The United Way added a special exception to their campaign this year whereby members of the Assumption College community could redirect their United Way contributions to benefit Ann McCarron's crusade against child sexual abuse. This special program was available to the faculty, staff, and students.
Bike Across America's original goal was $40,000. At the check presentation ceremony on December 8, Ann announced Bike Across America surpassed the goal by $10,800. The total, $50,800, was presented to the four Worcester agencies that deal with the issue of child sexual abuse. We appreciate the special accommodation by the United Way of Central Massachusetts this year.
Dr. Plough has been asked to serve as a member of the Task Force on Selection of Federal Judges, a project of the Century Foundation/Twentieth Century Fund called Citizens for Independent Courts.
The college has entered into an agreement with WGMC-TV, Channel 3 in Worcester to televise its entire home men's basketball schedule for 199899. Kevin O'Shea and Joe O'Brien '57 will be the broadcast team.
Telecasts will be sponsored by Fallon Healthcare System of Worcester and Lamoureux Ford (Lionel Lamoureux '67) of East Brookfield, MA.
Flagship Bank of Worcester will sponsor the Player of the Game with $100 donated to the general scholarship fund in the name of the M.V.P. of each game.
The Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies at Assumption College hosted its biannual conference on "Developments in Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Anxiety Disorders." This conference offered a unique opportunity to become more educated about these issues that affect millions of people. October was mental health awareness month. This event was held the day after National Depression Screening Day, which was on October 8.
Anxiety and panic commonly overlap with symptoms of depression. This timely topic focused on the cognitive-behavioral treatments that are most effective in treating both anxiety and depression-approaches and treatments that work on changing how the person thinks, and what the person does in response to anxiety and panic.
As any sufferer of emotional illness knows, anxiety and panic can be debilitating illnesses. Without proper treatment, which includes cognitive therapy and/or medication, the person's problems can spiral out of control. This conference looked at different types of panic and anxiety disorders including perfectionism, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and post-traumatic stress disorders.
The keynote speaker, Dr. David H. Barlow, a world-renowned psychologist, is recognized as a leader and pioneer in the field of clinical psychology. He presented publicly, for the first time, the findings of a national study on medication vs. cognitive-behavior therapy for the treatment of anxiety and panic.
The compact disk recording of College organist, Dr. Frank Corbin, playing
the Chabot Family Memorial Pipe Organ in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit,
is now available at the College Bookstore: (508) 767-7211 or e-mail: nsmith@assumption.edu. All proceeds
go to the Chapel Pipe Organ Fund.