Ten members of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters graduated during the 2013 Spring Commencement at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Five of the graduates received special recognition for academic achievement, listed below.

This group of carpenters is the first class to receive bachelor’s degrees.

Bachelor of Science Degree Graduates:

Building Construction Management
David Aldrich, Local 40
Chris Barcikowski, Local 67
Joseph Byrne, Local 33
Nicholas Cuzzupe***, Local 33
Katie Jenkins*, Local 33
Steven Monteiro, Local 26
Edward Rampans**, Local 67

Project Management
Eamonn Murphy**, Local 33
Marc Surprenant*, Local 33

In 2008, Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies signed an articulation agreement contract with the NERCC to deliver an Associates’ Degree in Construction Management to members of the Carpenters Union. This was Wentworth’s first articulation agreement with a trade union.

The program has evolved in the short time since its first inception. The agreement now includes both the Bachelor and Master of Science Degree programs.

* Cum Laude (3.5-3.74 grade point index) 
** Magna Cum Laude (3.75-3.89 grade point index)
*** Summa Cum Laude (3.90-4.00 grade point index)

Through a partnership between Wentworth Institute of Technology and the New England Regional Council of Carpenters members can advance your career by earning an Associate of Applied Science in Building Construction Management. Courses are now being offered at the New England Carpenters Training Center in Millbury, MA.

* Classes held at New England Carpenters Training Center in Millbury, MA
* Convenient evening and weekend classes
* All members receive 33% tuition discount
* Graduates of the Apprenticeship Training Program earn 22 credits towards Associate degree
* The balance of 42 credits can be completed in as little as two years

The program begins on January 7, 2013. To complete an online application visit www.WIT.edu/apply.

To speak with an admissions counselor, please contact Ashley Roberts at 617-989-4651 or by emailing Robertsa2@wit.edu.

For more information about oppoturnities available through this unique program, click here. 

Come find out about the Wentworth program!

Wentworth will be presenting information about registration, fees, and other requirements to participate in their Construction Management Associates and Bachelor degree programs. Graduates of our apprenticeship program will receive 22 college credits toward their degree. All carpenter participants will receive one-third off of their tuition at Wentworth. Participants at either session may register with Wentworth.

 The sessions will be held at the Carpenters Center in Boston, MA, and the New England Carpenters Training Center in Millbury, MA.

New England Carpenters Training Center -- October 13th 2012 @ 9:00 a.m.
RSVP at (508) 792-5443 no later than Tuesday, October 9th

The Carpenters Center (2nd Floor) -- October 17th 2012 @ 5:00 p.m.
RSVP at (617) 782-4314 no later than Tuesday, October 9th

New England Carpenters Training Center -- November 7th 2012 @ 5:00 p.m.
RSVP at (508) 792-5443 no later than Wednesday, October 31st

For more information about this partnership click here. 
 

Ten members of NERCC-affiliated Local Unions were among the honorees at graduation ceremonies held at the Wentworth Institute of Technology this past weekend. The members received their Associates Degree in Building Construction Management through a program developed and specially tailored for union carpenters a few years ago.

The union carpenter graduates were: Nathan James Aldrich (Local 33), Bryan K. Bartlett (Local 218), George F. Daou (Local 107), Edward Farrell (Local 67), Katie Jenkins (Local 33),Daniel Kuja (Local 33), William John Lynch (Local 67), Michael Morton (Local 40), Evan Payne (Local 33), James Michael Souther Jr. (Local 40). Brothers Aldrich, Lynch and Souther graduated "cum laude," an honor bestowed on those graduating with a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.74 on the 4.0 scale.

NERCCBlog.com has articles and videos on the program for those interested in learning more.

In the fall of 2008, the New England Regional Council of Carpenters along with Wentworth Institute of Technology's College of Professional and Continuing Education launched a tailored program, which enables union carpenters to earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Building Construction Management in as little as two years.

The first class of carpenters graduated from the program in August 2010. In the short time since the program began, it has already expanded to allow union carpenters to pursue a Bachelor's Degree from the prestigious school.

