From the Desk of Executive Director Dolores Swirin-Yao
June 2025
Michael Bellantoni Memorial WCC Football Alumni Barbecue
Loyal alumni of WCC’s Vikings football team participated in the annual football reunion, joining us from Minnesota, West Virginia and other far-flung locations. Many members are supporting an annual athletics scholarship. This was the first year that the reunion was named for Michael Bellantoni, a beloved team member who passed away last year and whose son and brother attended the reunion. Most members of the fun and lively group attended WCC in the early- to mid-1970s and, upon learning that I started college at Rockland Community College in 1977, they nicknamed me “Freshman,” making me feel like a teenager, which I loved. This was my third time attending the reunion and I will be sure to return every year!
Workforce Development and Community Education Completion Ceremony
Completers of our Workforce Development programs were celebrated at a ceremony on campus in June. The programs in which students participated ranged from 3D Animation to Entry-Level IT Helpdesk Technician to Pharmacy Technician.
Culinary student Sean Tillman started his culinary studies in a short-term program in our Workforce Development and Community Education division. From there he enrolled in our degree-granting culinary program. He has now finished his first year of the culinary program and expects to graduate next year with an AAS degree. WCC Alumnus and WCC Foundation Board Member Peter Herrero met Sean at a Foundation event in March and that meeting resulted in a summer job for Sean at Peter’s restaurant, Sam’s of Gedney Way.
Virginia Marx Children’s Center Graduation, Art Show & Tour
The most adorable campus event of the year is the graduation of our youngest students, who can start attending VMCC as infants and go through pre-school. These little ones are off to Kindergarten in the fall!
The kids are also prolific artists! “A World of Little Artists” show was held at the Fine Art Gallery in the Hankin Academic Arts Building.
Members of the WCC Foundation Board of Directors toured VMCC to learn more about this award-winning early child development center, which has been educating the children of student-parents, faculty, staff and community members for more than three decades.
President’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Volunteers were recognized for their years of service at this year’s President’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Volunteers are active in the Alumni Association, the Collegium program for lifelong learning, Conversation Partners for English language learners, the Native Plant Center, the Academic Support Center, the WCC Foundation Board of Directors and other programs across the College.
