Alumni Awards
2009 Outstanding Alumni Award
Haverhill resident and longtime business woman Elaine Barker was presented withNorthern Essex Community College’s annual Outstanding Alumni Award presented during the college’s 47th commencement exercises.
The award is presented by the college’s Alumni Association to an alumna or alumnus of Northern Essex who has achieved success in his/her career, is active in the community, and has given back to the college in some way.
Barker earned two associate degrees from Northern Essex. She graduated in 1986 with a general studies degree and again in 1988 with a business management degree.
She is the owner of Paper Potpourri a retail wedding invitation and stationary company that she launched more than 30 years ago. Her company is considered one of the largest retailers of wedding invitations in New England.
Well respected in the greater Haverhill community, she has been extremely active in local organizations including the Haverhill and Merrimack Valley Chambers of Commerce, The YWCA, Quota International, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and Team Haverhill. She is also responsible for starting the Brightside Program in Haverhill.
Barker is also involved with Northern Essex Community College as a member of the Women of NECC, She is a regular donor to the college’s annual fund as well as the NECC Fund. She was recognized as a distinguished alumna at NECC’s 40th Anniversary Celebration.
2009 Outstanding Student Award
Recent Northern Essex Community College graduate Lucy A. Baldwin of Methuen received the NECC Alumni Association Outstanding Student Award during the college’s 47th commencement exercises.
Each year the NECC Alumni Association presents this award for outstanding achievement to a graduating student who has distinguished him or herself through academic achievement and involvement in either campus activities or community service.
Baldwin graduated with high honors with an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies. She is active both on campus and in the community. She has given back to the college in countless areas throughout her time at Northern Essex. Baldwin served as secretary on the Student Senate, participated in the Student Leadership Program, co-founded the NECC Chapter of Amnesty International, co-founded the NECC Community Outreach group, and is founder of NECC’s Gay Straight Alliance.
She is a college reading and learning association certified peer tutor and provided individualized tutoring in numerous subject areas. Baldwin also served as a note taker in more than 60 classes from the spring of 2005 to the spring of 2009. Baldwin worked individually with students to provide learning accommodations, assisted students in achieving academic success by typing materials, assisted them in walking to class, reading tests, and writing for them when necessary.
In addition, she is a certified hospice volunteer and certified English as a Second Language and adult basic education tutor.
Her career goals include working with developmentally disabled adults. She hopes to earn a master’s degree in social work. She is works at the Kelliher Center in Arlington, MA.