Members of the Carpenters Union can find the admissions checklist for the Associate Degree in Building Construction Management here. You can also view the program’s curriculum (PDF) by clicking here.

If you would like to speak to someone directly about the program, please contact Jacklyn Haas, Associate Director of Admissions, at haasj@wit.edu or 617-989-4258.

The Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA) and the Thomas S. Gunning Foundation have established a scholarship program to assist students who are enrolled in the Wentworth Institute of Technology Program through the New England Regional Council of Carpenters. Tom Gunning was a long-time member of the Board of Trustees for the New England Carpenters Labor Management Program and Executive Director of the BTEA.

A scholarship in the amount of $2,000 will be made to a single winner this year, selected on the basis of academic record, potential to succeed, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, a statement of educational and career goals and an outside appraisal.

A fuller description of the program and applications can be downloaded here or by contacting the BTEA at:

Thomas S. Gunning Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Program
100 Grossman Drive, Suite 300
Braintree, MA 02184
781-849-3220.

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters held a post-graduation celebration to recognize the twenty-nine union carpenters who graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology.

The graduates and their families, along with representatives from NERCC and Wentworth, including Wentworth’s President Zorica Pantic gathered on the second floor of the Carpenters Center to celebrate the great achievement.

The twenty-nine carpenters were the first class to graduate since the NERCC launched this special program with Wentworth in the fall of 2008. The tailored program enables union carpenters to earn an Associate’s degree in Construction management from the prestigious school in as little as two years. The program gives members credit for completing a four-year apprenticeship in Massachusetts and could also give credit for other qualified classes members have taken.

NERCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mark Erlich spoke at the event about one of the goals of the program, which is to bring on-the-job field experience back in to construction management.

“What I think we have done with this program is combine the best of both worlds. The industry does need people who are educated, it’s no longer just enough to come out of the field and apply your experience of supervision, you have to have computer skills, budgeting skills, a whole range of skills. That, to me, is the ultimate goal of this program: to fuse the educational skills that Wentworth provides with the hands-on, real life, practical skills that you’ve learned in the field."


NERCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mark
Erlich and Wentworth President Zorica Pantic.

Erlich then congratulated the graduates. “My hat goes off to those of you who went through this program. This is not an easy program. Wentworth is a tremendously excellent educational institution and it is very demanding. They didn’t tailor their programs for us, we had to meet their standards. I want to congratulate and applaud you. Thank you all for what you do, because you are the future of the Carpenters Union.”

Following Erlich’s remarks, Wentworth’s President, Zorica Pantic, said a few words. “It is wonderful to be here and to see that the efforts that were started a couple of years ago came to fruition. In working with the Carpenters Union, we were able to develop a very demanding program and it is a great match between the needs of the carpenters’ profession and the practical education that Wentworth provides. We are very pleased, [the program] surpassed all of our wildest dreams.”

Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Director Ben Tilton individually recognized each graduate handing them certificates, along with Erlich and Pantic, to recognize them for their great achievement. A small reception followed the speaking program.

Twenty-nine union carpenters graduated from the Arioch Center at Wentworth Institute of Technology with and Associate's Degree in Building Construction Management (read more here).

Graduate Eamonn Murphy, a twelve-year member of Local 33, was recognized as the Outstanding Associate Degree Student for the 2009-2010 academic year.

"I am extremely honored to be recognized as the Outstanding Student," said Murphy. "As I look back, however, I realize that my fellow students are all outstanding students. We encouraged each other and worked together collaboratively in accomplishing this goal."

Murphy first joined the Carpenters Union as an apprentice in 1998. When the opportunity arose to enroll in the Construction Management program at Wentworth, Murphy was enthusiastic about being able to continue his training and further advance his career.

"Obtaining a Construction Management degree from Wentworth was the logical choice in expanding my knowledge of the construction industry, and the program certainly provided that for me."

Murphy, along with many of his classmates that just received their Associate's Degree will be continuing on in to the Bachelor's Degree program.

Wentworth ran a student profile of Brother Murphy on their website.