Observer Department: Features


A Visit to the Boston Globe

The ride into the city is making me antsy. Kim Whiting, my editor-in-chief, Jowi Meli, copy editor, and I pass the time on the commuter rail by exchanging our usual commentary on life. This of course includes the stresses of putting together a paper. We discuss what we’re going to…


MCCC Union

At community colleges throughout the state of Massachusetts, 1,400 professors, librarians and other full time professional staff members are currently working without a contract. “The contract expired at the end of June. We continued to meet with the state over July and August and into September with still no opening…


NECC/Methuen Police Academy Graduates First Class

New part of college off to a good start with 45 graduates Forty-five new police officers graduated from the first class of the Northern Essex Community College/Methuen Police Academy in a ceremony at the college on June 26. Michael J. Havey, Jr. of Methuen, who has worked as a part-time…


Observer Intro to Fall 2015 Semester

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For more than 50 years, the Observer has been the forum for the very best of the journalism students here at NECC to showcase their talent and obtain real-world work experience. Unlike that “real world,” the Observer begins each year with a large percentage of new staff members who need…


Legalization, Legislation and Love

The LGBT community reaches some pivotal milestones over the summer. On June 26, the United States Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage a constitutional right with a 5-to-4 vote. In his decision, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy stated, “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of…


Students Hold Summer Music Festival

Young musicians show off their new skills   The harmonious sounds of the 5th Annual Summer Music Festival, directed by Christina Dietrick, permeated TC103 in the Hartleb Technology Center on August 14. Dulcet melodies drifted into the hallways as parents proudly watched their children demonstrate their musical talents. The festival…


Bentley ArtSpace Gets a New Name

A ceremony was held to dedicate this space   Over the summer, the ArtSpace located in a remote corner of the Bentley Library received a new name and some well deserved attention during a dedication ceremony on May 15.  So did Linda Hummel-Shea, for whom the space was renamed.  Hummel-Shea…


Amesbury Street Property Donated

Louise Haffner Fournier’s family make donation   The Louise Haffner Fournier Education Center on Amesbury Street on the Lawrence Campus has gone from a rented building to a building that is now owned by NECC through a donation from the EMLO Realty Trust, which is under the direction of Joanne…


Opportunity Works has Moved In

Opportunity works its way to Northern Essex community Northern Essex, as a community, has experienced hot weather, summer classes, and construction this past summer. The stairs for the main entrance at the Spurk Building are pearly white, classy, and ready for the upcoming semester. Adjacent to the Spurk Building is…


Tarah MacGregor, a face of NECC

Tarah MacGregor. an honors student with a definite voice     23-year-old Tarah MacGregor has been a student at Northern Essex for five years. Her ready smile has made her popular among the students and faculty, and you can often hear her laughing in the hallways as she goes about…