Montgomery County Community College recently celebrated 25 years serving Pottstown and the tri-county region as an educational, workforce and cultural resource partner.

MCCC opened its doors at 101 College Drive in 1996, welcoming 300 students for the inaugural semester. Since that time, the Pottstown Campus has established deep roots in the community and continues to reach out through many partnerships and grow and expand to serve the needs of students and residents.

“This is a time to share our thanks and Mustang gratitude for the many community, business and government partners who have walked along with us on this journey,” said Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, MCCC President during the celebration reception. “On behalf of the College, we greatly appreciate the support of each and every partner during these 25 years and look forward to the next 25 years and beyond.”

Over the years, thousands of students have studied at MCCC’s Pottstown Campus, and many of these graduates are now employed throughout the county and region, generating approximately $18.5 million in added income for the fiscal year 2020, according to the College’s economic impact analysis report, she said.

I can say confidently that Pottstown is a better place because the College picked Pottstown 25 years ago.  Peggy Lee-Clark, Executive Director of Pottstown Area Economic Development

“To continue to serve the needs of our students and communities for the next 25 years and beyond, Montco must forge ahead to inspire, lead, and transform lives, destinies and future generations at all ages and stages of life,” said Dr. Bastecki-Perez.

In recent years as MCCC considered the possibilities for the Pottstown Campus, the College sought to bring a Challenger Learning Center to this area as part of its intentional investment in Pottstown.

“The Challenger Learning Center – the first and only in Pennsylvania – will inspire and encourage impressionable young minds to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” Dr. Bastecki-Perez said. “The curriculum is grounded in national science standards that will promote 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. The hands-on, immersive experiences will ignite a life-long passion for learning and motivate students to seek higher education opportunities right here at our Pottstown Campus.”  

MCCC’s Chair of the Board of Trustees, Varsovia Fernandez, spoke about the College’s holistic approach in creating an educational experience that will provide all students with the support they need, including the new comprehensive Wellness Center that will open at the Pottstown Campus in the fall.

“The Wellness Center provides a place for all students to receive assistance with their individual needs – whether it’s food from the food pantry; assistance with housing, transportation or childcare; counseling for mental well-being; or simply a place to destress,” said Fernandez. “We know that these aspects are important for our students’ progress and overall success.”

MCCC’s Vice President of the Pottstown Campus and Educational Partnerships, Therol Dix, J.D., noted that the 25th anniversary celebration was both a time for reflection of the past and a look forward to future growth and possibilities.

“As we celebrate our 25th anniversary and reflect upon our years in Pottstown, we may not realize the progress that was accomplished until we take a step back and look at where we started,” Dix said. “Throughout the years, Montco’s Pottstown Campus has grown and evolved to serve the needs of our students and the community, and our transformation continues today, as part of Montco’s ongoing agility and innovation.”

During the reception, Peggy Lee-Clark, Executive Director of Pottstown Area Economic Development and MCCC alumna, spoke about the College’s important role in the area’s economic growth.

“We are grateful for the excellent educational opportunity you are providing for this generation and the next generation of workers that are vital to Pottstown’s ongoing economic development,” said Lee-Clark. “A robust labor pool allows us to be competitive in attracting and retaining innovative businesses like Precision Polymer and VideoRay. I can say confidently that Pottstown is a better place because the College picked Pottstown 25 years ago. Congratulations and here’s to the next 25.”

Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, praised the College not only for its quality educational value but also for its holistic and respectful approach to meeting student’ needs.

“Under Dr. Bastecki-Perez’s leadership, she has made it a normal part to look at the entire student. She has prioritized making sure students who have food insecurity have a dignified way to get food,” said Dr. Arkoosh. “She has ensured that students who are experiencing mental health challenges have safe and non-judgmental ways to get the assistance they need, so their education does not get derailed, and they can go on and graduate successfully.”

“This is what makes this school so unique and so great, and I am so proud to be Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and commit the dollars we do, your taxpayer dollars, every year to this institution. This is why we do it, and why we are so proud to do it,” she said.

MCCC alumna Katrina Boughter spoke about how the College transformed her life, giving her the confidence and leadership skills, she needed to advance. After graduating from MCCC, she stayed at the Pottstown Campus, working on her bachelor’s degree in Human Services Administration at Chestnut Hill College, one of the College’s University Center partners.

“I work really hard to share my experiences so other people can most of their time here,” she said. “I was involved in student government, served as a student ambassador and was in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. With being a non-traditional student and having kids, the support here is incredible. The faculty believes in you more than you believe in yourself.”

To commemorate the milestone anniversary, MCCC started the day of events with a lunchtime campus celebration for students, faculty and staff including food, giveaways and music by the student-run Montco Radio.

The celebration continued with the planting of an Eastern Redbud tree in Riverfront Park, adjacent to MCCC’s Sustainability & Innovation Hub, in partnership with Pottstown Parks & Recreation in honor of Earth Day and the anniversary.

As the tree was ceremoniously planted, Dr. Bastecki Perez and Michael Lenhart, Pottstown Parks & Recreation spoke about the longstanding partnership between the Borough and the College.

Riverfront Park is the place where both entities meet and collaborate with events, said Lenhart, noting that the public uses the College’s parking lot for events and activities in the park.

Another highlight of the celebration was the Sandwich Challenge, hosted by Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches in Pottstown. Students from MCCC’s Culinary Arts Institute competed to make the best-tasting sandwich using mystery ingredients of salmon, apples, Skinny Pop kettle corn and Bisquick mix.

The teams were “The Italian Stallions” with Michael Fortna and Vincenzo Nuzzolese, “The Delicious Duo” with Selena Johnson and Sean Kahl, “The Dream Team” with Gabrielle Williams and Tre’quan Norris, “The Dagwoods” with Nick Torres and Stephen Rowles and “Taste of Brown Sugar” with Kyle Edmonds and Ayanna Marville. Senior Producer and Technical Services Manager Matt Porter served as the emcee, encouraging the students and coercing cheers from the crowd as the timer ticked on during the competition.

After 45 minutes of chopping, mixing, cooking and plating, each team presented their sandwich masterpieces. The judges, Dr. Bastecki-Perez, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., and Pottstown Area Health & Wellness President/MCCC Board of Trustees David Kraybill tasted and rated each sandwich. MCCC Dean of Business & Professional Studies Terence Lynn, donned as Elwood Blues with his briefcase and harmonica, tallied the scores.

The winning team was Taste of Brown Sugar with Kyle Edmonds and Ayanna Marville. Their sandwich, “Pancake and Popcorn Po-Boy” will be included on Grumpy’s menu for a year. Owners Sheila and Gene Dugan will donate $2 from the sale of each sandwich to MCCC’s 25th Anniversary Student Scholarship Fund. The students also received a cash prize from Grumpy’s and a free class each from MCCC. All participants received a Grumpy’s t-shirt and a towel and apron from MCCC.

Following the challenge, guests attended the anniversary reception on the second floor of North Hall where they could take a step back in time to MCCC’s early days in Pottstown through a timeline and historical display created by Lawrence Greene, Patrick Rodgers, Mike Billetta and Erin Jellesma.

Guests also had the opportunity to submit a note or business card in the time capsule and enjoy sipping the commemorative beer created by J.J. Ratigan Brewing Company of Pottstown and Round Guys Brewing Company of Lansdale. Grumpy’s provided an array of sandwiches, and MCCC’s Culinary students provided specially decorated desserts.

Following the reception, community members gathered in Memorial Park for a special firework display and enjoyed food and music by Montco Radio.

Video by Evan Brandt, Reporter for the Pottstown Mercury. Read Evan's article for additional details about the event.