keynote address. Senator Kerry will be introduced by U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern (D-Worcester). Earlier in the evening, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) will also provide comments and a video message from U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) will be shown.

The presenting sponsor for this event is Sovereign Bank. Additional sponsors are Academic Finance Corporation (AFC), Bowditch & Dewey, the College Board, Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple, TERI, W.B. Mason and Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, with special thanks to the George I. Alden Trust.

Individual tickets are $100 each. Tables of 10 are available at $1,000 each with additional tables of 10 at $750 each. To purchase tickets, please contact Gail Dupuis at (508) 754-6829 ext. 3022 or e-mail gdupuis@cowc.org by March 31.